Issue 1 Summer 2009 Free
THE MAGAZINE OF SALFORD COMMUNITY MEDIA PARTNERSHIP
DR HOO HITS THE NET A Doctor, a sexy assistant but not a dalek in site…
MEDIA CITY UK What’s in it for Salford? CANTONA Looking For Eric
NIGEL PIVARO From Coro to street journalism
OUR KIDS CREATE MOVIES
Liquored in Langworthy Wasted in Clifton
SALFORD SUSS IN SOUNDS, SIGHTS&NIGHTS
This is Salford. Home of Tony Wilson, Happy Mondays, New Order, Ewan MacColl, Sir Ben Kingsley, Christopher Eccleston, Albert Finney, Robert Powell, Central Station, John Cooper Clarke, …inspiration behind Looking For Eric, Taste of Honey, East Is East, Coronation Street…This is where Elbow make their albums, where The Ting Tings are based…where every single day there’s a film being made, an album being recorded, a new art work being created, a new play being performed…
Salford, as Stella Grundy writes (page 12) is the new Manchester. In Salford, things are getting done. But the creativity that’s being unleashed is coming from the community itself. Not from giant `media’ companies. Not from people out to make wads. Just people reacting to what they see around them. Salford suss.
Salford Community Media Partnership Langworthy Cornerstone 451 Liverpool Street Salford M6 5QQ Phone: 07534 969007 e-mail: salfordcommunitymediapartnership@live.com
This magazine aims to do two things. Firstly we’re trying to highlight what’s going on here. And secondly, we’re giving a showcase to people who have been on creative courses through the Salford Community Media Partnership (SCMP).
SCMP Secretariat: Alison Surtees (CRIS), John Phillips(LCA), Linda Robson (SALT)
We hope you enjoy the magazine. And if you would like to get involved further with SCMP please read the article on the inside back cover and contact us. We’re open minded and are up for anything…
Salford Community Media Partnership consists of voluntary and community sector organisations in Salford active in the creative and media industries. The partnership includes a diverse and experienced range of organisations offering training in creative writing, performance, radio, film, journalism and more, to others offering training space, community development support, information advice & guidance.
Salford Media Scene
has been devised by people taking part in current or past SCMP courses and workshops in Photography, Graphics and Design, Community Radio, Film and Video Production, Journalism, Digital Imaging, Creative Writing and Performance. Paul Adams, Maria Allen, Johnson Asa, Bernard Brough, Neil Boon, Mark Byrne, Louise Cohen, Stephen Cooke, Jemma Cooper, Michael Cuddy, Irene Dembrowska, Matt Finch, Dave Gauton, Avril Hackett, Deborah Halligan, Suzi Hoffmann, Paul Hughes, Ian Humphries, Paul Kane, Elvira Bartolome de Lucas, Sandra Makin, Ross McCormack, Oliver Milatovic, Ana Laura Ruiz Padilla, Sufiya Rehman, Kieran Roberts, Mike Scantlebury, Mike Skeffington, Jon Thomason, Paul Thornton, Catherine Wood. Salford Media Scene: 2
SCMP Partners: Langworthy Cornerstone, Creative Industry In Salford, Salford City Radio, START in Salford, Salford Star, Angel Centre, Seedley and Langworthy Trust, Salford Arts Theatre, Ordsall Community Arts.
SCMP Course Tutors: Radio: Steve Suttie (Salford City Radio) Creative Writing and Performance: Roni Ellis (Salford Arts Theatre) Graphics: Andonette Lewis/ Ben Wright (creativjam) Journalism: Stephen Kingston (Salford Star) Photography: Steve Mimmack Film and Video: Bryan Dixon Salford Media Scene Editor: Stephen Kingston Salford Media Scene Graphics Editor: Andonette Lewis
Printed by: Caric Press Ltd, Rickits Green, Lionheart Close, Bearwood,Bournemouth, Dorset BH11 9UB Tel: 01202 574 577 www.caricpress.co.uk
It’s summer in creative Salford and we bring the city out of the shade to bathe in the spring of its potentiality…from DJs to MCs…from MC:UK to Costa Del Salford… from Cantona to Dr Hoo. There’s sounds, sights, cinema, drama and verse kicking out from our community. Salford culture is here…
CANTONA AT THE CORNERSTONE? 4
Well they were certainly Looking For Eric in Chimney Pots café…
CONTENTS
DR HOO? 16-17
MOVIE MAKERS AND SHAKERS 10-11/26-27
We got from the Costa Del Salford to Tea Rooms in Swinton, from Salford Cathedral to alien encounters…We get liquored in Langworthy and Wasted in Clifton...
No daleks just cutting edge minidrama that off its head and on the net as Langworthy’s Stephen Lord takes his new project universal…
RADIO RADIO 25
Matt Finch gets on air at Salford City Radio…
From household name in Coro St to ripping up the hype of regeneration, Nigel Pivaro explains why he moved to journalism….
Number ones around the world but Stella would rather be creating with the community in Salford…
WELCOME TO PARADISE! 22-23
Simon Powell, former popcorn seller at the Red Cinema, directs his first feature film, with a host of star names…
SUMMER SOUNDS 18-21
PIVARO WRITES 8-9
FROM POP STAR TO SALFORD STAR 12-13
Hitting the decks in Duchy with Shaun Spinz…Helping hands from hitman Brophy…Sheer class from The Unexpectable…John Herring at Blueprint…the Suzuki’s new EP and a top night with salfordmusic.com….
While the Manchester International Festival gets the attention this summer, watch out for its full on fringe festival which is firing an array of exciting, affordable events which actually include Salford as an equal partner.
Salford Media Scene CANTONA EXISTS There was a buzz around Langworthy last year when news filtered through that scenes from Ken Loach’s new film, starring Eric Cantona, were to be shot at the Cornerstone. Would Eric appear on Langworthy Road? Le Roi didn’t figure in the scenes but keep your eyes peeled for Chimney Pots cafe and the Cornerstone as backdrop in Looking For Eric, which opens this month. The film centres on a local guy called Eric, a postman whose life’s falling apart and needs to keep it together. His postie mates get him to reach out to a hero for help…bring on Cantona. “I have worked in other movies and there I can hide behind the character” he says “In this one I have to be myself. It was a good experience - something special. It’s like being…and watching yourself being. You have to find spontaneity, be yourself, but in a fiction. It was a strange exercise but very interesting.”
Eric the postie is played by Salfordian actor Steve Evets who says starring in the film has been his dream job after years of small parts in the likes of Heartbeat and Shameless. “I’m a jobbing actor me” he says “Have been for years. This is an ambition fulfilled. Eric Cantona’s in it, I’ve got the lead role... I mean what actor wouldn’t die for that job? It’s on my CV and if I never work again, this has been an absolute adventure.”
Thurs July 2: The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist – a modern dramatic reworking of classic Robert Tressell book about slumps and greed in the building trade. 7:30pm £5/£4
Looking For Eric is set to be a huge hit at the box office. Cantona isn’t just the draw but the conduit for more philosophy on life and wife…
Fri July 10-Sun July 12: Jesus Is A City Fan – cloned from the Turin shroud, a lad discovers he’s Jesus re-born. 7:30pm £5/£4
“Sometimes we don’t want to say things and we break relationships because we don’t speak enough” he says “It’s why I appear in his life - to encourage him to speak. Or if he can’t speak, write - but communicate. If you cannot be together you cannot be together, but you must say things. That is very important and this film speaks about that also. Looking for Eric is in cinemas now
Salford Media Scene: 4
There’s the Future Artists launch at Urbis on 11 July where film-makers at the edge of new media, including the teams behind Looking for Lucky and Broken Britain, will give talks as part of a ‘mini film school’, while Power to the Pixel will discuss opportunities for film-makers and audiences in new media. Further details and tickets at www.asha-media.com/yet Meanwhile Studio Salford, Robert Powell Theatre and Adelphi Studio have happenings (further details at www.notpartof.org) and there’s lots of top drama going off at Salford Arts Theatre. Here’s the line up…
Sun July 5 - Tues July 7: Spring Awakening – three kids discover sex, freedom and pain 7:30pm £5/£4
Tues 14 & Wed 15 July: A History of Pushing – three girls from three different eras aboutto give birth. How does society react? 7:30pm £5/£4 Thur 16 & Fri 17 July: Gladiator In The House – John Waterhouse play about battle morality. 7:30pm £5/£4 Sat July 18: Solitaire – a woman enters a surreal dream world that dissects her life. 7:30pm £5/£4 Over 18s All these Not Part Of… events are at Salford Arts Theatre, Kemsing Walk, off Liverpool Street, Salford M5 4BS Box Office: 0161 925 0111/ 07770776924 www.salfordartstheatre.co.uk
IN THE A-A-A-A-AREA Quiffs, Riffs and Tiffs, the exhibition at the Salford Museum and Art Gallery showing the whole history of Salford music continues to pull in the crowds and has now been extended until January 2010.
