SceneTV Blog
*Promoting Diversity, Challenging Perceptions*
SceneProfiles| Mad News – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Favourite Arts, Entertainment, Lifestyle Web or Mag Nominee
02 days ago
As the exclusive online media partner for the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards we will be featuring each of the nominees in the lead up to the awards ceremony on 17th December. The event, which is in conjunction with Vox Africa (Sky218) and sponsored by Google and Afrinolly, will celebrate the best online content produced by black British and international digital media creatives across short film, web series, music promos, blogs, magazines, social networks and more. To grab one of the limited tickets to the event, click here.
If you are interested in UK entertainment news then you must have come across Mad News. We caught up with the woman behind the website Janice Spence to find out more about the Favourite Arts/Entertainment/Lifestyle Website or Magazine nominee.
So, how did it all begin?
“I would have to say American entertainment blogs that started popping up during the mid-noughties inspired me to embark on my online journey. I loved blogs like Crunk & Disorderly, Concrete Loop and Sandra Rose because they reported entertainment news in a fresh, hilarious and fearless way. I love writing and sharing my thoughts so I started blogging via Myspace first, built up a small following and not long after that Mad News was born.”
Those familiar with the site love it for Janice’s quick wit, sarcasm and hilarious finds. A big plus is that she also manages to update and the maintain the site while holding down a full time job. As a lady with her finger on the pulse, what has been the biggest learning?
SceneProfiles| BREACH – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Favourite Web Series Ensemble Nominee
02 days ago
As the exclusive online media partner for the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards we will be featuring each of the nominees in the lead up to the awards ceremony on 17th December. The event, which is in conjunction with Vox Africa (Sky218) and sponsored by Google and Afrinolly, will celebrate the best online content produced by black British and international digital media creatives across short film, web series, music promos, blogs, magazines, social networks and more. To grab one of the limited tickets to the event, click here.
BREACH has been nominated for the Favourite Web Series Ensemble Award. We caught up with the writer and director of the project Christine Rugurika and the producer Serena Nalty to see what inspired them to embark on a digital journey.
CR: "I had the script in my drawers and was not quite sure what to do with it. In the first instance it was a story board magazine, distributed in some London shops, hairdressers etc. to see if people would like it. I had really good reviews on it and some readers contacted me saying it should be a TV drama. After a while, I started thinking "should I, or not?" and finally got into it. I contacted Serena, as I remembered how serious she was in one of my previous projects and I explained the vision to her. She totally liked the idea and then we embarked on the project together to turn BREACH into a TV series. We shot the pilot in 2009 and as I was researching black series in UK and US, I realised that more productions were going online and we decided "let's post it online and see where it will take us"."
SN:" I had worked with Christine on another play she had written and had the opportunity to act, dance and choreograph for the show. Christine is a good writer and brings the stories to life with ease. I was able to see how we could work together to make the series a reality. I love organising and project management and the producer role goes hand in hand. I'm also fortunate to be working with someone who shares the same values as me, we get on well and can agree to disagree. We also value each other’s opinions and know each other’s strengths."
Sounds like a partnership made in heaven right? As we’ve come to see in the features on the nominees, there are always useful learnings to take away and pass on to others keen to produce and distribute their own content.
SceneProfiles| Samuell Benta & All About The McKenzies – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Nominee
04 days ago
As the exclusive online media partner for the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards we will be featuring each of the nominees in the lead up to the awards ceremony on 17th December. The event, which is in conjunction with Vox Africa (Sky218) and sponsored by Google and Afrinolly, will celebrate the best online content produced by black British and international digital media creatives across short film, web series, music promos, blogs, magazines, social networks and more. To grab one of the limited tickets to the event, click here.
Next up is Samuell Benta – now this multi-talented guy has a triple chance of picking up an award. He is nominated for the Favourite Actor gong while the web series he created All About The McKenzies is in the running for Favourite Web Series and Favourite Web Series Ensemble. On why Samuell decided to create AATM, he said:
“I wasn’t satisfied with what TV and film had to offer; there were no black people or if there was, they were stereotyped. So I decided to create my own show with new talent to prove that freshness was needed instead of having the same actors on a carousel. By doing that, you leave no room for new talent."
