ReCooper8 this month airs:
On Thursday, 21st March, at 8pm
On Sunday, 24th March, at 10pm and
On Thursday, 28th March, at 8pm
92.7FM locally, or click listen live here
Tune in to 92.7FM (or click ‘listen live’ here) at 8pm on Thursday 21st March for a crash course from award winning film editor, Richard Clark, in how to survive the 11th Annual 48hour Film Competition which takes place in May this year, and to catch a sneak preview of Simon Fleck’s new spoken word album, White Flags for Black Gold. To my mind, both Richard and Simon are living reminders to underestimate Featherston at your peril – it might be a small town nestling at the foot of a big hill, but it punches far above its weight when it comes to the talent, creativity, experience and generosity of spirit of many of its residents.
Richard Clark is an award winning film editor, acclaimed photographer, and author of the Kiwi Café blog and website. Using Facebook, Richard recently suggested that a group of suitably enthused Featherston residents could put forward a team for the upcoming 48hour film competition. Although suffering from Motor Neuron disease, Richard is offering his vast expertise and skill in an advisory capacity to anybody wanting to take up this incredibly exciting, adrenaline-filled challenge. I popped along to his lovely home one balmy late summer evening to talk in more depth about his experience of the 48 hour film competition a few years ago in Christchurch, which saw Richard’s contribution recognised by a nomination for best Film Editor, and to learn more about what it takes to put together a successful ‘furious filmmaking’ team.
Have a listen to my interview with Richard, and, if you think you might like to put together a team then please do contact me via this blog, or via my ReCooper8 Facebook page, and I will do what I can to connect you with others of a like mind. I would recommend that you have a good look through the 48hours website, which has a lot of information for first time entrants, and advice for creating a happy, functional, successful team.
This month I also talk in depth with Simon Fleck, a local poet who is shortly to release his debut spoken word album, White Flags for Black Gold, a compelling collection of 17 tracks exploring environmentalism, the failure of politics, the rise capitalism and [simon’s term]. Many of the tracks on his album lay bare what he sees as the inherent corruption and failure of modern politics and modern living. But, these sentiments are frequently balanced by Simon’s passion for and commitment to positive living, to the development of a genuine sense of community, and the pursuit of personal and collective sustainability. What impressed me most from talking to Simon is his sense of personal responsibility and potential, his commitment to “become the best person I can become”. I am looking forward to hearing more of his work in the future – he is prolific, often writing down snatches of poetry during his work at Mitre 10 in Martinborough, so I have no doubts we will continue to hear great stuff from Simon.
White Flags for Black Gold was produced by Phantom Records, a studio based in Featherston and clearly not afraid to tackle new and exciting work. You can visit their website here, and also download and listen to a taster of five tracks from Simon’s album.
My sincere thanks to both of my guests, and to you for visiting and for listening. Don’t forget, if you are being creative in South Wairarapa, I would love to hear from you. My aim through ReCooper8 is to raise the profile of the arts, performance and culture of our wonderful region, so do please get in touch.
ReCooper8 