Main Pic: Elkie Brooks opens Quiffs Riffs and Tiffs exhibition. Top Pic: The legendary Alan Wise and Peter Hook. Photos by Alison Surtess The best Salford summer party is always down at Douglas Green near Whit Lane in Charlestown. Loads of people, top music and entertainment - and a wicked funfair. This year Party In The Park is going to happen on August 1st as part of Your Parks Week and they’re looking for brilliant bands, singers, dancers and acts of all descriptions to take part. There’s no fee but a big stage and a great audience guaranteed. Anyone interested please phone Stephen on 07957 982960 or e-mail info@salfordstar.com
For anyone who still hasn’t seen it, don’t miss! Serious musos can browse all the memorabilia from the 50s onwards and listen to tape recordings of people who were there and have done it, man. But it’s great for kids too. They can dress up, and either get on stage with real geetars or play in the mocked up old record store, while
mums, dads and grannies can marvel at how ace it all was back in the days… On show are fab gems like an Elkie Brooks’ dress, Hooky’s bass and loads of Happy Mondays artwork by Central Station. To keep it all fresh there’s always new bits being added and live events taking place. Quiffs Riffs and Tiffs: Salford Sounds 1950 to Today is at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent M5 4WU. Phone 0161 778 0821 for details of events and opening times.
PARTY PARTY PARTY!!!
try to get into a club to drink a toast to her but the bouncers refuse them entry, thinking they’ll kick off after a few pints.
The Basic Film Group recently won top prize at the Adult Learners Awards for The Journey, a massive mini movie about the trials and triumphs of people who have experienced brain injuries. The group star in the film, which they made themselves as part of Creative Industry in Salford’s Raising Aspirations programme. Our photo shows the group with the Award. For a full review of The Journey see page 27
STUDIO SALFORD Now anyone in Salford can perform to a live audience to try out new stuff… Got a comedy routine, or a bit of a theatre script, or a song or a bit of anything that can be put before an audience to see if it bombs or thrills? There’s a night called Embryo at Studio Salford, upstairs at the Kings Arms pub that lets you try out material and see the reaction. And there’s no selection process so everyone gets a slot of ten minutes to showcase new work. During the slot the audience fills in a feedback sheet and performers get to see it at the end of the night. Scary but a great
Salford Media Scene: 6
ISLINGTON GOES TO CANNES…with a bullet… A short film made in the dead of night at Islington Mill last winter has been shown at the Cannes International Film Festival. The film, Broken Britain, covers the plight of British soldiers being discriminated against in their own country. With virtually an entire crew and cast from Salford, the film begins with a group of army mates returning from Afghanistan commemorating one of their fallen comrades who died in action. They way to start. The last Embryo night of the current series runs on June 12 but there’s a new season running after the summer. You can get a slot by e-mailing embryo@studiosalford.com Embryo takes place upstairs at the Kings Arms, 11 Bloom Street, Salford M3 6AN. See also www.studiosalford.com/ pages/embryo.php
Mark, whose film company is also based at Islington Mill, converted its cobbled courtyard into a club entrance, while the ground floor doubled as the club interior. Now, after showing the finished film at Cannes he’s aiming to bring it to the Salford Film Festival in November. Meanwhile there is a preview on the net at www.myspace.com/ brokenbritain
SALFORD FILM FESTIVAL NEEDS YOUR MOVIES If you’ve made a short film or feature recently and you live in Salford or your movie is about Salford, you’ve got a good chance of getting it shown at this year’s Salford Film Festival which is in November this year. The high profile Festival has prided itself in the past on showing and premiering community films alongside big name movies. So if you’ve got anything that deserves the people of Salford to see it, get in touch with the Festival organisers before the end of August. The forms and any other info you need is available by e-mailing Steve Balshaw at info@salfordfilmfestival.org. uk or from the website. www.salfordfilmfestival.org.uk
Cannes: Photo by Jemma Cooper, Film award photo courtesy of Futurepix
FILM GROUP WIN TOP AWARD
“Even if you don’t agree with the politics of the war you should respect the people out there fighting but there’s been many occasions where discrimination has gone on” says director, Mark Ashmore who spent a year researching and making the film “Salford’s got a lot of war memorials and everybody who’s working class seems to know somebody who has served.”
The first and second year Fine Arts students developed their work after exploring a range of ideas from 15th Century Thomas More to ultra modern Dutch architects OMA. The results are far reaching…
UTOPIA COMES TO SALFORD
On The Island of Utopia runs until September 6 at The Lowry, Salford Quays Open every day 11am-5pm (10am5pm Sats) www.thelowry.com
START IN SALFORD When Start In Salford says it’s a `centre of excellence for the arts’ it means it. With mint facilities, Start offers arts-based activities and training for people who are, or maybe at risk of experiencing mental health difficulties or social exclusion. And the textiles, photography, ceramics and visual art coming out of this place is incredible. Now Start is showing some of the top work in a public exhibition which runs at its People’s Gallery from July 10-September 22. And there’s loads of the art online too at Start’s new all singing, all dancing website www. startinsalford.org. Some of the work is even for sale or hire. Well worth checking out. Start In Salford is based at Brunswick House, 62 Broad Street, Salford M6 5BZ. For exhibition opening times or details of how to get involved in Start phone 0161 351 6000 or e-mail info@startinsalford.org
A PHOTO RESPONSE TO REGENERATION As Chapel Street begins its makeover, photographers on the SCMP Digital Imaging Course were asked to respond to the area as it stands. The results were pasted on hoardings for a very public exhibition outside the Angel Centre of Chapel Street. The Exploring Regeneration exhibition features six large black and white prints capturing the stunning, if sometimes derelict, architecture of a bygone era. Never has the Nelson pub and the old cop shop looked so grand. The exhibition will stay up as long as the weather allows and is well worth a diversion.
.Regeneration: Main Pic & grpoup shot: Catherine Wood. Black & whites: left, Suzi Hoffmann, right Johnson Asa
Students from Salford College have taken over the Deck Gallery at The Lowry and installed Utopia. The exhibition, inspired by Sarah Staton’s A Clump of Plinths that’s in the main gallery, combined architecture, engineering and art to dream up nine towers for a perfect world.
Hold The Front Page! Seeing people’s reactions to Nigel Pivaro working as a journalist is something to behold. He’ll be interviewing them for their thoughts on regeneration and they’ll be there thinking `Didn’t he used to be Terry Duckworth in Coronation Street? It can’t be him!’ But it is. So why the switch from household name actor to journalist?
And boy can I remember…I recall John F Kennedy being shot in Dallas, as clearly as I remember when me and another three year old kid called John Simpson tried to set fire to West Park Street by holding some burning matches we had smuggled from home against that green grass you get growing out of old brick work. Thankfully West Park Street did not burn and both of us are still here to tell the story, but the Salford Media Scene: 8
buildings we were trying to burn down were flattened with the rest of the block three years later. Every newsworthy event since of international, national or regional note has been stored and filed away in the memory for use at some future point of reference. I love hard news. I am also profoundly interested in people who are part of the news, not just the people pulling the strings but also the people affected by the string pullers. That is why, I suppose, I am in journalism. People sometimes ask me do I find the change from my former career as an actor very different? In my opinion actors and journalists have fundamental
similarities at the root of what they do - they have to have an interest in people. If you are an actor you want to know what makes human beings tick, why they react and do the things they do. So that when you come to a play you can understand the mindset and motivation of the character you are playing and the characters you are playing against. Ultimately you tell peoples’ stories, which is what you also do as a journalist. You find the story, try to hear peoples’ first hand account of it, stand it up by checking and rechecking, then get the other side so you have a balanced rounded story that will make sense to the reader.
