Tagging, Chain Letters and Shakabuku Films.

Robin has now left the Queen Victoria, for now, and is on his way home.
As he set off from Istanbul he called to say he was delighted at the prospect of 10 days at home.
Not surprising really as he hasn't been here for that long since July.

So whilst Robin reclines at 30 000 feet, and whiles away the hours with his new Sony Reader, I started thinking.

It was connected to the recent post I ran, 'I've Been Tagged', where I had to 'tag' six friends.
Apart from warofthewords who was unable to participate due to the lack of a blog, (which she hopes to rectify soon), there has been a fantastic response.
You can read Jessica Duchen's reply here, Ben Clapton's here, Chris Hambly's wonderful experiment here, and Ari Adler's here, in which he discusses the ease of communication these days and mentions the similarity of tagging to chain letters.

And this is the point I have been pondering.
What is it that makes us reply to these intrusions into our busy lives?
Chain letters have been around for many years, in fact one landed on our doormat only a few weeks ago.
It was sent to son number one with the promise of entry into the 'Guinness Book of Records' if he completed his part of the chain.
He did and this is why.
As you know he has been in a short film, 'Lollipop', which you can watch if you click the link in the side bar, and read about it here.
Since then we have remained in contact, and become friends with, many of those involved. (Thanks to Nick Rowntree for the quick response to my e mail yesterday!)

The company that made this film, Shakabuku Films, (and yes, that is son number one on their home page) have made many others.
One of which is called 'Chaingangs'.
This was an incredible achievement as the entire film, from writing the script, filming, editing and even down to adding the music, was done in 48 hours, as part of the National 48 hour film Challenge.
They did it, and they won.
But what has all this got to do with tagging and chain letters?
Well, watch the film, and you'll see why I couldn't quite bring myself to ignore the task I was set....

'Lollipop' Shakabuku Films

No time to rest for Robin, he's been over to Leeds University, managing to fit his students in before his next trip.
So today I am going to mention something completely different, but related to us, as a family.
The other day I did a post on an interview with 'Lancashire magazine' and in it I mentioned son number one getting publicity in his own right. You can read that blog here.

Since then there have been a few people wanting to know what it is that he has done.
Well, I'll put you out of your misery, and save you a lot of time searching, he is something of an actor.
From a very young age he has always been fascinated by anything to do with film or the stage.
At the age of 7, he was given the part in a short film called 'Lollipop'.
This was directed by Scott Mann, of Shakabuku Films, and did very well, being shown at Cannes Film festival back in 2005, and the 'Kinofilm 10th Manchester International Film Festival' in 2006.

Since then he has made another short film, and a number of corporate videos.
Although I have added a link to 'Shakabuku Films' they appear to currently be having a few technical problems, probably due to high levels of hits as 'The Tournament' is attracting huge publicity, so you may have to check back later.

On the strength of his performance in 'Lollipop', he was initially given a role in Scott Mann's feature length film, 'The Tournament', but, unfortunately the part of the child was later removed from the script.
'The Tournament' is going to be incredible, I've seen the trailer and it's very exciting.
It was filmed last summer in Bulgaria, with Ving Rhames, Kelly Hu, Robert Carlyle, Nick Rowntree , Danny John Jules and many others.
It is currently in the post production stage, but if you like action thrillers then I suggest you watch out for it.

As Shakabuku films go from strength to strength, 'Lollipop' has now appeared on YouTube, and we therefore feel able to put it on the blog.
'Lollipop' is a short, intense drama, about a little boy witnessing the death of his older brother, and then helping his father come to terms with this tragic loss. The film is shot through the eyes of, yes, you got it, son number one, our very own Oliver Hill.
This was an incredible experience for all involved, Scott Mann was exceptional as a director, Nick Rowntree an inspiration as Oliver's father, and both have continued to support and advise him since. His mother was played by Marie Hynes, and brother by Jack Eadie.
He caused quite a stir on the set, being dubbed by the crew as, 'Mini De Niro' due to his ability to concentrate, and the depth of emotion he was able to put across on camera.
As you can imagine, this was all quite a shock to us as parents. Oliver had no training, but, we were told, that was what they liked, his natural ability and ease in front of the camera.
In fact the cameraman, who had just completed 'Sixth Sense' at the time, told us he was "exceptional".

So, that's what son number one does. We don't know what the future holds, it is after all a precarious profession. But I feel sure he will be involved in films, one way or another.
For now though, get a box of tissues at the ready, and enjoy, 'Lollipop'.