Silent Film - Update May 21st

Only two full rehearsals to go before the show (10th June) - here is why we are not worried!!!

We have made a lot of progress over the last few weeks and now have a full set of tracks all set out to match the content of the film.

Everyone has contributed a track and/or is playing an instrument or singing using effects

All the equipment works and we have decided on a way of getting it all plugged in and working pretty quickly.

We are using Logic, Reaktor and Ableton Live software as well as using DJ decks, Akai MPC sampler and various MIDI controllers.

The music sounds great...really great. And I am not just saying that.

We have one of the fastest bass players on earth

John is a wicked song writer, guitarist and piano player

Ralph is scratching "whaaat" and "whistles" like grandmaster DXT in ROCKIT. yo yo yo. And he has composed a great song on electric piano

We the two angelic voices of Tegan and Millie and we put them through various audio effects!!! cool


David and Toby have come up with some cool tracks using Logic and Ableton

Shane is one of the cornerstones of the project and keeps producing cool ideas including a brand new track

Adam is firing on all samples and providing added Kaoss

Joe is using Reaktor and making some great sounds along the way. He adds something to tracks using his new Korg controller

Silent Movie - PRESS RELEASE

Man with a Movie Camera Press Release 21/05/09

Music Performance / Silent Film
Strode Theatre
Wednesday 10th June

Students studying the BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology at Strode College produce a large scale performance each year that challenges their creativity and develops their technical skills in the use of music software and hardware. This year they are performing a live soundtrack to a silent film.

Made in 1929, Man with a Movie Camera is an extraordinary piece of filmmaking, a montage of urban Russian life showing the people of the city at work and at play, and the machines that keep the city going. It was Vertov’s first full length film and he used all the cinematic techniques at his disposal – dissolves, split screen, slow motion and freeze frames – to produce a work that is exhilarating and intellectually brilliant. The original and semi-improvised soundtrack will be performed live in response to the film’s stunning imagery.

This project involves working with computer software, cutting loops, sequencing music, DJ mixing and synchronising all this with live musicians and the visual images of the film. One of the main challenges for the students has been the seamless nature of the film as there is no story and many of the visual cues are easy to miss. This coupled with playing in the orchestra pit and not in a standard rock band arrangement makes this performance an exiting challenge. The project has also introduced the students to a classic silent film that really paved the way for many modern video editing and filming techniques.

Recorded versions of the finished soundtrack created by the students will be available online after the performances as free MP3 downloads. Details will be posted here soon. There will be two screening of the film, one at 5.30pm and another at 8.00pm. Contact Strode Theatre Box Office to book a ticket on 01458 442846


The Musicians in the photo (left to right)
Marcus Graham , Pete Izzard, Ralph Clarke-Norman, David Antoski, Toby Bellars, Tegan Viner, Adam Chestnutt, Shane Costelloe and John Steer. Millie Ayton and Joe Edwards also play in the group but missed the photo.

CD Launch Party - Photos

CD Launch Party 2009

The launch party held in the rehearsal studios at Strode College was great. The venue was packed and everyone had their CD and promotional material set out on a stall of their own. There were live performances and DJ sets alongside screenings of the latest music videos made by the students.

I will post more on this later and we also have some photos too

We really need someone else to start posting on this Blog (hint!)