Undercurrents Alternative News

Melting Point- spies, lies and arrests

2008-07-15T13:42:00.001+01:00

Excellent video investigation

Natural Heroes wanted

2008-07-15T10:43:00.001+01:00

"Natural Heroes" is the Emmy award-winning U.S. Public Television series
featuring independently produced films and videos with a common theme:
real people making a difference for our environment and enhancing the
world around us.

We're seeking compelling stories that feature people challenging current
environmental standards and conditions. Programs that encourage thoughtful
questions and realistic answers, that broaden our understanding of our
place in the world.

"Natural Heroes" is now in its fourth season, and is currently being seen
by PBS viewers across the United States.

Accepted works will be packaged for broadcast and distributed to Public
Television stations. If you feel your film is a good fit, download the
submission form, read the call for entries, and send us your film! NO
entry fees. Both can be downloaded from www.naturalheroestv.org
Questions? Email naturalheroes{at}krcb.org

~Valerie Landes
Series Producer
"Natural Heroes"
KRCB-TV
5850 Labath Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
USA
1-800-287-2722 x2024
www.naturalheroes.org

Investigation into state control of Eco- activism.

2008-07-15T10:11:00.006+01:00

Undercurrents contact 07973 298359 or 01792 455900

Press Release
Undercurrents co-founder appears in Ecologist Film
July 15 2008

A co-founder of a Swansea based charity appears in a new film released today exposing government tactics in reaction to environmental protests. Tactics shown in the film include arresting journalists and environmental protesters, Espionage, news manipulation and legal threats.

Film-maker Paul O’Connor and co-founder of Undercurrents, granted the filmed interview and supplied video images of protesters stopping diggers at Ffos-y-fran open cast mine, on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil. The film produced by The Ecologist magazine, is one in an entire series of investigative films across a range of environmental issues.

The film, titled Melting Point has been released ahead of next month's Climate protest Camp at Kingsnorth coal power station in Kent. This exclusive and powerful film exposes the extraordinary tactics being used to reframe concerned citizens engaging in their right to protest, as dangerous terrorists.

Melting Point looks at the escalating battle between direct action protest groups and those they accuse of failing to act on climate change.

Paul O'Connor of Undercurrents said today,
‘This is a shocking film considering that all the top Scientists tell us that climate change is more dangerous than Terrorism. Yet the people who take action to stop more C02 being pumped into the atmosphere are being branded as Militants. This film is a shocking insight into the steps big business and police are taking to stop people protecting our environment. The film should be watched by anyone with an interest in our future.’

Melting Point can be viewed online for free on www.theecologist.org/etv
END

Notes to Editors
Watch Film on
http://www.theecologist.org/etv/

Contact producers of the Film
Louise Peim Eco-Storm
01273 648944

Contact Paul O’Connor
Undercurrents productions
+44 (0)1792 455900 or 07973 298359
Paulo@undercurrents.org

Watch the film here
http://www.theecologist.org/etv/

or here
http://www.green.tv/meltingpoint

Power and Participation in using Technology

2008-07-14T18:54:00.000+01:00

WORKSHOP CALL-OUT

6th PRaDSA workshop: "Power and Participation in using Technology for
Social Action", on Sept 4th and 5th at Leeds Metropolitan University,
Leeds.

PRaDSA (Practical Design for Social Action) has been running a series
of workshops around the UK to share experience among people with
technology and social action interests and skills and provide a forum
for discussion and reflection on issues chosen by participants. This
last workshop focuses on the central issues of power and participation
in working with technology to make social action happen.

It is suitable for anyone using innovation and ICT to help others work
on social and political issues. It will be relevant if you are
concerned with who gets involved in decisions about technology and how
they are engaged. In particular, we will be examining factors that
contribute to a feeling of empowerment and how to generate it in the
contexts you can influence.
Come along to recharge your batteries, consider your practice and look
at what more we can do if we work together.

* Day one will start sharply at 1pm, though a bite of lunch will be
available from noon.
* Day two ends at 4pm to allow for travelling.
* We have some money to pay expenses, including your stay overnight in
Leeds (and a limited budget to cover your absence from work - be that
to your organisation or to you as a freelance operator), if you wish
to attend this workshop and contribute. Please let us know if you
would like to be considered for this bursary.

To register for a place, send a short description of (one of the)
context(s) in which you work, to Kutoma Wakunuma at
as soon as possible and before 25th August.
She will also be the first port of call for any questions you have.

