Jump to content

New Soul Film


richo991

Recommended Posts

if nothing posted up Im giving my views nothing else im a punter waiting like many

 

I think you're being a lot politer than I would have been.

It's not yours or anyone else's fault that some members on here know people involved with the film.  The majority don't, and are fully entitled to ask anything they want, thats what the forum's about.

  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Film making is complex and uncertain so anticipated release dates are often way out.

 

They often take longer than expected to complete and can suffer many delays for a huge variety of reasons, including running out of funding during production.

 

Sometimes publicity helps to attract new funding or can interest a potential distributor. And it isn't unusual for a distributor to ask for a film to be changed or cut, causing more delays.

 

A film which features a lot of licensed music can also go through changes because of clearance issues. Some changes are easy to make but others can require the reshooting of sections.

It's amazing how a 90 minute film can take years to make and can sometimes turn out out to be quite different to the original plan. The process is fascinating and I admire those who have the patience and determination to produce films, especially on a low or moderate budget.

Just making these general points as a reminder of how much work is involved.

Link to comment
Social source share

Have you got anything positive to say about this film. A lot of people have put a lot of hard work into bringing this together, Elaine and others have risked their own money because they believe in the project. Back off and give the film a chance, when it's released and you've paid your money to see it, take all the shots you like.

And a lot of those hardworking people have been totally overlooked, do you realistically believe that the Film production team and the BBC have handled this well. I am stating what many others believe but are too afraid to becuase of hysterical comments like yours

Link to comment
Social source share

I was an extra in "Octopussy" the 1983 James Bond film (uncredited in IMDb boo hoo!) - come to think of it now, I never got free tickets to see it with my family and friends when it was previewed….Maud Evans never answers my letters anymore, and some years ago Roger Moore walked past me in the street in London - completely blanked me!!!…I think all of the other East German soldier extras that spent a Sunday morning at Ferry Meadows that morning are all upset too - boo hoo! We're starting an internet forum so we can all moan about how we've been treated by Broccoli Films.

 

you want to drop taking the p*ss out of people on here

comes over really poor

Edited by mike
  • Helpful 3
Link to comment
Social source share

And a lot of those hardworking people have been totally overlooked, do you realistically believe that the Film production team and the BBC have handled this well. I am stating what many others believe but are too afraid to becuase of hysterical comments like yours

And what makes you draw the conclusion that they have handled it poorly? Surely at this time the film production teams only responsibility is to get this film out, and they appear to be doing everything to keep this in the public eye and to get it out. This I would imagine is part of that process. Do you not think any potential distributors involved, if any are on board, would want a say in this showing, this is a commercial enterprise that needs to go through various commercial phases. Why would the BBC be remotely interested in who was involved in the team and who gets invited, surely for commercial radio they are always going to go down the way of an open ballot on their web site, getting more people registered and their details and potentially new listeners on board is normally the marketing reason for such a partnership. Cant you see the advantage of the publicity of being linked to a BBC festival? As I say, this is a commercial enterprise and dying a death due to loyalty to the “hard working people” isn’t really in anyone’s interest is it.

Don’t you think the time to involve the hard working people is when they have a deal, a release date and some potential of getting some of their investment back. There is too much sentimentality over this, I am biased but I think Elaine to date has done a great job in keeping some form of community over this film, I maybe biased but I can’t get away from the fact people have to realise it’s a commercial venture that has had significant funding, and the film game has rules that have to be adhered to, to allow completion. That’s life.

And maybe instead of worrying about what people on here would get into hysterics about, these hard working people should drop you as their spokesman, you seem to be adopting the hardline rather than conciliatory approach, and contact the production company directly. Isn’t that what people would do in the real world?

  • Helpful 3
Link to comment
Social source share

As far as publicity goes, I don't think they could have done any better than getting it onto the BBC festival, good work.

 

(Sorry this is off topic but it's about film extras. My friend Andy was an extra in one of the later Star Wars movies.  He was on set for 2 days and played a stormtrooper.  He was uncredited in the film.  But on one of these Star Wars nerd sites, they have him down as appearing in it, and apparently a photo of him as well.  How did they get that?)

