Planet 51

Tuesday 1st December 2009

Dir. Jorge Blanco
Rating ***

As Disney Pixar rides the success of unrivalled animated victory, this year has seen numerous studios attempting to set their mark alongside the CG greats. With Monsters Vs. Aliens, Coraline, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and 9 having cropped up, new Spain-based Ilion Animation Studios have now tried their hand, offering an original twist to an alien invasion.

When sixteen year-old Lem (Justin Long) gets his dream job at the local planetarium, everything seems set for a safe, predictable life – he’s got his best friend Skiff (Seann William Scott) and steady job; the only thing left is to get the girl next door, Neera (Jessica Biel). But when a strange spacecraft suddenly crash-lands in Neera’s backyard, Lem’s mundane life he’s grown to love is turned upside down. In a world where Planet 51’s inhabitants believe the universe to be a meagre 500 miles long, the prospect of an alien landing is as far-fetched as something out of a comic book. Yet when Captain Charles T. Baker (Dwayne Johnson) steps forth from his American space-hub, it’s up to Lem to kiss his comfortable life goodbye and save the marooned human before he is clutched by the planet’s army general Grawl (Gary Oldman) and brain-obsessed Professor Kipple (John Cleese) who are convinced that their beloved planet is under attack.

Set in a world reminiscent of 1950’s American suburbia, Planet 51 is a light comedy offering jabs at a time when things were pure and sweet, whilst whimsically setting them in an alien environment. But despite an all-star cast, the underdeveloped characters lack likeability and alienate (pun intended!) viewers from feeling any real connection with the little green men. Poorly cast Justin Long, with his awkward personality, does not translate well as an animated character, and both Jessica Biel and John Cleese are barely noticeable in their feeble roles. Although the visuals are admirable for an independent animation studio, the comedy is so mediocre that it cannot contend with most of the animated greats released this year; and with references to a plethora of films – from WALL-E to Star Wars to Terminator – the film lacks comical originality, a great shame as the inventive story could have made it a successful release if the boat had been pushed just that little bit further.

As an average animated film, Planet 51 fairs well enough, but without a distinct spirit it offers a bubble-gum sweetness without the pop.

PUBLISHED IN SCREEN JABBER

Departures

Friday 27th November 2009

Dir. Yojiro Takita
Rating ***

This poignant film has become internationally acclaimed since it won the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award early this year. Director Yojiro Takita’s touching story based on an unconventional idea triumphed over many, and quite rightly so.

When Daigo Kobayashi’s (Motoki) dreams of being a professional cellist in Tokyo are dashed, he returns to his small suburban hometown in Yamagata with his wife Mika (Hirosue) in the hopes of finding a normal, steady job and starting afresh. Not long after they arrive, Daigo finds an ad in the paper offering great money in the ‘departures’ industry and immediately goes to the interview with high hopes. But after meeting Sasaki (Yamazaki), the company owner who offers him the job no-questions-asked, Daigo’s hopes for a ‘normal’ job diminish and he learns that he has been hired as an encoffiner’s assistant, which involves ceremonially preparing corpses for cremation. With no other job prospects, Daigo reluctantly accepts the position, but ashamedly keeps the details of his new career from his wife, revealing only that his work involves ceremonies. But as Daigo encounters each body, along with their grieving families, he begins to appreciate the beauty of the encoffiner’s workmanship and develops a new understanding of the relationship between life and death.

Yojiro Takita’s adept blend of comedy and drama in this tale of Japan’s oldest tradition is both enchanting and endearing as we witness various families that have been touched with death – from an elderly grandmother to a cross-dressing boy – and the way in which encoffiners act almost as a medium between the departed and their loved ones. With moving performances from both Motoki and Yamazaki, we, as viewers, journey with Daigo as his perception of an encoffiner changes from being that of the greatest taboo to being that of a humble service; and as grieving children bid a last farewell to their parents, and vice versa, the importance of this ritual becomes most prevalent, especially to those left behind.

Though slightly dragging in the end and with an unconvincing performance by Hirosue (most frustrating opposite a wonderful Motoki), Departures offers a touching grace as the delicacy of a misunderstood profession unfolds; and with an honest and moving sentimentality, the film offers a refreshing, and at times comical, view of the cycle of life and death.

PUBLISHED IN SCREEN JABBER

Nativity!

Wednesday 25th November 2009

Dir. Debbie Isitt
Rating ***

Christmas comes but once a year and it is just the season for a family film filled with lies, deceit and heartbreak. Three years after her mild success with Confetti, British-born director Debbie Isitt introduces another comedic tale using her signature improv style and starring old pals Martin Freeman, Jason Watkins and Marc Wootton, but this time with Extras star Ashley Jenson and comedian Alan Carr, not to mention a classroom of kids.

Having given up a career as an underachieving actor, Mr Maddens (Martin Freeman) takes up his fallback job as a primary school teacher at the notoriously hopeless St. Bernadette’s state school. But after having received a biting review of his directorial debut in the school’s Nativity play and been dumped by his girlfriend (Ashley Jensen) on Christmas Eve, Maddens’ holiday spirit is diminished into one that resembles something of Scrooge. So when St. Bernadette’s’ headmistress (Pan Ferris) proposes that Maddens takes up his director’s hat once more for the last Nativity before her retirement, his initial response is of trepidation. But when he bumps into his old-time drama buddy and long-time rival Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins), who is now also a primary school teacher, but at the posh Oakmoor private school up the road, his resentment gets the better of him and a small fib about his play being filmed for TV quickly spirals out of control and turns into a tangled mess concerning Hollywood, agents and the rights for a book. His only hope is to find a way to transform his lies into reality so as to avoid being arrested for fraud and, most importantly, disappointing his class.

Although Nativity! is refreshingly absent of over-the-top Christmas slapstick and delivers some truly comedic moments (specifically from Jason Watkins), Isitt’s hit-and-miss improv is demonstrated with the back-and-forth teetering between funny and not. Take Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton), Mr Maddens’ new teaching assistant hired to help with the production of the play. While his unruly, yet innocent, schoolboy antics are initially amusing, there are moments when they go from comical to downright odd. Nevertheless, the true stars of the film are the St. Bernadette’s schoolchildren, most of who are ordinary kids with little or no previous onscreen experience. As the film progresses, the Nativity production takes shape and culminates in a heart-warming show, centring on the true meaning of Christmas rather than its commerciality; and while there are some peculiar moments of comedic oddities, the film succeeds in delivering that fuzzy feeling this Yuletide.

