Carrbridge Films

It's strange how things work out

2009-09-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

A summary of where we've come to with the feature

Now that we really do have the entire plot for the new film sussed it's strange how may connections lie between it and the previous films we planned to produce after Hag of the Bridge premiered - each of which was pushed off the production line for a variety of reasons...so we thought it would be good to share all these productions, a wee bit of each's story lines and why it was canceled!

PROJECT 2
Project 2 was based around the story of an archaeological dig in Carrbridge. It eventually was not produced however as a result of new ideas coming into play and the story line not being complete. The similarities between it and 'The Guild' lie in the fact The Guild is, for a great deal of the film, based around the secretive 'Project 101'

RUGGED
Rugged was supposed to be based around a drug story but we did not think this to be appropriate at the time so it was canceled - and it isn't really related to The Guild either.

THE ARTICLE
This film was based on, as the title suggests, a newspaper article. It was not eventually produced because the plot did not allow for enough flexibility to become anything longer than a short film. However, connections still lie with 'The Guild' - seeing as it is also based around the writing of a specific newspaper article!

THE REBELLION
This, our final prospect idea before 'The Guild', was taken the furthest before being canceled - indeed, this is the only film that can truly be said to have been canceled. All the graphics had been complete and we began production the day of the Golden Spurlte in Carrbridge (2007). The plot was loosely based around a train crash and company called 'The Wethcon'. Unfortunately, it can't remember why it was axed...which is strange. Think it was something to do with the plot...

Find out more about 'The Guild' see www.theguildiscoming.co.uk

Working towards the 26th...

2009-09-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Preparations for Rachel's concert!

We've recently been preparing for Rachel's concert - that's why there's not been much news on anything else! Last night we did a wee photo 'shoot' for promotion of the concert (photo from which can be seen here)
Also, there been much discussion about directions to take the concert, how it will be staged and promotional stuff! Hopefully we'll be getting a wee mention on MFR along with one of Rachel's tracks playing soon so stay tuned for that...we'll let you know if it happens.

Also, Carve Carrbridge this weekend!!

I'll be back at this years event filming and photographing. Missed last years film - see it here

More news...we've just been granted permission by Peatbog Faeries to use one of their tracks in the film of Carve Carrbridge 09 which is great!! Big thanks to them. Check their myspace to hear some of their music...

Think that's all for now. Will be back with another post on Sunday perhaps with photos from Carve Carrbridge so keep checking back.

Filming with Jamie

2009-09-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

Jamie Thom returns as the news reporter!

We were filming with Jamie once again on Monday. Jamie previously appeared in Hag of the Bridge with the very same role - a news reporter. His part was so well received that we thought he had to be brought back.

A few photos from filming:

Dragon Strings and Cocoloco Twitchers

2009-08-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Pictures & info from recent event...

Dragon Strings Concert at Loch Morlich and Cocoloco Twitchers...

Dragon Strings is an exciting and versatile electric string ensemble based in South Wales, UK. Made up of local musicians who all have vast experience of classical string and orchestral playing but also have a vision of music for the future. On Thursday 7th August they took to the stage for an evening performance at Loch Morlich against the backdrop of Cairngorm Mountain. The concert was well attended with over 500 enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, fantastic weather and wonderful music.

Cocoloco is a performance company which covers almost all areas of performance from poetry and street theatre to cabaret, film, lectures and workshops. Thursday 7th August saw them taking their outdoor street 'Twitchers' - a surreal roving act - to the Badenoch and Strathspey area. Twitchers have spent so long bird-watching that their heads have transformed into nests. As the performers slowly move around the site, birds appear from inside the nests, surprising and delighting an amazed audience. Some of the birds are mechanical, others hand puppets.

Check out pictures from the event here (film coming soon!)

Starting on the set

2009-08-05T02:50:00.000-07:00

Last night we started one of the sets for 'The Guild' which is being built in a garage, and being a garage it's full of lot's of stuff...stuff that has to go. Here's some pics
of our progress so far!

Before clearing...

After: Not exactly clear yet but getting there...

