Creative Midlands Events

Posted: 29 Apr 2013 04:58 AM PDT

By Jonathan Davidson

Regal Cinema, Tenbury We are always looking for new ways in which writers can connect with the wider world and a really smart new project we are working on with the Regal Cinema, Tenbury Wells is doing just that. The Cinema is a wonderful example of an art deco cinema and has recently been fully restored and fitted out with all the very latest Digital Projection equipment. They also have an enterprising Heritage Access Officer, Sarah Fellows, who has enabled us to commission three writers to provide a series of short 'flash film fictions'. These are short pieces of writing, screened before every film and responding either to the film itself or to the experience of cinema-going. The pieces started being screened in April and the project will continue through to the summer, and they are proving something of a hit.

Our three writers are Stewart Derry, Garrie Fletcher and Anna Lawrence-Pietroni, all of whom have an interest in film but none of whom would consider themselves particular experts. What they are very good at – if the pieces of writing so far screened are anything to go by – is identifying how potent film and cinema is, what a strange and wonderful thing it is and what a great source of inspiration film can be for a creative writer. We hardly needed proof that film is inspired by literature – most films these days seem to be adaptations of a book – but it is nice to see the prospect of a film calling forth some really sharp, clever, thoughtful pieces of writing. If you get a chance to see a film at the Regal Cinema in Tenbury Wells, look out for our Flash Film Fiction before your film. And in the meantime, here's Stewart Derry's piece screened in advance of the film 'Hitchcock':

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Alfred Hitchcock. The film you are about to see is based on actual events in my life.

'What?' I hear you say. 'Hitch, as the leading man?'

Yes! I was due a part after so many cameo appearances. You will also be introduced to a new leading lady – Alma Reville. She will, quite literally, take your breath away. She hasn't a blonde hair on her head!

Surprised, are we? Choking on your popcorn? The master of suspense . . . losing his touch? We seem to have some film buffs in the audience. When you have made as many films as I have, it can sometimes be frightfully delicious to break the rules and confound all expectations.

I haven't seen the film yet, but I'm sure I'll follow most of the action. After all, I played the role quite superbly many years ago.

There will, of course, be a MacGuffin. I won't spoil your pleasure by revealing it.

By the way, if you happen to be sitting next to a pain in the asterix, be careful not to annoy them too much. They may have murder on their mind.

Enjoy!

Creative Midlands

Creative Midlands Events

Creative Midlands Events

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