PUBLISHED IN SCREEN JABBER

Summer’s Blood

Monday 19th October 2009

Dir. Lee Demarbre
Rating: ½*

Back from her success with vampire-romance Twilight, fresh-faced Ashley Greene tries her hand at a grittier role in this straight-to-DVD Canadian horror flick.

Teen rebel Summer (Ashley Greene) is on the road hitching a ride to a rural town called Massey in an attempt to unite with her estranged father – her only clue of his whereabouts in a letter written by him before she was born. When Summer arrives to the small town, a brief run-in with the law leads to her encounter with local handyman Tom Hoxey (Peter Mooney), who offers to hide her in his truck before sending the police on a wild goose-chase. The two quickly hit it off and after a few drinks head to the house Tom shares with his mother for the night. But when Summer gets up to leave the following morning, Tom’s carefree tune suddenly changes and his insistence for her to stay becomes deadly. After being knocked unconscious, Summer wakes up to find herself bound with chains inside a box filled with dirt and surrounded by plants, grow lights, human skulls and a girl, Amber, on the verge of death. Summer soon learns that she is the latest flower in Tom’s ‘human garden’ and must befriend the young sadist and gain his trust in order to escape.

Despite Greene’s unconvincing ‘bad girl’ portrayal, top marks for effort should be awarded to new-time director Lee Demarbre for his attempt in creating an original idea with his ‘human garden’. However, the concept is neither fully explored or explained, and is abandoned halfway into the film when Tom and his ‘daddy issues’ shift into focus. Together with Summer’s plan of escape and a redundant subplot involving Amber’s father, the film frays into too many directions leaving you less and less interested in each character as the film ensues.

All in all, with a bizarre storyline, weak performances and Demarbre’s persistence in introducing twist after twist, Summer’s Moon will no doubt wind up being another teen horror quickly forgotten.

PUBLISHED IN SCREEN JABBER

Russell Brand: Scandalous

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Russell Brand scores again in another hilariously cheeky live performance. After the infamous scandal of Brand and Jonathan Ross’ hit on Andrew Sachs last year, it seems the world wind of media coverage it received has channelled into a great source of comedic material for his latest stand-up tour.

Typical to Brand’s self-proclaimed narcissism, he bases Scandalous on the constant drama his career has endured this past year and delves headfirst into the Sachs scandal to reveal his side of the story. Armed with a list of death threats and people’s comments from the Times Online, Brand sends the crowd into cascades of laughter as he reads out suggestions for his punishment that include being put on the Sex Offenders Registry and being sent to Afghanistan to ‘meet real men’.

Brand also touches on his stint as the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards host, and treats the crowd to a condensed performance of the original script he intended for the award show before scrapping it due to too many offensive jokes. With another list on hand, this time of emails from American viewers, Brand is berated and told to stay out of the States and go back home.

Although the British comedian receives much flak for ‘unacceptable’ and ‘offensive’ behaviour, it seems that Russell Brand and trouble are set to go hand in hand for the foreseeable future; but it’s clear that the more criticism he receives, the more material he has, which in turn means a lot more of Brand’s priceless comedy for us to look forward to.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

President Evo

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Dir. Rodrigo Vasquez

A passionate documentary that follows the revolutionary plight of Amerindian coca farmer, Evo Morales, as he wins the 2005 Bolivian Presidential campaign and endeavours to liberate the country’s indigenous people.

With 80% of Bolivians being of indigenous descent, Evo Morales’ Presidential victory marks a well-waited change for poor Amerindians; but white landowners in Bolivia’s prosperous region, Santa Cruz, do not share the same optimism and go about creating an opposing political party in an attempt to stop Morales’ revolution to make a socialist Bolivia.

Filmed in 4 parts, the documentary accounts both parties’ views in the wake of Morale’s election and the lengths they go to, to achieve autonomy.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

This Very Instant

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Dir. Manuel Huerga

A rhythmic documentary that follows Academy Award winning Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler on a 7-concert tour around Barcelona. Known for infusing traditional Uruguayan music with ‘bossa nova’ and electronic compositions, Drexler captivates audiences as he performs onstage with various pedals at his feet, each emitting sounds recorded from the streets of Spain.

Filmed predominantly in sultry black and white, the documentary gives insight into the inspired mind of this acclaimed South American singer as he performs impromptu with street artists, invites a processional band to play with him live, and performs songs written in his dressing room 10 seconds before arriving onstage.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

The Gift of Pachamama

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Dir. Toshifumi Matsushita

Set in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, home of the world’s largest salt lake, this anthropological drama centres on a small family of indigenous Andean people who harvest and deliver natural salt to neighbouring towns by means of traditional llama caravans.

When Kunturi’s grandmother falls sick, the young boy must join his father in the 3-month journey across southwestern Bolivia to deliver the produce; and as the pair passes through each town with their flock of llamas in tow, Kunturi progressively learns about love, life and death along the way.

With references to the transition between traditionalism and modernity, the film offers insight into how these indigenous people live, whose culture is still strongly linked to traditional ideologies and customs.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

Não Por Acaso

Monday 14th September 2009

Dir. Philippe Barcinski

An emotional drama set in Brazil chronicling the lives of two floundering men whose loved-ones are killed in a fatal car accident.

Recluse traffic analyst, Ênio, must reunite with his estranged daughter who turns up at his front doorstep after his ex-wife is killed in the collision; while pool-table craftsman, Pedro, attempts to overcome his lover’s death by starting a relationship with her tenant.

Despite the slow start, the film humanly depicts two contrasting personalities and the ways in which they must adjust to their new lives.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

Meet The Prick

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Dir. Ilya Ruppeldt

A documentary focusing on Tame Iti, a native Tuhoe from the indigenous Maori tribe in New Zealand who wears an ancient skin adornment that visually represents Maori genealogy and cultural identity.

