Budget success

The New Visions contract awards are provided by the New Mexico Filmmakers Program of the state film office. The program is open to all filmmakers in the state.

There were seven awards in 2010 to New Visions/New Mexico winners – those with asterisks (*) are also winners of the 2010 Panavision camera package:

Peter Kershaw - What?($20,000 award)* So, we also gained the $10,000 Panavision package award.

This means, we can now focus on raising money for post-production and that WHAT? will go ahead and into production in 2011 as planned. This success was made possible thanks to those whom have and will be supporting us as donors without whom, we couldn't have demonstrated support - thank you on behalf of the cast & crew and future audiences for helping to make this potential, an actual. Your support made a difference.

Jury comment

The Astronomer's Sun won YORKSHIRE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR 2010 the jury said: "There is such weight and therefore capacity for emotion in the beautifully crafted stop motion animation, but it is the universal film techniques supporting this that make it such a joy to watch; the lighting, the sound and the camerawork are masterfully synchronised in tone, emphasising the sacrifice and loss at the heart of this story."

I'm pleased to annouce our South America 2010 tour of The Astronomer’s Sun as part of Animarte

I'm pleased to annouce our South America 2010 tour of The Astronomer’s Sun as part of Animarte:- November 19, Viña del Mar, Chile (in conjunction with the Viña del Mar International Film Festival): Plazoleta Maria Lusia Bombal, Av. Valparaiso y Villanelo. Viña del Mar. Chile.- November 27, Buenos Aires, Argentina (in c...onjunction with InspirationFest): Ciudad Cultural Konnex, Buenos Aires.- December 26, Mendoza, Argentina: open screening at Mendoza City Central Park www.animartefest.com

Awards

Duchy Parade Films number six - The Astronomers Sun - wins BEST SHORT ANIMATION at Fantastic Planet Film Festival, Sydney, Australia.

Winning drama

The recent win in the Santa Fe Film Festival is an added boost while working towards the production of our comedy/drama WHAT? in April of 2011.

Well done to all the team for being part of an on going festival winning success.

Click link to see T&C screening site

http://torcfilmfestival.com

T&C this is a great site.

Screening in New Mexico

Screening of Duchy Parade Films LLC comedy/fantasy CINEMA OF HORROR. Directed & Produced by Peter M. Kershaw.

When:
2-3pm, Saturday 30th October, 2010

Where:
CINEMA OF HORROR as part of short film program.
301 S. Foch Street
Senior Rec Center
Truth or Consequences
New Mexico

What: Playing as part of TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES fabulous
Halloween & Day of the Dead Film Festival. http://torcfilmfestival.com Oct. 28-31
Synopsis: Three students drift through the genres of their favourite Asian flicks. Their arguments take them into an array of comic fantasy scenarios, from Bollywood song-and-dance spectaculars through to blood-soaked bulletfests and creepy nighttime terrors in this entertaining comment on modern European and North American filmmaking.

New Film Award

The Astronomers Sun won silver (the audience award) at the Irish science fiction festival this weekend! Check out the following link.

http://www.octocon.com/

How the film industry should work

Hi Boss,

I am working back in Yorkshire again, for the first time in 3 years. I find myself doing a Bollywood again! lol. And in Sheffield too. A nice 40 day shoot.

I have asked Duncan to come as my assistant. He is proving his weight in gold on this one! lol. And we have got Hannah Ingleby on for a few days makeup too. Hopefully she can do the rest of the shoot.

So the Peter Kershaw finishing school paid dividends!

Thanks boss!

Martin

--
This email came in today from an ace Location Manager in the UK, Martin Walker. Loyalty, support, friendship and helping the "good" people to find work is what the film industry network should be about and practise - Martin is one of the best and for keeping the team working on Features so that talented people continue to grow their credits and craft, he remains an example to us all. Go Martin!

2009 comedy/fantasy plays in Italy

Our 2009 comedy/fantasy Cinema of Horror will play in Yasujiro Ozu International Short Film Festival
XVIII Edition 29 – 30 – 31 October 2010 Sassuolo Italy

Leeds

The Astronomer's Sun will screen in the World Animation Competition of the 24th Leeds International Film Festival. The film will be screened between 8th to 12th November 2010

More screenings

The Astronomer´s Sun has been selected for the official competition in FANCINE, XX Fantastic Film Festival of the University of Málaga, section: ANIMATION SHORT FILM. 11-19 November. It is currently in Austin and opens in New York in October.

