Showing posts with label photomovette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photomovette. Show all posts
Monday, 18 October 2010
The New Cross Cinematograph Theatre
We are very excited to be taking part in a very special event at Utrophia, home of our photobooth. The New Cross Cinematograph Theatre opened on the spot of Utrophia in 1910, providing the people of South East London their first look at moving image. It was officially opened by the Mayor of Greenwich and Deptford on 22 October 1910, and now, exactly a hundred years later, Utrophia are re-enacting the occasion with the creation of a portal that loops back to that time and space, charting the ensuing journey of how we captured and represented the light of life. Dress up, eat cake, marvel at light projections and document the process in true old-fashioned style in one of the only black and white booths in London!
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Christmas Bash
Here it is: the highlight of your Christmas calendar. Due to popular demand, we will be hosting the Photomovette Christmas Party on Sunday 13 December. Another chance to use one of the only analogue photobooths in London! If you're very good, you may get a chance to have your picture taken with Santa... and who do you want to be with in the booth when the mistletoe appears?
Guest DJs Miss Aloha and DJ Dandy will be spinning your favourite rock 'n' roll tunes, and the wonderful people at Utrophia will provide a fully stocked bar to keep those creative juices flowing. We have a great prop box, but feel free to bring your own to add to the mix. For inspiration, click here to see what we got up to at our fundraiser.
£5 entry fee, which includes unlimited use of the photobooth.
At: Utrophia Project Space, The Ice Cream Factory, 136 Tanners Hill, Deptford SE8 4QD
Close to New Cross Overground (trains from London Bridge), Deptford Bridge DLR, and numerous buses.
Guest DJs Miss Aloha and DJ Dandy will be spinning your favourite rock 'n' roll tunes, and the wonderful people at Utrophia will provide a fully stocked bar to keep those creative juices flowing. We have a great prop box, but feel free to bring your own to add to the mix. For inspiration, click here to see what we got up to at our fundraiser.
£5 entry fee, which includes unlimited use of the photobooth.
At: Utrophia Project Space, The Ice Cream Factory, 136 Tanners Hill, Deptford SE8 4QD
Close to New Cross Overground (trains from London Bridge), Deptford Bridge DLR, and numerous buses.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Party pics!
The big day finally arrived. Rainy and very wet - not a good start.
The misfortunes continued during the morning. We were running late, a miscommunication had occured at the space, and the next exhibitors were all set to mount their work just as the DJ equipment arrived. Meanwhile, one of the tanks exploded (I'm making it sound more dramatic than it actually was, but suffice to say we are now running the machine one chemical tank short), I managed to drop the paper cannister with an almight crash, and, just to top it all off, the machine refused to flash. Perhaps the baby got pre-party nerves. It was not the only one; it was an hour before the start and we were about to call the whole thing off. Just before sending that fateful email, we decided to try one more time - a miracle occured and all worked as it should.
So we felt we deserved our glass (or bottles) of champagne! We were lucky to have three of the best rock n' roll DJ's around; Miss Aloha, Frankie V and DJ Dandy, who ensured the tunes kept spinning. Julia of Recycled Beauty came with some of her beautiful hair flowers, and Utrophia did a fine job manning the bar. Thanks also to our door people: Sarah Jane and brother Craig, Kaoru and Gavin, and Joe and Mayumi.
And a thanks to Sophie Mitchell for taking some fabulous photos:
And more to come; watch this space!
The misfortunes continued during the morning. We were running late, a miscommunication had occured at the space, and the next exhibitors were all set to mount their work just as the DJ equipment arrived. Meanwhile, one of the tanks exploded (I'm making it sound more dramatic than it actually was, but suffice to say we are now running the machine one chemical tank short), I managed to drop the paper cannister with an almight crash, and, just to top it all off, the machine refused to flash. Perhaps the baby got pre-party nerves. It was not the only one; it was an hour before the start and we were about to call the whole thing off. Just before sending that fateful email, we decided to try one more time - a miracle occured and all worked as it should.
So we felt we deserved our glass (or bottles) of champagne! We were lucky to have three of the best rock n' roll DJ's around; Miss Aloha, Frankie V and DJ Dandy, who ensured the tunes kept spinning. Julia of Recycled Beauty came with some of her beautiful hair flowers, and Utrophia did a fine job manning the bar. Thanks also to our door people: Sarah Jane and brother Craig, Kaoru and Gavin, and Joe and Mayumi.
And a thanks to Sophie Mitchell for taking some fabulous photos:
And more to come; watch this space!
Saturday, 23 May 2009
No longer the one and only...
