ITN News broadcasts Undercurrents footage of GM crop thrashingrop

Today ITN showed footage shot by Undercurrents co-founder Zoe Broughton a few years ago of activists thrashing an entire GM crop in Norfolk. The GM industry is worried that a fresh wave of activism will destroy the latest crops.


Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Call out for Women film makers.

 The media is currently expressing its shock about the absence of women from
 this years Cannes Film Festival (as well as the last two years) and is
 advocating the need to promote films made by women and give women more
 opportunities to engage more generally in filmmaking. 
 
 But is this shocking? Not really. Unfortunately this situation is not new
 and has been going on for many years. 
 
 I would like to invite you on a journey to establish an initiative/
 cooperative for women involved in the different roles of filmmaking. 
 Whether you are a director, camera operator, editor, make-up artist,
 scriptwriter, sound woman, producer, actress, or whatever, this initiative
 is for you. 
 
 We will explore and create this initiative together.  It will be a space
 for coming up with new ideas, creating collaborations, and most
 importantly-- making films! So there will be more films out there made by
 women and about the subjects and the perspectives that we are interested
 in. 
 
 Please email karenstories@hotmail.com to be involved and get more
 information about the initiative.
 Keren Ghitis
 Film director & writer.

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Cops to take all info from your phone

Arrested during a protest? Then expect the Metropolitan Police to take all the info off your phone. Even if they don't charge you with any offence.

They have implemented a system to extract mobile phone data from suspects held in custody.The data includes call history, texts and contacts, and it will be retained regardless of whether any charges are brought.The technology is being used in 16 London boroughs, and could potentially be used by police across the UK.
Read more

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

14-19 years wanted for film making in Cardiff

Film Nation: Shorts and BAFTA presents:
Mastering Your Craft: First Assistant Directing with Dan Winch

6pm, 13th June, Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road Canton, Cardiff, CF5
1QE, tel: 029 2031 1050

Film Nation: Shorts and BAFTA present a free masterclass with Dan Winch,
a First Assistant Director whose credits include BAFTA-nominated
Tyrannosaur, Birdsong, Stolen, The Crimson Petal and The White,
Appropriate Adult, Boy A and Mark of Cain. Dan also worked on acclaimed
director Lynne Ramsey's short film The Swimmer, commissioned for London
2012. Join Dan at Chapter Arts in Cardiff as he talks about the work of
the First AD, how he works with the creative departments in production,
and the skills which might help with a career on-set. Dan will take us
behind the scenes on the challenges and processes of this key industry
role, followed by an audience Q&A.



Run in partnership with Panasonic, Film Nation: Shorts introduces young
people to film-making, supports them in developing their talent, and
films produced during the project are screened around the UK. Winning
films will be screened in front of the crowds in venues during the
Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012. www.filmnation.org.uk

Free but limited places available for 14-19 year-olds only.
To reserve a place please email laura@firstlightonline.co.uk
laura@firstlightonline.co.uk>  for a booking form

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

New Banksy art piece appears..

New Banksy piece in North London, denounces child labour, the Queen's celebrations and patriotism.

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Police fail to get broadcasters footage of Dale Farm

Good news- really glad that the Police have been told to sod off when they demanded footage of protests at Dale farm gypsy camp.

The high court has ruled that news broadcasters including the BBC, ITN and Sky News do not have to hand over 100 hours of footage of the Dale Farm eviction to police.In a ruling handed down at the high court on Thursday morning, Mr Justice Eady said broadcasters did not have to disclose unbroadcast footage of the eviction to Essex police.

Broadcasters warned they would be seen as an extra arm of the state if they passed unaired footage to the police.
Read more

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Undercurrents images sold to BABY/LONDON movie

Undercurrents sold dramatic archive images to Julien Temple this week. The filmmaker made the Sex Pistols movies including The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners and a documentary film about Glastonbury is now making a movie for the BBC.

His BABYLON/DON project, which was commissioned as part of the BBC’s London Season (for the Cultural Olympiad).

“We sensed the theatrical potential. At BBC Films, we are very keen on Julien. We have expanded it (BABYLON/DON), also with the help of the BFI, to give it a theatrical life,” said Langan, speaking at the London 2012 Festival film launch last week.