UK, US, & Russia

Following winning Best Film in Northern Futures Awards, UK

On Saturday 11th September, The Astronomers Sun won the animation award at the 2010 Rome International Film Festival in Georgia, USA.

Then across the pond, on the same day, in St Petersburg, Russia at the VI International Short and Animation Film Festival OPEN CINEMA awarded "THE ASTRONOMER’S SUN" Special Prize from the Organizing Committee «For the mystery of liberation»!

I’m told the film was highly estimated by the members of International Jury, organizing committee and rose an enthusiastic response from the side of public.

Playing in competition

'THE ASTRONOMERS SUN' has been officially selected to screen in competition in the Animated Encounters Best of British programme as part of Encounters International Film Festival 2010. 16-21 November, Bristol, UK

More award success

This weeked in Rome, Georgia, USA we won for "THE ASTRONOMER’S SUN" Also, we received a Special Prize from the Organizing Committee «For the mystery of liberation» from the International Short and Animation Film Festival OPEN CINEMA in St.Petersburg, Russia. They say “The film was highly estimated by the members of International Jury, organizing committee and rose an enthusiastic response from the side of public.”

Recommendations

‘One of our most supportive Guild members and a serious, talented and committed member of our profession.’
Ivor Benjamin
Chair, Directors Guild of Great Britain

‘I have known and worked with Peter in his capacity as a producer and director for more than 15 years. Peter is one of the most creative and professional programme-makers I have ever come across. He produces work of the highest quality – whatever the size of the budget. I have found him to be responsive, reliable and easy to work with. His enthusiasm and commitment is admirable and he attracts the best collaborators and crews.’
Graeme Thompson
Dean
Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
University of Sunderland
(Former Controller of Programmes & Managing Director of ITV Tyne Tees Television)

‘Peter is one of the most creative students I have ever met and his energy seems to have no limits…He is very open to all suggestions but at the same time really decided in the sense that he knows perfectly well what he wants to say and do.’
Hana Cielova
Screenplay Tutor & Filmmaker
Katapult, Hungary

‘I can highly recommend Peter as being a very hard working and efficient assistant. He was pleasant to work with, courteous and patient in dealing with crowd extras and the general public.’
Simon Hinkly
1st Assistant Director
Agatha Christie’s Poirot

‘…it is his very nature that causes me to so highly recommend him to you. No matter how highly pressured a situation he found himself in, he always reacted in a calm, professional manner. I wish that the rest of my staff could be counted on to that degree!’
David A Culver
General Manager
Center City Video
Philadelphia, PA

‘Peter is top notch. Not only is he enthusiastic and willing to pitch in on any project, he is smart and maybe more important, he has a lot of common sense. I know that if I handed Peter a project, that the job would get finished quickly and correctly.’
Laura M Bare
Production Manager
Center City Video
Philadelphia, PA

BBC News coverage

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bradford/hi/tv_and_radio/newsid_8964000/8964186.stm

Click on link to view

Film New Mexico

http://www.nmfilm.com/locals/bulletin-board/bulletin-board-post.php?id=2819

Radio coverage for WHAT?

Cinemacope NM a radio show for and about filmmakers in New Mexico.

The show talks with independent filmmakers showing their films and making their films in New Mexico.

Following last Saturday's screenings at Zane Bennett Gallery in Santa Fe.

At 18.30 on Friday, 27th August on KSFR 101.1 Public Radio

Producer/Director Peter M. Kershaw will be interviewed about our new Santa Fe film WHAT? and filmmaking in the UK and NM.

Playing in New Mexico in August

The Astronomer's Sun - Duchy Parade Film's animation drama plays the ABQ film festival 27-29th August.

Share and pass on

Award Success for The Astronomer's Sun

I’m pleased to announce that “The Astronomers Sun” won the Best Film award at the Northern Future Awards last night. The award recognises and rewards the best emerging creative talent in the north of England (under 40), showcasing it to a wider national and international audience and confirming the north as a hotbed of creativity.