Working with Te Hauora Tuhoe (Tuhoe Health), Tame Iti encourages the survival of his ancestral culture in both present and future generations by spurning the ideology of capitalist governments and advocating Tuhoe propaganda. But despite his political defiance and menacing appearance, which Tame Iti admits is often mistaken for gang-related tattoos, the Tuhoe’s beliefs lie with those of the Maori – a utopian socialist society where resources are shared and people united.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

All the Years of Trying: An Ode to Patrik Fitzgerald

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Dir. Dom Shaw

An examination of the rise of singer/songwriter Patrik Fitzgerald who heavily influenced the British punk-rock scene in 1977.

Interviews with fellow artists, music journalists and fans chronicle Fitzgerald’s steady emergence within the movement by way of his relatable lyrics and simple use of acoustic guitar. The documentary is highlighted with inter-cuts of live performances such as ‘Bingo Crowd’ and ‘Tonight’ from past to present, and ends with a selection of covers of his most loved songs by various rock poets and bands.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

25 Kilates

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Dir. Patxi Amezcua

A Spanish crime film that focuses on dirty dealers and the corrupt police who serve them.

When a money-hungry swindler becomes entangled in his web of scams he turns to daughter, Kay, for help with a double-cross to acquire €400,000; but when he gets caught midway it’s up to Kay and a little help from a stranger to come up with a plan to rescue her father before they both get killed.

With crooked cops and clever hustles, 25 Kilates is like watching a British crime film with subtitles.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

A Necessary Death

Friday 25th September 2009

Dir. Daniel Stamm

This ‘documentary about a documentary’-style feature follows film student Gilbert Toma who bases his final-year thesis on suicide. With ex-girlfriend Valencia and buddy Michael, Gilbert embarks on finding and filming an individual in the preparatory stages of ending their life. When Matt comes along, a sufferer of an inoperable brain tumour, Gilbert finds his leading man, but as the project ensues and Gilbert becomes ever immersed in his controversial film, the line between creativity and morality begins to fade.

With compelling performances that provoke a rollercoaster of emotions, this gem is not to be missed.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

Rogue

Thursday 24th September 2009

Dir. Greg McLean

Following the success of Ozzie horror Wolf Creek, Greg McLean delivers another thrill ride set in the outback.

When American travel journalist, Pete McKell (Michael Vartan), arrives Down Under for a wildlife river cruise in the Northern Territory, things seem set for a placid sightsee around Aboriginal Australia; but when a flare is spotted a few miles from the boat, tour-guide Kate Ryan (Radha Mitchell) heads off-course to investigate, only to lead her boat of unsuspecting tourists into the territory of a hungry 7 ½ metre crocodile.

With spectacular shots of Australia’s stunning wildlife, seamless special effects and genuine performances, Rogue gives more bite than your average B-movie.

Extras: The making of Rogue, audio commentary, special effects, music & location featurettes, ‘The Real Rogue’ mini documentary.

PUBLISHED IN TIME OUT LONDON

From Page To Screen: Philip K. Dick’s ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?’ Transformation into Ridley Scott’s Onscreen Cult Hit ‘Blade Runner’

Thursday 1st October 2009


With the steady supply of films inspired by and adapted from books emerging in Hollywood, it’s noteworthy to look back at cult hits that have claimed victory in the arduous task of successfully adapting a novel onto the silver screen without spoiling the beauty of its once literary form.

One such success is Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi noir Blade Runner, which despite less-than-flattering reviews upon release, has only matured with age and is now viewed as an influential building block for science fiction films we know and love today.

However, in spite of the film’s success, the origin of Scott’s cult remains a mystery to the masses. Unbeknown to many outside the sci-fi community, it was not the Aliens director that envisaged the Nexus-6, futuristic squalor and the infamous Blade Runner, but was in fact science fiction visionary Philip K. Dick, literary author of other cinematic successes like Total Recall, A Scanner Darkly and Minority Report, who conceived such revolutionary concepts two decades before the release of the film.

Philip K. Dick’s 1968 book, laboriously titled Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? spawn themes of post-nuclear apocalyptic Earth, organic androids and robotic infiltration. Yet, Dick’s book delves into the themes in a darker and more meditative approach, evoking hollow-felt despair within each turn of the page – concepts that are indisputably lost, or rather stripped of, in the ‘80s Hollywood adaptation.


In Blade Runner’s famous and most memorable opening sequence we see Los Angeles 2019 in all its futuristic light and glory – heavily ‘Japanized’ and thriving in over-populated claustrophobia. This greatly contrasts with Dick’s desolate planet-Earth, which rots in an aftermath of radioactive dust after a nuclear world war. Scott’s intention was to create a ‘future-medieval’ city with the concept of an ‘overloaded’ Asian city, yet this juxtaposes Dick’s idea of Earth having been transformed into an uninhabitable wasteland where the human population is down to mere thousands and animal-life is near extinction; with most people having emigrated to an off-world settlement in Mars, renamed New America. Although Scott plays with this premise using references in larger-than-life digital billboards throughout the city, Dick’s analysis of human behaviour in which social status, epitomised with the ultimate status symbol of owning a live animal, plays an important factor in spite of the steady decay of mankind on Earth itself.

Another interesting concept explored in the book is the idea of the ‘mood organ’ – a device used to induce human emotions with varying dial settings. The concept questions how wide the gap is between humans and androids (Replicants) with the ability to manipulate and schedule emotions at the touch of a button. Blade Runner does not include the ‘mood organ’ within the film, but instead preludes to the debate of what it means to be human by questioning whether killing, or ‘retiring’, a Replicant is as equally devoid of empathy as Replicants are perceived to be.


The most fascinating idea in Dick’s book is the concept of ‘Mercerism’, the prominent religious movement that ‘blends the concept of a life-death-rebirth deity with the values of unity and empathy’ amongst the Earth’s inhabitants. The premise is that each lasting member of Earth can unite as one via an electronic ‘empathy box’ in an attempt to ease the suffocating feeling of isolation. ‘This religion provides a means by which the isolated populations can interact, and promotes needed unification.’ With themes of spiritual faith and hope for mankind, Dick challenges the existence of religion by revealing that ‘Mercerism’ may very well be an artificial construct, which is exposed by the Replicants at the end of the book. Perhaps too complex and heavy a subject for Hollywood to tackle, Blade Runner does not attempt to adapt this into its cinematic counterpart, but does include a node to the book’s fans by placing an ‘empathy box’ in John Isidore’s apartment.

While Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is captivatingly written with desolate themes of suffocating loneliness and psychological unrest, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner’s success as a sci-fi noir remains a Hollywood classic with loose references to one of literature’s best celebrated science fiction novels.

PUBLISHED IN SCENE 360

Pandorum

Monday 28th September 2009

Dir. Christian Alvart
Rating: *

Four years after Christian Alvart’s success with critically acclaimed thriller ‘Antibodies’, the German director returns with another psychological thriller – this time set in space.

In the distant future two astronauts awaken from a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a dark and seemingly desolate ship with no memory of their whereabouts, identity or mission. With a beginning shrouded in mystery, things seem set for a mystifying thrill-ride in space, with unexpected twists and turns to be revealed along the way; but rather than a dark, psychological thriller, Pandorum is just another underachieving, uninspired space-set sci-fi B-movie which lacks originality, that throws in a horde of questionable monsters for good measure.

When Corporal Bower (Ben Foster) and Lieutenant Payton (Dennis Quaid) discover they are locked in their connecting unit with failing power and no communication to their fellow passengers, they decide to venture further into the main vessel of the spacecraft via a dark ventilation system in order to access the ship’s reactor, reset it and hopefully fully restore all power before the entire spacecraft shuts down for good. But as Bower tracks through the maze-like corridors, guided by Payton via a radio transmitter who remains in the connecting unit, he stumbles upon an army of pale-skinned and grossly disfigured tribal looking humanoids intent on hunting and killing anyone who crosses their paths. Yet all is not lost as Bowers, along with leather-clad scientist Nadia (who bears an uncanny resemblance to Resident Evil’s Mila Jovavich) and token Martial artist/agricultural specialist Manh set out to restore the ship together and ultimately save the day. Hurrah!

Hardly a unique premise – killer monsters aboard a deserted spacecraft, yet the psychological gem of the film, which is worth any real attention, is the concept of Pandorum, a psychosis brought on from the claustrophobia of the ship and the isolation of deep space. This psychosomatic notion is the one thing that could have saved such a dud film; but alas, the concept is half-heartedly and haphazardly explored only to be realised in Payton’s anti-climatic revelation towards the close of the picture.

Not to be highly anticipated, if only to witness Quaid as he sinks further into bad movie morass, Pandorum offers little more than disgruntlement as yet another dire film is released for our viewing displeasure.

PUBLISHED IN SCREEN JABBER

Kwanza Jones 'Bounce Rock Move' Press Release

Tuesday 19th August 2008

With the end of summer drawing near, it’s inevitable for us to envision tedious hours at the desk, cramped journey’s on the train with people that resemble mole-men standing closer than we deem appropriate, and of course, cold, dark nights creeping up on us at ridiculously early hours leaving us wondering where the day went. Fear not! With Kwanza Joneses ‘Bounce Rock Move’ the feeling of summer fun will always be near. A mixture of funk, rock and jazz, this catchy little number will send you toe-tapping in no time.

Born and raised in Washington DC, Kwanza Jones sang in gospel choirs while studying at Princeton University, before joining an electronica band. Kwanza later performed in funk and disco cover bands, and infused a variety of other musical elements, such as blues and jazz, to form a new and distinctive sound.

Self described as a promoter of female empowerment, Kwanza’s raw vocals and high energy is sure to lift your pre-winter blues!

WRITTEN FOR INNOVATION ENTERTAINMENT

Fallin’ Alone Press Release

Tuesday 28th October 2008

The hot new track from UK R&B sensation Haynzy is ready to hit the airwaves.

‘Fallin’ Alone’ is the debut single from talented new artist Haynzy. Produced by American hip-hop group Dipset’s Dial Tone, who has worked top-selling artists such as Juelz Santana, Joe Budden and Lil’ Wayne, the track encompasses smooth R&B vocals with a fresh pop sound and a fun club vibe.

Haynzy grew up with a background in gospel and soul, but was inspired by Craig David to pursue a career in R&B. After being signed to Rudo Music, the young singer developed his song writing abilities with producer Dial Tone and later moved to Blue Colla Records to pursue a solo singing career.

Having already worked with the likes of top UK producers such as Walter Harris and MOBO nominee Soundbwoy who produced the smash-hit ‘Never Wanna Say’, Haynzy is set to take the UK by storm.

The video for ‘Fallin’ Alone’ was recently shot by Darren B, who has worked with such artists as Sway, Keisha White and Ludacris, and is set to be on our TV screens early next year.

The CD includes a remix by Peacemakaz who have remixed songs by T-Pain and most recently Danielle Senior’s club smash ‘Take It To The Dancefloor’.

For more information contact:
Blue Colla Records CEO, A.K. ak@everyurbanthing.com

WRITTEN FOR EVERY URBAN THING

My First... Credit Crunch: Top 10 Tips On Making Savings

Monday 3rd November 2008

It’s a hard life for a student, and even harder for a graduate. And with the recent economic crash you may be feeling anxious as to how you will be able get through this daunting period of your life without breaking the bank. Never fear – with these top tips you’ll be well on your way to surviving your very first credit crunch!


1. Bring Back the Pack
Long gone are the days of the packed-lunch. You’ve traded in the homemade sandwich and apple in your favourite tin box and opted for the posh avocado wrap and caramel macchiato. But with cafes and sandwich retailers charging high-end prices, you’d be amazed at how much you could actually save if you didn’t go out for lunch. So, rather than spending up to £10 a day on a sandwich and drink with a snazzy name, why not got back to the pack and prepare a meal at home that you know you’ll be guaranteed to enjoy!


2. Be Fashionably Early
We all know the early bird catches the worm. And in this case it couldn’t be truer! Feel like a night out on the town but don’t want to spend up to £15 on entrance fees? Many London clubs offer free entry to those who arrive before 10pm, and most even offer free entry to girls all night! Arriving early may not only save you cash, but you can also take advantage of any special offers on drinks that are bought before a certain time. Happy Hours offer a range of drinks as low as half off the normal price, and sometimes offer special discounts on jugs for you and your pals to share!


