I'd love to be one of those people who can seemingly do anything. We all know people who can seemingly turn their hand to anything. Years ago I was asked to teach a friends sister the guitar. I can play OK, but I'm not Jimi Hendrix. She'd been a swimming champuion, captain of the school Netball team and top of the class. She had decided on a whim to learn guitar. Her dad said "If you teach her, I'll pay you a fiver an hour. Not bad money. First off I said, lets buy a guitar. As mum and dad had a few pennies, a trip was organised to Rose Morris, a big music shop in Tottenham Court Road. All of my mates (me included) had third hand beaten up old guitars (that was all we could afford). We walked in, she took a liking to a very tasty, brand new Gibson Les Paul. I saw the price tag £700 (it was around 1981). I went to usher the family past it, to the third hand guitar section, but Daddy stopped and said "Whats that one like". I asked the assistant for a go, he handed it to me and it was beautiful. I said "It's one of the nicest guitars, I've ever played". Daddy announced "We'll take it". I then broke the bad news "You also need an amplifier". We trotted off to the amplifier department. Daddy asked me what I thought. I replied "Well I really like Fender Twin Reverbs, but for a rock and roll guitar like that, you should really have a Marshall stack". I was joking, as Marshall stacks are huge and pricey and she couldn't play a note. Daddy asked daughter. "Yes, I want a Marshall stack". So that was it. Another £600 for a girl who had never played a note.
When we got the guitar and amp home, I set it all up in her bedroom and tuned it up. I then turned it up to number 11 and strummed an E chord. The whole house shook. Daughter screamed "Wicked, I'm so happy that is what I want" or words to that effect. Mummy and Daddy looked chuffed (luckily the property was a large detached house so no neighbours to annoy). She then says "Show me how to do that". So I show her where to put her fingers and how to hold a plectrum. She strummed it and sure enough it sounded great. "Wow!" she exclaimed. I said "That's an E chord". She said "Show me another one". So I showed her an A chord. She put her fingers on the strings and played a perfect A chord. I then said "Ok now strum the E twice then the A twice and then do it again. She did this quite effortlessly. Usually it takes ages to even get people to put their fingers on the chord. "Have you played before?" She replied "No, never even picked up a guitar". So I say "OK try this" and showed her a B chord. This is a bit harder to play for beginners, as it is a bar chord. She played it effortlessly. I was stunned. I said "well you now know your first song and showed her the verse to Wild Thing. The lessons hadn't even started.
Daddy was chuffed and gave me £20 for my troubles. I came back a few days later to give the first lesson. we adjourned to her bedroom and she said "I've been really practising. I can play a few songs now. She then played a selection of recent punk tunes. I felt like a fraud, it took me months to learn the same songs. So I say "Ok, what is your favourite song?" She said "You'll laugh but I really love "Live and Let Die by Wings".
So we put it on the record player and I say "If you want to learn a song, he best way is to record it on a cassette, because it is easy to listen to the bit you are stuck on". So we taped "Live and Let die". By the end of the hour, she could play most of the simpler bits of lead guitar to a basic level. I was shocked. I had brought a couple of books. One was a chord book and the other was a lead guitar tuition book, which came with a record. I advised to tape the record. It was easier. I then wrote down a list of songs from her record collection and said "learn to play two of these by next week". I collected my fiver and departed, rather shellshocked.
The following week, I turned up. She said "I've learned all of those songs, but there are a few things I can't get right". So I then had to explain tappings, hammer downs, pull offs and slides. She was rather cross. Ia said what's the matter. She replied "it was so obvious, I'm embarrassed". I said don't be, most people take months to get to this stage. By the end of lesson three, I had reached the point where there was nothing left to teach, my knowledge and skill set had been surpassed. That said the cash was handy, so we started doing theory (which I knew nothing of).and songwriting.
After about two months, she said "Do you think I'm ready to join a band?". I said "Yes". That was that she joined a band and never looked back. She then learned drums, bass and saxophone. I occasionally see her around. She is a superb musician but very down to earth. Last time I saw her, we had a quick conversation about how she learned. "If it wasn't for you I'd never have learned". I was shocked. Of course you would, you are a natural. Then a rather sad and strange story emerged.
