Your presence is requested at the Royal Albert Hall

 

Hi Mediadreamzers

In the space of two days I have only had a total of 5 hours sleep, but god it was worth it for the opportunities and fun I have had. Two sort of followed day one as I got back from the James Bond Dinner and Music night at 2.15am Monday morning, before getting the train to the capital and arriving at my hotel where I spent the next hour and half getting ready for, wait for it, The London Premiere of ‘Spectre’, at the Royal Albert Hall. That’s right I had had the honor and privilege of walking down the red carpet.

 

Before that a group of us met up at my hotel, funny how many of us were staying there, and we had a drink or two before jumping into a people carrier to the Hall. Whilst we were heading down that way Mike was preping us on what will happen the second we step out of the carrier, talking about how we all knew one another, the James Bond dinner some of us had gone to, everyone got into the swing of saying ‘I can’t believe….’ XYZ about James Bond, London, then I decided to add to the mix ‘I can’t believe there’s a great big Sainsburys over there’. And the carrier erupted with laughter at the random comment before we all got out and headed up the cornered off area for V.I.Ps and guests. It was torture standing around in my sandals and then we got to step onto the red carpet and it was awesome. I saw a lot of famous faces and I my friend Damian pointed Adele out to me but I didn’t get the chance to take a picture of her as security and staff were steering us all in.

 

 

 

Once inside and we made our way to our seats, something I owe my friend to a thank you for; he got us the BEST seats in the Royal Albert Hall at the very very back at the top. Once the Duke, Duchess and Harry had done their meet and greet, Sam Mendes and Barbara Broccoli came onto the stage and began introducing the actors and the lights dimmed down, and it began.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The film was out of this world and I was still finding it hard to believe that I was seating in the Royal Albert Hall watching it on the big screen. We were going to go to the after party but because the venue was full to burst a group of us decided to have our own after party and in style, in a casino. And I can share you my Mediadreamzers darlings that in the early hours of this morning (00.24am and 01.23am) I was enjoying two Vesper Martinis. So in a way I was having a pre breakfast, whilst I got chatting to some Americans who had come over to see the film and other film enthusiasts. We were in the casino till 2.30am and after being dropped off by Mike and Pip, two amazing people, at my hotel at 3am I was too wide awake to go to sleep so I stayed up reading comments about my photos I had posted on Facebook about the night. I will not be forgetting this night for a very longtime and the best thing is I get to keep my ticket and holder that it came in, and I am certainly going to frame these and keep them for the rest of my life. So the next question I need to ask is, after the nights events does this make me a Bond Girl?

 

It was such a shame that I had to leave London, it was a brilliant two days just gone, I look forward to my next event/ media related activity. Hopefully back soon. One thing I did laugh at during the nights footloose and fancy free moments was my JB nicknames being used.

 

Nunquam Deditioneum

I’ve been expected you Miss Smith, for Dinner

Hi Mediadreamzers

As promised I said I would tell you about my very exciting and wonderful news. My day wasn’t anything special, but the evening was worth the wait. Having gotten changed, it was a case of driving to the place I call my second home, well maybe an extension of that is the Pinewood Hotel.

 

 

 

Why? Answer to attend a dinner and music event in honor of the Bond franchise. The event was called Q the Music, a night listening to and appreciating the music composed and played for the James Bond films. Although I had to work in the morning, the event definitely got me through my shift, and I admit I nearly missed the dinner because of being stuck at three congestion points on the M1, 2 breakdowns and an accident, but I didn’t give up and I made it. Once I got in I was greeted by a group of other James Bond enthusiasts have the privilege of trying meals that have featured in the Bond films; it was a three course dinner. For me stater was Salmon, Watercress and creme Fraiche from Tomorrow Never Dies, Main Chicken Supreme, potato rosti and red wine jus from Casino Royale and Desert Chocolate Torte with Hazelnut cream (normally I don’t eat sweets, but it was amazing). It was great catching up with people I have met before and those I have worked with as it has been ages. One thing I also did that I have never done before was try a cigar and my initial thoughts were that it was not bad. Once dinner was over the room was transformed into a venue for enjoying the Q the Music team; there were two singers and I have to say that some of the theme songs they song were way better than what some of the artists have produced over the years (not wanting to name names but you can probably guess). In between the music there was Terry Bamber’s stand up comedy and commentary on the facts about the various Bond films, songs and his and his dad’s experience in the film industry. Both witty and interesting. I couldn’t believe how quickly the night had come to an end, and I had the honor of meeting so many great people and catching up with others I had met and have known for a longtime. It was so good that I got back at 2.15am and was still wide awake from all the excitement.