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest in town Mikey

Elaine has posted this on her FB page

 

There seems to be concern about young people who were in the film who are not invited to the 6 music festival screening. The fact is everyone who had a part in the film has been invited to a cast and crew screening taking place in the coming weeks. The six music festival is not a premier, or a launch of the film, it is an exclusive preview that is being controlled by 6 music and they have limited tickets. I wish they had enough seats for everyone who applied but that was never going to be the case. All films have previews like this at festivals, and it's precisely this kind of event that will help it get a decent cinema release if there is positive feedback. Thanks for you understanding. Best, Elaine

Link to comment
Social source share


you want to drop taking the p*ss out of people on here

comes over really poor

 

Sorry, sometimes my acidic sense of humour takes over…..I wasn't in "Octopussy" either - turned up 5 mins too late and all the roles were all filled, so I just stood around and watched the filming!!

 

But I do find sniping about the film very frustrating. Its been going on from a minority for some time - It feels like someone achieves something (and it really is very good) and Elaine has put everything into it……and immediately the knockers are out.  "It won't be any good", "it won't represent what it was really like", "Why is it taking so long - what's the problem?", and now people are "disgusted" because "the extras (of which there were hundreds at Blackburn King Georges) aren't all invited to a preview" etc. etc. 

 

i'd wager the pre promotion and marketing is largely done by a company, and they'll have a plan to maximise publicity. I am sure there will be further pre-views. :thumbsup: 

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

A very interesting read so far, and clearly a topic which some have very strong views of.  However, I started wondering, that given a tradition of trying to keep all things northern undergorund, whether everyone actually is interested on whether this is a commercial success or not,  ie imagine what would happen if it was?

 

 I have no axe to grind here just curious and I hope it is a success.

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

I thought he was talking about that other lot defending the mission... Maybe he could let us all know....

 

 

The world of fim is a cut throat and dark world, i have seen it for myself.... No room for sentiment.... You can shove your KTF and KOKO where the sun don't sine..

 

The comparison is just because you are an extra in a historical film doesn't mean just you get to sit next to Johnny Depp because you were pirate falling into sea.I don't know what the grumbling about is. Extra work can be well paid and you get to see yourself on film for a few seconds or minutes.I know Rob Messer does it as part of his income. As  long as you have been paid you have no other rights end of unless you want to turn up at film conventions if it is a hit and be a z list celebrity.It's schmoozing and latte time for the directors to influence those in power in the film industry now not time to worry about the costume extras.

 

And Tony Smith you may be due Royalties.

 

A group of former pupils at a London comprehensive school are poised to win thousands of pounds in unpaid royalties for singing on Pink Floyd's classic Another Brick In The Wall 25 years ago.

The pupils from the 1979 fourthform music class at Islington Green School secretly recorded vocals after their teacher was approached by the band's management.

Now the 23 ex-pupils are suing for overdue session musician royalties, taking advantage of the Copyright Act 1997 to claim a percentage of the money from broadcasts.

Music teacher Alun Renshaw took the 13- to 14-year-old pupils out of lessons by to the nearby Britannia Recording Studios in Islington to record - without the head's permission.

With its chorus of "We don't need no education, we don't need no thought control, no dark sarcasm in the classroom - teachers leave them kids alone," the song was an anthem for teenagers. The album The Wall sold over 12 million copies.

Music royalties expert Peter Rowan said: "Some of the kids have put in a claim for royalties due to session musicians for recordings played on the

radio or broadcast since

1997. We are going through the process of claiming now."

Today, Mr Renshaw, 59, revealed how he hid the song's lyrics from the head. The Evening Standard tracked him down to his home outside Sydney, Australia, where he runs a vocational training course company.

He said: "I viewed it as an interesting sociological thing and also a wonderful opportunity for the kids to work in a live recording studio.

"We had a week where we practised around the piano at school, then we recorded it at the studios. I sort of mentioned it to the headteacher, but didn't give her a piece of paper with the lyrics on it."

When the song was released the Inner London Education Authority called it "scandalous".

Headteacher Margaret Maden banned the children from appearing on Top Of The Pops or in newspapers and refused to let the band make a video of them singing it.

Mr Renshaw, who emigrated shortly after the song reached No1, said: "Afterwards I looked at the words again and realised ... well! But the parents said it was great and the children loved doing it. Margaret was very good about it. She absorbed most of the politics and I didn't get too badly told off."

Islington Green's current headmaster, Trevor Averre-Beeson, has a platinum record of the song, and the school got a cheque for ?1,000. But Mr Renshaw said: "At the time we didn't think of it in terms of money, more of the experience."

Ms Maden, 62, now a professor at Keele, said: "Alun Renshaw was a seriously good if somewhat anarchic music teacher. I was only told about it after the event, which didn't please me. But on balance it was part of a very rich musical education."