Photo by Suzi Hoffmann
I’m now making a living from journalism, after four years of studying and training for my new profession. Then again, I have had a fascination, some might say obsession, with current affairs as long as I can remember.
The kind of stories I love are the stuff we do in the Salford Star or on the documentaries I do with BBC’s Inside Out series concerning the injustice and corruption of regeneration. Equally satisfying are stories I have written for the Manchester Evening News on Council ineffeciency that lets down the disabled or puts people out of their homes and jobs. Or even stories exposing the shortcomings of central
government policy in articles I have done for the tabloids around stroke care or dangerous dogs. Every article like that I get published in the Daily Star Sunday means one less about some wannabe flashing her breasts, so I can even also claim a victory for feminism by default! There are stories that must be written to keep the people who are paid from our taxes under scrutiny and on their toes, and ensure that they serve the people
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properly and fairly. Which of course they do not always do. Getting that story together in a drama, though potentially very powerful, can take years, by which time the issues have moved on. People are homeless, poverty-stricken or dead by the time those stories reach the stage, T.V. or screen. And that I suppose is why after twenty years as an actor I feel happier and more fulfilled in journalism. Â
Reel Salford’s first film, FH2O, was shown at the Salford Film Festival, while their debut live production, Salford:The Musical - a satire on love, loss, class war and Primark – played to sold out venues across Salford. It drew a review in The Times by Caitlin Moran…“give grateful thanks to God for projects like Salford:The Musical, which not only allow children to express themselves creatively…but also allows them to sing the line `Get out of my face because you’re really thick’…” Reel Salford’s latest movie, Aftershock, devised by its cast and co-written by Mike Skeffington, takes in Buile Hill Park, Langworthy Road and the front rooms of the cast’s houses
Reel Salford are gaining a growing reputation for producing community films and plays that are devised by Salford people and star Salford people. The latest movie, Aftershock, goes beyond the bottle to glimpse family life getting Smirnoffed… Reel Salford was formed after two mums with no acting experience at all began starring with their kids in critically acclaimed community films produced by REELmcr. The
mums, Carol Jones and Rachel Morrison, became trained drama workers with REELmcr and were encouraged to set up their own company.
Rachel Morrison: For this film we’ve devised our own characters, and mine is based on my mum because she went through a lot of divorces. My character, Michelle Flanagan, has had another divorce and she’s sort of hit the bottle because she can’t cope with another loss in her life. She’s a bit of a party girl too and the family’s just being destroyed because of her drinking and she doesn’t realise it. Three girls come into my house and I get them really drunk on vodka which starts all the events of the night. Me and Carol get all our ideas and then let the young people themselves devise it with proper characters and it’s really worked. Aftershock has got a cast of 14 and we produced it in just ten two hour sessions. It’s giving young people aspirations, like my own daughter, Chelsea, who’s in the film, is taking acting at college, and Stephen Buckley, acted in some of the early community films, is codirecting this and now wants to work behind the cameras. Now we want to make a sequel and Reel Salford is aiming to make three films a year. Carol Jones: In the film my husband’s turned to alcohol and I’ve turned to God. We’re divorced and my daughter ends up getting pregnant but she’s an angel in my eyes and I don’t believe she’d do that, so I’m not facing up to facts. It’s about teenagers and alcohol and what goes on in every city.
Salford Media Scene: 10
Top: Photo by Suzi Hoffmann, Bottom: by Linda Robson.
SEX `N’ DRINKS `N’ FAMILY HOMES
Interviews by Sandra Makin Photos by Linda Robson and Suzi Hoffmann
I get a lot out of working with the kids and seeing their responses to the issues that are in the film. It’s pretty educational because it’s talking about drinking and teenage sex and unprotected sex. It is real. That’s why we’re called Reel Salford - everything we do is real. Chelsea: I play Bailey in the film. She’s hyperactive and a bit of an earwigger and she’s funny. My cousin told me about the film and I wanted to be in it. Now I want to carry on doing acting. Kerry: I play McKenzie, who hangs around with Rhiannon in the film. She’s a bit gobby and says what she thinks. I’ve never done acting apart from at school. It’s pretty good because you get experience and know that you can do another one without being shy. I was a bit nervous at first. I like acting, and dancing as well. Kelly: I play Rhiannon and argue with a girl over a lad. I saw Rachel on my estate and she told me about the project. This is my first film and, although remembering lines isn’t easy, I’m now looking to be an actor.
Jade: (left) I play Angel who’s a carer because my mum’s an alcoholic. I can relate to the kids in the film drinking in the park as I used to do it too. Some of the film is based on fact. I’ve been in two previous Reel Salford productions - Salford The Musical and FH2O. My sister, Lindsay, is an actress and she played Robson Green’s daughter in Northern Lights. I might follow in her footsteps but I’m not
Chelsea M: (right) I play Angel’s sister, Hope, and our mum is the alcoholic who’s just useless, so I just don’t care any more. I’ve been in all the Reel Salford stuff and in the films Gas and Air, A Knight In Salford and Madhouse for REELmcr. I want to do performing arts and I’m doing a course at Pendleton College in September. I’m glad the BBC’s coming because I could be famous.
sure yet.
TANGERINE DREAMS Ever woken up in a police cell and discovered your skin’s bright orange?
It’s very much the morning after the night before as young Liam wakes up in a police cell, with no idea of how he got there. But he’s bright orange. Bit by bit, he pieces the story together, with disastrous results and wasted young lives.
“There are some cracking actors in the group” says REELmcr director Jacqui Carroll “They’ve now become the face of the FRANK alcohol awareness campaign and can be seen on posters and buses all over Salford.” With help from Salford Youth Services, Wasted will be be used to educate other young people and raise issues on underage, unsafe drinking.
Top: Photo by Suzi Hoffmann
Wasted is the new movie by REELmcr, devised by a group of young people in Clifton, and written by Stella Grundy.