AATM has already had its fair share of success. Not only has it won LA Web Festival, Theatre Madness Festival and Beffta awards, it was also announced that the series has been picked up by London Live (which will launch next year on Freeview 8, Sky 117, Virgin 159, mobile, web, taxis and outdoor media). Next on his list is taking AATM to a global level and also working on the musical side of his talents. Samuell is clearly focussed on the progression of AATM and has picked up a list of learnings along the way.
“Know thyself. Never giving up and always persevering, never to stop asking questions and know that there is an all pervading intelligence that is here to help you. Not letting thoughts or opinions of others sway you.”
So why should you vote for Samuell and AATM?
“People should vote because support is needed for a movement of independence to show that we as a people have a voice that should be heard.”
To vote for Samuell and All About The McKenzies, see the links below:
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News| Should Twitter play a part in deciding TV shows’ future? via The Guardian
05 days ago
by scenetvblog
in News
(The Wright Way: BBC1 dropped the Ben Elton sitcom after it faced criticism on Twitter)
Via The Guardian
Twitter's increasingly hand-in-glove relationship with TV was highlighted again on Sunday night, with nimble-footed ITV responding to the loss of signal for X Factor and I'm a Celebrity viewers in central and northern England by keeping them up to date via the hashtag #BlankScreenUpdate.
However, on the flipside, some industry executives have expressed concerns that Twitter's realtime feedback loop could be killing new shows at birth, with negative social media reaction preventing them finding their feet and building an audience over several series.
Earlier this year BBC controller of comedy commissioning Shane Allen warned that the instant reaction and "crucifying" of new comedies on Twitter made it harder for new programmes to bed in. BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore, speaking on Monday at a Bafta breakfast in London, played down the impact that social media networks such as Twitter had on TV executives and the chances of shows being given second series, saying it was "just one element of the feedback we are getting".
To read the full article, click here.
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SceneProfiles| Travis Watson & ‘Sorry We Don’t Help Darkies’ – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Favourite Short Film Nominee
06 days ago
As the exclusive online media partner for the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards we will be featuring each of the nominees in the lead up to the awards ceremony on 17th December. The event, which is in conjunction with Vox Africa (Sky218) and sponsored by Google and Afrinolly, will celebrate the best online content produced by black British and international digital media creatives across short film, web series, music promos, blogs, magazines, social networks and more. To grab one of the limited tickets to the event, click here.
We caught up with Travis Watson, the writer and director of Sorry We Don’t Help Darkies, which is up for the Favourite Short Film Award. With such an in-your-face-title, we were keen to know where the inspiration for creating this film came from.
“I was inspired by filmmakers such as Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese to tell real urban stories. I also made a documentary about my Grandparents who came to England from the Caribbean during the 1950’s. Their stories and their dignity and incredible resilience in the face of a very difficult situation, not only inspired this film but also inspired me in life.”
And that’s not the only place inspiration can originate. Travis makes a great point about taking guidance and notes from everything around you – in particular, they place you come from.
“I learn by watching people in my hometown of London, the beauty and simplicity in everyday interactions and the characters that you see as you travel around this great city. This is what teaches me and guides me in my filmmaking.”
So what’s next for Travis? Well people can look out for a feature film he is currently writing called 'Sounds of the Soul'. It is set in London and aims to explore the incredible and unique talent that black people have for creating music that enslaved Africans transported with them. It also looks at the temptations of fame and the greed of the music industry.
When asked why people should vote for his film, Travis said:
“I am trying to tell real stories about our beautiful black people, the side that is often ignored for the stereotypical caricatures, which have sadly portrayed us in the past. We have enormous creativity and I want to help inspire other black filmmakers to make films so that one day we can argue over whether there are more great black filmmakers or musicians. If you support me in this black film movement to tell our stories with honesty, I will be humbled and massively grateful.”
To vote for 'Sorry We Don't Help Darkies' to win the Favourite Short Film Award, click here.
