Yeeeeees.
The Budget today. I can’t even bring myself to try to understand it.
Instead, let’s make a silly rhyme.
There once was a woman called Laura Mvula,
Who set out to become the world’s ruler.
She shaved her head and sung the world over,
Then she devoured the souls of all who opposed her.
Also, something about bells.
See you tomorrow!
[sociable]
Have you been listening to the new Neverwhere radio show?
Er- why not?!
Get onto the BBC iPlayer site now! And/or, your local friendly download site.
So if you haven’t read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, or seen the TV show, then go away and come back when you have.
Done that? Great.
This is one of the first fantasy style things I ever saw and got me firmly hooked back in the day- not to mention introducing me to the world of Gaiman. Needless to say I’m a big fan and was very excited by the prospect of an all-new radio version with swanky voice talent.
How swanky you ask?
Here’s a highlight:
James McAvoy as Richard
Natalie Dormer as Door
David Harewood as the Marquis
Sophie Okenedo as Hunter
Benedict Cumberbatch as Islington
Anthony Head as Croup
David Schofield as Vandemar
Bernard Cribbins as Old Bailey
Johnny Vegas as Lord Rat-Speaker
Christopher Lee as the Earl
The list goes on!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21702807
I’ve only listened to the first part of six, so I can only attest to some of the acting talent.
First of all, James McAvoy was great- no surprises there. He suits the role of Richard perfectly. Natalie Dormer of Tudors and Marjorie Tyrell fame was also great. What can I say? They fit the roles nicely and did a sterling job, so far.
How, David Harewood plays a good Marquis de Carabas, but I just can’t shake Paterson Joseph from my mind. He’s just that touch more… smarmy and punchable (in the best way!). David was fine, don’t get me wrong- just my preference. Having said that, it’s early days.
Sophie Okenedo seemed fine, nice and mysterious with a hard edge. She certainly sounded like a woman with a sharp spear.
Croup and Vandemar… I was a little put off, actually. Now, I don’t fault the great Anthony Head or David Schofield for this at all- I may be too set in my ways with the TV version of the Old Firm. They both exaggerated rather a lot, almost to parody, though I suppose that’s a necessity with radio where characters need to be very distinct. Anthony Head was, as one would expect, suitably sharp and nasty. David Schofield was, and again this is just person taste, too in-your-face for me. I like the stoic, almost contemplative Vandemar. He did a much more oafish, aggressive slant on the character- but it did, admittedly, feel more ‘London’!
The Cribmeister was fine- never any doubt- and Johnny Vegas was surprisingly good. Great casting all around, really- each actor suited the roll perfectly. Can’t wait to hear Islington and I get to hear the Earl tonight!
Oh, how could I forget- Neil himself (no pun intended with @neilhimself) was very funny as the Fop with no name! Cur!
Generally the sound effects were solid and the adaptation strong with minimal alterations, just how I like it.
I have part 2 waiting for me now- each new part is on Radio 4 Extra each night this week.
Check it out, it’s great. There’s a certain pleasing synchronicity that I’ve been working on something set on the London Underground just as Neverwhere resurfaces. I’m keen to refresh my memory of it and see what I can borrow for atmosphere- and at the same time make sure I haven’t borrowed too much!
See you tomorrow… and mind the gap.
[sociable]
Afternoon everyone, what gwan?
Thought I’d share this little bit of news today- it’s a very encouraging display of upcoming game designers in the purgatory of Uni being able to produce something concrete. Must be great to see your work on the app store!
‘Three groups of students on Birmingham City University’s ‘Gamer Camp‘ Master’s course are celebrating after iPad video games they produced have been released for free download on the iTunes App Store.
Gamer Camp is Birmingham City University’s experience-building, Master’s course for aspiring games developers, supported by the likes of SCEE, (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe), UKIE, Codemasters and Blitz Games Studios, and taught by industry professionals.
Gamer Camp students at New Technology Institute (NTI) Birmingham, part of Birmingham City University, were set with the task of re-imagining a single screen platform game incorporating the use of touch or gesture controls to be suitable for touch screen devices and offering users new interaction opportunities.
Three teams of students adopted different approaches to the challenge, resulting in three unique and fun platform games being produced.
One group of students created a gestured controlled game called ‘Baggage Reclaim’, set in a 1970s airport with the game player taking on the role of an undercover cop retrieving missing luggage.
A second team produced a platform puzzle game aimed at a young audience called ‘Tubby Toucan’. Controlled by touch input, players in this game are tasked with solving puzzles to work out how to shut down machinery that is destroying Tubby Toucan’s habitat.
The final team developed ‘Totem Rush’, a precision platform game using touch input which challenges the player to complete 24 levels to escape from a hostile desert island.
The three games were designed in collaboration with students from the National Film and Television School and tested by Dudley College students while students at Birmingham Conservatoire scored the games’ soundtracks.
Owain Mason, a Gamer Camp student at NTI Birmingham, said: “Making the iPad games was a valuable learning experience as I hadn’t managed a team project before. I’m really proud of what the teams produced.”
On the Gamer Camp courses students work on a number of video games development projects and once completing the iPad games students move onto a console game.
“Our students have already started their next project, an eight month commission to build a PlayStation3 game for SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe),” said Gamer Camp Studio Director, Oliver Williams.’
So isn’t that nifty? Check them out. I’d love to be making game apps, specifically text driven adventures (have you played Choice of Broadsides yet?).
Have a good Monday!
[sociable]