Peter Thorpe, who sang on the single, told friends: "We were just taken to the studios and it was great fun. I didn't realise royalties were owed and I'm very glad to be in a position to claim them."

Link to comment
Social source share

A very interesting read so far, and clearly a topic which some have very strong views of.  However, I started wondering, that given a tradition of trying to keep all things northern undergorund, whether everyone actually is interested on whether this is a commercial success or not,  ie imagine what would happen if it was?

 

 I have no axe to grind here just curious and I hope it is a success.

 

That's a good question. I'm guessing though that people are more concerned about the filmakers getting things right, regarding the scene. Seems to me that people feel they own the copyright almost to the world of Northern Soul. Rightly or wrongly, that's how passionate folk are. 

Link to comment
Social source share

Sorry, sometimes my acidic sense of humour takes over…..I wasn't in "Octopussy" either - turned up 5 mins too late and all the roles were all filled, so I just stood around and watched the filming!!

 

But I do find sniping about the film very frustrating. Its been going on from a minority for some time - It feels like someone achieves something (and it really is very good) and Elaine has put everything into it……and immediately the knockers are out.  "It won't be any good", "it won't represent what it was really like", "Why is it taking so long - what's the problem?", and now people are "disgusted" because "the extras (of which there were hundreds at Blackburn King Georges) aren't all invited to a preview" etc. etc. 

 

i'd wager the pre promotion and marketing is largely done by a company, and they'll have a plan to maximise publicity. I am sure there will be further pre-views. :thumbsup:

 

:ohmy:  ....... I'm soooo going to get in trouble for highlighting that  :D

 

Elaine - if you read this, I apologise & I'll buy you a large drink at Peebles if you're going again  :thumbsup:

 

Good luck with it all, & I can't wait to see the film  :thumbup:

  • Helpful 3
Link to comment
Social source share

I saw it a few weeks ago in LA, with some fellow soulies including a couple of folk that attended Wigan etc.....there were skeptics amongst us, but that soon turned into appreciation of a film that takes a good look at the experiences of one fellows voyage into musical discovery. It's gonna be tough to cram into 90 minutes a whole life's worth of friendships, discoveries, tragedies and everything that comes with the scene, but in our opinion, it was an honest shot at documenting the scene to appeal to all audiences.

 

The music selection was on point, the acting was honest and homegrown, and the dance scenes were choreographed with passion. I'm sure diehards will have plenty of holes to pick at, but as a movie made from within the scene by soul music lovers, I recommend it 100%. 90 minutes ain't gonna represent a lifetime, but it's a damn good start. 

 

Hi Greg, yes agree.....was lucky enough to be among a small group to see it late last year, just after it was finished but kept quiet about it :shhh:  - I loved it, as you might tell from my posts. And I think the vast majority of people on the scene will dig it too.

 

:ohmy:  ....... I'm soooo going to get in trouble for highlighting that  :D

 

Elaine - if you read this, I apologise & I'll buy you a large drink at Peebles if you're going again  :thumbsup:

 

 

Oh God! A real "Colemanballs" on my part Alison! Please don't send to "Private Eye"  :P

Edited by Steve G
  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Amazing how many members on here are literally willing  this movie to fail .

More so on Facebook, so right old duffers saying its sh1te with amazing foresight having not seen it. Also the sense of entitlement some feel they had to be dance scene extras, have tickets to premieres etc because they did a couple of years at the Casino amazes me. 

 

This is made by one of us, at her own expense. I cannot be anything but excited about this film. 

Link to comment
Social source share

Having just seen the Northern Soul dancers with Pharrell Williams at the end of 'The Brits', the timing for the release of this film couldn't be better - exposure to the general public of the whole NS thing is growing at quite a pace (whether we like it or not).

The chances of the film being a commercial success must be pretty good right now.

  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

All I asked is Dose anyone know when new soul film is released  or have I missed It. LoL!

 

 

Had to laugh at some of comments !!!! and shake my head at some    

                                                                                                                 Richo 

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Andy Kempster

can it be such a bad thing that northern soul is "on trend"?

 

so what!!!

 

everyone moans on about needing new blood to keep things alive and right now here is the perfect opportunity.

 

be thankful that people other than 50+ are interested and want a piece of this great thing, without this movie and the brits it's just a floundering scene with a declining demographic

 

i applaud it and so should we all

 

Andy

 

:yes:

Link to comment
Social source share


Sorry, sometimes my acidic sense of humour takes over…..I wasn't in "Octopussy" either - turned up 5 mins too late and all the roles were all filled, so I just stood around and watched the filming!!