About PRADSA:
PRADSA stands for "Practical Design for Social Action". The PRADSA
project's goal is to develop and extend the capability of social
action organisations to creatively design new practices by
appropriating and adapting ICTs. There are three strands to the
project, of which the workshop series is one. The other two are:

. To develop a new understanding of designing in social action
settings, grounded in detailed contextual studies of design in
practice.
. To create a collection of practical resources to support the
work of practitioners (and others) including workshop materials and
easy-to-use (open-source) on-line community communications systems.

PRADSA is a project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council

(AHRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
(EPSRC) as part of its Designing for the 21st Century programme. If
you would like to know more about the PRADSA project, please see:
http://www.technologyandsocialaction.org

Making Compost by F.C King

2008-07-14T15:49:00.001+01:00

I bought this book recently published in the 1960s which made me giggle.

PEACE ON EARTH FILM FESTIVAL (POEFF)

2008-07-14T12:23:00.000+01:00

PEACE ON EARTH
FILM FESTIVAL
Chicago, Illinois - USA
August 29 to 31, 2008

PEACE ON EARTH FILM FESTIVAL (POEFF) takes place in Chicago, Illinois, and has
been established to celebrate and encourage the work of independent filmmakers from
around the world, whose films explore themes of peace and non-violence.

POEFF invites filmmakers of all backgrounds and experience levels to voice their
challenging perspectives on issues such as war, domestic and community conflict,
politics, environment, economics, and more. Together, these films present the
peaceful, global alternative from all cultural perspectives.

All accepted POEFF filmmakers are honored at the Special Awards Gala, where winners
of the Festival's "Best of" will be granted monetary awards and accept their
accolade.

Add to Watch List: http://www.withoutabox.com/watch/7059
View Listing:
http://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=7059

Looking for Vegan film Producer (London)

2008-07-14T11:59:00.000+01:00

Found this today-
I am currently working on my graduation film with the London Film School.
The film will be 15 minutes in duration, shot in late August in London. It
will be shot in the Red camera and the budget for the film will be
approximately ukp3700.

The subject matter of the film does have a vegan sub-text but the overall
narrative is also appealing for non-vegans alike. Don't worry, the message
of veganism isn't preachy or didactic.

I am looking for a producer who is comfortable working within the
budgetary confines of a student film. Please email with a CV and/or
details of previous work experience. As it is an unpaid collaboration
student film on a very tight budget, only expenses and food will be
provided on the shooting dates.

Please email with any questions. Ryan
rvcinematography*at*yahoo.com

18-25 year olds wanted in London to make films

2008-07-14T11:57:00.001+01:00

Creative Minds Pictures with help from 'V, the youth volunteering charity'
is offering 18-25 year olds in London the chance to gain that experience
and to learn in the process, and for one lucky person, their story made
with the help of a professional Screenwriter and Director.

If you're aged between 16-25 years old and have the passion to be a
director, screenwriter, cinematographer, producer, camera operator, e-mail
OutsideMe2*at*googlemail.com for an application form.

Deadline is 29th August for all applications.

Please note, scripts have to be 10-15 minutes long and do not have to be
the final draft, but it must have a story.

For more information email joygharoro@gmail.com

THINK BIG THINK BEYOND THINK CREATIVE

Cocaine in the movies

2008-07-14T11:50:00.002+01:00

How to snort cocaine for a movie!

I have been watching a discussion about the best way to give the illusion of 'snorting' anything without actually doing for a movie.

Roll up the banknote around a cigarrette filter-tip (for roll-ups) placed at the end that goes into the nose. The actor can then be seen to roll up the note in view (concealing the filter tip) and then snort the 'coke'. The powder goes up the note and is stopped by the filter, and doesn't fall back out again until the actor stops snorting.

> I'm probably just old fashioned - but I don't think anyone
> should be suggesting actors "snorting" anything for a movie
> including Vitamin C powder!
>
> Movies are meant to be an illusion!
>
> > Hi, > > For fake cocaine just nip into your chemist and buy
> some of > those vitamin C tubes that you break the end off of
> and pour > down your throat. Works a treat. Looks like coke.