3. Frugal Films
If you’re not in the mood for shaking a leg, why not catch a flick at your local cinema? But rather than going to a late-showing, try to get there before 5pm as prices can be as low as half off peak-time prices. Also, check out any special deals that might be on offer – ‘Orange Wednesdays’ or ‘Two Pound Tuesdays’ are just some of the promotions that can save you cash. Another important tip is to stay local, as prices tend to skyrocket the closer you get to the city!


4. Chuck That Car
We all know how fun it is to drive your own car - you get to cruise the streets in your hot whip while pumping out your favourite tunes. But what many of us don’t think about is the amount of money it costs to actually do this. Fuel, maintenance, insurance, parking… It’s any wonder how car-owners can afford to spend their money on anything else! So, instead of allowing a car to guzzle all your hard-earned cash, why not use an alternative way of travelling? Public transport is the most effective way of travelling in and around London, and in most cases will get you to your destination a lot faster than you would on the road. The bicycle is also making a comeback with more and more commuters using specially designed cycle routes for fast and efficient travel, not to mention getting you fit on the way!


5. Use Debit, Not Credit
One of the most popular reasons for financial hardships amongst graduates is the credit card! Do not get one unless it’s absolutely necessary – which in most cases it’s not! The buy-now-pay-later idea may be tempting, but unless used properly credit cards can lead to large amounts of debt. The best option is to go debit. Using what you have can prevent you from overspending, and may even encourage you to think before buying! Debit also allows you to easily keep track of your spending and stay on top of your balance.


6. Look Before You Leap
It happens to all of us - you’re in the queue at a newsagent and decide to buy that tempting chocolate bar at the till, or you’re browsing the shops on your lunch-break and buy that funky t-shirt that caught your eye. It may only cost a little, but it all adds up in the end, and by impulse buying you could be throwing your money away on things you don’t necessarily need or even want! So, make it a point to only buy things that are truly essential.


7. Think Outside the Box
Just because you’re trying to save your pennies doesn’t mean that you have to spend your days off in front of the TV at home! There are so many free things to do in London you’d be amazed you never knew about them before. Try visiting museums – the Natural History Museum holds fun exhibitions such as dinosaurs and strange animals you thought only existed in films, the V&A and the British Museum have some of the world’s most treasured discoveries, and the Science Museum holds some of the greatest inventions known to man. There are tons more free museums in London as well as art galleries and exhibitions, and various festivals and events are held year-round. Check your local paper, or visit Time Out and Visit London to find something that suits you!


8. In for a Penny, In for a Pound
One of the most efficient ways of staying on top of your money is to save, save, save! It’s hard enough to create a budget and stick to it, so the best way to save money is to open a separate savings account and put away a little each month. That way, no matter how much you’re spending, you’ll always have something on the side slowly accumulating. You never know when you might need it for a rainy day!


9. Don’t Buy - Borrow
It’s a little known fact that most libraries offer free rental on DVDs. So, instead of spending up to £30 on buying a movie, or spending £10 a week on renting one, why not visit your local library and borrow it for free!


10. Hit the Pavement
For most of us, keeping fit is an integral part of our lifestyle. But, when money gets tight, it can become difficult to pay for your monthly membership. Rather than spending up to £50 a month towards a luxury that you may not necessarily need, why not workout at home? Investing in a one off payment for a set of barbells or an exercise bike can prove to be just as effective and won’t include the cost of travelling to your local gym. Another option could be to go running around the block or in your local park, which in a lot of cases proves to be far more effective than using a treadmill!

PUBLISHED IN GRADUATE MAGAZINE

International Women's Month

Tuesday 17th February 2009

It’s International Women’s Month and London is already abuzz with female empowering activities and events to come! ‘But, what is International Women’s Month?’ you ask yourself? Read on and Xcel will clue you up about the month all geared towards girl-power!

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
International Women’s Month is a worldwide event held every March that marks the celebration of economic, political and social achievements by women all over the globe, which incorporates International Women’s Day on March 8th.

The idea of International Women’s Day was conceived at the turn of the 20th-century when industrial growth and soaring population led to protests over working conditions, particularly amongst women. Oppression and inequality drove women to become more vocal about campaigning for change, and in 1908 a whopping 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. The march had such a powerful effect that the Socialist Party of America declared the first ‘National Woman's Day’ on February 28th 1909.

One year later, an international women’s conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark where Clara Zetkin, the leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, proposed the idea of an International Women's Day in which every country would hold a celebration in honour of the movement for women’s rights. The idea was met with a unanimous vote from 17 countries and International Women’s Day was officially established.

Following the vote, one million people around the world held a demonstration demanding the rights of women in the hopes to end discrimination, which consequently spurred the growth and recognition of International’s Women’s Day.

International Women's Day was later transferred to March 8th in 1913 and has remained the global date ever since, with over 10 countries marking it as an official holiday and large-scale events held in many other countries all over the world, all in the name of celebrating the continuing achievements of women!


HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
There are many events around London to take part in that commemorate International Women’s Day, such as exciting workshops, inspirational lectures and powerful discussions. Below are great events this March that you won’t want to miss!

Million Women Rise March & Rally
Date: 7th March 2009
Time: 12pm - 6pm

A women-and-children-only march that starts in Oxford Street and ends in Piccadilly Circus that aims to empower and unite females, as well as to demonstrate an end to male violence against women, with a rally held at Waterloo Place post-march to celebrate.

Visit www.millionwomenrise.com to find out more.


Birds Eye View Film Festival
Date: 5th – 18th March 2009

The nationally and internationally acclaimed film festival takes place at the BFI and showcases the best features, documentaries and short films made by women filmmakers around the world. The festival also includes training programmes and workshops that focus on technical and creative skills, with fun parties to attend at the close of each day.

Visit www.birds-eye-view.co.uk to find out more.



Global Women
Date: 14th March 2009
Time: 11am – 5pm

A free day out for women, which includes fun activities, entertainment, speeches, as well as The 2009 Unsung Women's Awards, plus much more.

Visit www.haringey.gov.uk/index/council/how_the_council_works/equalities/equalities_diversity_events/iwd.htm to find out more.


WHAT’S THERE TO SEE?
If you don’t feel like getting stuck-in to the festivities but prefer to hang back, there are plenty of equally exciting things to see that don’t involve active participation. Check out some of them below.


