photography – mintyfilms

YN flyer

Now, I’d like to invite you to a new exhibition I’m involved with. It runs from the 8th to the 11th of June (2016) at Platform Gallery in Southwark (right near the Young Vic).

Platform is a new art and performance space. Once derelict and empty, the ex cork warehouse has been taken over by a collective of artists who not only provide a temporary project space for the local community but also have a remit to encourage and promote groundbreaking art, music and performance.

The exhibition is called Yesterday’s News and brings together the work of three photographers, documenting three major disasters, across thirty years: Chernobyl, Bosnia and Nepal. Despite detailing three very different tragedies, all the work shares an interest in examining how people live in the wake of catastrophe.
There are a series of mixed media immersive events going on as part of the run. A panel discussion featuring Jane Corbin (of panorama fame) and Tony Barber of the FT is on the 8th – I have the great honour and responsibility of chairing this discussion but despite that I’m sure it will provoke an interesting debate as we explore what the concept of Yesterday’s News means in today’s context. Please contact us if you’d like to attend the discussion.

ToP

I’ve made a short film called ‘A Trilogy of Portraits‘ which gives an insight into each photographer’s inspiration and motivation. It will be shown as part of an installation by set designers to create an immersive journey for viewers. The photographers present their work in collaboration with other artists and the experience intends to create an atmosphere that engages all of the viewers senses. A bespoke sound design which is mirrored during the introduction and ending of the film will fill the room and visitors will be invited to become involved in the textures of the three dimensional installation.

The film as always was good fun to make, I’ve tried to tap into each photographer’s soul – unearthing what makes them tick and why they express themselves through the medium of the lens. Each individual portrait follows a loose format where we meet each of them on a shoot and in their private workspace, and the whole narrative is interspersed with smatterings of their own work.

‘A Trilogy of Portraits‘

For a full run down of all the events, artists and speakers involved in the exhibition take a look at the Platform website here or the YN facebook page here.

Big Love

Jodie

Not the sort with dancing, leaping horses. I mean the type where you wine and dine guests

623398391_e0f8468b6d_q — Image from John Harwood’s flickr page

under the thinly veiled guise of a not-to-be-missed high profile social occasion which of course we all know is really about selling or fundraising.

But your event doesn’t have to be a soulless sell out. The swell of emotion that can grow in a room of people reacting and experiencing something together as they feed off each other is extremely powerful if harnessed and used positively.

The importance of an exclusive shared experience that can be generated at such events shouldn’t be underestimated, and how better to create such an atmosphere than through screening a film.

Last night Minty Films was proud to have played a small but hopefully significant part in a fundraising exhibition, ‘Aftershock’ by photographer Chris Gravett. The private view at Espacio Gallery kick started a week long exhibition of limited edition prints which detail the work of small charity Kidasha.

: Copyright Chris Gravett

(Other notable works by esteemed documentary photography Chris Gravett include the aftermath of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh and the documentation of life in a small American town dubbed the Heart of Hometown America.)

Kidasha is an incredible organisation that works to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged children and families in Nepal. After the earthquake exactly one year ago yesterday, their work was impacted heavily. The risks the children they were already supporting increased dramatically, and moreover a whole load of new families suddenly were in need of the organisation’s assistance.

So last night saw a big fundraising push to keep the post earthquake aid flowing. Minty Films was asked to produce a film primarily using the stills produced by Chris, intercut with an informative yet impassioned interview with Kidasha CEO Janice Miller.

Photo courtesy Espacio Gallery

But here’s the thing, how best to use the film?

It could be been shown on a loop in the corner.

It could be put in a dark room with headphones for individuals to watch at their leisure.

It could just be on a website and a link provided in the brochure.

Of course had this been the case, most probably wouldn’t have bothered to watch it.

To turn the mini screening of the film into an event within the main event is key. Its no coincidence that at many high profile charity events the charity auction is held directly after showing a short film. Fresh in the minds of the captive audience are the real reasons they’re there.

And often a short film will be shown at an event after or preceding the keynote speech.

A film can galvanise an audience, get them on side, tap into their soul and subconsciously they feed off each other’s reactions. Ultimately it’ll help them dig in their pockets a bit deeper.

A number of prints were sold last night with all profits going to Kidasha, the silent auction seemed to be getting wildly competitive and it doesn’t close until the end of the week! The Exhibition runs until Sunday 1st May and the film (above) can now be viewed across various social media and websites and of course can be seen on a loop in the gallery for quiet private digestion!

https://www.kidasha.org/aftershock/

aftershock poster

Tag: photography

Yesterday’s News

Eventing (with a film)

Image from John Harwood’s flickr page

(Other notable works by esteemed documentary photography Chris Gravett include the aftermath of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh and the documentation of life in a small American town dubbed the Heart of Hometown America.)