The Astronomers Sun is continuing to perform well on the worldwide festival circuit. So far, we have the film in 17 festivals worldwide. This summer it’s been playing in Melbourne, New York, London, Toronto and Seattle and is due to screen in Rome, St Pietersburg Seol and Albuquerque.

Award Success for The Astronomer's Sun

The Astronomer's Sun: Northern Futures Award Success!
By Si
I am very proud to announce that The Astronomer's Sun won it's first award last night at the Northern Futures Awards! The film was chosen by the judges against some stiff competition from other northern film makers, including another ...
The Astronomer's Sun - http://theastronomerssun.blogspot.com/

Zane Bennett Gallery Screening

A Director's Sketch Book - screening of short films and presentation by Peter M. Kershaw

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Zane Bennett Contemporary Art Gallery, Santa Fe

435 S. Guadalupe Street

Screenings 3.00-5.00 and reception 5.00-7.00

Playing in New Mexico in August

6 MODERN FAIRYTALES 2

Fri, Aug. 27. 3:30 PM @ the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ABQ

Sat, Aug. 28. 2 PM @ the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ABQ

Sun, Aug. 29. 12:30 PM @ the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ABQ

The Astronomer’s Son

Success in phase one!

Success in phase one!

Well done!, congratulations!, we have reached our first milestone, a 100% success at fundraising on crowd funding for phase one of WHAT? or A Road Trip to Europe with more than 10 days before our original goal! Remember, this goal will run until the clock runs down and every contribution will continue to count. The project gets 100% of the funding and a bonus reduction in admin costs for reaching our goal.

Here is a role of honor for the many whom have helped us succeed thus far:
David Beale, Duncan Laing, Happy Price, Henry Sweeney, Jacquelyn Hall, Joan Mudd, John T Johnson, Mark Keen, Viola Kershaw, Matthew Rowe, Michael Pye, Peanut Simon and all those who wished to remain anonymous.

But you can still be involved - in fact we need you to be. We will be launching the major production phase two funding in mid-August and we need success at this next stage to be able to shoot in September. Crowd funding sites work on traffic so sharing, leaving comments, passing on, as well as becoming a supporter and leaving a donation all help us succeed. A big thank you on behalf of the team, Peter M. Kershaw, producer/director.

More official film festival selection success for Duchy

We will be screening this month in the USA and in RUSSIA, UK and S. Korea.

Winning short

Duchy's music video 'Club Mix 2' was awarded the Gold Award in Santa Fe's SFMUG, June 2010.

How to use the IndieGoGo site

Greetings from New Mexico!

We've just launched a new short comedy/drama film - 'WHAT? or A ROAD TRIP TO EUROPE' on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo. An innovative way to raise funds for arts projects. This site is a place where you can find out more about the project, follow its progress, and show support by recommending the project to your friends, put it on your facebook page, and spread the word through your social networks.

Indiegogo is also a way for people to help support by making a contribution and getting some fabulous film perks in return for yourself or as gifts for friends! Donations start at five dollars, but the sky's the limit, ever fancied being credited as an Associate Producer on a film? - just one of the perks we offer. It's also possible to support the film in other currencies, especially British sterling.

So what we're hoping you will do is:

1) visit www.indiegogo.com/WHAT-or-A-ROAD-TRIP-TO-EUROPE
2) explore the site and learn more about the project - tabs at the top and links at the bottom of the page lead to lots of information
3) watch Peter's pitch video on the first page!
4) share the site with your social network - lots of ways to share are on the first page
5) have a look at the perks in the green box on the right of the screen
6) support the film at whatever level you can by clicking on the '$' or 'fund our project'
7) make sure you come back to see what's happening on a regular basis!

Thanks for your support and encouragement. Enjoy being a part of making this film with an important contemporary debate be made here in New Mexico.

Peter

New film is now live

Go to Indiegogo to view our new social comedy: http://www.indiegogo.com/WHAT-or-A-ROAD-TRIP-TO-EUROPE
It is easy to become a supporter by clicking on the green button right of frame on the Indiegogo site and in return there are some great film perks by way of thanks for your support. Crowd funding works by word of mouth - so pass this link on.

