New film exhibited at The Public Gallery

Toothpix has just completed a film with a group of young people with learning difficulties about problems they face using public transport in Nottingham. The film follows a group as they meet people from Nottingham City Transport and put pressure on them to change things for the better.
The film was funded by the Big Lottery Fund via UK Youth.
Part of an exhibition called 'Hearing Unheard Voices', the film is being projected at The Public Gallery.
Here's a description of the work:
"A thought provoking set of installations by young people from around the UK and Sandwell. Designed to coincide with UK Youth’s national initiative of the same name to train young people in the skills to campaign for their rights, especially young refugees, carers, homeless and those from other sections of society who do not normally have their voices heard."
For more information about the project and to find out how to see it, click here.

Short film added to Paranormal Activity DVD / Blu-Ray!

The short film 'Conceptual', directed by Owen Tooth, has just won a competition run on Youtube to be included on the forthcoming UK DVD and Blu-Ray release of the horror feature film 'Paranormal Activity'.

The competition was nationwide, looking for frightening short films which last three minutes. For the competition, Owen re-edited his award winning short film Conceptual which was originally six minutes.

The director of the surprise hit Paranormal Activity, Oren Peli, watched the entries and chose Conceptual with nine other shorts to go on the release as a bonus feature. Paranormal Activity followed in the wake of the Blair Witch project, proving that a low budget film can still make an impact on audiences and box office takings.

It's fantastic to see that Oren is encouraging other directors and using his success to bring attention to films which larger audiences would otherwise have missed.

You can see Owen's film here or buy the DVD when it comes out!

The DVD and Blu-Ray, released through Icon, goes on sale March 22nd.

Top prize Toothpix short in Cinema

The short film 'Labyrinth Derbicus' which won first prize at the 5 Lamps 24 Hour Film Competition, directed by Owen Tooth, has been selected to screen at the QUAD cinema in Derby before each screening of the new feature 'Micmacs' by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Jeunet has directed some breathtaking films including Amelie, City of Lost Children, A Very Long Engagement and Delicatessen. His visual style is unmistakable and his choices in casting are uniformly quirky and inspired.

Owen is thrilled to be able to see his work on the big screen alongside such brilliant European cinema.

Micmacs, by all reports, is a true return to form and one of Jeunet's best films to date. Screening times to be announced.

First Prize Award in Derby film competition!!!!

This weekend, Owen Tooth (directing) teamed up with James Knott to enter the Five Lamps 24 Hour Film Festival. Contestants had exactly 24 hours to shoot and edit a three minute film. All films were screened at QUAD, followed by the award ceremony. There were some brilliant films entered and it was a fantastic shock to take first place by unanimous decision from the judges ahead of stiff competition.

Labyrinth Derbicus from Toothpix on Vimeo.

The prize includes free use of the University of Derby's RED camera for the next Toothpix short, currently looking set to shoot in February - as well as free cinema tickets and membership to QUAD for a year.

The film stars long time collaborator Jon Glentoran as a Wizard who uses magic to perform the simplest tasks. It was written by Stephen Loveless. Watch the film, titled 'Labyrinth Derbicus' and drop us an email if you enjoyed it.

In other news, Toothpix has just been awarded FIVE STARS by the East Midlands Brokerage Platform, a Quality Assurance programme that allows publicly funded bodies to recommend Toothpix for film work.

Vinvolved premiere goes down a storm

The 'Youth Volunteering in Derby' film for Vinvolved has had a premiere at QUAD, Derby's centre for Art and Film.
It was projected in the Box, with free popcorn and drinks for all guests.
The stars of the film all arrived and collected awards for their hard work in planning and making the film.
There was some fantastic feedback and we ended up watching it twice!

Effigy to screen at Mayhem! Festival

Owen Tooth's short film 'Effigy' will be screened at this year's Mayhem! film festival in Nottingham at the end of October.
The film is shot entirely from 'point of view' shots, so it's all seen through characters eyes, and is a poetic romance with folklore themes.
Here's what they said about it so far;
"Well done - the film's unique and genuinely strange, which is a great thing!"

Major premiere for Derby Youth Volunteering DVD

As featured in the Derby Evening Telegraph, the Toothpix film 'Derby Youth Volunteering' shot for Vinvolved is to have a premiere at a launch party at QUAD, Derby's centre for arts and film, on September 28th.

Here's a bit of the feedback we had from the film; "There's overwhelming unanimous praise for the finished product.
Happy smiley faces were evident during viewing so that can only be a
good thing!"

The film is designed to be shown as part of a lesson and the DVD comes with a lesson plan booklet and several DVD-ROM files to help teachers use the film in school.