"Do you know why my folks asked you to teach me?" I replied "No". She then explained that her brother had been being bullied and I'd intervened and the bullying had stopped. I couldn't even remember. The brother was a year or two younger than me, but a bit of an outcast. He was really into punk rock. so I'd chat about music to him. He had no musical talent, but was a nice bloke. She then went on "My parents thought that if you were teaching me guitar, then you'd feel obliged to keep an eye out for him". I was really surprised. She explained that the family had bought her the mega expensive guitar and amp as they knew I'd feel a commitment to teach her. They hadn't realised she was a musical genius.
The brother, although musically inept, was also super bright and is now a very wealthy man. She explained that, like me he's dyslexic and like me didn't know at the time. He had no confidence at all. For a short while, he was a dogsbody for our band. He used to help out by doing errands. She explained that until he hung around with us, he had no confidence. I couldn't remember why he "left the gang", but she explained that he got a girlfriend and never looked back. I've often pondered just what damage bullying does to people. In the case of the brother, he once told me that he hated every second of school. He said that if he hadn't discovered music, he'd probably have killed himself. As it is, when he had the threat lifted, he felt like his life started over. I felt embarrassed that I couldn't even remember the incident.
It is rather strange really. There where so many subtexts that completely passed me by. His dyslexia, the bullying, the family reaction. I'd just thought they wanted me to give their daughter a few lessons. I thought the parents were simply striving for perfection for their daughter. In actual fact all they were trying to do was save their son from misery. Odd really.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Local Screenings of Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble
If you didn't make it to the Phoenix last bight for the Premiere of Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble, we have scheduled a whole series of local screenings. Please try and come along
Other local screenings at venues near you (all free entry)
Tues 23rd Oct.7.30 pm
Wyburn Room at Wesley Hall, Stapylton Road,
High Barnet,
EN5 4JJ
Thurs. 25th Oct, 7.00 pm
The Larches,
Rectory Road,
Edgware
Sat. 27th Oct 2.30 - 4.00 pm
New Barnet Community Centre,
Victoria Road,
New Barnet,
EN4
Thurs. 1st Nov. 6.30 pm
Cafe Buzz,
High road,
North Finchley,
N12
Tues 6th Nov - 8.00 pm
North Road Community Centre,
Edgware
Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble on ITV London Tonight
We have updated the film website following last nights Premier
Checkout the film website for latest details
http://www.billionpoundgamble.co.uk/
Here is a list of all forthcoming screenings
http://www.billionpoundgamble.co.uk/screening-info.php
Checkout the film website for latest details
http://www.billionpoundgamble.co.uk/
Here is a list of all forthcoming screenings
http://www.billionpoundgamble.co.uk/screening-info.php
Black Monday for Barnet Tories
Yesterday was the day when the Barnet Tories hit rock bottom. Things really could not have been worse for them. They made ITV London news with two successive items. You can watch the piece about Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble here - http://vimeo.com/51935140
and the main article is here -
http://www.itv.com/news/london/story/2012-10-22/barnet-on-film/
The first was about the film Barnet The Billion Pound Gamble. I produced this film with acclaimed US director Charles Honderick. The film exposes the effects of the councils policies on the local community. Yesterday we had the Premiere of the film at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley. Despite atrocious weather and major disruption on the Northern Line, over 200 people paid to come in.
I took this picture on my mobile phone as people were still arriving. We had to delay the start time by 30 minutes to allow latecomers to arrive. After the film there was a debate with three local bloggers, Mr Reasonable, Mr Mustard and Mrs Angry as well as Martin Russo from the Save Friern Barnet library campaign.
They fielded all manner of questions. It was encouraging to see that all walks of society joined in. The panel were asked about their political affiliations. Mr Mustard and Mr Reasonable have none. MArtin Russo said he usually voted Labour and Mrs Angry said she'd reecently joined Labour as she felt there was no alternative. As for myself, I don't belong to any party. I stood for the Lib Dems in the 2010 Council elections, but as I fundamentally disagree with the policies of the Coalition and was disgusted by the decision to break the pledge on tuition fees, I have left the party. I am banned from being a member of Labour, so I am an Independent. As for Charles Honderick, he's a supporter of the Democrats being from the USA.