Jamie & The Great North Run 09

2009-07-31T05:03:00.001-07:00

One of out Actors, Jamie Thom, will be running in the Great North Run this year in aid of Traidcraft and is on the lookout for sponsorship!

Jamie previously appeared in Hag of the Bridge as a News Reporter (most commonly remember by his outtakes!) and will proceed to take on a similar role in 'The Guild'

If you can, please sponsor him online by clicking here...

A Funny Valentine

2009-07-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 10TH 2009 @ 7.30pm

Carrbridge Village Hall
Tickets £8/£6 under 18's
Carrbridge Community Arts Ticket Line: 01479841211
Tickets online at www.thebooth.co.uk

Funny Valentine

The story and music of Chet Baker told by Mike Maran with live music on stage arranged and performed by Colin Steele and Dave Milligan directed by Patrick Sandford.
It’s 1961 and Chet Baker is in jail in Lucca. He had been voted best trumpet player in the world only five years before – now he’s doing time in an Italian jail for drug offences. Italians strolling around the town walls stop and listen to the sound of Chet’s golden trumpet wafting through the prison bars. Chet shared his prison cell with a storyteller. The storyteller became his friend.

Twenty-eight years later, Chet shared a hotel room in Amsterdam with his friend. That was the night Chet Baker died. Only the storyteller knows what really happened. He knows the whole story – and now he’s telling it. With live music on stage arranged and performed by Colin Steele (trumpet) and Dave Milligan (piano) this is an unforgettable evening of jazz, junk, and genius!

Not suitable for audiences younger than 15 years. www.mikemaran.com

Do you have the perfect porridge?

2009-07-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

Photo by James Ross (see his PBase Gallery here)

NEW GOLDEN SPURTLE WEBSITE & GLOBAL RECIPE COLLECTION

The Carrbridge organisers of the annual World Porridge Making Championships are aiming to establish one of the largest collections of oatmeal recipes from across the globe with the launch of a newly designed website.

The new Golden Spurtle site, which went "live" for the first time last week, invites internet visitors to submit their favourite recipes which can be rated by other website users to find the most popular.
The voting will close on the morning of the World Porridge Making Championships to take place on Sunday 11 October 2009 in Carrbridge with the winning submission to be awarded a specially inscribed championship spurtle.

The idea for the recipe collection was put forward by the Golden Spurtle website designer, Roy Brown who explained that a variety of different recipes had already been gathered over the years.

"As well as being used for making porridge, oatmeal is among the basic ingredients in creating a huge range of sweet and savoury dishes including everything from fruit crumble to bread, scones and muffins and even onion soup. The aim is to build up our recipe collection and just see how many different oatmeal recipes we can add to the list," he said.

Think you have what it takes or want to try out some of the recipes? Visit the new Golden Spurtle site @ www.goldenspurtle.com

Dalnahaitnach Shoot!

2009-07-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Firstly, we're going to keep any blogs related to the feature film on this blog as opposed to the previous dedicated blog - that way we can keep all the news in one convenient place!

Today we ventured 4 miles up Station Road (Carrbridge) towards Dalnahaitnach in order to film quite a prominent section of the opening of the film. Rachel Sermanni and Joanne Wood and myself (Fergus Thom) all took to our bikes and cycled the route - not expecting the weather to be quite as hot as it was after checking the internet and finding out it would be cloudy and quite possibly rainy!

The video diary below documents some of the happenings of the day and below are also some photos:

See some pictures from filming here

London Shoot Video Diary

2009-07-02T09:08:00.001-07:00

Here's a wee video diary of footage shot in London and Rachel telling us all what's goin on...

To see some pictures from the London Shoot visit the website @ www.theguildiscoming.co.uk

Market of Optimism comes to Aviemore

2009-06-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

Mischief La-Bas present...

THE MARKET OF OPTIMISM
Tuesday 28 July 2009
The Village Green, Aviemore
1pm – 4pm

An interactive street-long experience, the Market of Optimism has something for everyone, no matter what age you are…

Complete with street performers, ridiculous market stalls, musicians and singers of every kind, the Market of Optimism will bring a source of amusement and inspiration to locals and visitors alike.