“The difference now between Manchester and Salford is that here, people just go out and do things”
From Pop Star to Salford Star In the midst of the so-called Madchester mayhem of the 90s, Intastella were mega. The dream pop electro indie band fronted by Stella Grundy had hits all over the world. Now Stella’s doing top plays and films, and working creatively with the community in Salford. Here she explains which she would rather be doing… I think our band, Intastella, were the last of the hedonists. In the late 80s you just felt that you could do anything…just get a bunch of mates together and do it. It felt like that and it was like that. We had a number 1 in Japan with our album Intastella and the Family of People. We had Salford Media Scene: 12
a number one in Germany with the single Grandmaster. We had a big profile and sold lots of records but we never went into it to make money and no-one was on the business case. Not even our manager. Even now I’m wondering what happened to all the money and, through the age of Google, I’m finding out all sorts of things – like one of our tracks
was used in a Mickey Rourke film. We weren’t All Saints, and when I became a mother we couldn’t have a nanny going on tour with us. It was just impossible for me to be rock and roll and a decent mother. So I chose motherhood and decided to get a degree in drama because I didn’t want a proper job. Since then I haven’t
stopped working. A lot of the work is very low paid but I am earning a living. And to earn any kind of living in the arts is, as everyone knows, quite a feat. So I’m glad I made that choice, even though I’ll never leave music alone. Working in Salford is much more honest than working in the music industry. I’ve never had a contract here and never needed one. There’s no unscrupulous people here, just not enough money to go around. I’ve done tons and tons of community stuff in Salford. I’ve just done a play with young people from The Foyer called The Hundred Grand Do Gooder, a skit on Secret Millionaire. We did it in a really short space of time and performed it at The Lowry. Kids who were excluded from school and stuff were getting up and performing. That’s why I like working with the community, it’s a real challenge. I’m about to start working on a film with the Duchy Project that’s using humour to get girls to talk about sex education, and I’ve been working on a film for REELmcr called Wasted which I wrote, directed and workshopped with young people from Clifton (see feature). There was a lad
there who was really difficult to work with at first but who came out as a really natural and talented actor. You can’t promise anyone stardom in this day and age but it’s nice to give someone a shot. This sort of work is immediate and quick. Once you conceive the project it’s done, it’s shown, it’s promoted and it works or it doesn’t work but it’s all there. With music it’s all about somebody else – will they get it into the shops? Will they play it on the radio? It’s not in your own hands and I think making music. I don’t envy people starting up bands now, it’s a completely different world and there’s so much dross, it’s hard to find the good stuff. For me, fringe theatre is now a bit like what it used to be like with music – it reminds me of `back in the days’ because you just need a few good reviews and you’re away. I did the Nico Icon Play which was great and my plan is to do the Brighton Festival, the Barbican and New York with it but I’ve put it on the back burner because I want to write my next play and it’s been bugging me. It’s called The Beast and it’s loosely based on Aleister Crowley. It’s about magic and spin, and
how, after calling him a `beast’, the British government asked him to help during World War 2 because they heard Hitler was dabbling in the occult. I’m working on the score with Vinny Peculiar, and also The Earlies, who are half from Texas and half from Salford. We’re going to perform it in an old church if we can. I’m also acting as a retarded lady in a Chris Green feature film called Best Laid Plans that stars Steve Evets who’s in Looking For Eric. It’s a weird road trip adventure and very funny. We’re shooting it around Prestwich and Broughton in July. It’s weird because even though I’m from Moston and live in Prestwich, most of my work has been done in Salford, I even made my albums here. Everyone thinks I’m from here but I’m not; maybe I’m just an honorary Salfordian. The difference now between Manchester and Salford is that here, people just go out and do things. Manchester’s now like this great big megalith, slowed down with trying to be something you’re not, whereas Salford skips around like a Jack Russell and gets things done.
Saturday Daylight ends, night arrives. City street come alive with noise. Out to play come the girls and boys. Alcohol fuelled the people file from pub to pub. An endless procession that ends with some grub. Their taxi nights filled with drunken passion on taxi rides home. Night time ends, daylight arrives. And the morning brings a whole new surprise. Some girl whose name you’ve already forgotten. Last night’s adventure you begin to regret. Dash for the door before she awakes. At home by breakfast, last nights fun times fading fast. Saturday nights, always such a blast. Ian Humphreys
IN HARMONY was a recent exhibition by Langworthy based artist, Michael Cuddy at Salford Arts Theatre. It featured screen prints, cut outs and ink drawings of birds trying to coexist with regeneration. We took people from the SCMP Creative Writing course to the foyer of the Arts Theatre and asked them give their reaction to the pictures in verse…
A stones throw with ripples of love, Guiding hand in a mist of love, My tantrums flow, reassured by trust. Guide my hand heavenly princes, Do we break our silence? So we create a fuss? A brief touch a flaming light A hide away of vision held back all the time, Obsession injustices, Intrusion of peoples delusions, Are we birds to fly away or stones set in dust? Paul Robert Thornton
Salford Media Scene: 14
Images by Michael Cuddy
In Harmony
An unnamed poem
The Cranes Are Tall
Trainers
They’re building a church At Salford Quays The cranes are tall man The cranes are tall
Stinking blinking stenching soggy trainers, They’re only worn when I’m in my springy mood. when it’s sun shining and I’m feeling fine, going here and there and everywhere, always forgetting about the weather prone to changing and spoiling my washed and dried footwear all over again till it next-time sunshine’s. Then I have to put them back to dry before the next small episode of sun shine rays-if they ever appear, always in arrears never at the right time. Oh sunshine sunshine come back again not on another day but for another day if not for a while longer so I can put on my trainers and be free to sprint across the dry grass and be free from the heavy coat and soggy trainers.
They’re bringing priests up From the smoke The cranes are tall man The cranes are tall They’re building frothy coffee shops At Salford docks The cranes are tall mam The cranes are tall And us from Salford Feel very small man, feel very small. Suzi Hoffmann
Media City Got no job mam, want no pity I’m waitin for the bus to meeja city Got no cash mam, got no cash Damp’s runnin down the walls like urban splash Got no exams man, but life’s gonna be easier I’m catchin a tram to a life in the meeja Come on son, pass the draw, lets have another look at your CV Lets get you on that bloody TV Lets worship the god of meeja city Suzi Hoffmann
Sufiya Rehman
The call of the bird wakes the world to the start of another day, Where we rise and perform, for the spying eyes of big brothers glare, looming above. An intruding machine into our privacy, and natures own landscape, The only safe place from prying eyes, and the filming of our daily lives, Is to spread your wings and fly, Away from the lights and concrete and litter, up to the treetops, And watch those who are watching us. Birdy has the right idea. Martine Ryan
I could never imagine being alone, not completely alone, deprived, desperation, They say look up for inspiration, and down in desperation, Is it me who closes myself up to this world? This place of self pity, This wilderness, am I totally alone? Starved of love and affection, Is it right to say I’m lost? Believe me when I say I’m hungry for love, Don’t matter what, I’m grieving with self pity. I can be inspired a lot, please give me a chance, I beg you ….not
Paul Robert Thornton
Dr Hoo: Born in Salford A new surreal series with an all star cast, created by Salford’s Stephen Lord, has appeared in cyberspace on the mega Virgin 1 net channel. Is this the future for drama that isn’t dross? Actor Stephen Lord, who has starred in EastEnders, in movies with Jean-Claude Van Damme and in loads of top quality tv dramas and Brit flicks, explains his move into writing, directing and creating Dr Hoo net content. What’s Dr Hoo about? You tell me. Like most things, it came from my head, it was put on paper and then we worked to develop and make it. Putting it on the net was the great thing about it – I had freedom. I wasn’t constrained by the rules of the tv or film industry. I could just create and put it out there in its truest form. Whether people like it or don’t like it, it was a really liberating way to work. With new media it’s still very early days but from scratching around in LA I’ve found out that networks in the States are putting 15% of their budgets into new media, and original content is being sought after which is very encouraging. It’s good to see online channels working alongside their tv channels, so it’s very exciting. Virgin 1 right now are streaming Dr Hoo exclusively in the UK and it’s being picked up by one of the biggest US `aggregators’ so we can tap into `worldwide territories’. We want to keep up the momentum and are planning on doing another series and hopefully more. Just for the record I am still acting, and my last gig playing Jase in EastEnders for the BBC was a fantastic job. But the more I do as
Dr Hoo Cast
Dr Hoo: Ian Hart - starred in Dirt, Harry Potter (Prof Quirrell) and Backbeat (John Lennon) etc. Elaine Cassidy – starred in Ghost Squad, Felicia’s Journey etc and currently starring in Harper’s Island on American tv, which is coming to the BBC in August. Stephen Lord – starred in EastEnders (Jase Dyer), Until Death (with Jean-Claude Van Damme) and Common As Muck, etc, Richard Burgi - stars in Desperate Housewives as Susan’s ex-husband Karl Mayer.
