October 2018 – Back to the Drawing Board Productions

THE BIFF IS BACK – BIFF 2018 PART II – OPENING NIGHT FILM ‘CELESTE’ REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR

Posted on October 26, 2018February 6, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

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A new milestone was reached for me the other day in regards to my work for Scenestr magazine. I was lucky enough to cover the opening night of the Brisbane International Film Festival 2018 for Scenestr which I will cherish for a long time to come. This follows on covering opening night in Brisbane for the Cine Latino Film Festival 2017 and the Italian Film Festival 2018 and reviewing Australia Day for Scenestr at BIFF 2017 and two events at the Byron Bay Film Festival 2017. Given my fond memories and deep love for the BIFF though I think long time readers will understand why this was a particular highlight to take in.

Director of ‘Celeste’ Ben Hackworth discusses his film with BIFF Artistic Director Amanda Slack-Smith.

Rosie and Lloyd about to watch ‘Celeste’. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Rosie and Lloyd at the party. Copyright Lloyd Marken

On the red carpet. Copyright Lloyd Marken

Karen was unable to attend so a mutual friend Rosie was kind enough to keep me company as we rubbed shoulders with industry insiders and guests. Opening night film Celeste an uneasy character drama starring Radha Mitchell was a bold choice from Artistic Director Amanda Slack-Smith for opening night. You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/celeste-brisbane-international-film-festival-opening-night-and-film-review-australian-cinematheque-goma-20181015 and there is plenty more BIFF coverage to come.

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Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Celebrating 25 years in 2018 of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and now Victoria! every month too.

-Lloyd Marken

THE BIFF IS BACK – BIFF 2018 PART I – SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING OF ‘WOMAN AT WAR’ REVIEW AVAILABLE ON WEEKEND NOTES

Posted on October 19, 2018February 6, 2019 by Lloyd Marken

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Long time readers will recall the affection I hold for my hometown film festival. We lost BIFF for a little while there 2014-2016 and I planned to write of my fond memories of it when it suddenly came back last year thanks in no small part to Palace Cinemas. Now having gone out to tender, it is back this year with a new home base at the Gallery of Modern Art and a new Artistic Director in Amanda Slack-Smith but we will always owe a debt to the Zeccolas for their part in bringing BIFF back in 2017. Palace Cinemas are not venue partners for BIFF this year instead a wide range of cinemas are involved including New Farm cinemas which held the first Brisbane Film Festival back in the 1960s.

20180822_201618 (2).jpg — Seen recently at New Farm Cinemas. Copyright Lloyd Marken.

Karen won tickets through local rag and BIFF Sponsor The Courier Mail to attend a special preview screening at GOMA the day before opening night. We were welcomed by the Artistic Director to watch Woman At War from Iceland. The whole event had that air of being let in on a little secret and getting a sneak peek of what was to come. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and full of mutual love for cinema. A perfect way to kick off the film festival before “kicking off” the film festival, whoever came up with the idea should pat themselves on the back.

At the entrance to GOMA. Copyright Lloyd Marken

Karen and I before the movie. Copyright Lloyd Marken

You can read more of my thoughts here https://www.weekendnotes.com/woman-at-war-film-review-brisbane-international-film-festival-2018/ with a review I have had published with a new sixth publication Weekend Notes.

Weekend Notes are a growing online magazine with a wealth of contributors based out of several cities across the United Kingdom, Australia and New York. Articles are leisure related and can include a wide variety of subjects from rainforest hikes to cultural festivals, from what hot new play is on at your underground theatre to a ultra trendy eatery. Writers are paid for their work based partly on how many views their articles get so please feel free to stop by and show some love.

-Lloyd Marken

‘FIRST MAN’ REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR MAGAZINE

Posted on October 16, 2018October 14, 2018 by Lloyd Marken

I am proud and happy with my review for the movie First Man and would love to hear what you think of the review and the film. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to attend a preview screening two weeks ago for Scenestr magazine and I have been eagerly awaiting the publication of the review to see how it would go.