Duchy is trying out something new. We've joined the crowd funding experience by launching a pitch to raise production money through Indiegogo.

Go to the link below to learn more. This works by getting the word out there - please pass on the link, add to facebook, your social network sites, pass on the link to 3 friends today.

http://www.indiegogo.com/WHAT-or-A-ROAD-TRIP-TO-EUROPE

A comedy with a social heart. Up a mountain go a man, his family, a donkey and a chicken, where they meet a border guard!

The Astronomer's Sun

Reviewed By: Andrew Robertson

A stop motion figure enters an observatory, its skeletal dome stuck into the heavens, panels missing from its frame indicating age, neglect, a clear sense of abandonment. Inside there is a mechanism, an orrery fantastical which gleams with mechanisms and markings uncanny. Through a flashback, the eyes of a clockwork teddy bear, we see the orrery engaged, a man inside, with a comet in the sky, the terrified face of a child.

That same child now adult, the same bear hidden in the same chest, the same comet in the sky. With character design that recalls the stylised yet hyper-real figures of Eastern European animation, the ridges and quirks of nature before the rounded edges of Aardman, this is a visually exciting film. Served well by David Aston's sound work, the machinery and the small quantity of voicework, and by Peter Wright's music, it's technically excellent.

Written and directed by Jessica Cope and Simon Cartwright, it conveys a lot simply, and strikingly concludes with an ending that is almost equally maudlin and joyful. With its focus on machines arcane, even magical, this piece is phantasmagorical, recalling perhaps His Dark Materials before Tik Tok of Oz. The trick to short animation is to do just enough, and as the planets and gears of the orrery combine to wondrous effect so too do the elements of the Astronomer's Sun.

Producer's David Bunting and Peter M. Kershaw for Duchy Parade Films

Film goes down under in selection

Screening madness! and festival selections

Film to play in Rome

Film goes down under

Films - Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)
The Astronomer's Sun. A young man finds the answer to humanity in the stars, ... Peter M Kershaw WS Duchy Parade Films L no dialogue TD digibeta/2010 ...
http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/films/view?film_id=109864

London screening details

Rushes: Animation
Venue: Institute Of Contemporary Arts (The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH)

Screening Dates: 22, 25 Jul 2010

Cost: £9 / £8 Concessions / £7 ICA Members.

Showing for two days only, Rushes: Animation showcases a fantastically eclectic selection of both new and established talent, UK and international, working with a broad range of techniques. (2 hours

Playing in London

Visit the following link for the latest news on The Astronomer's Sun playing in Rushes, London film festival.

http://quicktime.rushes.co.uk/rssf2010/RSSF2010Films/The%20Astonomer's%20Sun.pdf

Just cut and paste link

Success in New York

The Astronomer's Sun is to play this summer's Animation Block Party 2010 in New York.

ABP just announced their program for July 30th to August 1st summer
film festival at Rooftop Films and Bam Cinematek

To see the entire schedule:
http://animationblock.com/summerfest2010/

ABP received 518 entries in 2010 and will feature just 90.

LA Film Festival 2010

Spent two excellent days at the symposium on film

(DIY)istribution.

I chose New Mexico, USA pt.2 - Insight

This week I attended a New Mexico weekend workshop on film finance and distribution.

So for my second inside insight - or - what I've learned, lets begin at the end - distribution!

I would suggest worth a look for any serious independent filmmaker - http://www.thefilmcollaborative.com/

For an annual fee (I think about 350 dollars) you can have complete access to advice on film distribution - aimed really at Indie Features this seems a real resource.

I haven't used them yet so would stress I'm not endorsing them, it is a resource worth a look but, up to the individual to decide if it fits a need and provides a solution. I merely bring to your attention as a useful organisation filling a need.

What they say about themselves:
The film collaborative is the first non profit full service provider dedicated to the distribution of Independent Film including narrative features, documentaries and shorts.

Check out and I hope you find useful.

New Press Release

http://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/news/news-archive/the-astronomer-s-sun-in-the-spotlight-at-edinburgh

Follow the link to read a the latest review of our film - The Astronomer's Sun.