Salford Media Scene: 16
an actor the more my appetite for creating stuff gets fuelled. Getting involved as a writer and director feels very natural, and knowing how the industry works has put me in a really nice position. I set up my own production company, L.E.G in London, and surrounded myself with people who could help me out with my vision. The only thing at times that’s lacking is funds, and then its in the commissioners hands. However, as Bob Dylan says, `times they’re a changing’. We’ve started getting around these obstacles, and more good news is that I’ve just signed a deal with RDF to do an animation series called Getting On, which I have co written with Tony Flynn. It’s subject to network approval, fingers crossed. It’s Salford’s answer to The Simpsons meets Family Guy Dr Hoo has also been great work in progress for me to get more hands on experience, to the point where I can direct a feature film and feel absolutely confident. Now I’ve got a film in development called The Wrong’uns which I’ve cowritten with Salfordian writer, Chris Hargreaves, and we’re hoping to shoot that at the end of this year. It’s all about keeping a dream alive. I made my first short film, Untitled, on the Ordsall estate where my family are from originally, and I grew up in the Langworthy Flats, but I think that any kid from any environment should at least pursue their dream. There’s a lot of talented people out there. The ethics, certainly where I come from are about graft. My gran was a real grafter and salt of the earth and that has stood me in good stead. Things haven’t happened on a plate, you’ve got to work for them and if you’ve got the ability to support it you’re in with a good chance.
A Doctor, a sexy assistant and some strange scenarios… but there the connection with daleks and cybermen ends. Dr Hoo is cutting edge, off its head drama that’s been made purely for the net. With each of its ten webisodes lasting under three minutes, Dr Hoo is powerful, emotional, psyche bending stuff. Is Dr Hoo brilliant or bonkers? Does Zara, his sexbomb assistant, exist in his head or in his bed? Why is everyone out to get the Dr? And why is Mauritius under water? The website, TV Blog, wrote that Dr Hoo was “just too weird” – that’s recommendation enough, surely…
Elaine Cassidy on Dr Hoo: I play a character called Zara. She can’t live with Dr Hoo but can’t live without him – although when you watch it you’re not sure how real she is. When you go to the cinema or watch tv it tends to be the case that you’re told what to think and that really annoys me. What I love about Dr Hoo is that it’s a piece of art, it’s like looking at a painting and your interpretation of it isn’t right or wrong. Whether it’s the Doctor who’s insane or the world around him, or everything’s in his head or for real. Everything is left to your own interpretation and that’s what’s great about it. The net is the only place Dr Hoo could have gone because I think that tv and film is just about advertisers and the politics that go with that. It all might change on the net but if you want to show cutting edge stuff that’s definitely the current stage for it.”
Memorable lines.. Cop: Are you for real? Dr Hoo: Who, me or him? Cop: I think you need a doctor. Dr Hoo: Don’t you get it? I am the doctor. Zara: Will we get out? Dr Hoo: If we find the key.
All ten webisodes of DR HOO can be seen at www.virgin1.co.uk/drhoo
The first ever Salford Community Media Partnership Seminar took place recently at the Cornerstone in Langworthy. Johnson Asajo and Suzi Hoffmann went along to sample the bands and banter… About fifty of us piled into the Cornerstone for this truly soul-lifting event focused on the ‘Casa de Musica Salford’, also known as Salfordmusic. com. The site is famous for giving Salford music some well deserved exposure and its archives date back to 1955, including a history of 180 Salford bands. It also has its own TV and radio programmes, interviews, reviews and a diary of all events involving Salford or Salford bands. The seminar took us through the site’s history, with SCMP’s Mark Byrne expertly running the Q&A session with salfordmusic’s John and Paul. While they accepted that the media always stretches the boundaries of Manc music to include Salford, their idea is to keep Salford’s musical identity intact.
Salford Media Scene: 18
“We’re not into exclusion, and you don’t have to be born here” they said “but we just want to include anyone with a strong allegiance to Salford and its musical tradition.” On the site notice board, everyone can advertise for musicians or bands, but the main message from this tiny band of fanatics was that they’re knackered and need more people, particularly young people and women to get involved. The entertainment opened the mature Hawaiian-shirt-clad Harpbreakers, who rocked us with their popular brand of funky blues. Forgetting the words of one his own songs, the lead singer simply swore and carried on with gusto.
One new face was the singer/ song-writer Robin Pickford who shook our collective soul with a ten minute emotional roller coaster of a song called Fallin’ Down. What a heartbreaker… Salford music is raw and real, and in Salfordmusic.com we have a platform for the city’s vast untapped talent. Meanwhile, the evening was a fun, juicy taster of SCMP’s future offerings. You can see a film of the seminar at www.salfordmusic.com For further details of SCMP seminars contact Linda_robson@ sali.org.uk or phone 07534 969007
Photos by Mike Cuddy and Catherine Wood
A NIGHT WITH SALFORDMUSIC.COM
GIZ A DECK The Q&A SCMP’s Mark Byrne spends a while with Duchy DJ Shaun Spinz
Did you buy your own equipment to start DJing or did you get help from other people? Shaun: I started DJing at The Pod in the Duchy Project, and if I hadn’t gone there I wouldn’t have done it really. I thought I couldn’t afford the gear coming from where I live. But you don’t need the best stuff to start off,
so I bought some cheap belt drive decks and got stuff for free. Soon as I heard anyone clearing their lofts I was round there grabbing any records I could get my hands on, although lately I’ve started using CDJ cos it’s easier and cheaper.
business at MANCAT, and that got me on the national diploma course. As part of it I had to teach a girl about mastering and she started asking me about DJing…she was like, `I wanna go of the decks’. I just felt proud that I’d influenced somebody. What type of work is there out there? Shaun: Well I’m still at home and don’t have many outgoings so I can work as a volunteer. I’ve done audio production for short films for CRIS, helped teach youths at The Duchy about how a dance track is made and I installed Reason software for the club to use. I’ve also been doing production and sound engineering jobs, paid and unpaid. I want to be
teaching people about digital music and showing others about DJing. What do you think of the community resources within Salford? Shaun: If it wasn’t for The Duchy Project I wouldn’t have started DJing or doing computer music, and if it wasn’t for CRIS I wouldn’t have gone to college. It’s definitely a better time for youth to get into music, there are more opportunities as technology is cheaper. It’s about being creative not just about money. What are your aims and dreams? Shaun: I’m hoping to set up more DJing and Music Tech projects and I’m creating my own demo to send out to record companies in the hardcore scene. I want to share my music and hopefully the artists that have loved Hardcore from the start will shine through one day. That’s my dream…
What training have you had? Shaun: I didn’t have any qualifications having missed a lot of school, so I took my foundation in music tech and
Shaun is running a Music Technology course for SCMP. For further details contact Linda Robson on 07534 969007
Photo by Ross McCormack
Mark: Which part of Salford are you from and what influenced you to choose a career in music? Shaun: I’m from Duchy Road, I’ve never lived anywhere else. If I wasn’t doing this I’d maybe be on a flea market selling CD’s (laffs). When I left school I was thinking `When can I sign on?’, then I contacted Creative Industry in Salford (CRIS) who kicked me up the backside and brought me to college ‘cos my mum was working two jobs at the time.
d o h t e m suzuki
SALFORD HIP The Unexpectable: The Great White Hope (Coolshade Records) New Release Suzuki Method - Post/Office One of Salford’s most popular rock bands, Suzuki Method, release a new three track EP this summer. There’s a preview up on their website now, while the physical format will be
available later in the summer. Also catch the Suzukis live at Clint Boon’s Boon Army night at the Lion in Stockport on July 17 or at the Kendal Calling Festival on July 31. Further details plus those new tracks on their website www.suzukimethod. co.uk
Walkin’ with an attitude Through this concrete city With a fightin’ mentality To reign in this city Feel the pain in this city… The long awaited album from Salford’s top hip hop god, The Unexpectable, has finally arrived – and it won’t just blow you away, it will take you, via Duchy, the bottom shops and Swinetown, out of this hemisphere to sonic places where Manc MCs get `put to rest’. But The Unexpectable isn’t named that for nowt – yes he can rap on the Richter scale to rip your chest out. But his hard core raw urban poetry is also set to the backing of old skool, nu skool, high school, ice cool tracks that veer from daisy age soul to funk tinged electro. With no re-hashed samples. The Great White Hope has taken three years in the making and is 14 tracks of unashamed class… from MC anthem, Salford Style, to the silky Saturday-night-in-theback-of-the-Mini-Cooper vibes of Sussed. The Unexpectable, aka Adam Townsend, is real and he knows it…`I’m lyrically gifted that’s why I don’t play with crime’. Find this album and find proper Salford skill at its best. The first single, Who Dat?, is released August 1st. The Great White Hope album is released 1st September. Available from www.amazon.co.uk or www. coolshadelabel.com
Salford Media Scene: 20
TALES FROM A NORTHERN CITY Blueprint Studios, M3, has been the scene of some pretty top sounds as the likes of 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, The Ting Tings and Elbow have all recorded tracks and albums there. Now the former mission, dating from 1870, is the venue for the launch of a new limited edition album Tales From A Northern City by Salford singer songwriter, John Herring.