Everyone who spoke to me after the film said they thought it was a good film and got the message across well. Some right wing commentators have dismissed the film as a "Left Wing Polemic". This is both unfair and untrue. I don't believe that outsourcing services is a "right wing" policy. Sadly many Labour Councils also do this. If what right wing commentators are saying is they believe in poor services, bad administration, library closures, anti business parking policies and the destruction of the High Street, then yes it is left wing, but I am sure these are not policies most Tories really want.
I made the film, not because I want to destroy Barnet Council. I made the film because I want the administration to see sense. ITV London Tonight came to the studios and interviewed myself and Charles Honderick. They then went to Cafe Buzz and interviewed Helen Michael about how the Car parking policies have damaged her business. Their last port of call was the Leader of the Council, Richard Cornelius. Richard told ITV that Barnet is "A successful London Borough with lower than average unemployment and better than usual services". It may shock you to hear that I agree with Richard. The problem is that One Barnet will export jobs, damaging the unemployment figures locally. We've already seen this with the outsourcing of parking to NSL, the first major One Barnet project. This exported 26 jobs to Croyden. As for the better than usual services, why is Mr Cornelius trying to fix something that ain't broken? The evidence is clear, One Barnet will destroy jobs and services and in five years time, whoever the leader of Barnet Council is, they will not be able to make the proud boast that Richard Cornelius made about the in house services.
Mr Cornelius also acknowledges that he hasn't seen the film. He states that it doesn't portray the real Barnet. Sadly it does. All of the people we interviewed are real Barnet residents with real problems. None of the people interviewed had to be coached or guided to make things up. They are just real life victims of poor policies. ITV interviewed Helen Michael at Cafe Buzz. She explained how the Councils parking policies lead to a 40% drop in trade.
Ironically, as they were interviewing Helen, Councillor Brian Coleman was being charged with assault, for an incident involving Helen outside her business in North Finchley in September. The story is on the ITV website here -
http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2012-10-22/ex-barnet-mayor-charged-with-assault/
Back in 2009, I took Brian Coleman to the Standards Committee. I won a judgement against him, proving he breached the Barnet Council code of Conduct. At the time, I wrote that I had done it because I felt Brian Coleman needed to learn to respect other people. As his colleagues in the local Tory Party refused to take any action about it, in effect they encouraged him in an ever more self destructive mode of behaviour. In May 2012, the people of Barnet punished Mr Coleman. They sacked him as GLA representative in the elections. Whilst Boris got over 50% of votes in Barnet, Coleman was slung out on his ear. Coleman learned nothing. He sent more rude emails, losing another standards case. He then insulted women in the public gallery of Barnet Council chamber, calling them "Hags".
Sadly Barnet Council Tories took no action. Now he awaits a trial on the 5th November. Incredibly, his colleagues still refuse to suspend him. On Thursday, he will chair an important committee meeting for the Council. How can the local Conservatives fail to acknowledge how poor this makes them look?
In the 1980's, the Labour Party was nearly destroyed by "Looney Left" councils. In Barnet we have the "Rabid Right". Every day the news gets worse. The question everyone now asks about Brian Coleman is "What does he have on his colleagues that makes them so scared to take action?". I don't know. Only a fool would think his continued presence in the party is anything other than a millstone around their neck.
At a recent meeting with Barnet Council officials, I explained that Barnet will always find itself in the eye of a media storm whenever it screws up. The reason for this is that more TV producers, newspaper editors and reporters, film directors and producers and other media people live in Barnet than anywhere else in the Country. These stories are on their doorstep. Richard Cornelius says in his interview that "No one likes being Dr Evil". Sadly no one thinks Richard is Dr Evil. They just think he is a weak and ineffective leader who is not up to the job. He has a stark choice. He can man up and start behaving like a leader or the Barnet Tories will, sooner or later, sack him as an act of self preservation.