Organ Grinder

Invest in a ‘magical makeover’, a trip to the opticians for rose-tinted spectacles, or try their hand at the ‘grow your own luck’ stall. There are magic lamps, heavenly estates and good vibrations, appealing to optimists of every age and disposition.

The Market of Optimism looks forward to welcoming you!

We'll see you there...

Annoucements

2009-06-12T15:45:00.001-07:00

We've got a number of things that are worth the title of 'big announcement' this month and here they are!

NEW WEBSITE

We're all very pleased with the way the new site has turned out. Despite the fact the old website wasn't too problematic with an aim to innovate in the field of media and sharing online we decided it was time for a change. While the most obvious new feature is the design, layout and colour changes our key ambition in making these changes was to create a more interactive experience for the user, hence the launch of 'The Cinema' - our new way of sharing films with everyone in an effective cross-platform way and in a place where you can pick and choose what you see.

NEW PRODUCTIONS

THE GUILD
Despite the fact we've not even publicly announced it yet filming has begun for the new feature film. Entitled ' The Guild' filming began last weekend with a series of short shoots in the big capital: London. Although it's being kept much under covers for the moment expect some very exciting announcements in the not too distant future! Also, following alongside our aim for online innovation we're please to launch the dedicated production website: www.theguildiscoming.co.uk where you'll be able to find all the latest news, video diaries, images and trailers! Also, we're passing on the buck of news and tale telling to our main cast: Megan Druce, Joanne Wood and Sarah McWilliam will all be starting their own blogs to share experiences from front of camera...
Please note: the website will launch soon, it's not ready yet!

IAIN BEAG MACANDRA
If you're from Carrbridge then no doubt you've heard this name a number of times (if not you may have heard of 'The Little Archer'). This year we plan to make a short film based on the local hero from the past! It was initially an idea given to use by Ian Bishop following his victory at last year's Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship in the village and what a great idea it was! We'll be hoping to have a showing of the short film in the hall sometime this year, and although it'll only be short we hope to combine this with an interesting program of Carrbridge History related activities/events! More news to come...

WHAT'S RACHEL GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Following her lead roles in Hag of the Bridge Rachel (Sermanni) will be returning in 'The Guild' with more of a minor role, but one of great importance. Playing herself we thought it would be a good idea to show her in her 'finest hour' doing what she's best known for: singing. So, we'll be hosting a concert later on in the year that will both act as a local musical event and play a fundamental role in our feature. Once again, more news to come...

CARRBRIDGE NEWS
Our final big announcement is 'Carrbridge News'. Since the Carrbridge Newsletter ceased to continue quite a while back I know that there has been discussion about how best to 'get the news to the people' of the village. In order to fill the void left by the newsletter we proudly announce 'Carrbridge News' which will take centre stage hopefully around September and release a live new program, broadcast online for all to see on certain dates at certain times - just like real T.V! This will be a huge undertaking and in order for it to work we'll need lot's of news so will be eagerly awaiting emails etc. with info that we can follow up. We'll also be launching a dedicated website for the pilot scheme, where info, images and news will be shared and where most importantly the news programs will be broadcast! As before, more news soon!...

London Pictures

2009-06-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Some pictures from our trip to London...not great quality as they were taken on a phone but better than I thought they'd turn out!

The Good and the Bad!

2009-06-02T09:51:00.001-07:00

We'll start with the bad (just to get it out of the way). Basically, accidentaly I deleted the folder containing all the images from events last year that could be seen in the events area of the site...meaning all the galleries in that area show as black holes! However, I should be able to recover them but because the website won't be being uploaded again till next Friday they won't be there till then - but the films (the important bits) are all still there for you to enjoy.

The Good!

On a more positive note the new cinema area of the website is now ready!...bringing us one step closer to being able to go live.

