Today's show: Exploring the Smoking Cabinet

Today on Resonance FM at 3.30pm Alex Fitch is guest presenting Richard Thomas' show on Ephemera - Tight Pudding and is talking to Claire Cook, Simone Pyne and Kate Grove about the "Burlesque Cinema" weekend they've curated at the Curzon Soho Cinema and Volupte Lounge in London. The Smoking Cabinet mixes short films, features (The Blue Angel), live acts and talks to explore depictions of cabaret on film from the 1890s to the 1930s.

Video Podcast: Malcolm McDowell & Lindsay Anderson

I'm ready for my close-up - Malcolm McDowell & Lindsay Anderson
(video podcast) Audio version partially broadcast on 14/11/07 on Resonance FM

You can download now the video of Alex Fitch's interview with Malcolm McDowell & Mike Kaplan about their film Never Apoloigise - a personal visit with Lindsay Anderson.
There are a variety of versions of the video available to download at archive.org including 256kb & 64kb streams and downloads as well as the original 3.8Gb video. For more info and to see jpg screen grabs and an animated gif of the video, please visit the home of this podcast (vodcast / vidcast?) at archive.org

Links: Book tickets for Never Apologise at the BFI
Info on Never Apologize (sic), Lindsay Anderson and Malcolm McDowell at the IMDb
Info on Malcolm McDowell, Lindsay Anderson and The Whales of August (produced by Mike Kaplan) at wikipedia.org
Official website: neverapologize.com

Today's show: Malcolm McDowell & Lindsay Anderson

Wednesday 5.45pm - Micro Clear spot: Malcolm McDowell and Lindsay Anderson

Today's clear spot is Alex Fitch's interview with the presenter / star (Malcolm McDowell) and the director (Mike Kaplan) of the new film Never Apologise - a personal visit with Lindsay Anderson currently showing at the London BFI Southbank. Alex discusses with Malcolm and Mike the experience of working with their mentor on a variety of projects on stage and screen, focussing on If... and O lucky man!.

Links: Book tickets for Never Apologise at the BFI
Info on Never Apologize (sic), Lindsay Anderson and Malcolm McDowell at the IMDb
Info on Malcolm McDowell, Lindsay Anderson and The Whales of August (produced by Mike Kaplan) at wikipedia.org
Official website: neverapologize.com

Today's show: Larger than life part 1

Today on Resonance 104.4 FM at 5pm I'm ready for my podcast - Larger than life part 1

The first of two shows looking at the largest of large screen cinema. In part one, Alex Fitch interviews David Strohmaier, director of the documentary Cinerama Adventure which looks at the rise and fall of the seminal 1950s big screen format from its initial use as a military application, how the revolutionary three camera and projector format was used for nature documentaries and feature films to its disuse and legacy in other large screen formats.

The follow up to this episode which is Alex's interview with Dennis Laws, the technical and general manager of the BFI London IMAX cinema, about the eclectic mix of films shown at the IMAX cinema will be broadcast in two weeks time, following a special episode next week which I'm not going to jinx by mentioning just yet!

This show was originally podcast on 26th July 2007 during Resonance's summer hiatus...

Links: IMDb entry for Cinerama Adventure
David's website
Wikipedia page on Cinerama
Info about Bradford's Cinerama and 70mm cinema, the National Media Museum and the next screening of This is Cinerama

Tonight's event: Happiness of the Katakuris

Screening at the Roxy Bar & Screen: The Happiness of the Katakuris 7.30pm

It's time for this month's Hectic Peelers Cinema Club, so why not come down to the Roxy Bar & Screen on Borough High Street and watch Miike Takashi's delirious horror musical The Happiness of the Katakuris which mixes The Sound of Music, Psycho & The Evil Dead to great aplomb. A remake of the Korean black comedy The Quiet Family, ...Katakuris is one of Miike's most popular films (after Audition) and there will be an introduction and post-screening Q&A by Electric Sheep Magazine critics Richard Thomas, Virginie Selavy & Alex Fitch...
Doors open at 6.30pm.

Links: Roxy Bar & Screen
Electric Sheep Magazine
IMDb and Wikipedia pages on The Happiness of the Katakuris
Listen to Joel Karamath & Virginie Selavy's presentation of Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song at September's Hectic Peelers

N.B./ October's presentation of Belleville Rendezvous by Alex Fitch and Vincent Woodcock will be broadcast as this thursday's I'm ready for my close-up

Today's show: Pete Tombs' guide to horror

In tonight's Clear Spot, Alex Fitch and horror film producer Pete Tombs talk about horror films from all around the world. Mr Tombs recently produced the Lollywood horror film Hell's Ground / Zibahkhana so Alex and Pete discuss the making of that, Pete's documentary series on international horror and which scary films both of them have enjoyed in recent years.

Resonance 104.4 FM, 8pm Samhain...

The first third of this interview was previously podcast as part of a programme specifically about Hell's Ground, which you can get more info about here...