Not a Feminist Art Show!
Date: 4th March 2009
Time: 19.30pm – 10.30pm

Sixteen artists exhibit an exhilarating and diverse collection of artwork that ranges from painting and sculpture to video and photography, which aims to raise a discussion about the word ‘feminism’.

Visit www.notafeministartshow.com to find out more.


Celebrity Funny Women
Date: 8th March 2009
Time: 6pm – 8.45pm

Supported by ActionAid, popular celebrity hosts are trained by well-known female comedians and given the daunting task of performing live stand-up comedy onstage at The London Studios in a challenge to become a Funny Woman.

Visit www.funnywomen.com to find out more.


Tina Turner Live at the O2
Date: 8th March 2009
Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Female icon Tina Turner performs live at London's O2 for an explosive show. A true survivor, Turner will perform such hits as ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ and ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’, which is sure to be an inspirational way to celebrate International Women’s Day!

Visit www.theo2.co.uk/event/tina-turner-20090303.html to find out more.

PUBLISHED IN XCEL MAGAZINE

Chris Brown: From Brown To Breezy

Friday 5th September 2008

The young boy from Virginia has come a long way in just three years. After smashing the US charts with his debut single ‘Run It’ at the tender age of sixteen, he is now transforming into a young mogul, with a second platinum album under his belt, an acting career, as well as a new foray into fashion designing.

Born on May 5th, 1989, Christopher Maurice Brown was raised in the small town of Tappahannock by mother Joyce Hawkins and father Clinton Brown. Influenced by the music his parents played on the radio, Brown would imitate artists such as Sam Cooke, Donnie Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. A dancer at the age of two, it wasn’t until he was eleven that he wanted to combine both his singing and dancing talents. “I was eleven and watching Usher perform 'My Way', and I started trying to mimic it. My mom was like, 'You can sing?' And I was like, 'Well, yeah, Mama!'”

At thirteen, Brown was discovered by a local production team at his father’s gas station, “My dad was working at a gas station and a dude came in and said, 'I want to find some guys that can sing or rap or dance,' and my dad said, 'My son can sing!' So he hooked it up with my mom, and I said, 'I'm going to start working with this guy.' He had connections with producers and other production teams.” After being picked up by the team, he moved to Harlem, New York and stayed with a friend’s family to work on his career. Brown soon auditioned for Def Jam’s Vice President, Tina Davis, and was sent to perform for songwriter and producer L.A. Reid. He was later signed to Jive Records when he was fifteen.

His self-titled album was released on November 29th, 2005 and shot straight to number two on the US charts. Later that year, Brown received two Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best New Artist. When asked how he felt about his first nominations he confessed, “I was actually under the weather when I first heard it, but I was so amped and excited!”

After touring with Beyoncé and Ne-Yo in 2006, Brown began working on his sophomore album, Exclusive, which was released on November 6th, 2007. A much more mature album, Brown explains, “I'm 18 in this album. I'm not losing fans, and I'm not disrespecting women, but you reach the maturity of taking it to the next level with a girl.” He adds, “I am still going to keep it so my younger fans can continue to listen to my music, but I got a couple of joints on there that's for some of the older people.”

On June 3rd, 2008, Exclusive was re-released as a deluxe edition, with four extra tracks added to the already platinum record. Brown describes the album as, “- something that not everybody can get. I feel it’s an album especially for my fans. It’s not for the critics or the haters, or people that get it just to fit in. It’s only for those who truly want to hear my music.” And with Brown’s second album comes a more hands-on approach to the creative process. “This time, I was more physically and mentally into the whole process,” Brown reveals. “I just jumped in head first and delved into everything. It’s another stepping-stone for me. Every day is a learning experience when you’re in the music industry. From day one, I’ve learned how to be a better artist, working on my music and with other people.”

Not only is Chris Brown dominating the charts, he has also made a niche for himself on the small and silver screen. In 2007, Brown made his film debut in Stomp The Yard and also appeared in the hit show The O.C. “I wanna be a mogul,” Brown explains. “I wanna be a singer, actor, entrepreneur, have a clothing line, be an executive. Everything!”

With success in both the music and movie biz, Brown is now dipping his hands into the fashion world, following the footsteps of such tycoons as P. Diddy and Jay-Z. He recently collaborated with New Era Cap Company to release his own line of fitted caps that he designed himself. “I was doing six individual hats, where they got me to personally design the hats. And so I got a chance to do something more for the kids and not necessarily go into ‘high fashion’ yet. This is more for the casual back-to-school kids, the everyday person that just wants to be casual.”

With so much talent at such a young age, it’s hard to imagine Chris Brown being anything but a star, but the nineteen-year-old insists that he’s still the same old kid from Virginia. “My personal life is the same. At the end of the day, this is just a job. I love what I do, and it's a great job, but it's like my alter ego. There's Chris Brown the singer, and there's Christopher Brown the down-home Tappahannock boy that plays video games and basketball and hangs out.”

So now, after such a rapid rise to the top, Brown reflects on his career so far. “I always imagined that I could be what I wanted to be, I just hoped that I could do it. I never knew how fast this would take off, so I’m just thankful for it.”

And Chris Brown’s advise to those budding stars? “Follow your dreams. Just make sure to have fun too.”


10 fun facts you didn’t know about Chris Brown:
•He got his first tattoo on his 13th birthday
•His favourite TV show is Heroes
•He can skateboard
•He has a pit-bull named Diamond
•He owns over 500 sneakers
•One thing he wishes he still had from childhood is his Batman pyjamas
•His favourite subject in school is maths
•His favourite dessert is strawberry cheesecake
•His zodiac sign is Taurus
•His favourite video game is Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas


What’s on Chris’s calendar?
Chris Brown has many things lined up for the future. Below are some sneak peeks into what he’s up to!

•Chris Brown is currently working on a new album entitled Graffiti, which is set to be released some time next year.

•Brown is also starring in two films - romantic comedy Caramel and sports drama Phenom. Both films are still in production and set to be released early next year.


WRITTEN FOR XCEL MAGAZINE

Eva Mendes Breaks From Rehab

Friday 7th February 2008

Eva Mendes has checked out of the Cirque Lodge temporarily, where she was being treated for issues not clarified by her representatives.