BABYLON/DON, billed as Julien Temple’s “epic time-travelling voyage to the heart of his hometown,” is to be sold internationally by Ealing Metro International. The aim is for the film (which is in a similar vein to Temple’s Requiem For Detroit) to be playing worldwide in different territories around the time of the Olympic Games later in the summer. It is expected to be shown to UK distributors shortly. Backed by the BBC and the BFI, it is a Nitrate Films production, written, produced and directed by Temple. It was made with the support of the BBC Archive and the BFI National Archive. The co-producer is Rosa Bosch.
Total production fee is £384,000


Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Olympic junk food

McDonald's has paid, according to reports, upwards of $100m (£62m) to be the "official sponsor, retail food services", and no other brand gets a look in.
Read more

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

News Corp media empire crumbles a bit more..

Rebekah Brooks, the former chief executive of News International, is to be charged with perverting the course of justice, the Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday.
Brooks, who was arrested in March by Scotland Yard officers investigating phone hacking, is the first person to face charges in the major criminal investigation into hacking and allegations of bribing public officials.
Read more

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

FINAL CUT PRO training course

The Video College offers industry-standard training in digital video production. FINAL CUT PRO MAY 2012 - APPLY NOW

Introduction to video editing using Final Cut Pro. This 4-day course gives a grounding in editing from DV tape and back to DV tape. Learn how to use timecode, capture video in the most efficient manner, identify the key features of the Final Cut Pro interface, edit using various editing tools in FCP, learn about outputting and different video compression systems. This Level 2 course is accredited by OCNLR (Open College Network London Region) and delivered by working professional editor and experienced tutor, Nigel Galt.

Targeting unemployed West Londoners and supporting people in gaining skills to move into work. DATES: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th May and Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th May 2012 HOURS: 9.30 - 18.00. To apply please see our website - www.thevideocollege.co.uk and email courses@thevideocollege.co.uk COURSE FEES: Under the new funding regime we regret that we are unable to offer free courses except to those who are in receipt of Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA). The course fee for people who are not in receipt of this benefit is 230.00 (50% of actual course costs) that must be paid in full on confirmation of a place on the course. INTRODUCTION TO VIDEO, 2012 This short course provides hands-on training for those with little or no experience of video. It offers a first step into digital video production and gives you the chance to make your own film. Accredited by the Open College Network (OCN) and delivered by an experienced tutor. Targeting unemployed West Londoners and supporting people in gaining skills to move into work. DATES: tbc (6 day course runs two days per week over 3 weeks) HOURS: 10.00 - 16.00.

Please keep looking at our website for dates and for our next FCP courses which will be run in June and July: www.thevideocollege.co.uk All courses take place at 16 Telford Rd London W10 5SH Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Short Films, Big Ideas - win a prize

FOCUS FORWARD " Short Films, Big Ideas is a series of three-minute films highlighting exceptional people and ideas that are changing our lives for the better. If you have an idea for a three-minute nonfiction film around the theme of invention and innovation, then it's time to get to work! The FOCUS FORWARD initiative has 200,000USD in cash prizes to give to the top five entries in the FOCUS FORWARD Filmmaker Challenge, with 100,000USD going to the Grand Prize Winner. In addition, up to 100 finalists will be featured online at www.focusforwardfilms.com in the fall of 2012 alongside work by SP patron Lucy Walker, Steve James, Victor Kossakovsky, and others. Qualifying films for the Filmmaker Challenge are three-minute end-to-end stories about people or organisations whose innovative efforts in medicine, computer science, robotics, engineering, green energy, or other fields of art and knowledge have had a significant positive impact on humanity. Recent, cutting-edge inventions that are changing how we live today are of special interest. A selection of Challenge films will be available online to a global audience through Vimeo along with the first 30 films produced by FOCUS FORWARD filmmakers. As the program progresses, FOCUS FORWARD films will be distributed across cable and satellite VOD, gaming system networks, Internet Free On Demand services as well as in theaters and on DVD. The Grand Prize and Jury Award winners will be announced at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Submissions close on August 23, 2012. Visit www.focusforwardfilms.com/challenge for more information. Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

How to obtain Police video footage

Under Freedom of Information you can get videos which Police have recorded of you. http://FitWatch.org.uk Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Black with a video camera? Perfect target for Police

Rashid Nix and OBV's (Operation Black Vote) Simon Wooley were harassed and treated like terrorists by the Met police, seemingly simply for being black with a camera, while on the streets of Brixton South London, shooting the documentary Why Don't Black People Vote? Ironically, the footage of the police woman's harassment, ended up being the explosive material that she was looking for, and ultimately found its way into the doc. Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