Links: Reviews of Pete's books at The extraordinary movie and video guide
The Mondo Macabro DVD label
Wikipedia pages on Lollywood cinema and Hell's Ground

Podcast: Asif Kapadia's Far North

To compliment the live review shows that take up I'm ready for my close-up during this year's London Film Festival, we have the second of a series of exclusive podcasts featuring interviews with filmmakers and programmers involved in this year's LFF. Virginie Selavy interviews Asif Kapadia, director of The Warrior, about his new film Far North which premieres at this year's LFF - download now... (edited by Alex Fitch)
(mp3 format, 28.6mb)

For more info and a selection of different file formats you can download or stream, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.com

Links: Round-up of what to see at the LFF at Electric Sheep Magazine
Book tickets to see Far North
IMDb page on Far North
Wikipedia page on Asif Kapadia

Tonight's show: The 51st London Film Festival part 3

Tonight on I'm ready for my close-up at 10.30pm on Resonance FM, John Riley, James DeCarteret & Tom Geens begin the second week of discussion and preview of the films they've seen at this year's London Film Festival, tonight focussing on two films showing in the avant-garde strand of the LFF - Seven easy pieces and Milky way...

Links: The 51st London Film Festival
Our show on History on film which covers films shown at last year's festival
Alex's reviews of last year's festival

Podcast: Neil Gaiman's Stardust

Alex Fitch's interview with Neil Gaiman about Stardust and other adaptations of his work is available to download now...

Originally broadcast on Resonance FM on Monday 15th September as a special 'Clear Spot'.

For more info and a selection of different file formats you can download or stream, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.com (mp3 format, 14.6mb)



In comics news:


ComICA at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London is on now and continues until November 6th and sees performances, screenings and live talks with the likes of Jamie Delano, Posy Simmonds and Kevin O'Neil.

More info at www.ica.org and www.paulgravett.com

Podcast: Short films at The London Film Festival

To compliment the live review shows that take up I'm ready for my close-up during this year's London Film Festival, we have the first of a series of exclusive podcasts featuring interviews with filmmakers and programmers involved in this year's LFF. Virginie Selavy interviews curators Simon Young and Philip Ilson about the short films they've chosen for this year's festival - download now... (edited by Alex Fitch)
(mp3 format, 27.5mb)

For more info and a selection of different file formats you can download or stream, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.com

Links: Read a partial extract of Virginie's interview at Electric Sheep Magazine
More info about Halloween shorts curated by Philip
Philip's "Death to short film" manifesto as quoted at The Dawn Chorus
Info on short films curator by Simon at remotegoat.co.uk
Simon's Shorts International website

Today's show: The 51st London Film Festival part 2

Today on Friday's extra episode of I'm ready for my close-up at 5pm on Resonance FM, Mark Stafford, James DeCarteret & Tom Geens continue to discuss and preview the films they've seen at this year's London Film Festival.

Links: The 51st London Film Festival
Our show on History on film which covers films shown at last year's festival
Alex's reviews of last year's festival

Tonight's show: The 51st London Film Festival part 1

Tonight on I'm ready for my close-up at 10.30pm on Resonance FM, Mark Stafford, James DeCarteret & Tom Geens discuss and preview the films they've seen at this year's London Film Festival.

Links: The 51st London Film Festival
Our show on History on film which covers films shown at last year's festival
Alex's reviews of last year's festival

Today's show: Comic book writers

Today's Strip! at 5pm on Resonance FM is comprised of three interviews with comic book writers...

In a repeat of Monday's clear spot, Alex Fitch interviews renowned author Neil Gaiman about the big screen adaptation of his illustrated novel Stardust which was originally serialised by DC Comics.
Then, Alex interviews Zan Christensen about his homoerotic vigilante comic The Mark of Aeacus which looks to Greek Myths for its inspiration.
For the second half of the hour long show, we're broadcasting the previously podcast interview author Paul Cornell (Doctor Who, Xtnct) conducted with prolific comic book writer Peter David (The Incredible Hulk, Fallen Angel) about his career...

Links:

Neil Gaiman - Neil's website
Wikipedia entries on Neil, Stardust and Anansi Boys
Official movie website
Dreamhaven's online book shop

Zan Christensen - Zan's company, Northwest Comics
Article on Greek myths which influenced The Mark of Aeacus

Peter David - Wikipedia entries on:
Peter David, Paul Cornell, The Spectacular Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man
IDW page on Fallen Angel
Marvel pages on Peter's The Dark Tower and Paul's Wisdom

Today's show: Neil Gaiman & Stardust

An extra airing of Panel Borders this week (to be repeated on Friday at 5pm):

Alex Fitch interviews writer, producer and graphic novelist Neil Gaiman about the big screen version of his illustrated novel Stardust as well as other adaptations of his work such as Anansi Boys and Neverwhere.
A BBC radio adaptation of Ananzi Boys is to be broadcast on the World Service on the 17th November* and Stardust is released in cinemas throughout the UK on Friday.
*Ignore my proclamation at the end of the episode where I suggest it's to be broadcast on wednesday - I got the month wrong... (d'oh)

