In London again today for an interesting opportunity at the Birmingham Stage Company (http://birminghamstage.com) Great to meet with Roshni and Adrian and chat about the glorious (but chilly) sunny weather. Whatever the outcome, it was a great experience and I thank you! Following on from that, King's Place where the TEDxLondonSalon (tedxlondon.com) were talking about "Feeding the city" (http://tedxlondon.com/tedxlondon-salon-21st-march/) and once again I was inspired and captivated by presentation after presentation about my favourite subject... Food! I was particularly impressed with small business startup Kerb (kerbfood.com). Petra Barron gave an impassioned speech on small business, streetfood and the heart and soul of London and good people generally, it was impossible not to follow her journey without sentiment, wonder and general hope for the future. Keep up the great work Petra, seriously great work. And then I saw this quote on the train home.. "Never regret a day in your life: Good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons and the best days give memories." Keep strong people, live for today and find your people, find your stage and be yourself. If you are still searching, keep looking and enjoy the experiences that life has to offer.
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So much going on and so busy! But that's the way I like it. I wouldn't change the diversity and interesting work that I am lucky enough to get. I recently asked to take the photos for TEDxNorwichED and I jumped at the chance. Lowlight is my speciality and added together with the wide ranging, interesting and thought provoking talks, who wouldn't? It was a full day with talks about how to deal with teenagers, how long can the brain survive without oxygen? How de we inspire teachers, students and people in general? I loved every moment and can proudly state that I am an official TEDx photographer. I am now down to London for TEDxLondon at the King's Place Music Foundation tomorrow. Exciting times.
I met up with those lovely people at Planet Productions yesterday and talked about "The Producers" and the Sound and Audio requirements specifically. It's a complex arrangement but Peter knows that I'm up for a challenge :) Book the dates in your diary April 24th - 29th and tickets (with more information) can be found here The Norwich Freemen held the first stage of their Great Norwich History Competition where they asked two teachers Alex Atherton (The Hewett Academy) and Simon Everett (Notre Dame High) to propose and oppose the motion that ‘Norwich ceased to be a great city after 1750’. It was lively debate and some great speakers, a video can be found here. I was privileged to be Duty Technician for the Norwich School recently and bumped into my old pal Peter Beck, scenery and set builder extraordinaire! Time for a quick catchup over a coffee and back to work. Students and teachers working hard to get the show together before opening night. Book here, it was really shaping up as I left! :)
King's Place Music Foundation again this week where we are hosting the Jewish Book Week. Some good speakers, great books and inspirational question and answer sessions. 400 people at one session but the amazing Front of House crew worked well. I'm very proud. The Technical team worked hard too, very seamless and professional. Well done team. I took some time out for some CPD this week, Two lunchtime sessions, one talking about the 16-20 year old market and how they perceive the future, life and big questions about how they see the world. Extremely interesting but heart rending as talk about the differences between the generations unfolded. I think that my generation is the last that will potentially be better off than their parents... This view came across loud and clear from the research... But where they defeated? Downhearted? No. They were upbeat, positive and up for the challenge. They seem to be more driven by experiences and ethical values. I left with a really positive feeling that perhaps everything was going to be ok :) Second session was at the Theatre Royal Norwich. Stephen Crocker, CEO, gave a quick introduction and explained his plans for the theatre. It will be busy, full of exciting new projects and I can't wait. We discussed venue programming and how important it is for venues to explore all areas of funding. It's clear that the usual funds are likely to dry up completely over the coming years. I felt uplifted and energised as I left. Good times are coming. Adrank sponsored the third CPD session "Digital IQ". The legend that is Stuart Ashen stole the show for me with his unique blend of humour and sharp focus. I learnt loads about Youtube and how we can access it for marketing. A great day and it's always good to be back in the Assembly House and the quality venue services that they provide. In a time where we can be inundated with bad vibes and ugly news it's been a a good week that has left me positive about the future for creative & sensitive people. Let's be awesome people. x I recently had the privilege of working on Sam Hoggarth's short film "Envy", as always a very organised shooting schedule and good sound direction and as always, something a little unusual which makes me think and challenges me. Well done Sam and thank you.