Tales From A Northern City is on 11th July 7:30pm at Blueprint Studios on Queen Street, M3. Tickets £6.50. You can grab a preview of the album and order tickets at www.reverbnation.com/johnherring
MAKIN IT FROM THE MASTER If you live in Salford you can enrol free at the world’s first virtual music industry academy. Mark Byrne discovers how it’s done…
Chris Brophy is a Salford success story in his own right. He’s an acclaimed music producer who has composed, remixed and produced a catalogue of 66 records, including a track that stayed at Number One for eight weeks in the Billboard Dance Chart in America. He’s been up for a Grammy, had five Number Ones globally and sold over half a million records worldwide. The impressive stats go on and on… Chris has worked for 23 labels and hosted shows on 76 radio stations around the world hitting 2.2 million people. Yet until recently Chris was studio manager at Salford City Radio and wanted to help aspiring artists get on in the music business. He published six books
John’s songs are tinged with emotion, soul and a hint of jazz and he says “For me, it’s about feelings”. He’s going to be previewing the album live with the backing of a full band, and with support from Andy Needham, some special guests and Little Red on the decks. It could well be one of those Salford nights to remember… on every aspect of the industry which soon developed into an online resource and the world’s first virtual music industry academy. It’s called Music Industry Learning and teaches everything there is to know, from production to promotion, with 36 weeks worth of support from music professionals and £60 worth of free books in PDF format. It’s a totally online service provided by email, instant messenger, phone or SMS, and learners can study at their own pace on any P.C. And the best bit? If you live in Salford it’s free. For more information apply online at www.musicindustrylearning.com
“I wrote letter after letter offering my services for free, in exchange for basic training. But I was rejected by every single one of them.� - Simon Powell
Welcome to Paradise Simon Powell is an inspiration to everyone who thinks the creative world is no go area. The former popcorn seller from Lower Broughton is now making his first feature film in Salford. Its stars include Michelle Holmes, Tim Booth and John Henshaw. How did he do it?
I evolved from a concept to rid my soul of demons. Demons which arose in the childhood of a little boy growing up in Lower Broughton with dyslexia. I grew up and had a unique opportunity bestowed on me to rid my soul of those demons through the very first Salford Film Festival in 2003.
Salford Media Scene: 22
At the time I was a popcorn seller at the Red Cinema, where the Film Festival was based, and this was the catalyst to realize my dream of writing and producing films. After the Festival I wrote letter after letter to locally based production companies offering my services for free, in exchange for work experience and basic
training. But I was rejected by every single one of them. Instead I went away and created Looking Glass Films, a not for profit based community organization that would offer like minded people the opportunity to participate and engage in creative projects. I premiered my first
short film, Wishful Thinking, at the Salford Film Festival in 2004. This short film, based on my violent childhood, was made by film professionals, film students and people from the community. It centred on a dying father wishing to apologise to his son for placing fear into his life. The action flashes back to the eight year old son experiencing the nightmare of living with domestic violence. With the demons now captured on celluloid, I had to learn about raising finance, script writing, budget planning, producing and directing in order to keep going in the film industry. This resulted in a short film called The World According To Liam Lovelle. Set in Salford again, this film tackled the impact of redundancy on a hotel night cleaner who has Aspergers Syndrome. It was distributed by the British Council to 26 film festivals all over the world, and I’m now developing a follow up feature film called Scorpio which continues Liam’s story. Meanwhile, my first feature film, titled Welcome To Paradise, is currently being made. It’s about how a middle aged guy, who can’t read or write and has violence issues, deals with the break up of his relationship and tries to turn his life around to win back his partner.
We’re currently shooting the film in locations all over Salford and it stars Michelle Holmes (Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Coronation Street etc); Tim Booth (lead vocalist with James); Ian Mercer (Gary Mallett in Coronation Street and appeared in Master and Commander:The Far Side of the World with Russell Crowe); Paul Hurstfield (starred in Shane Meadows’ Dead Man’s Shoes); John Henshaw (Early Doors, Looking for Eric, the Post Office ads etc), Lorraine Cheshire (Early Doors and Tittybangbang) and Suranne Jones, from Coronation Street, has agreed to be in it. How do I do it? I think it’s because I’m putting myself out there and people are liking what I’m doing, it’s as simple as that. They’re actually thinking `This guy is getting off his arse and he’s trying to make an effort’ and they kind of respect that. I also think it’s because there’s a lot of rubbish being made out there, and they want to work on something that’s got a bit of credibility and authenticity. All my films tackle issues that have a background of poverty and I like to think they’ve got a bit of meat to them.
“Simon’s got so much energy and it’s brilliant. I think it’s important to support people that are trying to make it and if you can help them, great” - Michelle Holmes
Photos Main: Simon Powell, Top Left: Tim Booth with Simon Powell, Top Michelle Holmes and above: Michelle Holmes, Paul Hirstfield filming for Welcome to Paradise.
She looked melancholy, thoughtful and uncommunicative, yet still beautiful. Roy was captivated by her mystery, her elegance and why she behaved in such manner. He looked at her carefully: her long, sleek dark hair, the small mouth that never seemed to smile, the dark cheerless eyes under black eyebrows and the straight nose. She was Asian; undoubtedly Pakistani and wearing black clothes, matching her gloomy mood. As long as Roy watched the girl she never talked to anybody, and on the few occasions they looked at each other her answer was indifference. Sometimes she looked at the fashion show but several times Roy noticed she was lost in thought . . . lost and watching something beyond and unknown.
A short story by Oliver Milatovic The Asian fashion show was at its height with dazzling lights, powerful sound and the crowd cheering as models wearing beautifully designed glittering dresses strutted down the catwalk. Roy was filming the event and sometimes took a break to watch everything, away from his lens. He liked the exotic and the colourful, especially the women, and at these kind of cultural activities the chances to meet somebody special were high. Salford Media Scene: 24
Roy was taking another break and he started to look at the people around him. There were mostly women, some of them married and some were single thought Roy. The ladies were talking amongst themselves while watching the fashion show. Suddenly, among the crowd, he could distinguish a girl who seemed different from the rest. She was in her early twenties, gorgeous, but she gave the impression of being out of place in comparison with the rest.
He looked around, the other girls he could speak to but it was this girl who fascinated him. Roy watched the girl again. She looked cold and distant. She probably had some kind of misfortune and to initiate a relationship would be hopeless. Finally the fashion show began to end and slowly the gathered people started to scatter. Roy put his camera in the bag and looked at the girl for the last time as she disappeared into the crowd.
Illustration by Jenny Pearse
Unusual lass
Despite the loud cheers coming from the crowd she seemed not to take part in the happening, and Roy began to feel sorry for her. He thought that she was probably lonely and needing somebody who could help her. He was lonely too and thought it would be nice if they could meet and share and relieve the loneliness. But her unfriendly behaviour prevented Roy from approaching her. If at least she had smiled at him it would be different.
walkin’on air... Matt, who’s 18 and from Irlam came on the Salford City Radio course run by SCMP. Now he’s got his own show…
“At first we were all a bit nervous and so everyone sat round at first not saying much” Matt recalls “But then we learned loads in just three months and I can do everything now, from the technical stuff, like working the desk, to planning and delivering a complete radio show.” The course was delivered by
Salford City Radio manager, Steve Suttie, who has recently helped to win the station the Community Award at the Salford Business Awards. He co-ordinates a team of 130 community radio volunteers at the station, which is based in studios at the rear of the Civic Centre in Swinton. “Steve was a great tutor because he tells it straight” adds Matt “It sounds cheesy, but he was a great help to me and told me to stop sounding so nervous. He also kind of gave me some voicetraining. The others in the group all felt that he gave us confidence and we had a great laugh – that’s important innit?” Now Matt’s confidently airing the
likes of Alice in Chains, Marylin Manson, 9 Inch Nails and Orgy on his shows. Catch them when you can… Salford City Radio can be heard on 94.4FM and online at www. salfordcityradio.org
For further details of SCMP’s radio course Call Linda Robson on 07534 969007
Words and Photos by Suzi Hoffmann
Matt Finch had a burning ambition to be a DJ. And after taking part in the Salford Community Media Partnership (SCMP) course at the beginning of the year, his shows are now being broadcast on Salford City Radio, playing a range of grunge and metal, and chatting on air about the scene.
