the BROADer issue

Build your own outdoor cinema

If, as predicted, we enjoy a hot and dry Summer this year, some of you might like the idea of having your own outdoor cinema.

I spotted this article on the Wired website, which tells you how to go about doing just that.

Frightened off by the high cost of an off-the-shelf solution, the article's author, Dave Banks, improvised. Co-opting a projector from work, and investing in some suitable speakers, he then decided to make his own screen (pictured), to save money on the most expensive part of the set-up.

The project seems to have been a great success, and Dave not only shows how he built the screen, but the mistakes he made, and how he'd avoid them if he did it all over again.

'Lights, Camera, Action ... Network!' course at FDMX

FDMX, based at the University of Hertfordshire, was set up to help people working within the film, TV and digital media industries to develop their skills, knowledge and contacts. It also acts as a gateway for those wishing to get into the industry or make a career change.

FDMX works closely with industry and university partners to offer career advice, research, networking opportunities and, above all training.

'Lights, Camera, Action ... Network!' is a four-day practical introduction to social marketing, aimed at filmmakers, producers and distributors.

Over the four days - 30 June to 3 July, 2009 - participants will be introduced to social media and social networking tools and services they can use market and publicise their projects more effectively. They will also publish content 'live' on a public site and begin the process of creating a network, as well as publish a blog, create a Youtube channel and create social marketing content.

For more information about the course visit this page on the FDMX website.

Tyrell CCT opens new branch in London

Today sees the official opening of the UK subsidiary of Dublin media technology reseller Tyrell CCT.

The new venture, which is being run from offices in Poland Street, is staffed by Mark Lynn (right) and Nick Soper.

For more information, here is the official announcement on the Tyrell CCT website. Congratulations and good luck to the Tyrell team.

NABS evening of advertising nostalgia in aid of charity

This Thursday (14 May) at the London College of Fashion, near Oxford Circus, the NABS charity and the History Of Advertising Trust (HAT) are co-hosting an event to celebrate over 30 years of great British commercials.

NABS patron and HAT President Sir John Hegarty (pictured) will chair a panel featuring four prominent UK advertising industry 'creatives':

Daniel Kleinman, Commercials Director at Rattling Stick
Tony Davidson, ECD at Wieden & Kennedy
Ben Priest, Creative Founding Partner, Adam & Eve
Nick Gill, ECD at BBH

Each of the panelists has chosen his favourite commercial from the last three and a bit decades. During the evening all of the commercials will be shown and Sir John and his guests will discuss and debate what makes them so memorable.

Tickets cost £45 per person and £20 for students. Tickets are available by contacting Barbara Seymour at NABS on 020 7462 3150 or via e-mail.The event is being filmed by Informed Sauce for publication on the NABS website, with the support of video hire and crewing company Procam, and the Soho branch of commercials editing company, The Whitehouse.

'8-bit Waterslide in REAL TIME' by Tea&Cheese

I really like this little animated movie, which dates from 1982. Thanks to @bpinaud for bringing it to my attention via Twitter.

'The Hunt For Gollum' debuts online to thrill LOTR fans

A remarkable 40-minute film, 'The Hunt For Gollum', inspired by Tolkein's appendices to 'Lord Of The Rings' and by Peter Jackson's trilogy of films, and made with a budget of only £3,000, debuts tomorrow (3 May) at a London sci-fi festival and on the internet.

What makes 'The Hunt For Gollum' remarkable is that it isn't, despite the tiny budget, a valiant but somewhat amateurish attempt by a bunch of fans to show their appreciation. I've watched the trailer and it looks fantastic. The lead actor looks uncannily like Viggo Mortensen, the make-up and costumes closely resemble those used in the Jackson movies (that's where a lot of the £3,000 went, apparently), and it's filmed and lit beautifully.

Director Chris Bouchard assembled a crew of 160, including a team of 'crowdsourced' VFX artists, to make the film, which was shot in North Wales, Epping Forest, and on Hampstead Heath.

The plot:

Gandalf and Aragorn realise that Gollum is out there somewhere and he has key information about the Ring and they have to track him down before the enemy captures him. They know the war is coming, and this sets up Middle-earth in a state of foreboding before it all kicks off.

For more information, visit the film's official website, and read this interview with Chris Bouchard on the BBC website.

Final Cut Pro users get Finalcutters online community

Martin Baker of Digital Heaven has launched a new community site for Final Cut Pro users, Finalcutters.

It's packed with FCP-related news, debate, product information, tips, tricks and opinions. If you're interested in joining in the FCP fun, visit the Finalcutters site.