April 2024 sees us begin our new project looking at the lives of live musicians working in London's west end from the theatre pit to the jazz club stage and dancehalls to rock clubs. We are wotking closely with City of Westminster Archives and Camden Local Studies and Archives with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
More info here.
We are happy to announce that we are working with Wimbledon in Sporting History on an oral history documentary film project following their successful grant application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Training with the volunteer group begins January 2024.
More info here.
On September 15th 2023 we had our film premiere of Hello Campers! at the British Film Institute, Southbank
There was a packed audience that included people interviewed for the project and their families and friends, our team of volunteers, and lots more. We presented the film which was followed by a really interesting and moving Q&A. Thanks to everyone who came along. You can now watch the film online. Thanks to the BFI and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting this project.
More info here.
On Friday 10th May 2024 we lunched series 3 of our Every Kinda People music-based podcast. Working with a group of Notting Hill Genesis residents we interviewed residents of Bolney Meadow estate in South Lambeth about how music has impacted their lives. The launch event included poster-sized photographs taken by Toyin Said of the interviewees, poems and speeches by some of the volunteers and a short compilation of all the interviews collected by the project. Thank you to all the attendees for making it such a special event.
More info here.
On Monday 3rd July 2023 we had a wonderful evening at Kings Place for the premiere of the film. Over 200 people came along to watch the film and the Q&A. It was a joyful evening but also very sad as we had received the news in the morning that Mo Foster had died that morning. We made the evening a celebration of Mo and of all of the musicians involved in the project. After the film we had a Q&A with Clem Cattini, Ralph Salmins and Skaila Kanga as well as one of our volunteers Rhona Levine. They began with memories of Mo and then took questions from the audience. Many thanks to eveyone one who came along to a memorable evening.
More info here.
On Friday 21st April 2023 we arranged to go and film a studio session at the famous RAK Studios in St Johns Wood. Both Ray Russell and Mo Foster were playing along with several other experienced musicians. It was a fascinating day watching the music come come to life. Thanks to Ian Palmer and also to RAK for hosting us. Thanks to: Johnny Thirkell - Trumpet. Simon Willescroft- Tenor Saxophone. Ray Russell - Guitar. Jim Watson - Electric Piano. Mo Foster - Electric Bass. Ian Palmer - Drums.
More info here.
We are looking forward to working with Westminster Archives and Burdett Coutts Primary School Year 6 on their post-SATs oral history film documentary project in 2024.
Following training in camera and lighting techniques, sound recording and interview skills they will interview and film refuse collectors working 'on the dust' from the 1960s onwards. This is just part of a much wider project being co-ordinated by Westminster Archives
More info here.
On 27th March 2023 we had the launch of theKings Cross Rail Workers film at Kings Place in Kings Cross. We had a packed crowd as around 180 squeezed into Hall 2. It was a lovely mix of current and retired Kings Cross workers plus lots of others. We showed the film to a very appreciative audience followed by a Q&A. It was an excellent evening so thanks to everyone for coming and to everyone who helped put it together.
More info here.
A screening of Cinema in Kingston took place at the Rose Theatre in Kingston on 13th July with an audience of 200.
Screened alongside the digital-works film Reel Stories, three of the projectionists were in attendance and took a full part in the Q&A in the auditorium and were very sought-after later in the cafe/bar!
More info here.