 

But I do find sniping about the film very frustrating. Its been going on from a minority for some time - It feels like someone achieves something (and it really is very good) and Elaine has put everything into it……and immediately the knockers are out.  "It won't be any good", "it won't represent what it was really like", "Why is it taking so long - what's the problem?", and now people are "disgusted" because "the extras (of which there were hundreds at Blackburn King Georges) aren't all invited to a preview" etc. etc. 

 

i'd wager the pre promotion and marketing is largely done by a company, and they'll have a plan to maximise publicity. I am sure there will be further pre-views. :thumbsup:

 

Sorry, sometimes my acidic sense of humour takes over…..I wasn't in "Octopussy" either - turned up 5 mins too late and all the roles were all filled, so I just stood around and watched the filming!!

 

But I do find sniping about the film very frustrating. Its been going on from a minority for some time - It feels like someone achieves something (and it really is very good) and Elaine has put everything into it……and immediately the knockers are out.  "It won't be any good", "it won't represent what it was really like", "Why is it taking so long - what's the problem?", and now people are "disgusted" because "the extras (of which there were hundreds at Blackburn King Georges) aren't all invited to a preview" etc. etc. 

 

i'd wager the pre promotion and marketing is largely done by a company, and they'll have a plan to maximise publicity. I am sure there will be further pre-views. :thumbsup:

Did they pay the extras? If not then they have a right to moan - If they got paid they dont have right to moan. This is me stating this as I I know what its like as an extra and it varies depending on which company- Most pay by the day but you have your own expenses to pay!

Edited by Ernie Andrews
Link to comment
Social source share

Did they pay the extras? If not then they have a right to moan - If they got paid they dont have right to moan. This is me stating this as I I know what its like as an extra and it varies depending on which company- Most pay by the day but you have your own expenses to pay!

They did pay the extras on the day and fed us well too. Although I'm not certain they did for the dance hall scenes as there were 100s, but they went on to stage a soul night straight after with Searling, Ginger etc on. I can see no reason why some are moaning other than perhaps they want a bit of the limelight.

On your other question this wasn't totally funded by Elaine, friends and family; but they have stumped up everything for this as well as seeking sponsorship etc.

Edited by Byrney
Link to comment
Social source share

So is this a totally Independent film financed only by Elaine and close friends?

 

Pretty much, as Steve says they asked for financing early on, and held a "do" in a warehouse venue in Shoreditch. Not sure that they got too much in the end, lots of talk as usual, but fewer ppl prepared to put money in - same old story probably. It has certainly taken over much of Elaine and Marco's life for the last few years getting it done.

Link to comment
Social source share

Realistically, does anybody believe that this film,   no matter how well made and meritorious it may be,    at best will do anything other than achieve mid level box office sales in the UK, possibly in time even win a "minor" British film award or two for costume or screen play or such like, and do reasonable business later on as a cult movie with home video sales/downloads?

 

And in the US?  Hardly likely to even raise an eyebrow,  wouldn't you think?   Can't see millions flocking to theatres in the US to turn this movie into a box office blockbuster like Fame or Flashdance , do you?  One suspects that, because of the very Britishness of the subject matter,  Americans simply won't "get it' ...  just like they never "got" The Jam, for example.

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest in town Mikey

Realistically, does anybody believe that this film,   no matter how well made and meritorious it may be,    at best will do anything other than achieve mid level box office sales in the UK, possibly in time even win a "minor" British film award or two for costume or screen play or such like, and do reasonable business later on as a cult movie with home video sales/downloads?

 

And in the US?  Hardly likely to even raise an eyebrow,  wouldn't you think?   Can't see millions flocking to theatres in the US to turn this movie into a box office blockbuster like Fame or Flashdance , do you?  One suspects that, because of the very Britishness of the subject matter,  Americans simply won't "get it' ...  just like they never "got" The Jam, for example.

 

You could be right, but who knows. I wonder if the friends of people who made Billy Elliot or Muriels Wedding expected the sucess they found?

Who knows what makes a small budget movie a sucess?

 

For Elaine and Marco's sake I hope it does become worldwide smash.

Link to comment
Social source share

Realistically, does anybody believe that this film,   no matter how well made and meritorious it may be,    at best will do anything other than achieve mid level box office sales in the UK, possibly in time even win a "minor" British film award or two for costume or screen play or such like, and do reasonable business later on as a cult movie with home video sales/downloads?