The bad news stories will not go away until someone on the benches of the Barnet Conservative Party sees sense. Let's just hope that whenever that is, it is not too late for the people of Barnet.
and the main article is here -
http://www.itv.com/news/london/story/2012-10-22/barnet-on-film/
The first was about the film Barnet The Billion Pound Gamble. I produced this film with acclaimed US director Charles Honderick. The film exposes the effects of the councils policies on the local community. Yesterday we had the Premiere of the film at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley. Despite atrocious weather and major disruption on the Northern Line, over 200 people paid to come in.
 |
| Over 200 People packed into the Phoenix Cinema |
I took this picture on my mobile phone as people were still arriving. We had to delay the start time by 30 minutes to allow latecomers to arrive. After the film there was a debate with three local bloggers, Mr Reasonable, Mr Mustard and Mrs Angry as well as Martin Russo from the Save Friern Barnet library campaign.
They fielded all manner of questions. It was encouraging to see that all walks of society joined in. The panel were asked about their political affiliations. Mr Mustard and Mr Reasonable have none. MArtin Russo said he usually voted Labour and Mrs Angry said she'd reecently joined Labour as she felt there was no alternative. As for myself, I don't belong to any party. I stood for the Lib Dems in the 2010 Council elections, but as I fundamentally disagree with the policies of the Coalition and was disgusted by the decision to break the pledge on tuition fees, I have left the party. I am banned from being a member of Labour, so I am an Independent. As for Charles Honderick, he's a supporter of the Democrats being from the USA.
Everyone who spoke to me after the film said they thought it was a good film and got the message across well. Some right wing commentators have dismissed the film as a "Left Wing Polemic". This is both unfair and untrue. I don't believe that outsourcing services is a "right wing" policy. Sadly many Labour Councils also do this. If what right wing commentators are saying is they believe in poor services, bad administration, library closures, anti business parking policies and the destruction of the High Street, then yes it is left wing, but I am sure these are not policies most Tories really want.
I made the film, not because I want to destroy Barnet Council. I made the film because I want the administration to see sense. ITV London Tonight came to the studios and interviewed myself and Charles Honderick. They then went to Cafe Buzz and interviewed Helen Michael about how the Car parking policies have damaged her business. Their last port of call was the Leader of the Council, Richard Cornelius. Richard told ITV that Barnet is "A successful London Borough with lower than average unemployment and better than usual services". It may shock you to hear that I agree with Richard. The problem is that One Barnet will export jobs, damaging the unemployment figures locally. We've already seen this with the outsourcing of parking to NSL, the first major One Barnet project. This exported 26 jobs to Croyden. As for the better than usual services, why is Mr Cornelius trying to fix something that ain't broken? The evidence is clear, One Barnet will destroy jobs and services and in five years time, whoever the leader of Barnet Council is, they will not be able to make the proud boast that Richard Cornelius made about the in house services.
Mr Cornelius also acknowledges that he hasn't seen the film. He states that it doesn't portray the real Barnet. Sadly it does. All of the people we interviewed are real Barnet residents with real problems. None of the people interviewed had to be coached or guided to make things up. They are just real life victims of poor policies. ITV interviewed Helen Michael at Cafe Buzz. She explained how the Councils parking policies lead to a 40% drop in trade.
Ironically, as they were interviewing Helen, Councillor Brian Coleman was being charged with assault, for an incident involving Helen outside her business in North Finchley in September. The story is on the ITV website here -
http://www.itv.com/news/london/update/2012-10-22/ex-barnet-mayor-charged-with-assault/
Back in 2009, I took Brian Coleman to the Standards Committee. I won a judgement against him, proving he breached the Barnet Council code of Conduct. At the time, I wrote that I had done it because I felt Brian Coleman needed to learn to respect other people. As his colleagues in the local Tory Party refused to take any action about it, in effect they encouraged him in an ever more self destructive mode of behaviour. In May 2012, the people of Barnet punished Mr Coleman. They sacked him as GLA representative in the elections. Whilst Boris got over 50% of votes in Barnet, Coleman was slung out on his ear. Coleman learned nothing. He sent more rude emails, losing another standards case. He then insulted women in the public gallery of Barnet Council chamber, calling them "Hags".