HREE FILMS – A MILLION LIVES…
ast year Creative Industry In Salford (CRIS) completed its incredibly successful Raising Aspirations prog
As part of the programme, accredited by the Open College Network, different groups made short movies a Adult Learners Awards recently.
Reviews by Oliver Milatovic
he Journey by Basic Film Group 11mins can watch a film and by the end I’ve forgotten the start. But that’s ok. Sometimes it’s more about the journey’
his warm semi-documentary gives a glimmer into the life and total optimism of people who have experienced bra
Everything’s different but exactly the same” she explains. For her, everyday life is really difficult. She forgets direc hares her experience with others suffering the same kind of fate.
here are a series of interviews with people who relate their views and tell of the techniques they’ve been shown a solation people would feel without the centre and how their self confidence has been restored. “I played football fo
he film ends with Sally driving home – and getting there… You can be on a journey” she says “and suddenly you have to change direction”
he Journey is produced by CRIS and funded by Salford City Council
SCMP Film Reviews
A Postcard of Salford Cathedral 11mins Salford Community Media Partnership runs training in film making which is accredited by the Open College Network. We met each other; some of us for the first time. We shared our lives and recalled a place we all knew…” Here’s reviews of two short films which were made during beach already there). Three years past courses. later there’s no sign of the Urban our different people, four different ways of life converging in one building that has somehow touched their lives, a
Splash beach – so a posse of mate Hayley Doyle. Salfordians set off to find the A guy CathedralThe he story received during hisbeing time in agolden German prison from his mate, who wa centres on Sally sands. taken to task by her her friend over nding herself less alone on entering the space and having prayers answered. online dating, after she falls for a Salford Community Media Costa Del Salford:The Movie was bloke without even seeing him. Partnership runs training in film filmed on a mobile phone and A local manmaking laughswhich as heis remembers his childhood, jumping over the wall with his friends, scared stiff of a nun’s gh Sally relentlessly insists that this accredited shot, edited and completed in anctuary and freedom from evil. mystery man is good for her, by the Open College Network. less than a day. especially when she compares Here’s reviews of two short Who says you can’t holiday him toofher last relationship. As films which werepeople made during in Salford? Urban Splash’s he film ends with all four sitting in front the altar in communion with the emotions the Cathedral awakes you’re wondering `Will she? Won’t past courses. proposed plans for a brighter she?’ the action ends with a twist fun Salford are rejected by film Postcard of Salford Cathedral is produced by CRIS and funded by Salford City Council in the text. If you would like to take part makers in a fun-filled holiday Sufiya Rehman in future film training please beach with a River Irwell view. Spy 11mins The Conversation is produced contact Linda Robson on 07534 Dare you go in to the water? by Peter Garvey, Bryan Dixon, 969007 Bright, witty and worth a watch. Mike Skeffington and Alan Paul Thornton A secret agent suddenly appears in a park and hands a briefcase to an ordinary man who is sitting on a bench rea Jones, with support from The Conversation by Mike wait further instructions. The fate of the mankind, the fate of the galaxy, lies in his hands. Creative Industries In Salford Skeffington and Alan Jones. Costa Del Salford was filmed and 6mins directed by Mike Skeffington, he man has no idea what he’s talking but Del the Salford:The agent saysMovie the case contains the answers to all questions…l Costa Though a mini-movie debut, The about Arina Carroll, Alan Jones, Pete 5mins. caused stir when cheap im he’s gotConversation, his mind burnt outa watching sci-fi movies and to leave him alone but the agent Garvey, Linda Robson, andinsists he takes In late 2005 Urban Splash it was formally premiered at the edited by Andrew B Davies, with it was going to build SalfordbyFilm Festival last year. support from Creative Industries Spy is produced CRIS and funded by Salfordannounced City Council a beach on the River Irwell, plus In Salford. Shot inside The Tea Rooms café The movie can be seen on You loads of flats and shops and stuff in Swinton Precinct, it stars the tube and www.salfordstar.com (even though there was a natural café’s owner Sally Roe and her
Conversation Photos by Ross McCormack
Salford Media Scene holdsFilm a postcard Reviews of Salford
Salford Media Scene: 26
gramme, working with people from all walks of life.
and documentaries. One of the films, The Journey, won its stars and creators first prize in the Salford
ain injuries, narrated through the thoughts of Sally who suffers from loss of memory.
ctions, places and names but the film follows her driving to the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre (BASIC) where she
Three Films – A Million Lives…
at the centre to help improve their lives, in one case with just a notepad and pen. What comes across is the or 27 years” says one bloke “My goal is to play football again.” Last year Creative Industry In Salford (CRIS) completed its incredibly successful Raising Aspirations programme, working with people from all walks of life. As part of the programme, accredited by the Open College Network, different groups made short movies and documentaries. One of the films, The Journey, won its stars and creators first prize in the Salford Adult Learners Awards recently. - Reviews by Oliver Milatovic The Journey by Basic Film Group 11mins `I can watch a film and by the end I’ve forgotten the start. But that’s ok. Sometimes it’s more about the journey’
direction”
I Spy 11mins
A Postcard of Salford Cathedral 11mins
A secret agent suddenly appears in a park and hands a briefcase to an ordinary man who is sitting on a bench reading a newspaper. He tells him he is part of a special mission and must take the briefcase to a secret base and await further instructions. The fate of the mankind, the fate of the galaxy, lies in his hands.
“We met each other; some of us for the first time. We shared our lives and recalled a place we all knew…”
warm semi-documentary as Salford This Cathedral awakes echoes of their past. Four different people, four different gives a glimmer into the life and
ways of life converging in one building that has somehow touched their lives, as a woman, who had hard times when she first came to England, recalls as Salford Cathedral awakes echoes of their past. The man has no idea what he’s talking about but the agent says A guy holds a postcard of Salford the case contains the answers to “Everything’s different but exactly the host - `thesame” purple Another man lightsCathedral candlesheand tell during how Salford arousesbetween a deep sense of safety received his time Cathedral all questions…links UFO sheone’. explains. For her, everyday in a German prison from his mate, sightings, government research and life is really difficult. She forgets who was a priest at the Cathedral. A the power of controlling information. directions, places and names but the Russian woman, who had hard times The man just tells him he’s got his film follows her driving to the Brain when she first came to England, mind burnt out watching cheap sci-fi SpinalSeparate Injury Centrelives (BASIC) s in each ofand them. but spiritually connected. recalls finding herself less alone on movies and to leave him alone but the where she shares her experience with entering the space and having her agent insists he takes the briefcase, others suffering the same kind of fate. prayers answered. and leaves. And then? Well, there’s a twist. A big twist in the tale. There are a series of interviews with A local man laughs as he remembers people who relate their views and his childhood, jumping over the wall tell of the techniques they’ve been with his friends, scared stiff of a nun’s shown at the centre to help improve ghost - `the purple one’. Another man their lives, in one case with just The Journey is produced by ading a newspaper. Hepen. tells him he is part of a special mission must take the briefcase to a secret base and lights candles and tell how and Salford a notepad and What comes CRIS and funded by Salford Cathedral arouses a deep sense of across is the isolation people would City Council safety, sanctuary and freedom from feel without the centre and how their evil. self confidence has been restored. A Postcard of Salford “I played football for 27 years” says links between UFO sightings, government research and the power of controlling information. The man just tells Cathedral is produced by The film ends with all four people one bloke “My goal is to play football the briefcase, and leaves. And then? Well, there’s a twist. A big twist in the tale. sitting in front of the altar in again.” CRIS and funded by Salford communion with the emotions City Council the Cathedral awakes in each of The film ends with Sally driving home I Spy is produced by CRIS them. Separate lives but spiritually – and getting there… connected. “You can be on a journey” she says and funded by Salford City “and suddenly you have to change total optimism of people who have brain injuries, narrated priestexperienced at the Cathedral. A Russian through the thoughts of Sally who suffers from loss of memory.