GM trial crop planted on Uk soil

Genetically modified wheat trial is happening again on UK soil. Rothamsted Research in Harpenden have planted a field of GM wheat surrounded by a 10 foot high fence in an attempt to stop activists from thrashing it. GM corporate researchers wrote to campaigners on Tuesday and also recorded a video plea, making a move to address the concern of campaigners and thus save their experiments. The plant biologists at Rothamsted Research, the government-funded agricultural centre in Hertfordshire, invited protesters to discuss their objections instead of uprooting the crops on 27 May. Link to protest here

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

How to Disobey in Nazi Germany

Hamburg, 1936. One man, August Landmesser, refuses to raise his arm to give the Nazi salute. He had already been in trouble with the police, having been sentenced to two years hard labour for marrying a Jewish woman.

We know little else about August Landmesser, except that he had two children. By pure chance, one of his children recognized her father in this photo when it was published in a German newspaper in 1991. While he is believed to have been a member of the Nazi Party from 1931 to 1935, he was later expelled from the party for marrying a Jewish woman, Irma Eckler, according to Fasena, an educational site on the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.After Landmesser fathered two daughters with Irma, he was sent to jail for “dishonoring the race.” Irma is believed to have been detained by the Gestapo in the Fuhlsbüttel police prison in Hamburg. Their children were separated. Landmesser was discharged from prison in 1941 but was soon drafted to serve in the war. He was later declared missing in action and believed dead. In 1996, one of Landmesser’s daughters, Irene, wrote a family history in German, saying she hoped to share the story of how her family had been torn apart. Sixteen years later, that story is spreading across Facebook, thanks to the Internet’s habit of rediscovering historical treasures Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

UK court orders ISPs to block Pirate Bay

The UK high court has ordered the UK’s leading ISPs to block access to the Pirate Bay filesharing website.

Five leading ISPs – BSkyB, Everything Everywhere from Orange and T-Mobile, O2, TalkTalk and Virgin Media – have been ordered to block access to the site on the grounds that it breaches UK copyright laws. The action was brought by music groups represented by the British Phonographic Industry. The open and free nature of the web is being cornered off by the corporate giants. Read more http://www.digitaltveurope.net/23655/uk-court-orders-isps-to-block-pirate-bay/ This is the message which Virgin is using to block Pirate Bay

Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

NESTA: Convergence in a digital landscape

The Technology Strategy Board is to invest up to £1.8m in feasibility projects that address the converged nature of the digital landscape. The programme will be delivered in three parts during 2012. The TSB seeks projects that focus on convergence in hyper-local media models, content origination tools, and analytical feedback and metrics tools. Projects should last up to 12 months and are eligible for grants of up to £56,250 or 75% of total costs. Total project costs must not exceed £75,000. More information can be found on the NESTA website. Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Funding for Web use for social change

Martha Lane Fox's Foundation - Antigone Next funding round will open for application in September 2012. The Foundation are interested in helping charities think through how they use web and mobile technologies and are looking to support projects that can 1. show that they are sustainable and use technology innovatively; can show that they are improving people's lives 2. are managed by inspired and dedicated people; have ambitions for developing their work on a bigger scale 3. share lessons learned with other organisations in their sector; and form lasting partnerships to make the most of limited resources. Grants range between £5,000 – 15,000. For more information see the link below. http://www.marthalanefox.com/antigone Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Documentaries wanted for festival

Quadrangle Film Festival, has just opened their 2012 call for submissions. They're looking for innovative, experimental, challenging and beautifully made documentaries under 40mins from emerging talent. Deadline is June 15th. The QFF selection panel has been confirmed as Kim Longinotto, Marc Isaacs, John Mister, Liz Mermin and Olly Lambert - get submitting for your chance to get these documentary heavy hitters to choose your film. The festival will be a retreat experience for the documentary old guard, the student vanguard, and everyone in between; where the documentary form is questioned and challenged, where ideas are exchanged, where hopefully everyone comes away inspired and rejuvenated. Tickets are strictly limited to 150, and are on sale now. www.eventbrite.com/event/3335730259 http://www.quadranglefilmfest.com/ Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Cops Mistakenly Hand Over Anti-Protest Guides to Anarchist

After filing a Freedom of Information Act request with the Richmond Police Department for police training documents, Mo Karn received much more than expected in return: she got homeland security and crowd control guides that show how the police target protests. Read More The Richmond Police Department’s Emergency Operations Plan includes a section on “civil disturbances.” While this sounds innocuous, “civil disturbances” are defined so broadly as to include what the police call “dissident gatherings.” “The City of Richmond is a target rich environment” for antiwar protesters, the document says. Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