 

And in the US?  Hardly likely to even raise an eyebrow,  wouldn't you think?   Can't see millions flocking to theatres in the US to turn this movie into a box office blockbuster like Fame or Flashdance , do you?  One suspects that, because of the very Britishness of the subject matter,  Americans simply won't "get it' ...  just like they never "got" The Jam, for example.

 

Smiling here. Your user name is 'sunnysoul' yet your posting is incredibly downbeat and not sunny at all..

 

However it is received, it will still be a very well put together piece of art that will remain throughout time.

 

Glass half full!  :thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Smiling here. Your user name is 'sunnysoul' yet your posting is incredibly downbeat and not sunny at all..

 

However it is received, it will still be a very well put together piece of art that will remain throughout time.

 

Glass half full!  :thumbsup:

 

 

As a matter of fact, I'm in the "positive" corner with you and Mikey.

 

I sincerely hope it'll be a world wide smash and have literally millions turning on to soul music and turning up to northern soul gigs all over the world !

Link to comment
Social source share

As a matter of fact, I'm in the "positive" corner with you and Mikey.

 

I sincerely hope it'll be a world wide smash and have literally millions turning on to soul music and turning up to northern soul gigs all over the world !

 

Steady!  :lol:

 

Who knows how it will be received, I don't think the film makers are anticipating a world wide smash, lets just wait and see shall we?

Link to comment
Social source share

Thought the book was fine,bit scant on detail on the Scottish side o the scene, but hey can't have everything.hope Elaine and her backers do not lose out financially after the efforts too put this together,look forward too getting the dvd.:-)

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Carl Dixon

I am thinking that this film equates similarly to those writers/performers/musicians/executive producers of/on the very soul records from back in the day that are cherished now, who invested in something they believe in. Having the passion and conviction to create something of worth others may appreciate isn't easy. I think that is why so many Northern Soul records are respected because they didn't make it or tried to survive against all odds, the bigger labels and the top 40 format. Had it not been for them back in 1965 for example, we would all be dancing the night away to lieutenant Pidgeon and Mouldy Old Dough! This movie could trigger something that is organic and positive for all ages. I never thought the culture that I grew up in could ever compete with say, rock and roll, but it is. I am proud that many of the records I said in the 1973 would be classics one day (and laughed at) are.

 

Can you imagine all the negativity they had from people around them. Had they listened and not pursued their dream, again, we would have been spinning away on the dance floor to the likes of Chirpy Chirpy Cheap Cheap and having DJ's constantly saying things like 'I picked that up from Hull market for 20p with a copy of 'They are coming to take me away ha ha'..it was a bargain'.

 

Good luck with the film.

Edited by Carl Dixon
Link to comment
Social source share

hopefully i can put a little more perspective onto this thread. Ive worked at the top end of the film industry for 25 years, from big budget blockbusters to small indie movies.I costume designed the movie ''Soulboy'.Been a soul/northern fan from around 68/69 and attended allnighter from early 74-78. About 25 years ago i wrote a stage play about 2 young men caught up in petty crime then murder in 1972, set against a background of northern soul and set also in the north of England.Eventually it became a film script, and as i was working in the industry i was able to show it to the right people.It came within a whisker of getting funded by RCA  who wanted to license the music.After many tries i gave up, i hadn't the free time it demanded and although it received many complimentary remarks about the storyline..the overall feeling was ( around 2001) that the northern soul angle wasnt commercial enough.My experiences proved that it is extremely difficult to get a script off the ground and into a film.However once you have completed filming it can be even harder to get a distribution deal.Ive worked on a few where after filming the movie disappeared..leaking out in a cinema for a 5 day release then sunk.Its a common occurrence .I suspect this may have happened to this latest attempt. Money is usually (or the lack of it) the cause..everything is cutback..and it can suffer..its like trying to build a car with a too small budget..with help from friends and goodwill etc..very hard.Often films are built/budgeted around a strong cast first..but even then things can soon wither away..an actor may agree to be attached to a production but with no commitment things can soon plummet. By comparison the movie 'Quadrophenia' was a full on production with many upcoming actors as well as 'star' sting and the backing of the Who with a soundtrack release guaranteed.A different story, literally.I had no involvement with the recent northern soul film, once was enough for me.I wish it success but i can imagine it has been a trying time for director/producers..

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Get involved with Soul Source

Add your comments now

Join Soul Source

A free & easy soul music affair!

Join Soul Source now!

Log in to Soul Source

Jump right back in!

Log in now!


×
×
  • Create New...