Steve S 60

As has been discussed on here in previous posts, many door prices have not gone up in years, or have increased very slightly in relative terms. The promoter needs to cover his costs, so value for money is the name of the game when choosing venues. I may be wrong, but many venues are quite happy to host soul events, as what they get for the most part is a mature, well behaved crowd. This may help when negotiating room costs, security staff etc. Also, memberships are a good idea in my opinion. Whether free, annual subscription or one off payment, it gives the punter a sense of belonging. Discounted members rates, newsletters etc would help to justify any fee. I would be happy to pay extra if I was guaranteed a good night, but it is always going to be a balancing act with regards to covering costs and what the punter is prepared to pay. A full venue with punters paying £5 is better than a half empty venue with punters having paid £8 say.

Swifty, I hope you weren't referring to the young lass in the record shop with the white jeans with tartan trimming.

Permission to wobble bottom lip approved.

After seeing the film at the Blackburn premiere, I said I would reserve my judgement until I had seen it on a decent screen with a good sound system that would do it justice. Well, I watched it last night on Blu Ray, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, being able to take in all the dialogue and make out everything on screen. It reminds me of one of those kitchen sink dramas that the British do so well. The characters were totally believable and were people you could relate to. The young actors playing the leads were convincing in the roles, and drew you into the film. The older established actors played their parts well, and didn't detract from the main protagonists. As a period piece, it evoked mostly fond memories of the era, the decade that fashion forgot. Wide trousers and big collars were in abundance. Hands up whose Dads warned them they'd take off in a strong wind. The settings were spot on, and provided an authentic backdrop. The language and behaviour of the characters were in keeping with the time and location. The soundtrack was used to good effect, and helped to enhance the images on screen. Plenty of humour interspersed with the drama, with lots of laugh out loud moments, the dance competition trophy and the kids practicing their moves on an old mattress, one of them with a plaster cast on his foot. Most poignant for me were the parallels I could draw with my own time on the scene, forty years condensed into ninety minutes. Watching it on Blu Ray, the film was divided into twelve acts. I'm currently at the end of Act 11, maybe time to get the spray paint out. On a personal note, I would have to substitute the MVPs for the Tempests.......Someday. I would implore everybody to watch the "Making Of Northern Soul", an extra on the Blu Ray. It gives an insight into the incredible dedication and effort that went into this film. Here's the intro.... https://youtu.be/_XdPvqEfJzE Thanks Elaine and co. You have repaid my faith.

The vinyl box set has just dropped to £64 on Amazon...... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Northern-Soul-Soundtrack-Vinyl-VINYL/dp/B00LJWCGO6/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1405590361&sr=1-4&keywords=northern+soul

It's also available on download from Amazon Instant (formerly Love Film) and the Playstation Network. I would imagine Netflix and Blinkbox will probably have it as well.

Just checked and it's available to watch on demand on Sky. Didn't check the pricing, but most films can be downloaded and watched over a few days, or can be kept on your Sky Box hard drive if you pay more.

Our local cinema in Penrith has now announced they'll be showing it from the 7th November. Probably nothing to do with me winding down my car window and shouting across at the cinema manager when I spotted him in the street the other day. Nice one Matthew.

They can put them on the Director's Cut.

For those hung up on the small details with regard to authenticity, just be thankful Hollywood didn't produce the film. Wichita Casino, anybody?

1:40 ish.

I thought Ninjas were supposed to be invisible. Don't mind if the photographers are discrete and keep off the dance floor, but I've been to an event where they were an absolute pain in the arse, walking around in amongst the dancers. Trouble is, I think the promoter or the venue management had hired them. Clueless.

White Skinners and Oxblood DMs.

I'll agree with you there Pete. Unfortunately a lot of older gentlemen who wear them must be under the impression they actually make you a better dancer, and that's sadly not the case. Witnessed a guy the other week who was wearing the full regalia, bags, brogues and bowling shirt. After being in the venue for about half an hour, I said to my sister who was with me, "I bet he doesn't make it to the end of the record" and right on cue he stopped dancing half way through. I don't think he made it through an entire track the whole night. Sorry if I'm going slightly off topic, but it was funny at the time, and I'm firmly of the belief you shouldn't be wearing baggies if either your age or waistline is greater than the width of your trouser bottoms.

Wore bags when I was a teenager. Easy to drop the fashion as styles changed. I think it's much harder for these fifty something baggy trouser wearers to suddenly start dressing normally, as it would be akin to admitting that you looked like a clown and you've finally seen sense.

Try this...... https://www.northernsoulthefilm.com/cinemas.html

Harbour Lights in Southampton on 15th and 19th November. https://www.ourscreen.com/screening/37624 https://www.ourscreen.com/screening/37603

I think another problem is events have become more genteel affairs as we've all mellowed with age and become a lot more tolerant. The friendly atmosphere is going to attract more people who aren't necessarily there primarily for the music. Not saying I'd like to go back to what it was like in the 70's and 80's, but we would have probably booted any handbags off the floor back then.

Yes, if past (and present) experience is anything to go by. In an attempt to recoup their money, many promoters would relax the door policy, probably allowing the local p*ss heads and hand baggers in after they've done their rounds of the local pubs. It happens now, and with a lot more money at stake it would be tempting for many promoters in what would be classed as a business venture.

Now we're all arthritic and grim.

Spot, the all nighter scenes were filmed at the King George's Hall in Blackburn. All the youngsters came from all over the country and had attended the regular dance clubs in London and Bolton that were started a couple of years prior to filming. There was certainly enough to fill the dance floor when I went down to witness the filming. The "older" extras were used around the edges of the floor for the long shots.

Good Morning Britain will be doing a feature on the film this Thursday morning, sometime between 0700 and 0930.

I think this film is unique in that the majority of screenings are down to fans getting together through social media and organising their own screenings. The distribution must have far surpassed anybody's expectations, and hopefully more cinemas will pick up on it. I could be wrong, but the distribution company will probably be rubbing their hands together, as I imagine they'll get a percentage of the box office takings, regardless of whether they arranged the screening or not. It's probably something that a lot of independent film makers will need to consider in the future.

Elaine C and Lisa Stansfield are going to be interviewed on BBC Breakfast at 0850 this morning. Already had a feature at 0754 (watch it again on the BBC Breakfast website) with an interview with Dave Stubbs, who booked his local cinema.

Decent article in the Guardian..... https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/12/northern-soul-movie-cinema-screenings-social-media-fuels-demand