Catch it in competition in Edinburgh.

I chose New Mexico, USA pt.1 - In the beginning!

Welcome to a new element on the Duchy blog, 'I chose New Mexico, USA'

More than a diary, the premise behind this segment - an involving series of posts - is a look at filmmaking in the US if you're an 'outsider'.

What do we have - we have one filmmaker from the UK more used to the European world landed in New Mexico - a totally alien world with zero idea on who, what, where, how the industry works here.

What I'm hoping to do is track whether my own journey is successful but also offer insights in to what I find along the way. Stuff that may be a 'resource' or of use to my fellow filmmakers overseas and offer a different perspective to the new filmmaking community here in the US, of which I'm looking to become a part. A chance to see their own business through other eyes as so far it all seems very disconnected compared to my previous experience.

Hopefully, it will be a fun insight to the success and failure of my own adventure while providing a useful set of contacts/resources for those interested in independent filmmaking or interested in the American experience - at least, from one person's journey through that. A resource I would find useful to have as I start out!

No two directors are alike and no two filmmakers would do or follow the exact same path - or, so they say - so my choices may be what or differ entirely from your own approach, but hey!, that's the beauty it is like a game of chance so let's see what unfolds.

So become a 'follower' and add the blog to your network and let's see what tid-bits, contacts, companies, individuals and discoveries I can share with you and ultimately if it all works out or not.

Welcome to the journey!

Peter Kershaw
June 2010

Distribution success

The animation drama The Astronomer's Sun is currently running at a 47% success rate on festival submissions. This is an amazing distribution take-up where you expect 1 in 10 to be the norm for a good film.

A big pat on the back to my fellow producer at Duchy, David Bunting for keeping those targeted submissions riding. You can follow more as we reveal the latest festival screens on our special site - http://www.astronomerssun.com/

There are currently 2 buyers who wish to distribute the film which to date is being paid to reach the world by Duchy's producers David Bunting and Peter M. Kershaw.

More official film festival selection success for Duchy

The Astronomer's Sun hits Scotland.

Catch it while you can!

More official film festival selection success for Duchy

If in London see The Astronomer's Sun in official selection in RUSHES film fest.

Produced by Duchy

New film from Duchy

New music video completed in May 2010 - Club Mix 2

Trailer for The Astronomer's Sun and new website

Click to view trailer for the 2010 new Duchy drama - The Astronomer's Sun and link to the film's new website to learn more or follow the film's screening success.

More official film festival selection success for Duchy

The Astronomer's Sun has been selected for official screening in competition in next months London, Rushes Soho Shorts Film Festival, 2010, UK. Press announcement for festival will appear from June 1st.

The Astronomer's Sun - new website

A new website for The Astronomer's Sun will be going live for 20th May, 2010

http://www.theastronomerssun.com

Having fun in the mud

From time to time any drama director will tell you they wonder, "Why do I keep doing this, what is the journey I'm on?" By contrast many people when asked what do you want to do when thinking of filmmaking jump quickly to the response, "I want to be a director" as if the answer was a simple one. Few know or will ever know, what it means to lead a creative team, a cast and crew towards the collaboration of creation - the making of one vision. Few, who even work on a film production. For those that wonder, for those fellow journeymen and women there is no greater despair, no greater high, than to step into the sun's shoes and watch the world around you orbit for an hour, a day, a week or the lucky ones for months. We direct because it is what we do, it defines who we are, and why we exist without it we are empty vessels with it, we get to play in the mud.

Save the Date

Peter will be attending the 2 day - Save the Date - NM Filmmakers Conference held in Albuquerque on 11th & 12th June. I'll be staying over at the Hyatt Hotel on the 11th.

Independent review for Cinema on IMDB

Cinema of Horror recently screened in the UK Horror Film Festival - 28 Hours Later.

Here's what the reporter/reviewer for Horror UK had to say about it:

'I just reviewed this film for the Horror UK Film & Literary Festival and loved it. This is totally British and had me laughing throughout, the horror bits were good too.

If you get the chance to watch this, then you should do.

To be honest, the thought of a film combining zombies & Bollywood got me worried, but it actually worked.

This is likely to win awards just because it doesn't take itself seriously and has the true heart of horror - to entertain in a different way.