 

The night was one I will not be forgetting in a hurry and it is also a pre treat for me considering I will be where most of the world’s media will be tomorrow night, the capital for a mind-blowing event. I hope you have all guessed correctly. You will see anyway, especially me all dressed for the nights fun.

Here is my score for the whole night

 

Nunquam Deditioneum

More Mayhem to shake you to the core

If you though one event was exciting then several will get you buzzing.

Well, in my case that’s what happened, every year near to Halloween at the Broadway Cinema the Mayhem Festival kicks off and although I did not go for the whole sch-bang I did enjoy the ones I chose to go to, and my all time favorite was the watching and hearing an Hammer Horror script that had NEVER been read before. The script was titled ‘The Unquenchable Thirst of Dracula’ and honestly if Christopher Lee was alive and it were the 1970’s I would strongly suggest that he play Dracula. Majority of the event was listening to a series of actors read their allocated parts and the Narrator Johnathan Rigby reading too.
The plot in short is this; Count Dracula escape to India where his evil influence is just as insidious and powerful. This script would also stand as a great horror story round a campfire for those wanting to spook one another.

It is definitely a big thank you that needs to be given to the Hammer Films and The Cinema & Television History Research Centre. Only wish that there were more Hammer Horror scripts like this, fingers crossed for the future though.

Following on from the night a sheer terror came the next master class to go to with the guest speaker being Michael Eaton, who is a English playwright and scriptwriter. He is best known for his television docudrama scripts, including Shipman, Why Lockerbie and Shoot to Kill, and for writing the feature film Fellow Traveller (1989), which won best screenplay in the British Film Awards.
In recent years, he has become known for stage plays and his radio dramas for the BBC. Listening and taking notes on the various productions he has been part of and why he go into the industry as many of us have a reason or some form of inspiration/ goal for choosing this career path. I am looking forward to hearing about his next or future works as it was inspiring to listen to someone from the region I grew up in make it in the Media. I only hope I can get as far as I want to go, only time will tell.

Well, I am getting excited about next weekend, granted I am working but as soon as I am done its a case of getting changed and driving to the second place I like to call my home. I do not wish to give too much away as I will ruin it, all to be revealed next Sunday. And yes there will be photos as it is very rare I put pictures up of my Media activities and events, I seriously need to correct that.

Nunquam Deditioneum

Magnetitude of a Masterclass: Francine Marchetti

Hi Mediadreamzers

Gosh it feels like years have passed since I last wrote a post on here, its mainly down to getting everything finally settled with moving house. Now I am back and nearing to share my planned and upcoming events and media activities.

The first one to share with you was a Masterclass and Networking event that happened earlier today. This is and was part of the Nottingham International Microfilm Festival (its one of the many upcoming events I am looking forward to going to over the next few days). So it was a case of travelling to Nottingham and getting ready to listen to, make notes and ask questions from the guest speaker; Francine Marchetti.

And the next question is who is Francine Marchetti and the answer is that she is an accomplished senior executive and producer with extensive experience in film, television and digital media production, including scripted and non- scripted content creation, production and post-production management, and production pipelines in visual effects, animation and stereoscopic 3D for global entertainment. She will be discussing her work and developments for those aspiring industry professionals. One particular production Francine was involved in was the film W. about Wallis Simpson. Listening to her experiences, how and why she got involved in the industry, tips and advice and a few funny moments in the industry and on projects was both insightful and intriguing.

I know my main area is miscellaneous crew but it nice to hear from other fields in the industry and if they know of or can recommend individuals to contact or send ones details too.

My media work with the company I work with is going well, and I am definitely looking forward to the new year where I get the chance to go into the field more with the camera crew and work upstairs with the editors and assistant producers and hopefully now forward some point next year.

There is one particular event that is on my calendar that I am getting very excited about and it will be a pre-birthday treat for me to go to well there are actually two; one on 25th and one 26th. Keep your eyes open for pictures and clues on the events yet to come. I may also be involved for a few days on a freelance project back in my home county.

Nunquam Deditioneum