We have found out we are not the only black and white booth in London. Photoautomat, the Berlin based collective, have got here first. We knew that they were planning to bring one to London, but didn't think it would be so soon.
So we went to check out our competition. It is based in Cargo, a very trendy bar in Shoreditch, which is housed in 2 railway arches. It is a decent venue; it has gigs and club nights and is also open during the day for lunches. And, because it is a rather large place, I was imagining the booth to be inside. But no - turns out it is in the beer garden! Which seems to me a rather strange place to put it; the only punters in the evening are likely to be the smokers who take refuge there due to the smoking ban...
Aesthetically, they have not pushed the boat out. From the outside it is just plain blue metal, scuffed and dented. Inside, instructions are written with black marker on a piece of paper which is sellotaped to the wall. So we were keen to see what the strips were like.
(photo courtesy of Photoautomat's flickr)
But the booth wouldn't take our money!
We asked the girls at the bar - they said the technicians had come that morning to check everything was OK. But it didn't work; the coins just fell through the slot. Judging by the strips on their website, however, they are not that great - a lot of flare going on in the top left corner.
So that was that. Disappointment but also an inside feeling of smugness! Siobhan went another time with a friend and the bar was closed so they couldn't try it out. Which was wierd, as it was a Thursday night.
When I heard there may be another booth in London (which, actually, was in Chicago - Brian had received an email from Photoautomat) I felt a little upset that we could no longer claim to be the first. But now, I realise that it is a good thing there is competition. It means the British are getting a taste for these old machines again, as are, it seems, other countries in Europe. This resurgance of old processes in a digital age interests me... so more soon.
So we went to check out our competition. It is based in Cargo, a very trendy bar in Shoreditch, which is housed in 2 railway arches. It is a decent venue; it has gigs and club nights and is also open during the day for lunches. And, because it is a rather large place, I was imagining the booth to be inside. But no - turns out it is in the beer garden! Which seems to me a rather strange place to put it; the only punters in the evening are likely to be the smokers who take refuge there due to the smoking ban...
Aesthetically, they have not pushed the boat out. From the outside it is just plain blue metal, scuffed and dented. Inside, instructions are written with black marker on a piece of paper which is sellotaped to the wall. So we were keen to see what the strips were like.
(photo courtesy of Photoautomat's flickr)But the booth wouldn't take our money!
We asked the girls at the bar - they said the technicians had come that morning to check everything was OK. But it didn't work; the coins just fell through the slot. Judging by the strips on their website, however, they are not that great - a lot of flare going on in the top left corner.
So that was that. Disappointment but also an inside feeling of smugness! Siobhan went another time with a friend and the bar was closed so they couldn't try it out. Which was wierd, as it was a Thursday night.
When I heard there may be another booth in London (which, actually, was in Chicago - Brian had received an email from Photoautomat) I felt a little upset that we could no longer claim to be the first. But now, I realise that it is a good thing there is competition. It means the British are getting a taste for these old machines again, as are, it seems, other countries in Europe. This resurgance of old processes in a digital age interests me... so more soon.
Monday, 18 May 2009
An empty bottle, a rainbow and a skylark
After the clear up, it was just us and Danny Minnick left... so we decided to spend the afternoon and evening looking for photobooths in different bars around Chicago.
First stop was The Empty Bottle, which Siobhan instantly fell in love with... it was a cool hang out; a bar and concert venue which included a games room with snooker table, pin ball machine and photobooth:
... run by the very friendly and fellow booth enthusiast Will.
The booth was a little dark... but not a bad thing!
Next, a tramp through the snow took us to the Rainbo Club; also famous for its booth, and a calender it produces each year of photobooth strips. Here began the collaboration between Photomovette and the King of photobooth art:
Finally, onto the Skylark, at the other side of town. And the other side of town in Chicago is quite a trek; we ended up getting a lift from a random guy we met in at Irish Pub. But we were rewarded with a bustling, uber-cool student hang out. Much to Danny's disappointment, we missed the live band, but were still in time to borrow the mic, so our strip in this booth had each of us singing our little hearts out. Very cool, Danny kept it... must get a scan from him one day. For now, you'll have to be content with this... Love the curved corners.
Then off we went in the snow, with a list of booths to try the next day...
First stop was The Empty Bottle, which Siobhan instantly fell in love with... it was a cool hang out; a bar and concert venue which included a games room with snooker table, pin ball machine and photobooth:
... run by the very friendly and fellow booth enthusiast Will.The booth was a little dark... but not a bad thing!