Go watch it!

Festivals & British Council

The Astronomer's Sun played in Athens earlier this year in it's on going world win tour which has led to The British Council coming on board as a distribution support for the film - well done to the team.

New IMDB

Peter M. Kershaw (II) - http://www.imdb.me/petermkershaw

Launched with recent film credits update.

Official selection in Toronto

The Astronomer's Sun will be screening in Toronto later this month as part of the Toronto Film Festival Official selection.

The festival opens 20th May, 2010.

Wilfred screens in New Mexico

Wilfred - produced/directed & written by Peter M. Kershaw will be screening in New Mexico on 13th May at 19.00.

NM film makers programme at the NM Film office 2010. Opening film at opening event ahead of 4 days of excellent NM films.

Albuquerque, NM, USA

On the move with Peter

I think the caption - thank you Martin - says it all!

You have to move fast if you're on set with Peter Kershaw! No directors chair for Peter who tends to work as his own 1st AD as well as directing.

The Astronomer's Sun is currently screening in Bucharest in official selection April 20 - 25th 2010

Let the Right One In

Cinema of Horror had the honour of screening in festivals in support of last years best horror feature film - Let the Right One In. A Swedish tour de force and must see piece of world cinema - directing, acting, casting, cinematography to aspire to.

Cert: (15)

Dir: Tomas Alfredson

Sweden, 114 mins.

Fantasy drama in distribution

The new Duchy Logo designed by master animator David Bunting, edited by Adam Kirk. Sound design Dave Aston of Digital Audio Dynamite.

Cinema of Horror

Directed & Written

By

Peter M. Kershaw

Producer

Peter M. Kershaw

Duchy Parade Films Ltd

What do people say...?

As a member of the Directors Guild of Great Britain
I was especially pleased to receive a letter wishing me support with my new adventure.

The DGGB is a great organisation running events and
get togethers for Directors in the UK and one of a few worth while industry bodies worth being a part of.

Thanks to Ivor, Vanessa, and Iris.

Toronto Screening Confirmed

The Astronomer's Sun confirmed for Official Selection for Toronto International Film Festival, 2010. See Henry and Teddy in Canada with times and details on Toronto's Film Festival website.

www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com

or on the soon to launch - www.astronomerssun.com

Coins and Nooses game for The Last Coiner goes live.

Play the game on -

www.thelastcoinermovie.com

Cinema of Horror - now in distribution

Click on play for clip.

Cinema of Horror - the comic fantasy drama is currently on tour. Produced in 2009, it take a wry look at Western films take on Asian genre cinema with soundtracks by Jiang Li and Malook Singh.

For further details about booking this film for screenings contact Peter at duchyfilms@gmail.com

North America Premiere

The Astronomer's Sun can be seen as part of the official selection for this year's Seattle International Film Festival May 20 to June 13, 2010.

We are proud to have been selected for one of the countries most prestigious and keenly attended film festivals in the culture rich city of Seattle.

www.siff.net for times, details and festival viewings.

Blogs to visit

You can follow various projects I'm associated with at:

http://www.duchyparadefilms.com/ - click on the flashing blog for recent updates & news.

The Official Last Coiner Movie Blog - for developments on the Coiners Feature.
www.thelastcoinermovie.blogspot.com

The Astronomer's Sun - www.theastronomerssun.blogspot.com
Blog for 2010 to follow this animation.

www.Goolesilentmovie.blogspot.com - Blog this production history.

www.duchyparadefilms.com/Bittersweet - for this innovative site.

The Last Coiner - to learn more about the graphic art novel behind the current Coiner Movie.
www.lastcoiner.blogspot.com

The drama - Cinema of Horror - will be appearing on the Duchy site and also reviewed in distribution on this site.

Happy blogging!!!

So! that's what he's been doing!!!! Click play to find out!

Let me introduce myself....... a few clips from some fun productions.

Thanks to all the crews, musicians, editors, animators, and actors who collaborated and made the fun possible. Thanks Darren for making this cut.

Peter M. Kershaw, filmmaker

Bitter Sweet

Bitter Sweet is now available to view at - www.duchyparadefilms.com/Bittersweet