Several weeks ago Mendes admitted herself into the Utah treatment center, where fellow actress Kirsten Dunst recently checked in for an excessive and abusive lifestyle.
According to Us Magazine, Mendes’ rep stated, “Eva is attending to some personal business in Los Angeles and intends to return to complete her treatment shortly.”

Apparently, the Latin beauty was struggling with a well-hidden substance abuse problem, including cocaine use.

“She kept it all behind closed doors and wasn't really a mess in public,” her rep added.

Mendes’ rehab stint is one of the many celebrity rehab stories that seem to be sweeping entertainment headlines. Checking in and out of rehab could fast be becoming the next trend for celebrities in Hollywood.


PUBLISHED IN THE CELEBRITY CAFE

Lucas Strikes Back

Thursday 13th February 2008

Star Wars is back, but this time in CG.

George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars franchise, has completed a new, stylized, computer-animated feature film, concentrating on the intergalactic adventures of the characters that we all know and love.

Lucas said in a statement – “I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell. I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and at the same time push the art of animation forward,” (from The Los Angeles Times).

Stemming from the popularity of the 2-D animated Clone Wars series running from 2003 to 2005, the new film, along with a brand new TV series, are set after the events of Revenge of the Clones and directly preceding the events of Revenge of the Sith.

Originally set to be released as a TV series alone, a last minute marketing decision opted to merge the first few episodes of the series together and release it as Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie in a bid to raise publicity.

The animated movie is set to open August 15th, and sets up for the animated TV series due to premiere this fall on TNT and the Cartoon Network.


PUBLISHED IN THE CELEBRITY CAFE

Nusula Nakayawi: Drawing a Path to Success

Monday 2nd February 2009

Ever thought of working in animation and spending your days sketching ideas for new cartoons? Well, 23-year-old Nusula Nakayiwa dreams of just that. Having graduated last year in Animation, Nusula took her first step on the path of becoming a professional animator by working for Little Airplane Productions, Inc. in New York, which has created and produced top children’s shows on Nick Jr., Playhouse Disney and most recently the BBC. ORIGINS sat down and spoke with the budding artist about her journey so far.


ORIGINS: When did you know that you wanted to be an animator?

I’ve had a pure love and talent for drawing from as young as five, so that creative side of me had always existed. I realised I wanted to get into animation when I was about seventeen. It was my first year at six-form and I had taken Media for the first time as a subject. I wanted to combine my drawing skills with this newfound interest in media, so together they equalled Animation!


ORIGINS: How were you formally trained in Animation?

Before I went on to do a degree in Animation, I studied a Media Diploma for one year. The course allowed me to try out different aspects in media such as Photography, Film & Video and Animation. It was a great way of finding out what I wanted to proceed with as a major. After that, I went on to do a BA in Animation at the University of Westminster where I was taught various practices and approaches to achieving animated work. The course was mostly practical based, which was useful as I discovered employers judge you based on what skills you have to offer, so it was very important that technical skills and software was the main focus in the course.


ORIGINS: What made you decide on doing an internship, and why in America?

Because no one will hire you unless you have some sort of experience in the field, or have really good connections! Going to university is not enough, so it was important that I went out and found work experience. Luckily, I managed to find an internship in America. I decided to do my experience there purely because the animation industry is much bigger. Also, I find that there are a lot more doors open to people in the creative industry abroad than there is here. I find Americans to be more open minded than the British media industry.


ORIGINS: How did you go about setting up the internship?

I started looking at various American animation companies online, like Disney and Pixar. I came across Little Airplane Productions, Inc. and emailed them. Luckily, they emailed me back and asked to arrange a telephone interview. I was absolutely ecstatic when I received that email! I had my phone interview and they asked me to come and intern for them over the summer. So, I sorted my visa through a sponsorship program and finalised my travel and accommodation.


ORIGINS: What did the internship involve?

I worked as an intern for two months, five days a week, undertaking various tasks ranging from making coffee to storyboarding. They had a morning meeting everyday where the producers and directors would go through the schedule outline of the day, and what goals had to be met by each team. I was introduced to the rest of the team as the new intern. There were about ten interns a day! I got a chance to work on some amazing things that contributed towards their shows. Not many interns got the chance, but I pushed on the fact that I was interested and good at what was required. I worked on storyboards for two episodes - from looking at the final script to putting the directions into visuals. I also had the chance to do touch-ups on some designs, as well as helping with designs for pitch bibles.


ORIGINS: Was there anything that you learned while you were there that really surprised you?

I learnt that animators were in different jobs so much; it occurred to me that when being an artist work is not always guaranteed! But, if you stand out amongst the rest and always meet your targets companies are more likely to keep you on.


ORIGINS: After your internship you started working for their London branch. What was that like?

L.A.P. had got a contract with the BBC to create a new TV series. Before I left Josh Selig, the director and founder of the company, asked me to come for an interview with my portfolio. I was shocked and in amazement! I undertook an interview with him and three other senior staff and they asked if I would like to work for them in the UK office as a production assistant and handle the research in the UK for the new series.


ORIGINS: Do you think that the internship was worth it? Were there any downsides to the experience?

Yes, I definitely think it was worth it! I learnt so much, more than I could have imagined, and it gave me a great insight into the running of a production house. It was also great because I got to interact very closely with all the departments and learned about how well they all work together. I found that I learnt a lot more adaptable skills at my work experience then I could ever at university. There wasn’t really a downside. It was one that was worth my time and money.

ORIGINS: Now that you’ve graduated and have professional experience under your belt, what’s the next step?

I have professional experience under my belt, but at the same time I'm still finding it extremely hard to find work! What I can say is that I try to maintain a positive attitude, and the key is not to give up even when things don’t seen to be going the way you planned. Right now my plan is to get my online portfolio up and running - this would give me a far better chance of getting a job, because when you are applying for creative jobs having an online portfolio increases your chances of being hired. It is also a great way to exhibit your work and show off the skills that you have. I am even seeking a bit more work experience, as it would be a great way to continue practicing my animation in a professional environment and hopefully build up some useful links.


ORIGINS: What do you see yourself doing in the future?

