Coming up in the 3rd box...

Apologies for the delays between Boxes, moving house in the middle of December is not something I'd recommend to anyone else!

Hopefully I'll be making it up to you with at least two Boxes by the end of the first week in January.

I've plans for a couple of pieces which I hope will prove interesting and push our appreciation of the definition of "cult British culture" - which is after all the supposed focus of this show. And I think I've settled on a theme tune for the programme - and hoping we'll get our very own original version if my musician friends can pull it off.

Coming up in the next couple of shows, I take a look at the obscure 1971 sexploitation picture Percy, and the embarrasing side of British popular culture in the 1970s. And we look at the delicate issue of policitcal correctness in British comedy (a topic I rather suspect we'll be returning to on subsequent shows).

With Christmas around the corner I'm trying to resist the temptation to do a festive blog, though after the turkey has been washed down with some fine port I'll be taking a look back at a selection of this year's festive offerings on television here in the UK.

If you have any comments, suggestions or would like to contribute to a future Box send an email to podcast@avalard.com

Episode 2: Robert Pratten, Mindflesh and the Changing Face of Film Distribution

Avalard's Box of Obfuscation podcast; series 1 episode 2 -November 2008

A regular look at cult British culture with a strong emphasis on film and television and regular horrorcentric thread.

The second podcast is now available for download...

Robert Pratten, Mindflesh and the Changing Face of Film Distribution

Robert J.E. Simpson talks with British independent filmmaker Robert Pratten about his films London Voodoo and Mindflesh, and the changing face of independent film distribution. Robert Pratten not only financed his own Buddhist horror film, but has launched his own publishing label and is releasing Mindflesh on dvd himself too, breaking away from traditional modes of distribution.

email your thoughts and comments to podcast@avalard.com

Subscribe via itunes here:
http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id-318133310

Robert J.E. Simpson's website is at www.avalard.co.uk

For more information on Robert Pratten and to order a dvd or download of Mindflesh, go to www.zenfilms.com

Coming up...

Episode 2 of the podcast is nearly in the can, with episode 3 in preparation.

For the second Box of Obfuscation we talk to British filmmaker Robert Pratten about his independently produced features London Voodoo and Mind Flesh and the problems with traditional modes of film distribution. An interesting conversation which looks at Robert's break from the usual marketing methods with the release of Mind Flesh....

All being well, the new podcast should be released some time this coming weekend...

Avalard podcast ep01: Is THIS A Hammer Film? -

Avalard Podcast series 1 episode 1 - October 2008

A regular look at cult British culture with a strong emphasis on film and television and regular horrorcentric thread. This month's programme is produced in association with unofficialhammerfilms.com

Is This A Hammer Film?

Hammer is most famous for its horror films produced in the 50s, 60s and 70s. In this programme, Robert J.E. Simpson looks at the complex history of Hammer, argues that there is no such thing as a typical Hammer film and seeks to prove that Hammer is much more than just horror.

He also looks at the issues of acquisition, style and authorship and the problems created in defining a comprehensive and accurate canon of Hammer films.

email your thoughts and comments to podcast@avalard.com

Subscribe via itunes here:
http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id-318133310

For more information on Hammer visit:

www.unofficialhammerfilms.com

Robert's website is at www.avalard.co.uk