30th April -Free online showing of Just Do It - a tale of modern-day outlaws

A FREE 24-hour ONLINE SCREENING of Just Do It - a tale of modern-day outlaws In celebration of May Day and in honour of the direct action being taken by thousands of people 5:30pm EST Monday 30th April to 5:30pm EST Tuesday 1st May Plus live Q&A with director Emily James at 7pm EST, directly after the first showing Occupy.com presents, in collaboration with Constellation, a FREE 24-hour online screening of Just Do It. Just released in the US, the film is not yet available online. But in honour of the many direct actions being planned for May Day on Tuesday 1st May, we are delighted to offer an exclusive opportunity to watch Just Do It - the direct action documentary from the UK, just released in the US - as a mark of our solidarity. Director Emily James will be live online at 7pm EST on Monday 30th April to answer all of your questions. How to watch the film Simply head over to occupy.com/watch/, sign up for your free ticket courtesy of Constellation, and get watching! OH, and of course, make sure you spread the word before time runs out! On Monday 30th, you can either watch the film whenever suits you (click "watch instantly"), or at a designated time with friends and family (showings every hour). Just Do It is currently on release in the US with screenings sprouting up all over the country. Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

VHS videotape table

What to do with all those VHS video tapes? How about this?

Check out more photos here Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Green Dragon’s Den - win £10,000

Hay on Earth funding opportunity – deadline 8th May Hay on Earth – the Dragon Series 5-9 June 2012 In 2012, the Green Dragon’s Den event will be running for the third year, with up to £40,000 grant funding from Welsh Government available to help winning projects in Wales (up to £10,000 maximum for the winning project in each of the four categories). Each day has a different theme, featuring specialist speakers, practical workshops, networking, learning and action, with the opportunity to contribute ideas and help others develop theirs. Looking for projects that demonstrate one or more of the following elements: Introduce and prove new concepts that increase sustainability action Link projects, organisations and solutions in more effective ways Make inspired use of seed funding http://www.nptcvs.com/news/hay-on-earth-funding-opportunity-deadline-8th-may/ Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Job for a media-maker in London

Postive Money are looking for an all-round creative computer whizz to join the team and help us fix the financial system. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find a way of using video, infographics and the web to educate a few million people about the flaws in our debt-based monetary system, in a captivating and compelling way, which also respects the non-political and non-partisan nature of our organisation. Read more Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Enter pan-European citizen journalism contest.

Bridging the growing generation gap across Europe is the theme of this year's round of a pan-European citizen journalism contest. Organisers of the International Citizen Media Award say the rise in the number of older people across the continent is one of the biggest issues facing Europe as we head into the second decade of the 21st century. They're looking for media products, such as radio reports, television programmes or internet projects showing how young people and older people can work together to campaign for a better life for all Europeans. "Common civic involvement is the key to solidarity between the generations and the positive development of society in Europe," says a spokesman for the awards. "Outstanding products about active aging and solidarity between the generations are going to be recognized. Beside the personal interest, quality, medial implementation, activity, authenticity, extent and relevance of research, design elements and innovativeness are relevant for the jury’s decision." Over 50 entries were received for the last round of awards in 2011, and organisers are hoping to build on that this year. Cash prizes of up to €1,000 and the chance to participate in an international media camp are up for grabs for the lucky winners. The competition is open worldwide to single participants, groups, associations, civil initiatives, school classes and especially for producers, actors and editorial teams in the field of citizen media work. Entries have to be in by 31 July 2012 - and should be submitted to the Bennohaus international media centre via their website at http://www.icm-award.com/ Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

How Media and Government operate

This is an insight into how the media and Government works by Nick Davies Murdochs used the Sun to make sure that Gordon Brown was driven out of Downing Street so that the incoming Conservative government could deliver them a sequence of favours – a fair wind for them to take over BSkyB; the emasculation of the much resented Ofcom; and a severe funding cut to their primary broadcasting rival, the BBC.