Happy herbs

2008-07-14T01:22:00.002+01:00

Depression is such a huge thing we feel all have to put up with now and then. So i looked at a herb in my little garden -St. John’s wort- Pictured above, the bright yellow flowers of the St. John’s wort plant are full of an oily red substance called hypericin. If you have St. John’s Wort growing nearby you can see the little red spots in the plant (hence the perforations in the name Hypericum perfoliatum), now roll the flowers between your fingers to release the red oils and see the medicine first hand! The red oily hypericin is the active constituent of Hypericum perfoliatum. This herb has been highly studied in many double blind research trials and shown to have significant effects similar to prescription anti-depressants. St. John’s Wort has also been shown to have a lower risk of side effects than conventional anti-depressants.St. John’s Wort works so well for depression and is also such a great detoxifying agent. According to Chinese Medicine most depressed people have “sluggish livers” and thus the liver/bowel meridians are typically treated.

Quote Unquote

2008-07-14T00:48:00.001+01:00

If you’re getting kicked in the arse, at least it means you’re in the front.

Can you photograph a bouncer who is being aggressive?

2008-07-13T22:03:00.001+01:00

Click to Play

A storm at East Oxford Community Center, Green Party Councilor Mary-Jane Sareva responsible for police arresting two people on false charges.

Sheffield Doc/Fest¹s MeetMarket is now open for Project Submissions!

2008-07-11T10:55:00.000+01:00

Doc /Fest presents the UK's biggest international documentary marketplace
and its unique pitching initiative: MeetMarket where, in pre-scheduled
match-made one-on-one meetings, documentary makers pitch their newest and
most unique projects to dozens of UK and international buyers, Executive
Producers, commissioning editors and distributors. MeetMarket provides high
quality, original ideas with the possibility to be fast-tracked from
development to production, in a supportive and dynamic setting. The
projected worth of sales in negotiation sparked at MeetMarket 2007 adds up
to £4,321,980, and rising. MeetMarket is a unique and exciting way to pitch
and discuss the projects you¹re most passionate about with the documentary
decision-makers who matter

Online project submissions are now open. Projects can be any stage of
development and applicants can be from any geographic location and
background. Interactive and cross-platform projects are also very welcome.
To see the full list of confirmed buyers, see
http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/buyerslist . For more information on
applying, email charlie@sidf.co.uk or visit
http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket

"MeetMarket surprised me: I had an extraordinarily creative response to my
film from 23 intelligent men and women who care passionately about
documentaries. They reflected my story back to me and I came out richer
not just financially, although I have already been offered money to complete
my film, but in terms of valuing my project." - MeetMarket participant 2007

Charlie Phillips
Marketplace Producer
----------------------------------
Sheffield Doc/Fest
The Workstation
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield, S1 2BX, England
Tel +44-(0)7960-954307
+44-(0)114-276 5141
Fax +44-(0)114-272 1849
http://www.sheffdocfest.com
http://www.myspace.com/sheffdocfest

5-9 November 2008
----------------------------------
Doc/Fest Sheffield is where the international documentary family gets
together under one roof for a week of intense deal-making, docwatching and
debate. It is the UK's premier documentary festival/conference and a
must-attend event on the industry calendar

MeetMarket applications now open until September 12

Read the Doc/Fest blog at http://www.sheffdocfest.com/blog_posts

Charities should consider setting up social enterprise trading arms

2008-07-09T16:39:00.000+01:00

By Cat Dean, Third Sector, 9 July 2008 (http://tinyurl.com/6xcoj5)

Charities should consider setting up social enterprise trading arms to
improve their chances of securing funding from foundations, according
to Uday Thakkar, director of social enterprise consultancy Red Ochre.

Thakkar told delegates yesterday that funders looked increasingly
favourably on charities that earned income through a trading arm
because they were seen as being more sustainable.

Some charities that had been turned down for funding were awarded a
larger grant when they reapplied after launching a trading arm, he
said.

Setting up a social enterprise could also help establish a strong
market position in the face of increased competition for contracts.

"Charities could end up in a vulnerable position because many services
that they formerly provided for free are now being paid for," said
Thakkar. He warned that potential funders might be unwilling to give a
grant or donation if other organisations were getting contracts from
local authorities, primary care trusts or the Government to provide
similar services.

Thakkar also said now was a good time to take advantage of
unprecedented government support for social enterprises. However, he
said charities should act quickly because funding is unlikely to last
for longer than the next two years.

"There are millions of pounds sloshing around government departments
right now, but the chances are that will come to an end soon," he
said. "If you're thinking of setting up a social enterprise, now is
the time."

Thakkar added that setting up enterprises was best suited to charities
that wanted to have a social impact that was difficult to achieve as a
charity.

