It’s All Over Rover

“Well Spark 08 is no longer. I seem to feel rather empty now, with nothing except class and work to keep me occupied. Overall I have had an amazing experience over the past few months, with a heap to do to keep my mind busy. I’ll miss the workload (as crazy as that sounds!) and all the people I met through working on the festival. ” -Teresa

“It all came together and was such a great week.  My class are now calling me a Sparkette, even after the event.  Like Teresa, I’m in withdrawal after the experience as I loved the subject matter and the festival kept us busy constantly.”- Amanda

Sparkette Months

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What a Friday!

Even though it’s no longer Friday, in fact it’s 2pm on Saturday afternoon. Yes, I have just got out of bed. It was a rather big night last night, with an amazing beginning at the Spark end of week “party” at the Flow bar. It was great to see everyone mingling and enjoying the music provided to us by the very enjoyable coco solid and Robyn.

Just a quick note – Pecha Kucha on Thursday evening was all I hoped it would be. Funny, rather light-hearted and just generally a great night out experiencing the creative side of Hamilton. I will definitely be attending the next one in November (they are occurring every 3 months in the Tron!).

As for the Friday programme. I was working, so very dissapointed. I was really looking forward to hearing Kris Sowersby speak. And I hear he was great, so now I’m even more depressed that I was silly enough to miss it.

I’m going to crawl back to bed, and get some more z’s… 

Over and out,

Sparkette #1 (Teresa)

Wrap party

Spark is over, what a week it has been!  It almost felt like a holiday week as we had only a few classes and we could enjoy what Spark had to offer.

I saw most of the speakers at a series of events and at different presentations.  It was great to see them out there, supporting their fellow presenters and the Spark Festival itself.

Each day and night past with a flurry of crowds, movement and enthusiasm.  It was well worth it and fun to be a part of all the fuss.

Friday night was nice and relaxed at Flow Bar beneath Victoria Street.  We had our wheely sign out on the footpath and everyone enjoyed the tunes on offer.

What will Spark09 bring?

Sparkette #2 (Amanda)

The grand finale

Here we are on our 12th day of blogging! Hope you have all enjoyed what the week has brought and have time today to catch the last few remaining workshops and presentations to cap off your experience.

Pecha Kucha was great last night, it was a bit of a fiesta with stilt workers and a traditional drum band to start off proceedings.  There is so much talent in Hamilton and as the organiser said may there be many more Pecha Kucha evenings to come.

The event was all rather exclusive and transformed the appearance of the events room in the hub! It is great that Spark08 brought the first one to Hamilton, beginning a tradition.

Yesterday lunchtime, our special guest was installation artist Rikrit Tiravanija who joined us for a talk that was well attended.  We also heard from our ex-graduates and what they had accomplished since leaving tech.  It was a relaxing beginning to a big night at Pecha Kucha.

Today we have installation/painting and then type in the morning.  Check out type designer KLIM’s article on the links list to get a greater insight into this speaker.

Wintec students worked on a ‘dragons den’ style show earlier this year entitled ‘Show Me the Money”.  Hope you all come along at 1.30 to see the premiere screening and support the students!

Afternoon concludes with Susan Jacobs (installation), Scott Miles (painting) and Whirimako Black (musician) workshops.  That is all then topped off with a music showcase that moves into the night.

Whirimako Black will sing at the Museum at 5.30pm and then at 9pm- DJ Coco Solid and Robyn entertain us at the Flow Bar on Victoria Street.

See Spark08 out in style and indulge in a bit of arts+ music to start your weekend.

Sparkette #2 (Amanda)

Well, I’m exhausted!

What a busy few days!

Yesterday afternoon I was in Sam’s workshop, which could have had the possibility of becoming rather heated, as a touchy subject was the main point for this workshop. Sam was great though, and managed to teach us one important thing when we are involved in the media. Trust your gut. In this truly inspiring workshop we were given a scenario and told to decide whether we wanted to spurt it to the media, or keep it on the low down. The scenario being: a young girl leaves a message on a dry cleaners phone, in fear of her life, stating that she was in trouble, and someone had her in a barn.  A Detective then contacted us, and told us he wanted us to hold of the media, as he wanted to “trust his instincts”, he believed that this girl was in trouble, and the media would only make it worse. We as PR’s (Public Relation Consultants) for the Police had to decide if we wanted to go with the D.I’s gut, or go “proactive” (a word Sam kindly taught us!) and call a media blackout. The class soon became dividedand there were a few sparks flying as this scenario would create several opinions in different people. In the end it pretty much was a hoax, with the D.I’s daughter (of all people!), playing around with her mobile and a mate. Was a really great session and I’m glad I attended

As for today, well… we were rather busy sparkettes!

This morning there was… well, Amanda’s pretty much already filled you in..

A favourite for me would have been Andrea this morning.