Ideally, I would love to be working for a major production house like DreamWorks or Framestore. I would love to work on development artwork and character design. Just to be a part of developing and designing something that people will watch and connect with gives me goose bumps! The ultimate goal would be owning and running my own production house - one that provides students and young people with the chance to get into the industry and equips them with the know how of how to move forward with their talent and skill.


ORIGINS: What advice do you give for people who are currently thinking about pursuing a career in animation?

I would definitely recommend anyone getting into animation to do work experience. It is one of the hardest industries to get into and the best way in is to make good connections and continuously build a name for yourself by working with people. An internship is a great way of going about it, because when you do land a good one it can teach you so much and give you great insight into how the industry works. From there you can hopefully build up your own action plan and possibly start something of your own, or even just get you on the right track towards your dream job!

For more information visit:
Little Airplane Productions, Inc.
www.littleairplane.com

Nusula Nakayiwa’s sample show reel
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp2DScEqHOE


PUBLISHED IN ORIGINS MEDIA

Neesha Sharma: UK’s Urban Fashionista

Thursday 19th March 2009

Neesha Sharma has been fashion styling within the UK urban music industry for over 5 years, and has made quite a name for herself due to her daring fashion sense and her vivacious personality. Starting out in music promotions, Neesha networked her way to the top and has racked up an impressive resume along the way, working with big artists such as Keisha White and Amerie, as well as styling for various tours including Sean Paul, Kylie Minogue and 50 Cent. ORIGINS caught up with the fashionista to find out how she styled her way to the top.

ORIGINS: How did you get into fashion styling?

I studied fashion and ended up working in music through DJ Swing. I used to go clubbing a lot and he just was like, “I watch you all the time - you know all the words, you know all the tracks. You should go into music!” My first job was in specialist promotions, which was marketing and promoting records to specialist radio, pirate radio, street teams, a little bit of student press and student radio. I used to specialise in hip-hop and reggae. It was hilarious – when I used to phone up the radio DJs I couldn’t understand a word they were saying! From there I worked for Mark Morrison – I was his PA. Everything sounds greater than it is! He was a pain in the arse, but I learned a lot.


ORIGINS: How did you move from music promotion into fashion?

All the while I used to be out I used to make loads of clothes, or design stuff and have it made. People would always say, “You should do fashion.” How I got into styling, Mark had a girl group and they had a stylist, and they came into the office one day and they were like, “Oh my God, it’s you! We see you clubbing all the time; we love the way you dress! We’re sacking our stylist and we want you!” I didn’t really know how the whole game worked at the time, in terms of styling, but it went well – they were happy.

After that I used to work on the door at Sound and I met someone whose friend was a stylist and needed an assistant. Working on the door of a club you meet a lot of people! From that I learnt how styling worked – what you don’t see, you know. The running around, going to press offices, the begging, the borrowing, the lying - how physically demanding it is. From working with her I learned the groundwork. I was with her for a while and then one of her clients requested they sack her and employ me! And that caused a whole hoo-hah and then that was it!

From that point I started doing more stuff on my own, building up my portfolio, doing test shoots, meeting photographers, putting shoots together, networking, networking, networking!

ORIGINS: How would you describe your style?

The best! I would actually say I’m very adaptable, even in my personal style – one day I might be quite glam, one day I might be quite fashiony, one day I might be quite trendy. With my styling it will always be sharp, slick, and a little bit sexy. I believe women should look like women, and men should look like men. I do like glitz and glamour, you know. I like sex appeal.

ORIGINS: How do you style an artist? Is it what you want or what they want?

I would prefer to sit down with an artist, or have a conversation with them, and feel them out. For me, it’s really important to harness something from their personality. I don’t like to tell someone, “This is in fashion, you’ve got to wear it,” because I think you’ll look really contrived and fake, like you’re trying too hard. A lot of people look like that right now.

ORIGINS: Do you use the same methods when styling for a company?

To be honest, most companies come to you with a pretty clear idea! With a company there are certain things you’re tied into, and normally in those situations you’re working with a team. The problem with being a stylist sometimes is everyone and their Mum has a point of view, and you’re just there trying to appease everyone!

ORIGINS: Is most of your work based in London, or do you work abroad?

I haven’t been abroad a lot yet. I would really like to work in America. The money just isn’t here. Personally, my style is more in tune with the Americans – it’s a bit more daring, more sexy, more glossy. The budget’s there, the money’s there. Over here when you do black acts it’s almost frowned upon, whereas over there that is the culture. Maybe urban music isn’t big enough here. In America it’s mainstream.

ORIGINS: What are your plans at the moment?

I’ve just done the Phoenix video; there’s a girl called Danni Harmer – I styled her video and album shoot; the K.I.G. photo shoot; a few things for TV. With styling you constantly have to hustle. I was really busy in January and February but then you get times like now when it’s really quiet.


ORIGINS: Career-wise, have you got any goals that you want to achieve by the time your, say, 50?

To be honest, I would genuinely like to have an artist – I don’t want a big star, I just want someone now that’s on the verge – to be with them at the beginning, and then grow with them, you know, develop their look over time. I don’t want someone who’s big already because it’s more fun! It’s a challenge. Can I make them look hot on no money? It’s a bit more exciting, and a little bit more fulfilling.

ORIGINS: Looking back, has it been really difficult to get to where you are now?

For me everything was random. Nothing has been like I’ve really applied for it. All these jobs were random. I didn’t anticipate that working on the door of a club would lead to styling!

ORIGINS: How helpful was your degree?

I did Fashion Marketing, but I don’t think you can be taught style. You either have it or not. It’s very personal and objective. There are things that some people think looks great, and I think it’s horrid! You know, each to their own.


ORIGINS: Lastly, what advice would you give to people currently looking to pursue a career in fashion styling?

Don’t. Just joking! It’s not as glamorous as it might appear. You’re lugging bags around with you everywhere you go. You have to beg, borrow, steal. But on the other side you have a really good easy day! So I would say just not to give up, be focused, get out there and try and get work experience, meet as many people as you can. Believe in yourself, and develop your own sense of style. Try and work out where you want to fit in and get in in that world.

To find out more about Neesha Sharma’s designs and fashion styling, visit:

Luminary Fashion Styling
www.styledbyluminary.com


PUBLISHED IN ORIGINS MEDIA