4Talent Awards

2008-07-09T15:56:00.002+01:00

4Talent Awards

Channel 4 is scouring the country for the UK’s most exciting young creative talent for the 4Talent Awards 2008. Categories include:

- Short Documentary (screen);
- Dramatic Writing (stage and screen);
- Dramatic Performance (stage, film and TV);
- Directing (film and TV);
- Comedy Writing (stage, film and TV);
- Comedy Performance (stage, film and TV);
- Music;
- Animation;
- Photography;
- and several more.

All entrants must be under 30 on 31 December 2008 and both the completed online form and any posted supporting materials must be received by 5pm on Friday 29 August 2008.

To find out more go to www.4talentmagazine.com/awards.
?

Deadline Date - 29th August 2008

France tries to make 'net users into criminals!

2008-07-08T10:14:00.001+01:00

Last November saw the French government, lead by right wing President Nicolas Sarkozy, impose a law which meant that anyone suspected of using P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing software to spread copyrighted videos and music illegally over the Internet could have their connection severed.
http://www.webtvwire.com/europe-to-disconnect-illegal-file-sharers-france-leading-the-calls-for-change-in-law/

The legislation is even having trouble getting passed in France, with fierce critics both within the country and outside. So the chances of this getting ratified by all the member states of Europe is unlikely.

However, the fact that France is even promoting this change to the law for a whole continent is a worrying development. Illegal file-sharing is wrong, but how you deal with it isn’t to ban everyone you suspect of wrongdoing.

Food

2008-07-07T17:09:00.002+01:00

One Day Summer Workshops

At Michele Fitzsimmons Edible Landscaping Garden in the Vale of Glamorgan,
south Wales(only a 15 minute train journey from Cardiff Central, 60 minutes from
Bristol & a little over 2 hours from London)
Pick & Cook (6 hours)

Harvest what's in season from Edible Landscaping's wonderful garden and
create some great dishes. Finish off with dining on your magnificent results
with a glass of organic wine or cider. A relaxed fun day of glorying in
nature's bounty. Courses are run at regular intervals throughout the year
using seasonal produce.

The next course is scheduled for Saturday July 12th.
Workshops cost £30 per person and run with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of
10. Special courses can be arranged if you have a group who would like to
attend. Just let me know if you would like to take part and I will get back
to you with all the details.

www.ediblelandscaping.co.uk

Solar Powered cinemas

2008-07-07T13:13:00.002+01:00

Undercurrents are building our own solar cinema but these also exist.

Scotlands solar cinema
http://www.pixiepicturesproject.co.uk/

An ethical licensed cafe, stage and cinema, powered by the wind and sun. Available for festivals, weddings, community and social events.
http://www.cafeseren.com/

DIY Solar Electric worksops and mobile solar generator service available for community groups and festivals.Workshops tailored for beginners and under-confident techno-phobes!
http://www.generatorx.org.uk/Generator%20X/GenX%20home.htm

SOLAR CINEMA GROOVY MOVIE PICTURE HOUSE
THE WORLD'S FIRST MOBILE SOLAR POWERED CINEMA. CONTACT. SERVICES. VENUE. EVENTS. FILMS. HOME. LINKS. POWER. Eight large solar panels convert sunlight into ...
www.groovymovie.biz/solarcinema_how.htm

The World's First Mobile Solar Powered Cinema

2008-07-07T13:10:00.001+01:00

This is the cinema we show our films in at festivals!

Funds for social change

2008-07-07T11:45:00.001+01:00

May be useful to fund social change projects

The Co-operative Action scheme, offers grants of between £5,000 and £50,000. Email; info@cooperativeaction.coop or visit www.co-operativeaction.coop

The Co-op's Community Dividend is a small grants scheme offering from £100 to £5,000 to community groups see www.co-op.co.uk

GRIERSON:SHEFFIELD - BRITISH DOCUMENTARY AWARDS

2008-07-07T10:31:00.001+01:00

GRIERSON:SHEFFIELD - BRITISH DOCUMENTARY AWARDS
GREEN AND INNOVATION AWARDS
You can be a green filmmaker but you gotta pay for it!

Insane entry fee of £190 + VAT (£223.25) except for the Bloomberg Newcomer category which is £45 + VAT (£52.87).

Entries are invited for the Grierson:Sheffield British Documentary Award
Green and Innovation categories. To be eligible your film must have had
a first UK screening during the qualifying period, 1 May 2007 - 30 April
2008 or will have a first screening at the 2008 Sheffield Doc/Fest.