Five months after the election, Cameron's government slashed Ofcom's budget by 28% and cut back its role; and slashed the BBC's income by 16% and cut back its commercial activity. Read more here Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Hacktionlab event -London- media activism

Come to the Spring Hacktionlab event - it's where computers meet humans and talk about communication and media activism. 4th, 5th, 6th May in London. http://hacktivista.net Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Workshop- edit videos with an I-phone

23 Jun 2012 , 9:45 AM - 4:30 PM Union members: £35 Non-union 3rd sector: £70 Public: £120 Learn how to shoot and edit high quality video content on your iPhone – and then edit it on your iPad/Mac laptop. The iPhone 4S is a revolution in video technology. It shoots in HD, delivering pictures that are often far better than those from cameras costing thousands of pounds. At the same time, it has its limitations and these need to be managed. This course sets out some simple, easy to understand rules that will allow you to transform your iPhone from a “birthdays, weddings and holiday” camera into a powerful journalistic tool. Content: The day is made up of a series of practical exercises designed to get you shooting simple but effective sequences that will allow you to tell stories through video. We look at the different shots you need to make good edits. We cover how to shoot an interview. And we learn how to go about filming people when they doing things. Locations, interviews, action. If you can shoot these things well, you can tell stories through video. This course will show you how – using your own iPhone. Who should attend: Anybody with an interest in learning the basics of video-journalism using an iPhone. Equipment: You will need your own iPhone 4 or 4S (or iPod Touch), together with your iPad or MacBook with iMovie installed. (There may be small additional kit requirements). Will will supply basic tripods. Keep it in mind that you can get discounts on Apple products as an NUJ member (via the main NUJ website). Participants will learn how to: • Recognise and shoot the key shots needed to tell stories through video. • Shoot professional looking video content on their iPhone, suitable for use on the web. • Control focus, exposure and white balance on their iPhone. • Shoot basic sequences to cover location, interviews and individual activity. • Edit sequences together to form a short film, using iMovie. http://www.nujtrainingwales.org/events/shootedit-using-iphone-ipadmac NB: Only members living and working in Wales are eligible to apply for these courses. Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Bike Film Competition

Bikeminded, a cycle campaign run by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has launched Cycle Shorts a filmmaking competition open to anyone interested in the filmmaking process, from raw talent through to the more experienced. The entries, which need to be submitted by Friday 15th June 2012 at 5pm, will be judged by award winning film director and cycling enthusiast Richard Loncraine, and Director of the Portobello Film Festival Jonathan Barnet. The shortlisted films will be shown at an exclusive viewing at the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill. The winning entry will be shown at the Portobello Film Festival and the Olympics Festival on Exhibition road, and the winner will also receive 1000 for their next film whilst the peoples choice winner will receive 500. To bring the competition to life, Bikeminded has launched its own animated film to be shared among the filmmaking community and to encourage entries: http://www.bikeminded.org/2012/04/bikeminded-launches-cycle-shorts-filmmaking-competition/ Entrants can let their creative talents run wild by submitting a film of any genre, be it for example, comedy, horror or thriller. And it can be shot with a pro-camera and crew, on a mobile phone, or it could be animation or stop-motion. The end result must be a short film of just 90 seconds which challenges peoples barriers to cycling in the city, and inspire them to get back on their bikes or take up cycling for the first time. It must also reference the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in some creative way. To see full competition and entry details and Bikemindeds own short film visit: http://www.bikeminded.org/2012/04/bikeminded-launches-cycle-shorts-filmmaking-competition/ Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org

Heritage Lottery Fund Launches New Small Grants Programme (UK)

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced the launch of a new
£1million small grants programme for people to get involved in their
heritage. Called “All Our Stories”, the programme will provide grants
of £3,000 - £10,000 to support charities, community groups and heritage
organisations running local history projects. The types of activities
that can be supported include:

Visits to places like historic buildings, landscapes, parks, burial
grounds, museums, archaeological sites or industrial heritage sites like
railways.
Using collections like archives, libraries and museums, including
collections held by people in the community.
Talking to people who know about heritage or holding workshops, talks
and sessions exploring people’s memories.
Recording things like people’s memories or local wildlife.
Scanning old photographs and documents; archaeological digs or surveying
historic buildings.


To be eligible for funding organisations will need to share what has
been learnt by holding or producing things like:

Community events
Digital things like smart phone apps, DVDs or websites
Display boards
Exhibitions
Guides/trails
Leaflets or books
Packs for schools
Performances.
HLF is working in partnership with universities throughout the UK to
offer support with activities. The closing date for applications is the
31st July 2012. For information visit:
Links here


Undercurrents is an award winning alternative news service producing videos of people taking inspiring actions. http://www.undercurrents.org