Links: Neil's website
WIkipedia entries on Neil, Stardust and Anansi Boys
Official movie website
Dreamhaven's online book shop

Podcast: The p0rnification of visual culture

Last night's show is now ready to download...
(mp3 format, 57.2mb)

For more info and a selection of different file formats you can download or stream, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.com

Tonight's show: The p0rnification of visual culture

Tonight on "I'm ready for my close-up":

Alex Fitch talks to former presenter of Midnight S£x Talk - Tania Glyde - about the increasing p0rnification of visual media, from advertising to art, film to fromage. As both the ICA & Barbican in London have s£x based festivals on this month, it seems p0rn is being increasingly celebrated in our culture, so Alex and Tania look at some of the reasons why.
(Sorry to have to write the description in 'Leet' but I don't want dirty spam on my blog!)

10.30pm (BST) Resonance 104.4FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com

Links: Info about Cleaning up, Tania's new book
Article on s£x by Tania in The Independant
Buy books by Ms. Glyde from amazon.com

Please note: some of the following links contain images and words that might upset the prudish!... (ask guidance from your parents / therapist etc. before visiting)

Visit midnights£xtalk.com
Download episodes of Midnight s£x talk at podcasts.resonancefm.com including shows about:
S£x in the movies, the fascination with Psychos and Censorship, which feature Alex (!)
Info about The Barbican's s£x exhibtion, - Seduced - and last week's Swedish £rotica season at the ICA

Today's show: Running stumbled with Jonathan Maringouin

Today's I'm ready for my podcast 'repeat' on Resonance FM at 5pm...

Virginie Sélavy interviews John Maringouin, director of the documentary Running Stumbled, whose film is a semi-improvised recreation and document of the self destructive relationship between the director's father and his partner.

Originally podcast on August 9th, click here for more info...

Today's show: Looking back at "Sweetback"

On Friday afternoons on Resonance FM at 5pm, there's a new slot for repeats of I'm ready for my close-up. Rather than just repeat the show from the night before, we thought it might be nice to take the opportunity to broadcast some of the episodes that were podcast while Resonance was off-schedule during the summer for the benefit of luddites who don't go in for all this podcasting nonsense.

Today, we're airing a podcast from 3 weeks ago - Joel Karamath talking about the career of Melvin van Peebles and his seminal film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. This was recorded at the first Resonance FM / Electric Sheep film club at The Roxy bar and screen, so this seems a good time to air the repeat as the next film club is on Tuesday from 7.30pm where Alex Fitch will be talking to former Disney animator Vincent Woodcock about character design in animation alongside a screening of Sylvain Chomet's Belleville Rendezvous and his rarely seen short film The Old lady and the pigeons.

If you just can't wait 'til 5 o'clock, you can find the podcast here.

Podcast: Art House cinema podcast, September '07 - Raindance special

It's Resonance FM's latest Art House cinema podcast featuring reviews of films released this month at 'Art House' cinemas in London and also showing at the Raindance Film Festival... This show is presented by Alex Fitch with contributions from Virginie Sélavy (editor of Electric Sheep Magazine) and Michael Hall (video shop manager and lead singer of the band Nebraska... In this episode there's also an exclusive interview with Suzanne Ballantyne, lead programmer of the Raindance Festival.
You can stream the show by clicking here and pressing the play button or right click here to save the mp3 file direct to your computer...

Films reviewed include Disturbia, Syndromes and a century, Drawing Restraint 9, The Amazing Lives of the fast-food grifters, Exhibit A and The Boss of it all.

Links: You can read print versions of Virginie's reviews in Electric Sheep Magazine
Londonnet's guide to all the times and locations of all films currently showing in the Capital's cinemas
Alex's interview with Allan Moyle, director of festival opener Weirdsville

(mp3 format, 28mins / 26.9mb)

Podcast: New Female Directors

Tonight's show is now available to download... (mp3 format, 26.4mb)

Continuing I'm ready for my close-up's exclusive run of online podcasts*...

In a show recorded live at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, Alex Fitch talks to two new female directors who have made two very different debut feature films. In I for India Sandhya Suri has collated 40 years of home movie footage of her family in Britain and India that tells the poignant tale of loved ones separated by land and culture, while in Gypsy Caravan Jasmine Dellal has created an epic concert movie with the cinematographer of Monteray Pop that showcases Romany music that will hopefully prove to be this decade’s Buena vista social club...

*While Resonance FM moves studios across London... The podcast only shows will then be broadcast on FM later in the Autumn

For more info and a selection of different file formats you can download or stream, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.com

Links: IMDb pages on Gypsy Caravan and I for India
I for India official website
Gypsy Caravan official website
Wikipedia's list of female directors
What's on at the ICA cinema?