Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - Page 35
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GAME MASTERS ON SHOW
Vocal Consort Incantations
● Cameron Graham and Raphael Wong ■ Boy bands have been big news in Melbourne lately. But did you know that boy bands also exist outside pop music? Melbourne all-male vocal ensemble The Vocal Consort is a classical take on the boy band, with 16 members whose ages start at 19. The Vocal Consort is about to release its third CD, called Incantations at a special launch concert also involving The Australian Boys Choir at the Iwaki Auditorium at the ABC's Southbank Centre on Saturday (April 28) at 8pm. Originally formed in 1984 as a tenor and bass group to accompany the treble Australian Boys Choir, the majority of the members were once sweet voiced cherubs in the Australian Boys Choir, who wanted to keep singing once they developed their deep voices. The composition of The Vocal Consort has changed over the past 28 years, but past alumni have included Opera Australia tenor Henry Choo, cabaret performer and musical director Trevor Jones, and chief conductor of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic, Andrew Wailes. The new CD features works by composers such as William Byrd and Johann Sebastian Bach, mixed with modern American composer Randall Thompson and early Australian female composer Dulcie Holland. Keeping the content right up to the minute, the CD also features a work composed by the conductor of The Vocal Consort, Noel Ancell . Tickets for the concert can be booked at www.trybooking.com/BHUH or by phoning the Australian Boys Choir on 9818 4818. The Incantations CD will be available for sale after the concert, or by visiting www.thevocalconsort.org.au The ‘boy band’s’ album can also be bought on iTunes. - Julie Houghton
■ The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is this week announcing the launch of a digital project coinciding with the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, Game Masters. The Game Masters digital project will provide new ways to engage with the exhibition using high-capacity broadband networks. The project encourages a new level of audience engagement and a wider reach for ACMI programs in time for Game Masters. Outcomes will include a custom-built mobile game, website, eBook and a video conferencing system enabling multilocation programming across Victoria. ACMI’s digital project received funding through the Victorian Government’s Broadband-Enabled Innovation Program which promotes the effective use of broadband lead adoption and innovative information and communication technology. “We’re really excited by this new digital venture, which will provide opportunities for audiences to engage with the Game Masters exhibition in accessible, educational and fun ways,” said ACMI’s Head of Exhibitions, Conrad Bodman. “This will be the first time we have explored such a model which will have real benefit for future programs.” Game Masters: The Game Game Masters: The Game is a custom-made mobile game created to enrich the experience of the exhibition or played on its own. Designed for all ages and abilities, players navigate a ball past opponents to score. The design features familiar game genres including space, sim and adventure games, drawing visual inspiration from early arcade through to the latest indie games. By visiting the exhibition, users can unlock additional game content by scanning codes within the gallery and also play a large-scale, two-player version of the game. Game Masters: The Game is being developed by Chocolate Liberation Front and will be available for download to iOS and Android devices in June . Game Masters Website The Game Masters exhibition will have a content-rich minisite featuring exclusive content such as news, behind-the-scenes insights, interviews, guest blogs, videos and competitions, and also act as the central hub for purchasing tickets, the Game Masters eBook and downloading the mobile game. Game Masters eBook The Game Masters eBook is an extended version of the exhibition publication with video content. The eBook will be available via iTunes in June. Both exhibition books are designed to be companions to the exhibition and as stand-alone publications. Video Conferencing Initiative This digital project includes the establishment of high-bandwidth infrastructure helping ACMI to reach audiences in regional areas and at schools and higher-education institutions, allowing for new and innovative programming streams via video conferencing. The mobile game, eBook and interactive website will be launched in June. The video conferencing program will begin June 28. Game Masters is a highly interactive videogame exhibition, showcasing the work of leading local and international videogame designers from the arcade era through to the latest console and mobile game technology. Game Masters runs until October 28. More information is available on www.acmi.net.au/gamemasters
■ The 2012 St Kilda Film Festival launches on Tuesday, May 22, with six days of short films and industry events. Now in its 29th year and renowned as the premiere short film festival in Australia, SKFF screens Australia’s Top 100 short films in competition alongside the best new music videos. Also included in the program is an international showcase, youth programs, filmmaker development series and industry networking events. Paul Harris, Festival Director said, “St Kilda Film Festival is Australia’s major incubator of new talent and we have hit the bull’s eye once again with an eye-popping collection of exciting and innovative short films.” “When you make a short film the budget might be limited, but the imagination of these creative talents certainly isn’t,” Harris said. The grand surrounds of the Palais Theatre will set the scene for the Festival’s Opening Night which will eature three world premieres including Suspended written and directed by Damian Walshe-Howling and produced by Lisa Shaunessy; Matilda Brown’s Am I OK; and Bonny Doon – the highly anticipated unscripted comedy shot in 45 minutes, directed by Matthew Saville and starring Stephen Curry and Dave Lawson. Top 100 Film goers at each of the 15 sessions will be immersed in the art, culture and excitement of the Festival as the Top 100 films take centre stage. The world-class screenings will feature a dynamic mix of Australian short films all vying for the chance to win their share of the $40,000 prize pool, with the winner of the Best Film being awarded $10,000 cash. Top 100 highlights include the world premiere of Cryo, directed by Luke Doolan and produced by Drew Bailey. Spider Walk makes its world premiere produced by the talented Andrew Curry, also the producer behind Magic and Smoking Will Kill You with a trifecta for Curry in the 2012 Top 100. Post Apocalyptic Man. directed by Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek) will make its debut with an all star cast including Damian Walshe-Howling, Michael Dorman and Angus Sampson. After the Credits, written and directed by Josh Lawson will also hit the screen making it a big year for the talent all-rounder who has just finished filming The Campaign with Will Ferrell. Moth is the second short from renowned Australian Choreographer Meryl Tankard, and stars Sophie Lowe and Madeline Madden, and Two Bikes, One Chain is the exciting directorial debut from Powderfinger lead guitarist Darren Middleton. Industry Open Day The SKFF Industry Open Day brings the film industry together on Saturday, May 26 at the Astor Theatre for an afternoon that givesdirect access to the best organisations in the business. This free event for all ages and levels of experience offers a series of forums, expert advice and exhibitions along with a live broadcast of RRR’s Film Buffs Forecast from Festival Director Paul Harris. International Program The SKFF is presenting the best of the Cork Film Festival with two sessions of Irish Shorts on Saturday- Sunday, May 26-28.Sunday 27 May. The Festival will culminate with the Closing Night Awards at the St Kilda Town Hall on Sunday, May 27,. as the best of this year’s filmmakers are awarded more than $40,000 in cash and in kind prizes.