DAY 1 - Sunday, 11 March 2006 @ Mediashed, Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Those present were:

Drew Hemment: Future Everything (CIC). DJ & events organiser - Futuresonic. Social diversity and interactions
Katherine Moriwaki: Artist and lecturer. Technology in art & media systems
Graham Harwood: Mongrel - widening the scope/availability of media, media art & systems
David Valentine: MediaShed & film making, LFS, E2PROM
Derek Shaw: MediaShed Facilities Manager, SoSLUG organiser and SOSEAN Server Manager
Stuart Bowditch: MediaShed Technical Support and musician - Sundown Multimedia, Telephasic Workshop, E2PROM
Rob Gretton: Sound engineer and DJ - Telephasic Workshop. Member of Sonic Arts Network, currently forming Southend-on-Sea Electronic Arts Network
Terry Slepcevic: Short-film maker and co-runs Retro Gaming events at MediaShed

After all the introductions, Harwood started proceedings with his thoughts on approaches to projects and the means to include people from different backgrounds and cultures using free/cheap media. He layed down a little bit of history about Southend and migration of people from the East of London and also a brief history of projects already run by the Mediashed, including Open media systems, TextFM, Radio Trottoire and A Round Head

David Valentine then introduced the Video Sniffin #1: the commercial. Talking points included Technical processes, recording wireless CCTV systems with permission of the owner, Use of CCTV networks to make films, Inclusive/creative social process, Peter Gomez and Park Bench TV.

Harwood contributed some comments on making art and feeding back into the artistic community, rather than making something, presenting it to the public where it goes no further.

After a break for tea, David Valentine explained a bit about the second Video Sniffin’ film: minä olen, which broaches the subjects of immigration in Finland. Finnish people have tendancy towards isolation, Finland only takes it minimum EU quota for immigrants, immigrants face extreme environmental change (going from desert in Sudan to subzero Arctic conditions/no sun in winter etc), as well as social/communication barriers. There is support for homes/education, but not for immigrants to adjust to Finnish society and environment, the communication between cultures where language does not cross, and takes communication to the base level: Minä olen means 'I am...' in Finnish.

More talking points about Video Sniffin #2: minä olen were: Technical processes, connecting to wired CCTV cameras in Town Hall and sports centre, kids communicate their thoughts, feelings and frustrations through signs - native language on 1 side, Finnish on other

Harwood then discussed the uncoupling from the future and technology, including recycling outdated equipment, removing the necessity for latest gear, (anti) consumerism.

gearbox.mediashed.org

The next topic was the Gearbox Website: Tools for cheap film making, Originally looking at how to record film, but how it can be expanded through input of other groups, a.person, with no budget or special fx kits. Instructables was an example given.

Talking points were the Pros & Cons of using cheap/free/recycled media, Size/bulk of equipment, transportation and movement, Processing power of computers not being suitable for offline editing and also the Control of media: Centralisation of media, Going against autonomy, or assists the autonomous groups to build networks?, YouTube, MySpace, iTunes, Google, Ownership of information and metadata

Alternative models for infomation sharing and communication include Webrings

Harwood talked about his thoughts on 'Control' society, How software controls society eg Bank manager is the flesh face of software where software provides questions and requires set answers.

After lunch David Valentine resumed with talk about the Mediashed project for Art for Supermarkets, a film called “The Duellists” which would combining Parkour (free running) with contemporary dance, Using 160 CCTV cameras within the Arndale Centre, Manchester, Use of control centre and equipment, Delivery of initial proposal (theme of West Side Story), Reduced from c.20 participants to 2 - Health & Safety, training, costs, logistics, practicality, Must keep away from being a string of stunts, Breakdancing / Uprocking used to bridge areas where parkour not possible, Narrative, Chase (scrapped), Bored security guards (scrapped), Face-off/Race (considered as in keeping with WSS theme and parkour 'economy of movement')

There appears to be two parkour camps: Pure parkour (no tricks) and those who push forward with use of acrobatics and tricks

Personel to make the film might be: David Valentine (Script, Directing and Production) and Methods of Movement (Cast and Choreography)

Talking points about the film included the use of public space, Perception of space and surroundings, Means of travel, Contemporary culture - Bond: Casino Royale, Risks and Practice: serious free runners will practice one move over and over until perfected (50 times daily if need be).

At 5pm we wrapped up the Workshop and headed off. More tomorrow.