To find out more about Travis and Sorry We Don’t Help Darkies see the links below:
For regular news, updates and opportunities, follow us on Twitter at @Scene_TV and 'Like' the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SceneTV
SceneProfiles| SPIN & Kingsley Amadi – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Favourite Web Series & Actor Nominee
06 days ago
As the exclusive online media partner for the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards we will be featuring each of the nominees in the lead up to the awards ceremony on 17th December. The event, which is in conjunction with Vox Africa (Sky218) and sponsored by Google and Afrinolly, will celebrate the best online content produced by black British and international digital media creatives across short film, web series, music promos, blogs, magazines, social networks and more. To grab one of the limited tickets to the event, click here.
Meet Kingsley Amadi, the talented actor up for the Favourite Web Series Actor Award for his portrayal of Dan in the web series SPIN. In a double whammy he is also the Director of Snowpix Media, the company behind SPIN which is up for the Favourite Web Series Award.
Experienced both on the stage and in front of the camera, why take on the world of the web series? Why not? Kingsley said:
"I originally wanted to create something I’d want to watch, not knowing the buzz it would pick up in such short time. We plan to finish SPIN and possibly another season and also launch a new web series called 'JUICY'."
It couldn’t have been easy; as all web series producers know the learning curve can be an interesting and stressful one.
"Creating SPIN I learnt I needed to film all the episodes prior to release, but I was caught off guard at first."
Even so, they have gone on to produce one of the most popular series on the web. In addition to this, Kingsley also lists being established in the UK media industry and creating music videos for up and coming Afro-pop musicians as his proudest achievements to date. When asked why people shout vote for him and well as the web series SPIN, the multi-talented Kingsley said:
"We are very hard working and driven. We have the young active and creative minds it takes to break barriers. We believe in results, we only want recognition for the hard work of everybody involved in the creation of SPIN, to keep going and creating magic for the supporters of web series."
To vote for Kingsley to win the Favourite Web Series Actor Award, click here. To vote for SPIN to win the Favourite Web Series Award, click here.
To find out more about Kingsley and SPIN, see the links below:
Twitter: @Kingsleyamadi
For regular news, updates and opportunities, follow us on Twitter at @Scene_TV and 'Like' the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SceneTV
Web Series Star Aaron Fontaine Lands Role in Hollyoaks
01 week ago
Reposted from Digital Spy
Hollyoaks bosses are bringing back Sonny Valentine with a new actor in the part. Aaron Fontaine, who starred in the web series Venus vs Mars, has been cast in the role of Sonny and has already started filming with the Channel 4 soap. Viewers will see Sonny arrive back in the village in January, shaking up life for the McQueen family. Long-time fans will know that Sonny is the brother of Carmel's late husband Calvin Valentine. As Calvin was killed by Theresa McQueen (Jorgie Porter) in 2010, the return of Sonny could bring back bad memories for all concerned. Show chiefs have a dramatic storyline on the way for Sonny, but full details of what's in store are being kept under wraps.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Fontaine commented: "Joining Hollyoaks has been a great experience. There are lovely people here and everyone has been really welcoming."
Hollyoaks is Fontaine's first TV job but he has previously worked in a number of theatre and short film projects.
Sonny was previously played by Devon Anderson between 2006 and 2007, who then on went on to play Billy Jackson in EastEnders.
Congrats and good luck to Aaron!
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SceneProfiles| Claudius Peters, Creator of Redemptions End – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Favourite Web Series Nominee
01 week ago
by scenetvblog
in Awards
Redemptions End is a four part web series created and executive produced by Claudius Peters and written and directed by Daniel Rusteau. The unusual storyline definitely grabs your attention – it follows a group of friends, desperate for money, who steal dead bodies to sell on the black market. Things then take a turn for the worse.
It’s always refreshing to see new and unique stories being told and this is one of the reasons why Redemptions End came about. Claudius said:
I felt that there was a slight lack of original content coming out from the diaspora. On one hand, I understood that people were tired of seeing ‘negative stereotypes’ on screen but I didn't feel the ONLY answer to that was to make super safe content. I still wanted to see OUR Don Draper (MadMen) , Walter White (Breaking Bad), or even comedic ones like Andy Bernard (The Office USA) – multi layered characters and original stories that demanded a little bit more from our audiences. So once I had a concept, a plot and a little bit of money saved (lol) I decided to get to work and create one.