Nominations will be announced on Monday, 6 October and the winners will be
announced at the awards ceremony in Sheffield on Friday, 7 November.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday, 15 July. You can enter online or
download an entry form by going to
http://www.griersontrust.org/howtoenter.htm or contact the Grierson Trust
+44(0)20 7580 7526, awards@griersontrust.org

Potato crop

2008-07-06T18:50:00.004+01:00

If, like me, you have managed to break the top of your kitchen swing bin and thought that the bottom bit would be of no use for anything, think again!

It is ideal for growing potatoes, either outside your home, on your patio or, if you live in a flat, on your balcony.

First, you need to make some drainage holes in the bottom of the bin. You also need a piece of plastic pipe about 1 to 2 inches in diameter, cut so that the top of the pipe will just protrude above the rim of the bin. You will need to make holes in the pipe, which will ensure that water reaches all parts of the interior of the bin. Potatoes like plenty of water when they are growing.

Put the pipe in the swing bin, as near the middle as possible, and add a good quality all purpose compost to a depth of four to six inches. Then add three or four chitted (sprouting) potatoes and cover with a further two to three inches of compost.

When the leaves start appearing above the compost, just add enough compost to cover the leaves up again. Repeat this each time the leaves appear until the compost is up to the top of the bin. This is the equivalent of earthing up, which you would do if growing them in open ground.

Keep the plants well watered, the end of a hose or watering can will conveniently fit into the top of the plastic pipe and will ensure that all the compost in the swing bin gets a good soaking. This is very important as the compost must not be allowed to dry out. You may have to water twice a day in the height of summer.

Eventually, the potato plants will flower and the green leaves will start to die off. Your potatoes are ready for harvesting and eating.

This vegetable is now so common-place, with many more varieties being added over the years, it is difficult to believe it has been with us for only a few hundred years.

The potato has been grown in South America for 7000 years and was brought over to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish explorers. It was not until the 18th century that it began to be accepted as a nutritious staple food item and people began to learn how to grow potatoes.

The humble potato has had to battle against many prejudices over the years - it was not eaten by some because it wasn't mentioned in the Bible , others blamed potatoes for causing leprosy and tuberculosis. The English even thought it led to lust, currently many blame this vegetable for causing obesity (chips).

This photo is my crop of organic potatoes in July which i got from growing 4 spuds in a single small bin...yum

Centre for Investigative Journalism

2008-07-04T17:29:00.000+01:00

Centre for Investigative Journalism

Summer School 2008 18 - 20 July

This year's CIJ summer school highlights the environment:

Speakers include Vandana Shiva, Indian environmental campaigner, on the Hijacking of the Global Food Supply and Mark Schapiro, on Global Environmental Power in the 21st Century.Plus Andy Rowell, Irene Gerlach, Greg Muttitt (Platform), James Sanders and
Michael Warhurst (Friends of the Earth).

Other speakers are John Pilger, documentary film maker, Robert Wardle, recently
retired head of the Serious Fraud Office, and Nick Davies, author of Flat Earth
News, Professr Sheila Bird, of the Royal Statistical Society, Heather Brooke and David
Gordon on MPs' expenses, ministerial scalps and the Freedom of Information Act;

Solomon Hughes on the War on Terror Inc; plus Jim Nichol and Raphael Rowe on miscarriages of justice.

Courses include David Donald and Tommy Kaas leading an expert team of trainers in
computer-assisted reporting, internet research, internet security and new developments in computer techniques and skills. Forensic accounting specialist Raj Bairoliya on understanding company accounts. Updates on libel and privacy law with Philip Conway, and how terrorism legislation affects journalists with Heather Rogers QC and Gavin Millar QC.

The school is open to anyone and is an ideal skills training opportunity for anyone
who carries out research, handles FOIA requests, analyses data, and works in the
media, for a trade unions or NGO, or runs a campaign.

The school lasts three full days. Costs for the event are £300 for members of the
NUJ, BECTU or similar; £200 for students or £450 full price.

The school is held at City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB.
For more details, an up-to-date timetable and to book online go to www.tcij.org,

or email Margaret.renn@tcij.org, or call 020 7040 8220

Filming latest show for VisionOnTv

2008-07-04T13:16:00.001+01:00

Vision OnTv is back filming again. Here is a photo of filming a show in Oxford this week

Animator chat show

2008-07-04T13:15:00.000+01:00

Recorded by last years BeyondTV festival