Sadly Barnet Council Tories took no action. Now he awaits a trial on the 5th November. Incredibly, his colleagues still refuse to suspend him. On Thursday, he will chair an important committee meeting for the Council. How can the local Conservatives fail to acknowledge how poor this makes them look?
In the 1980's, the Labour Party was nearly destroyed by "Looney Left" councils. In Barnet we have the "Rabid Right". Every day the news gets worse. The question everyone now asks about Brian Coleman is "What does he have on his colleagues that makes them so scared to take action?". I don't know. Only a fool would think his continued presence in the party is anything other than a millstone around their neck.
At a recent meeting with Barnet Council officials, I explained that Barnet will always find itself in the eye of a media storm whenever it screws up. The reason for this is that more TV producers, newspaper editors and reporters, film directors and producers and other media people live in Barnet than anywhere else in the Country. These stories are on their doorstep. Richard Cornelius says in his interview that "No one likes being Dr Evil". Sadly no one thinks Richard is Dr Evil. They just think he is a weak and ineffective leader who is not up to the job. He has a stark choice. He can man up and start behaving like a leader or the Barnet Tories will, sooner or later, sack him as an act of self preservation.
The bad news stories will not go away until someone on the benches of the Barnet Conservative Party sees sense. Let's just hope that whenever that is, it is not too late for the people of Barnet.
Monday, 22 October 2012
ITV News interviewing Helen Michael about parking as Brian Coleman is charged with assault
In perhaps the strangest of coincidences, at the very moment that Barnet Police were charging Brian Coleman with assaulting Helen Michael, she was being interviewed by ITV London Tonight News program about the dire effects of the parking policies Coleman introduced on local businesses.
Helan had been asked to turn her phone off for the duration of the interview, so was unaware initially of the breaking news story. The film crew were blissfully unaware of the breaking story.
The crew had arranged to interview myself as producer, Charles Honderick as Director, local blogger Mr Mustard and Helen as a news story concerning the release today of Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble.
You will be able to see the interviews etc on ITV London Tonight as part of the 6pm news.
Here is whatthe Barnet Times has to say
http://www.edgware-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=36858&headline=Brian%20Coleman%20charged%20with%20assault
and here is what the Barnet Times has to say about the film !
http://www.edgware-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=36561&headline=Film-makers%20produce%20second%20movie%20about%20impact%20of%20cuts%20in%20the%20borough
Helan had been asked to turn her phone off for the duration of the interview, so was unaware initially of the breaking news story. The film crew were blissfully unaware of the breaking story.
The crew had arranged to interview myself as producer, Charles Honderick as Director, local blogger Mr Mustard and Helen as a news story concerning the release today of Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble.
You will be able to see the interviews etc on ITV London Tonight as part of the 6pm news.
Here is whatthe Barnet Times has to say
http://www.edgware-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=36858&headline=Brian%20Coleman%20charged%20with%20assault
and here is what the Barnet Times has to say about the film !
http://www.edgware-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=36561&headline=Film-makers%20produce%20second%20movie%20about%20impact%20of%20cuts%20in%20the%20borough
Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble - The big day arrives
Today is the day. At 6pm, if you join us at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, you will see the culmination of the last six months work for myself and film director Charles Honderick. I think the film is pretty good. I am happy with it. I just hope that everyone who comes to the Phoenix to see it agrees.
We set ourselves a target of getting 1,500 hits on the film website by 6pm Tomorrow. The total currently stands at 1,420, so please check it out if you haven't had a look and tell your friends if you have.
http://www.billionpoundgamble.co.uk/
We have also released the full length version of A Tale of Two Barnets onto YouTube today, to celebrate the launch of the film. This is now on the film wbsite at
http://www.ataleoftwobarnets.co.uk/
We look forward to seeing everyone who cares about the London Borough of Barnet at the Phoenix at 6pm. They have a great bar and cafe, so you can have a drink and chat as well.