I remember telling a couple friends about the idea for a show but at that point it was just a story in my head. When we finally shot it I must say there was a small sense of pride.
Event| TriForce Short Film Festival – 8th December
01 week ago
by scenetvblog
in Event
Date: Sunday 8th December 2013
Time: 6pm – 11pm
Location: Bafta HQ, 195 Piccadilly London W1J 9LN
The TriForce Short Film Festival was created to present quality short films as well as support, recognize and honour filmmakers creating films under 20 minutes. Triforce belive that short films are true works of art and deserve to be viewed at an established venue, with a focus on story-telling ability, not style over substance. With this in mind, they accept submissions from filmmakers of all abilities and backgrounds, whether shooting on film or phones.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
TSFF was created to showcase TriForce as a talent in contemporary filmmaking and promotion, and aims to exhibit the most captivating, diverse and innovative short content. They provide a free platform for up and coming filmmakers to showcase their work on the big screen. With this ethos it has attracted some supportive stars such as Colin Salmon (Arrow) Aml Ameen (The Butler, Maze Runners) Hugh Quarshie (Star Wars) Goldie, and many others. With your support, the night promises to be a wonderful celebration of talent from across industries and walks of life. In the future, TSFF hopes to build a new audience for short films as well as cater for its current loyal network of 25,000 – 30,000 people.
For tickets and more info, go to http://triforcepromotions.co.uk/trishorts/triforce-short-film-festival-tfsff/
SceneProfiles| Letitia Hector – Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards Favourite Web Series Actress Nominee
01 week ago
As the exclusive online media partner for the Screen Nation Digital-iS Media Awards we will be featuring each of the nominees in the lead up to the awards ceremony on 17th December. The event, which is in conjunction with Vox Africa (Sky218) and sponsored by Google and Afrinolly, will celebrate the best online content produced by black British and international digital media creatives across short film, web series, music promos, blogs, magazines, social networks and more. To grab one of the limited tickets to the event, click here.
First up is Letitia Hector, who has been nominated for the Favourite Web Series Actress Award.
The opportunity of playing the leading lady in the popular web series came about after Letitia applied for a role in the theatre production ‘Love is a Losing Game’. Now while the audition was unsuccessful, she obviously did something right as six months later she received a very interesting call. Babi Isako, the writer of the play shared plans to create a web series called 'Venus vs Mars' and she had Letitia in mind for the star role. Speaking of that moment and how her web series career began Letitia said: “I wasn't totally taken with the proposition at first but after we met, read through the script, met the cast…it felt right!”
One year on, 'Venus vs Mars' has a successful series one under its belt with season two launching very soon. Some people in the industry can be a bit sceptical about the world of the web series but this has proved to be a great move for Letitia’s career.
“I’ve managed to do so many things off the back of 'Venus vs Mars' and for that, this project has been my biggest achievement to date. It's so nice to be a part of something that started off as such a small vision and managed to cause the MAJOR waves it has. That's just amazing to me. I feel real blessed to be a part of Venus vs Mars because I truly believe as a team we have the power to exceed the skies.”
Everyone knows that the life of an actor is a hard one but Letitia clearly has her eyes on the prize. So what’s next for this determined lady?
“My plan is to continue working hard because I believe you get what you put in. I believe I have places to go, people to see and I know I won't achieve this if I'm twiddling my thumbs. I woke up this morning for a reason, so I want to show God he made the right choice.”
Finally, when asked why people should vote for her, Letitia put her case forward.
“Because I'm just a girl who decided to go for it!! Please support my dream and the dreams of many of those who believe they can't.”
To vote for Letitia to win the Favourite Web Series Actress Award, click here.
To find out more about Letitia and see her in action in Venus vs Mars, see the links below:
Twitter: @letitiahector @followvenus
Instagram: LetitiaHector VenusvsMarsShow
For regular news, updates and opportunities, follow us on Twitter at @Scene_TV and 'Like' the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SceneTV