Next, a tramp through the snow took us to the Rainbo Club; also famous for its booth, and a calender it produces each year of photobooth strips. Here began the collaboration between Photomovette and the King of photobooth art:
Finally, onto the Skylark, at the other side of town. And the other side of town in Chicago is quite a trek; we ended up getting a lift from a random guy we met in at Irish Pub. But we were rewarded with a bustling, uber-cool student hang out. Much to Danny's disappointment, we missed the live band, but were still in time to borrow the mic, so our strip in this booth had each of us singing our little hearts out. Very cool, Danny kept it... must get a scan from him one day. For now, you'll have to be content with this... Love the curved corners.
Then off we went in the snow, with a list of booths to try the next day...
Thursday, 14 May 2009
ICP Chicago: Day 3
Day 3 was a clear up day. On the Sunday we went to help Tim, Brian and Anthony break down the exhibition and move the booths. We got there a little late due to the very late night the night before, but were still in time to help Anthony pack up one of his chemical booths and move it to the truck.
And what an insight into what is to come! There is so much more involved than just the booth itself. Tarps, bottles, buckets... trolleys, straps and so on and so on. We helped Anthony dispose of the chemicals (not all; some are kept and put back in their boxes), and then helped him move a booth. Yes, I actually moved a booth!
The trick is to have the right kind of trucks. Trucks like this, one at either end, and strapped together:
Then, it is easy for two people to wheel it around:
Me and Anthony wheeling the booth to the truck. And very easy! (although admittedly I had the lighter side...)
And then I had an epiphany which I think is one reason why we found it so hard to find a space for our booth in London. Doors in the US are larger then over here. So you can get booths through any old door: (even through bleary, hung over eyes...)
Onto the taillift and into the truck (here Brian and Tim took over from me - this bit does require lifting.)
So that's it! Lessons learned. And it was time for a little celebratory photobooth crawl around Chicago... pics to come!
And what an insight into what is to come! There is so much more involved than just the booth itself. Tarps, bottles, buckets... trolleys, straps and so on and so on. We helped Anthony dispose of the chemicals (not all; some are kept and put back in their boxes), and then helped him move a booth. Yes, I actually moved a booth!
The trick is to have the right kind of trucks. Trucks like this, one at either end, and strapped together:
Then, it is easy for two people to wheel it around:
Me and Anthony wheeling the booth to the truck. And very easy! (although admittedly I had the lighter side...)
And then I had an epiphany which I think is one reason why we found it so hard to find a space for our booth in London. Doors in the US are larger then over here. So you can get booths through any old door: (even through bleary, hung over eyes...)
Onto the taillift and into the truck (here Brian and Tim took over from me - this bit does require lifting.)
So that's it! Lessons learned. And it was time for a little celebratory photobooth crawl around Chicago... pics to come!
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
A very good start...
So we finally had our first stint with the booth. Can't believe it's a month since we were at the IPC in Chicago, and we've only just got round to doing our first "booth evening". Now they are going to be regular... so hopefully blog updates will be more regular too!
But it was a very good start. Almost too good...
Our intention was to unpack the insides properly, and check that the transmission was aligned. In fact, we got much more than that done! Working through the DVD (which I highly recommend, it is dated in terms of hairstyle and technology but VERY useful), we checked the alignment of the transmission (fine), checked the alignment of the carriers (all fine) and checked the alignment of the tanks (also fine). In doing this, we had to run it as if it was taking a picture; all strobes worked (!), the paper feeds through smoothly, everything happens as it should - including the hairdryer at the end to dry the strip.
So we are over the moon. And trying to get our hands on chemicals. We also realised that we do not have the keys to lock the door, so for the moment it isn't light tight and is a little useless! But minor details compared to what could have gone wrong.
Also realised that we can take off the ugly grey industrial metal casing it is in very easily... so thoughts are now to aestheticising it which is much more fun!
More IPC news and images to come soon... watch this space.
But it was a very good start. Almost too good...
Our intention was to unpack the insides properly, and check that the transmission was aligned. In fact, we got much more than that done! Working through the DVD (which I highly recommend, it is dated in terms of hairstyle and technology but VERY useful), we checked the alignment of the transmission (fine), checked the alignment of the carriers (all fine) and checked the alignment of the tanks (also fine). In doing this, we had to run it as if it was taking a picture; all strobes worked (!), the paper feeds through smoothly, everything happens as it should - including the hairdryer at the end to dry the strip.
So we are over the moon. And trying to get our hands on chemicals. We also realised that we do not have the keys to lock the door, so for the moment it isn't light tight and is a little useless! But minor details compared to what could have gone wrong.
Also realised that we can take off the ugly grey industrial metal casing it is in very easily... so thoughts are now to aestheticising it which is much more fun!
More IPC news and images to come soon... watch this space.
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