We set ourselves a target of getting 1,500 hits on the film website by 6pm Tomorrow. The total currently stands at 1,420, so please check it out if you haven't had a look and tell your friends if you have.
http://www.billionpoundgamble.co.uk/
We have also released the full length version of A Tale of Two Barnets onto YouTube today, to celebrate the launch of the film. This is now on the film wbsite at
http://www.ataleoftwobarnets.co.uk/
We look forward to seeing everyone who cares about the London Borough of Barnet at the Phoenix at 6pm. They have a great bar and cafe, so you can have a drink and chat as well.
Sunday, 21 October 2012
Captain Useless goes on the rampage (again)
You know I have a sneaking sense of admiration for our local MP, Matthew Offord (AKA Souperman & Captain Useless). Unlike most of his rather bland colleagues, he knows how to let his hair down and have a bit of fun. He has many marvellous qualities, the best being that he stands his round in the pub.
He seems to enjoy a drink, which as a half Irish/half Australian, is not a problem to me. He doesn't mince his words. According to the Daily Mail, the following exchange took place between Offord and Labour MP's.
According to witnesses, it started when senior Labour MP Dave Watts cast doubt on the Tories’ record on defence in a question to Sir Peter. Mr Offord, 43, a former BBC executive, said: ‘I’m not having that. ‘You lot have blood on your hands because you sent our troops into battle without the right gear.’ Mr Watts retorted: ‘You’ve had too much red wine.’ The Tory MP shot back: ‘Gobshite!’ Labour MP Russell Brown waded in, ordering other MPs close to Mr Offord to ‘quieten him down’.
He seems to enjoy a drink, which as a half Irish/half Australian, is not a problem to me. He doesn't mince his words. According to the Daily Mail, the following exchange took place between Offord and Labour MP's.
According to witnesses, it started when senior Labour MP Dave Watts cast doubt on the Tories’ record on defence in a question to Sir Peter. Mr Offord, 43, a former BBC executive, said: ‘I’m not having that. ‘You lot have blood on your hands because you sent our troops into battle without the right gear.’ Mr Watts retorted: ‘You’ve had too much red wine.’ The Tory MP shot back: ‘Gobshite!’ Labour MP Russell Brown waded in, ordering other MPs close to Mr Offord to ‘quieten him down’.
Saturday, 20 October 2012
The Saturday List #19 - Reasons why the Conservatives are still the Nasty Party
1. Andrew Mitchell called the Police plebs and swore at them - David Cameron didn't sack him
2. Stingy George Osborne tried to avoid paying for a first class ticket with the excuse that he couldn't possible stand travelling with ordinary people.
3. Barnet Tory Leader Richard Cornelius wants to stump up £14,000 of taxpayers money for legal fees defending his mate Councillor Andreas Tambourides against a standards complaint from highly respected Tory Councillor Kate Salinger.
4. Councillor Brian Coleman has refused to apologise for calling a resident a "Blackshirt" despite being ordered to do so by the Standards Committee. Richard Cornelius refuses to sack him.
5. Councillor Brian Coleman is currently on bail following an alleged assualt of a woman in North Finchley, Richard Cornelius refuses to suspend him from the party, despite this being the standard procedure.
6. Councillor Brian Coleman recently called highly respected Age UK Barnet chair, Julia Hines and Barnet blogger Theresa Musgrove a pair of hags in a council meeting. Richard Cornelius refused to sanction him.
7. Councillor Brian Coleman referred to other members of the public gallery, including a local rabbi as "sad and mad" at the same meeting. Richard Cornelius refuses to sanction him.
8. Councillor Dean Cohen pretends that parking policy changes haven't damaged local traders -times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9990384.Councillor_claims_parking_not_solely_to_blame_for_high_street_s_downturn/ …
9 Councillor Robert Rams supports Dean Cohens distortions on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CllrRobertRams/status/258585119051354112
10. All of the Councillors mentioned in points 3-10 are members of Barnet Council cabinet (apart from Kate Salinger).
2. Stingy George Osborne tried to avoid paying for a first class ticket with the excuse that he couldn't possible stand travelling with ordinary people.