It's a fast and colourful documentary showing what a difference one person can make - and also proving that young people aren't the terrible stereotypes the media often makes them out to be.

Toothpix do two-in-one shoot for Davenport

Toothpix has spent an evening shooting for Davenport Interiors, doing stills photography and video during a cookery night in one of their exclusive kitchens. The video was projected at the Design Show at Earls Court in London on the 18th of September, while the photographs will be used for their new website.

Fat Cat web promo complete

Toothpix has just completed post production on a web video for Fat Cat Group Café Bars. The nationwide chain needed a silent video to be used on their website. The film was shot at several of their bars in the East Midlands in just a day.


Fat Cat Web Promo from Toothpix on Vimeo.

Effigy - latest short film completed by Owen Tooth

Toothpix is proud to release Owen Tooth's latest short, Effigy.

Effigy from Toothpix on Vimeo.

Effigy is a romantic short film with a poetic folklore theme and is presently being entered into festivals around the globe. It's a dark story set in a world where our memories become words in the landscape around us, shot almost entirely in 'point of view' shots. Watch it and drop us an email to tell us what you think!

Unified film has Big Screen premiere during Festé.

The dance film 'Unified' made for Aimhigher Derbyshire had its premiere in Derby's market place on the BBC Big Screen during Festé weekend. A large turnout came to watch the film (and enjoy a buffet put on at the Assembly Rooms)

Toothpix film screening event - see you there?

The film 'Unified' is being screened as part of this year's Festé celebration in Derby. It'll be on the BBC Big Screen in the town centre at 1pm, followed by snacks and a few speeches, giving a chance for the people who funded the project to meet the boys who danced in the film.

Later in the day, Toothpix may also be doing live camerawork for some of the major events taking place. Festé is a brilliant arts festival held in Derby annually over the first weekend in September, covering most of the city centre. If you've not been yet, get yourself down there!

BBC interview for Toothpix

Owen Tooth has this week been interviewed for BBC Radio.

An article about Toothpix and audio of the interview can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/articles/2009/08/10/owentooth_feature.shtml

Toothpix documentary to get BBC Big Screen airing

I'm No Oil Painting from Toothpix on Vimeo.
Owen's documentary 'I'm No Oil Painting' is getting screened on the Derby BBC Big Screen in the Market Place three times per week - Wednesdays at 18:30, Fridays at 12:30 and Saturdays at 12:00 from August 15th for three weeks. Click the video to watch a two-minute cut of the film.

Owen and Emma (the subject of the documentary) were interviewed for the BBC website this week - web link to follow!

Film completed in eight hours

Toothpix made a film at the Fat Cat Group's charity golf day under very tough conditions: we had four hours to film the event, followed by a mere four hours to edit the footage and master it onto DVD for screening at the evening event. It was a frantic day, but we did it  - and the film was met by cheers and a big round of applause.

New Award for Toothpix

The short film about Evolution produced by Toothpix with St Thomas More school in Buxton was nominated for 'Best Instructional Film' and 'Best Documentary' in the DAFTA awards on June 25th.
Owen is incredibly proud that it WON the award for Best Instructional Film on the night.
Owen helped a group of students write the film with their wonderful teacher Karen Eades, and then led them through the production process using animation, greenscreen and computer graphics.
The film carries the 'Darwin 200' logo, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

'The Opening' Editor's Choice & Film of the Week!

The award-winning short film 'The Opening' by Owen Tooth of Toothpix has recently been 'Film of the Week' on Britfilms.tv and has now been uploaded onto Openfilm by invitation, where it sits proudly as 'Editor's Pick'.

You can see what all the fuss is about and watch the film here

Toothpix / Davenport stills to get BBC screening

The BBC interviewed Sarah Davenport last week for Business Lunch. When they saw the photo series by Owen, they were so excited they asked if they could include the set in their broadcast. It should be aired on one of the first episodes after Wimbledon.

Toothpix usually only work in moving image so it's a pleasure to see one of the rare still photography shoots do so well.

Pop fact - Valeria, pictured with Sarah, is part of the Italian Consulate in Nottingham, so wherever she sets foot is technically in Italy.

Toothpix film nominated for an award!!!

The Natural Selection film Toothpix made with Ignition* and the pupils of St Thomas More school in Buxton has been nominated for a DAFTA. The DAFTA awards celebrate film making in Derbyshire. The award ceremony is on June 25th – fingers crossed!

Getting Vinvolved

Filming has begun on a promotional DVD for Vinvolved, a Derby City company which gets 16-25 year olds volunteering. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for people willing to give their time to the community and make a tangible difference. The film will be used in schools all over the region to encourage discussion and dispel a few of the myths surrounding volunteering.