I’ve also written an article for Nexus, which hopefully will be in next weeks issue, if not they found something better!

But it’s all not over yet. After I’ve finished writing this I’ll be off to help set up Pecha Kucha, which sounds like it’s going to be an amazing event. Hope I don’t embarrass myself in front of anyone important!

Anyway, best go get my glad rags on! i.e pants and my lovely Spark T-shirt…

Catch you tomorrow, I’m sure it’s going to be another great day at Spark 08.

Sparkette #1 (Teresa)

Books, Movies and Slides

Its the beginning of a new day and a terrific Thursday for all Spark attendees!  Only two days left of the programme and people are rolling in the door.

Programmes and loyalty cards are now essential for the seasoned Spark08 crowd.  I’m sure you have a favourite for today!  Come to the hub and catch a presentation this morning.

9am-TV/film producer Andrea Calderwood gives an insight into the UK production world.

11am- author Ngahuia Te Awekotuku + photographer Becky Nunes are talking all about their book ‘Mau Moko’.

12-30- lunchtime forum by ex-students- where did they go once they left Wintec? Plus a special guest!

Workshops continue in the afternoon- Becky Nunes and Andrea Calderwood.

I’m really looking forward to Pecha Kucha tonight- creative minds talking about all their latest creative projects in 20 sec/20 slides segments.  It even got a mention on Classic Hits this morning

Check out all you can this Spark Thursday! 

Sparkette #2 (Amanda)

Film Fest Wednesday

 Last night, we screened the Palestine Days Festival at the hub.  Ranging from light to violent, the films captured the struggle between Palestine and Israel through different viewpoints. 

There were lots of passionate discussions in the audience at Intermission due to the subject matter.  It made the night seem alive with intensity and gave all those who attended something to contemplate.  Tasty platters from River Kitchen were served at intermission.

Wednesday’s morning and afternoon items made for an eventful day at the festival.  I heard Jason Grant from Inkahoots was a great speaker and showed some exciting work during his morning presentation.

After listening to Julie Starr late morning, it became clear there is a lot of new media out there and it is time to embrace the revolution!  Twitter, Facebook, blogs, ReadWriteWeb were just some of the technology mentioned!

UCLA film screenings was a mixed bag of topics from sex at the movies, children talking about war to death of a brother and neon sign making.  Well worth some time in the afternoon.

Also heard good stuff from Teresa about the Sam Farrow workshop!

Thursday will keep us busy.

Sparkette #2 (Amanda)

It’s all so inspiring!

So it’s Wednesday! It’s all going so fast… I’m trying my best to absorb everything I possibly can, but at times the intensity and the use of my brainpower almost gets the better of me. All the speakers are just so inspirational and informative, it’s been really great to attend all that I have so far.

This morning I was working the information table, but managed to listen to both Jason Grant and Julie Starr. They were both great, and really interesting to listen to. Jason showed incredible images, mainly from Inkahoots’ recent portfolios. Julie had many interesting things to talk about, with several points on convergence media and websites such as twitter and digg being high points for me. Julie’s sense of humor and the way she conveyed her ideas and opinions made her presentation one of my favourites so far… but then again, they’ve all been great!   I’m off to Sam’s workshop this afternoon, which sounds like it’ll be very interactive, interesting and informative. Can’t wait!

Thinking about looking in on the UCLA student film screening at 1.30pm, i.e 20mins from now. Sounds like it’ll be something different, with an American perspective on the student lifestyle and society in America today.

Tomorrow’s plan: working the info. table all day,  but hope to see Andrea Calderwood who is a UK film producer at 9am and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku & Becky Nunes at 11am. Also attending Petcha Kutcha tomorrow night, which will be filled with great presentations and fine wining and dining.

I’ll fill you in on my experience at Sam Farrow’s workshop tomorrow…

Catch ya later,

Sparkette #1 (Teresa)

Halfway point

Hi everyone,

We are already at mid-point, so I hope you have been savouring all the Spark you can find. 

Yesterday I went to Media Bytes- media lunch + speaker.  Sam Farrow spoke all about new media in the specialised context of the New Scotland Yard press office.  I really enjoyed it, helped along by a very nice lunch.  Looking forward to Teresa’s comments after attending the workshop.

Coco/Robyn and Polixeni also had a great turn-out to their morning talks and I enjoyed watching them on the live feed.

Today is film buff Wednesday!  We have UCLA short film screenings at 1.30 pm and then Palestine Film Fest tonight!  I’ll be on the info table tonight but will be relaxing inside the events room for the lunch session.

Before that I’ll be checking out Julie Starr at 11am- journalist and more tips on the digital resources of media!

Journalism, painting and graphics are all included in this afternoon’s workshops, come along if you can secure a place!

Hope to see you all with your loyalty cards firmly attached around at Spark today.

Sparkette #2 (Amanda)