3. Barnet Tory Leader Richard Cornelius wants to stump up £14,000 of taxpayers money for legal fees defending his mate Councillor Andreas Tambourides against a standards complaint from highly respected Tory Councillor Kate Salinger.
4. Councillor Brian Coleman has refused to apologise for calling a resident a "Blackshirt" despite being ordered to do so by the Standards Committee. Richard Cornelius refuses to sack him.
5. Councillor Brian Coleman is currently on bail following an alleged assualt of a woman in North Finchley, Richard Cornelius refuses to suspend him from the party, despite this being the standard procedure.
6. Councillor Brian Coleman recently called highly respected Age UK Barnet chair, Julia Hines and Barnet blogger Theresa Musgrove a pair of hags in a council meeting. Richard Cornelius refused to sanction him.
7. Councillor Brian Coleman referred to other members of the public gallery, including a local rabbi as "sad and mad" at the same meeting. Richard Cornelius refuses to sanction him.
8. Councillor Dean Cohen pretends that parking policy changes haven't damaged local traders -times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9990384.Councillor_claims_parking_not_solely_to_blame_for_high_street_s_downturn/ …
9 Councillor Robert Rams supports Dean Cohens distortions on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CllrRobertRams/status/258585119051354112
10. All of the Councillors mentioned in points 3-10 are members of Barnet Council cabinet (apart from Kate Salinger).
Friday, 19 October 2012
Barnet - The Billion Pound Gamble - The Full Story
I was asked "Why have you made a new film about Barnet?" today. There are many reasons, but perhaps, if I tell the full story it may be easier to understand. Many readers will know that in March, Charles Honderick and myself unleashed "A Tale of Two Barnets" on the world. Although Charles and myself are immensely proud of the film, we were in many ways unhappy with aspects of it. The reason for this was simple. When the film was first conceived, it was going to be a short film on Youtube, giving an outsider (Charles is from Florida) view of Barnet. Charles motivation for making it was to experiment with a new movie making format (he'd previously made corporate films in the USA and pop videos). My reasons for becoming involved were because I have a deep love of Barnet.
When the project started, our aims were modest. Shoot a few interviews and make a short and interesting documentary. When the interviews started, it became apparent that there was a bigger story and that it was more interesting. Before we'd finished, we had been offered a premier at the Phoenix in East Finchley and a screening at the House of Commons. Barnet Alliance for Public Services had also arranged dozens of local screenings.
We had the task of editing footage shot over six months, in a variety of locations into some sort of order. We'd not had a pre defined narrative, so the whole thing was a bit of a mish mash. Charles is a brilliant editor, so we managed to turn a lot of people filmed in difficult circumstances and turn out something which was quite watchable. Many people have speculated that because I'm a well known blogger, my role was more than "producer". This does a huge disservice to Charles. He doesn't know the issues, so I have spoken more about them at screenings etc. Charles was interested in the film making aspects and "telling the story". We both watched the footage and both had input into the clips used, but in general it was fairly obvious what was good and what wasn't. We didn't tell people what to say, so the direction was all about getting people to feel comfortable and open up. Charles is brilliant at doing that.
After the film was made, both of us had a feeling that we hadn't told the whole story. We hadn't really shown what the people on the rough end of the council polices were going through and we hadn't really explained why the councils policy were not only causing misery but were fundamentally risky and dangerous. People approached us and suggested we make a follow up. Then they started offering to fund the filming. As I own a video recording studio, we decided to film the interviews on site where possible, so the issues with sound could be avoided. We also decided to agree the format beforehand..
The filming and editing has been a nightmare. This has been becasue the story has changed so many times as we've gone along. Firstly the leader of the Finchley traders gave a fascinating interview about her campaign against Brian Coleman in the GLA elections. After the filming, Brian Coleman was arrested for an alleged assault and the footage became potentially prejudicial, so we made a decision to not use it. Then we filmed Friern Library. The Council had closed it. After we filmed, Occupy London reopened it and a court case was set for last week. We couldn't finish the film without this, but had to wait until we knew what happened to do the interviews. The events superceded the original footage. Then the CEO of Barnet, Nick Walkley resigned. It is entirely unclear what is going on.