I also have been working with the Kings Place team at King's Cross and loving every moment of being with such a professional and fun loving team. No challenge too great and the recent Aurora concerts alongside John Suchet's Coffee Concert went exceptionally well with happy audiences all round. I was very proud of my team. Today I am holding a technical workshop on QLab4 and the ability to control lights and sounds in smaller venues. It's a control system I often use and love how controllable and how easy it is to create clever effects. I have installed a system at the Great Hall Theatre Company recently and today I will be holding an open demonstration. I am lucky enough to be involved with several small theatres in Norwich and recently I replaced the existing Control System for the Great Hall Theatre Company. The existing system was end of life and they needed some way of controlling sound and light. Like most small clubs they run light on Technical people so a combined control system is the only way. I have installed a system that I have used personally with a lot of success, a MacBook, Enttec DMX controller a USB Sound card and using QLab4 to control it all. This last week has been the test as we ran 6 performances of "Business Affairs" by John Chapman and Jeremy Lloyd (of 'Allo 'Allo and Are you being served fame). Test successful and it was an amazing run for Great Hall, the audience loved the performances and I can report that Rep Theatre is alive and well in Norwich. I am running a Lighting and Sound workshop on the 19th February, anyone interested should email info@markbenfield.com for details. This year is moving so quickly and weighed heavy by the news about the sad passing of John Hurt I'm feeling reflective. Such a sad and brutal start to the year and I worry for our children and the world that they will inherit. But there is also hope, John Hurt gave us so much hope and encouraged us to enjoy the moments and live for the future. Goodbye my friend, although we met but briefly you were a beacon on a lonely night. Farewell.
Deep breath The Great Hall Theatre Company have their "Get in" for their next production "Business Affairs" tomorrow and along with it the new control system that I have designed for them. Like most Theatre companies they struggle for technical people, so I have upgraded their old PC system to QLab4 running on a MacBook that will control their sound and lighting. I have used this same system on the Norwich Medieval Mystery plays last year and it worked very well. Just the thing for a small venue setup. There is a workshop on the 19th Feb for anyone interested just let me know. I recently visited Immersive VR in Norwich with Mr Peter Beck and experienced my first VR experience! I was blown away! I have to get a setup like that. I explored underwater, saw creatures, played games and I know that I have to integrate the projection system in a show very soon! Watch this space! :) Many thanks Immersive VR, you rock! Sound Engineering again tonight for "Oh what a night!" featuring "Frankie's guys" and a live band. This was the first night of their UK tour but you would never have known, every move and every note was polished. I realised from early on that I was in for a treat and I wasn't dissapointed. Working alongside the industry respected Martin Shearing who has taught me so much about live mixing, it was just treat after treat. If you get a chance to see them, like a lively, funny and entertaining evening then look no further. Called in at short notice to Sound Engineer this amazing duo and I loved every moment. They are two lovely people with a vast knowledge of Blues. Dave Kelly can pluck an amazing guitar while Paul Jones plays harmonica like I've never heard before. Lot's of amusing anecdotes, even more amazing blues songs with fun and laughter along the way. It wasn't a taxing job but it was certainly a great experience. After a busy December it's time to pause and reflect on my months work. I'm very humbled to have met so many amazing people, to be invited into their lives and enjoy Christmas through their eyes. To share their festive stories, bring life to their traditions and make a little magic at Christmas. I was surrounded by people who love Christmas, wanted to make every family feel special and were literally on their best form every single day. I do feel very privileged to have been a part of a very talented team. To all you elves, whether you were a part of an event or not, thank you from the bottom of my heart. :) A special thank you to Mike and Alison Battle for allowing me to experience Lapland UK and be a part of that team. Your attention to detail, your drive and persistence to achieve the best Christmas experience in the world and your pure vision are rare to be seen. I thank you. An early morning but I pause to take some photos as I wait for Father Christmas to arrive at the Pavilion Theatre. Debs and Naomi are also on hand to help out and it's an amazing day of fun and laughter at the pier. I even find time to read my new book... although they misspelt Father Christmas :) |
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