The Oscar race is amongst us and I’m not sure how First Man will fare as the race goes on and more contenders are released. The appeal of the film is tough to market too and may explain that the film opened this weekend below expectations box office wise. So I feel its important to get the word out in my own small corner of the internet that this film is good, damn good. You can read my review here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/first-man-review-20181011 and if you like it please feel free to give it some social media love. God when did I become such a shill? But people sometimes tell me to be more confident so let me say with confidence I’m pretty happy with this one, yeah I was pretty happy with the Cher review too but that doesn’t always happen so let me know what you think.

-Lloyd Marken

HEARTBEAST THEATRE AND THE CURATORS SHAKESPEARE DOUBLE BILL REVIEW ON SCENESTR MAGAZINE

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Lloyd Marken

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I was fortunate to attend the theatre recently on assignment for Scenestr magazine. The Curators and heartBeast Theatre had teamed up to produce a double bill of Shakespeare. Last year I was lucky to go see The Curators staging of Uncle Vanya for the first time in Brisbane in 86 years. Many of the cast from that production performed this time as well although most were in Julius Caesar which was put on by heartBeast Theatre and was first up. The second show The Third Beauty was an adaptation of notable female Shakespeare characters and performed by male actors. I found both staged impressively with very brave and honest performances. The location was the Spring Hill reservoir with the audience free to move amongst the old stone walls and explore the space as the actors too moved everywhere. I was particularly impressed and moved by Julius Caesar which I found easier to follow. You can read more of thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/arts/heartbeast-theatre-and-the-curators-shakespeare-double-bill-brisbane-review-spring-hill-reservoir-20181008

-Lloyd Marken

‘CHER: HERE WE GO AGAIN’ BRISBANE OPENING NIGHT REVIEW AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR MAGAZINE

Posted on October 10, 2018October 14, 2018 by Lloyd Marken

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There are a wealth of thoughts that roll through my head when trying to figure out what to write here for this post.

I went and saw Cher.

In my first big concert review for Scenestr magazine I went and saw a legend who I am a fan of. For me the show got better as it went along but the icon delivered. That woman is a marvel. It really is that simply.

I went and saw Cher.

My wife beamed throughout the concert less inhibited than me and swept away by the music. It’s something special for a husband when you can give your partner true joy as a gift.

Some of the Copyright Lloyd Marken

I went and saw Cher.

After the show I went home and wrote a review struggling with a cold I had been locked in combat with for the past few days. We had to get something up the next morning and I needed to give as much time as possible to my editor. I wrote my review and you can read it here http://scenestr.com.au/music/cher-brisbane-review-brisbane-entertainment-centre-20180929 and if you approve feel free to give it whatever social media love you can. I’m very grateful for the opportunity Scenestr gave me to go to the concert and I hope I’ve done right by them and by the legendary performer herself.

I went and saw Cher.

-Lloyd Marken

INTERVIEW WITH ‘PRIZE FIGHTER’ PLAYWRIGHT FUTURE D. FIDEL AVAILABLE ON SCENESTR MAGAZINE

Posted on October 8, 2018October 14, 2018 by Lloyd Marken

I like to think everyone has a story and you’re looking to unearth the one that will connect during an interview. Playwright Future D. Fidel has some obvious examples in his dramatic past. An orphan, a refugee, an immigrant from war torn Congo. His past will always be with him and always of interest to others who have experienced safer childhoods with less loss. Yet Future is more than just this, he is an incredible talented artist and it was a privilege to interview him for Scenestr magazine in the lead-up to a national tour of his award winning play Prize Fighter. You can read the interview here http://scenestr.com.au/arts/prize-fighter-future-d-fidel-s-emotional-work-on-tour-20180918

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Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises, Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Celebrating 25 years in 2018 of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for WA, SA, NSW, Vic and QLD every month. This interview was published in print in the October issue for Victoria on page 29 which is always a thrill for a GenX guy like myself. A digital copy of that issue can be viewed here http://scenestr.com.au/read/VIC/2018/02-VIC/scenestr-VIC-02.html#p=29 If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts including festivals, stand-up comics, fashion, theatre and film. I feel very fortunate to get to write for them.

-Lloyd Marken

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