Here's a sneak preview of what to expect from this area:

Facebook

2009-05-31T13:02:00.001-07:00

Just a quick reminder: don't forget if you've got facebook you can also follow us there!
Click Here to visit out Facebook Page

Strathy Article

2009-05-28T09:20:00.000-07:00

This week's Badenoch and Strathspey Herald featured an article on the Kingussie Food on Film Festival and The Golden Spurtle film - based on how all the films from the festival will have a screening in the Eden Court Cinema!

Read it here!

Other News...
Filming for the new feature (which is yet to be announced officially) begins next week! Don't forget, the following Friday (12th) we'll be launching the new site (or two!!) and announcing productions for the year.

Website Launch

2009-05-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

We'll be bringing back the website launch to Friday 12th June... don't really know why we decided the 15th as it doesn't really make sense to do it on a Monday So, check the website on Friday 12th June (let's say 3pm) not just for the new design but for the announcements we'll be releasing with regards to our new production! See you all then.

Our Birthday!

2009-05-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

The banner says four...but it's only three!!
Happy Birthday to us!
Three years ago (and now two minutes) Carrbridge Films was officially established, and Hag of the Bridge went into production the following day. I don't really think we had thought we'd be here still, as a company, three years later but I guess that means we've stood the test of time. This year will be an exciting one for us, with a number of productions launching on the 15th of June and we look forward to presenting the results to you towards the end of the year. We'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has helped us up to this point...you all know who you are!! And we look forward to continuing to work with you.

Don't forget, check our website on June 15th when we'll be launching the new website, as well as announcing thee production schedule for the year.

Join Our Email List!

2009-05-16T03:48:00.000-07:00

Strathspey in May, Orkestra de Sol

2009-05-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

Some photos from tonights performance by Orkestra de Sol as part of Strathspey in May 2009. Visit www.strathspeyinmay.com for more info about their programme.

Want to use one of these images on your website? Please check first, email: fthom@carrbridge-films.co.uk

Roughcuts

2009-04-27T08:57:00.001-07:00

Kingussie Food on Film Festival features in the latest issue of Roughcuts, Scottish Screen's Magazine

Click Here to see or download the latest edition

Above: Rachel Sermanni collecting the Highland Youth Food Film Award on behalf of Fergus Thom for his film 'The Golden Spurlte'

My Love is Like a Red Red Rose Film

2009-03-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

Looking over some older footage I came across this, so decided to upload it for all to see!
This was filmed back in 2007 following the TuneUp Tour Concert in Carrbridge. Patsy Reid and Ewan Robertson play 'My Love is Like a Red Red Rose'.

Visit their band's website: Click Here

I did have more footage from the actual concert but unfortunately it was on a laptop which wiped itself blank so it was lost but I'm trying to find the tape it was recorded on...

Pictures of the River Dulnain last night:

See more photos from Carrbridge and the surrounding area: www.flickr.com/carrbridgefilms

New Production Website

2009-03-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

The formal launch date of the dedicated production website for our
next feature length will be the 5th June 09.
This will also include the release of plot details, casting details
and promotional images.

The Studio

2009-03-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since there has been any information about the studio, so here's the update!
The Studio is currently undergoing the process of being dug out from beneath of the leaves that surround it each winter. Being directly under a very large oak tree means that absolutely everything gets covered. Once the leaves are out of the way some ground work will be done to uncover some new rock areas...The entire area around the Studio used to be so covered in leaves that we didn't know what was under it. It wasn't until a few years ago, when we decided to start digging the leaves out, that we realised there was a full formed rock garden (plants and all) below. However, there are still areas that are being uncovered and this year we plan to reveal them all!

Facebooking and Twittering!

2009-03-22T05:29:00.001-07:00

In order to create a closer bond between those who visit our site and ourselves we've decided to join Twitter. This will allow us to make updates more regularly and what we're up to! Also, a facebook page has been created so you can now become our 'fan' on one of the most popular social networking sites...

Welcome to our new blog

2009-03-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

We decided to relaunch the blog fresh to coincide with the launch of our new website and indeed our new production, The Guild.
If you looking for some of our older news then click here to be taken to the old blog.