Council
Salford Council, Salford Urban Regeneration Company and North West Development Agency. By 2012 it’s hoped the site will be transformed into a Hollywood style space-age city with swanky apartments, offices and penthouses, film and media studios. It is also hoped that MC:UK `will eventually house 15,000 jobs’, although not one single company apart from the BBC and the University has yet signed up. So, what do local people think about all this? We went to Salford Precinct and found hopes and fears. Whilst some trust that our council has been wise, others were more cynical (see panel). Salford Council is certainly optimistic, stating “We see it as a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference for our communities and to create tangible opportunities for our residents.” Alison Surtees is the Project Director for CRIS (Creative Industry in Salford) and is working on a National Centre of Excellence for Community Media that will sit at the heart of Media City UK, along with Radio Regen, The Community Media Association, NWDA, Media City UK People and Communities Programme and other partners to secure the project. She believes strongly that it’s important for local organisations to get involved with MediaCityUK as soon as possible.
MC:UK Swanky apartments, film studios, the BBC and bucket loads of public money – but what does Salford get out of it? Mike Skeffington reports on the efforts being made to ensure local people are in with a chance of jobs in the creative industry and beyond… Been down to the Quays lately? If so, you will have noticed the giant cranes and sprawling building site which will become MediaCityUK, or MC:UK, the new home of the BBC plus assorted creative and digital businesses. The BBC will move five Londonbased departments, along with local
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broadcasting currently operating out of Manchester, while the University of Salford will also have a brand new campus for more than 800 students and staff. The project is a private venture by Peel Holdings, with over £60million worth of public support from
“We are aiming for a National Centre of Excellence in Community Media, a flagship, a space for schools, community projects and others to develop digital talent” she adds “It’s still early days, but it’s a concrete plan and it’s looking extremely positive.” The project is about capacity building to meet the needs of the digital age. But while she’s talking and pushing for creative opportunities, Alison is also realistic about the kind of jobs MC:UK might bring: “I believe the vast majority of jobs will be in the ‘service sector’ – the restaurants, banks, retail and everything which comes with a new mini-city”. However the aim is to deliver skills in media that impact on all of these sectors, and with the right support she believes that local people have
Illustration by Michael Cuddy
“It would be too easy for me to sit back and criticise” she says “But unless you engage with the process, you are never going to change anything. We share a passion in the voluntary sector, to have an impact on the lives of people at grassroots level and what we have here is an opportunity to be in there from the beginning and not as an afterthought.
the same opportunities at cracking the media industry as anyone else. So the question is, do we believe the hype? According to Salford Council joint venture company, Urban Vision, so far only “10% of the on-site workforce at MediaCityUK are from Salford”. Which isn’t a good start. Meanwhile, the University of Salford is shedding 150 staff to provide `financial headroom’ to pay for its new MC:UK base. There are community organisations pushing hard for jobs, training and
opportunities for Salford people in MediaCityUK. And if we don’t get them, the cynics will be proved right and the wealth gap between the Quays and the rest of Salford will become even wider, with all the resulting social problems. As the lady on Salford Precinct explained, the last time the Quays was regenerated there were no benefits for local people. This time, having already committed over £60million of public money, they daren’t get it wrong.
MEDIA CITY? What did the shoppers on the Precinct think?
“I think it’s a bonus for the area, there’ll be jobs for technicians, presenters, IT, security…..I like to think we’ve got those skills in Salford.”
“We’re Salford girls, but it’s of no benefit to us. It’s happened before when they promised jobs at the Quays – but they brought all their own workers with them. There’s no jobs here to start with so I don’t think it’s right when they bring their own, but you are not going to stop them. We can’t win can we?” Lyn Carew and Mary Howard.
“It’s debatable about the jobs. I would imagine the BBC will want graduates. I really hope there will be jobs for us because most of us really want to work and haven’t been given chances in the past”. Mrs Fereday “I think Media City is a good thing. We can see how things are improving in Ordsall and Langworthy. This will improve neglected areas like these.” Linda Corfield
“It will have a good impact. It will bring an influx of more people to the area which means more development. It’s a bit hit and miss though, because until it comes you don’t know”. Paul Shortman.
Special SCMP Seminar on Media City “I don’t know if I have faith because I think people from London will get the jobs” Jean Rose. “I definitely want to get a job there” Adam Brown.
“I can’t think of any negatives, it will bring jobs for Salford and Manchester” Jean-Pierre, student, Salford University.
Guest speakers: Jane Deane (Programme Director MediaCityUK) Alison Surtees (Creative Industry in Salford) 7pm Tues June 16 Langworthy Cornerstone Admission limited to 30 people so please order free tickets in advance from Linda Robson 07534 969007 salfordcommunitymediapartnership@live.com
Interviews and photos by Mike Skeffington and Jon Thomason
Steve Clarkeson.
A SCMP IS BORN… The Story of Salford Community Media Partnership By John Phillips, Manager; Langworthy Cornerstone Two years ago, a great announcement was made that glass and steel palaces were to be created down on the Quays which would create thousands of jobs and millions of pounds for the local economy…and lo, Media City UK was born. Within a couple of weeks of the announcement folks from Salford’s community and media organisations met up and decided that by working together they would stand a much better chance of helping local people to get a foot in the door when Media City opened for business. We developed plans for an exciting programme of training & and practical experience across a range of creative subjects like film making, radio, digital photography, journalism and other stuff, allowing people to try out the media world. No experience needed. We formed ourselves into a simple
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partnership and just over two months later had been awarded our first grant (Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities fund administered through Salford Council). It meant that we were able to target people who needed support most, especially jobseekers and those that hadn’t done any learning for a while. After that first year we knew that SCMP was a winner. And In our second year (funded again by NLDC) we’ve been able to expand the courses and run a membership scheme with social events and seminars, plus this magazine. The members themselves, meanwhile, have become involved in their own creative projects So SCMP is going great really. The other major reason for forming SCMP was to get something from Media City for local people. Meetings have taken place, reports have been produced and there are
‘things in the pipeline’ so to speak, but it is disappointing that nearly two years after we started talking, this aspect has been fairly unfruitful so far. We know that `Salford’s Got Talent’, so here’s hoping that during our next two years we can get that talent used to its full potential. Thanks go out to Linda our excellent Learning Coordinator, Alison from CRIS, all the member organisations and freelancers who make it happen, and especially the SCMP members themselves for getting involved and giving it a go. If you want further details on all this or want to know more, just contact Linda Robson on 07534 969007 salfordcommunitymediapartnership@live.com Salford Community Media Partnership Langworthy Cornerstone 451 Liverpool Street Salford M6 5QQ
WHAT’S ON? Performances on throughout the year from new writing, drama, comedy, special events and festivals
HIRE THE SPACE Hourly, daily and weekly rates available. Whether it’s for a one off event, rehearsal or performance then this is the space for you
CLASSES For children and adults full details on our website tel 0161 925 0111 / 07770776924 www.salfordartstheatre.co.uk email info@salfordartstheatre.co.uk Kemsing Walk, Off Liverpool St, Salford M5 4BS
SALFORD MEDIA SCENE is the magazine of
Salford Community Media Partnership Media Courses…Seminars…Workshops… Taster Days... Exhibitions…Fun Nights… Become a member now!
contact Linda Robson on 07534 969007 salfordcommunitymediapartnership@live.com
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