We actually finished editing the film yesterday. I watched it this morning. I am pleased. It is a much better film than A Tale of Two Barnets. It is a shame that Nick Walkley declined the offer to be interviewed as did all of the Conservative Councillors. Local politics should be a very boring subject, I think we've brought it to life. It isn't perfect, but on a budget of £2,500 it was never going to be. You will hear some tragic stories and I hope you will be moved. Some of the scenes are funny, some are shocking. Charles Honderick has a superb eye for detail and many of the interspersed clips are staggering.
I sincerely hope as many people as possible come to the Phoenix to watch the film on Monday and come to the other screenings.
When the project started, our aims were modest. Shoot a few interviews and make a short and interesting documentary. When the interviews started, it became apparent that there was a bigger story and that it was more interesting. Before we'd finished, we had been offered a premier at the Phoenix in East Finchley and a screening at the House of Commons. Barnet Alliance for Public Services had also arranged dozens of local screenings.
We had the task of editing footage shot over six months, in a variety of locations into some sort of order. We'd not had a pre defined narrative, so the whole thing was a bit of a mish mash. Charles is a brilliant editor, so we managed to turn a lot of people filmed in difficult circumstances and turn out something which was quite watchable. Many people have speculated that because I'm a well known blogger, my role was more than "producer". This does a huge disservice to Charles. He doesn't know the issues, so I have spoken more about them at screenings etc. Charles was interested in the film making aspects and "telling the story". We both watched the footage and both had input into the clips used, but in general it was fairly obvious what was good and what wasn't. We didn't tell people what to say, so the direction was all about getting people to feel comfortable and open up. Charles is brilliant at doing that.
After the film was made, both of us had a feeling that we hadn't told the whole story. We hadn't really shown what the people on the rough end of the council polices were going through and we hadn't really explained why the councils policy were not only causing misery but were fundamentally risky and dangerous. People approached us and suggested we make a follow up. Then they started offering to fund the filming. As I own a video recording studio, we decided to film the interviews on site where possible, so the issues with sound could be avoided. We also decided to agree the format beforehand..
The filming and editing has been a nightmare. This has been becasue the story has changed so many times as we've gone along. Firstly the leader of the Finchley traders gave a fascinating interview about her campaign against Brian Coleman in the GLA elections. After the filming, Brian Coleman was arrested for an alleged assault and the footage became potentially prejudicial, so we made a decision to not use it. Then we filmed Friern Library. The Council had closed it. After we filmed, Occupy London reopened it and a court case was set for last week. We couldn't finish the film without this, but had to wait until we knew what happened to do the interviews. The events superceded the original footage. Then the CEO of Barnet, Nick Walkley resigned. It is entirely unclear what is going on.
We actually finished editing the film yesterday. I watched it this morning. I am pleased. It is a much better film than A Tale of Two Barnets. It is a shame that Nick Walkley declined the offer to be interviewed as did all of the Conservative Councillors. Local politics should be a very boring subject, I think we've brought it to life. It isn't perfect, but on a budget of £2,500 it was never going to be. You will hear some tragic stories and I hope you will be moved. Some of the scenes are funny, some are shocking. Charles Honderick has a superb eye for detail and many of the interspersed clips are staggering.
I sincerely hope as many people as possible come to the Phoenix to watch the film on Monday and come to the other screenings.
The Friday Joke - 19/10/2012
A lawyer boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blond stewardess to take care of them for him.
She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator.
He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out.
Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior.
Shortly before landing in New York , she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin,
"Would the lawyer who gave me the crabs in New Orleans , please raise your hand?"
Not one hand went up ... so she took them home and ate them.
Two lessons here:
1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are.
2. Blonds aren't as dumb as most folk think.
She took the box and promised to put it in the crew's refrigerator.
He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out.
Needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior.
Shortly before landing in New York , she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin,
"Would the lawyer who gave me the crabs in New Orleans , please raise your hand?"
Not one hand went up ... so she took them home and ate them.
Two lessons here:
1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are.
2. Blonds aren't as dumb as most folk think.
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