Commercial Photographers Win AFA Short Picture Contest

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec. 8, 2008 - The award winning team was named at Kendal’s renowned mountain festival and adrenalin-hooked audiences worldwide will get chance to see Bored Meeting at international festivals.

Behind the two-minute epic are Kendal photographers Ben Barden and Steve Barber, who worked with outdoor clothing specialist Debbie McGowan to turn her inspirational script into a prize winning classic.

AFA gives adventure film makers the chance to work with some of the industry’s top professionals - including BAFTA and EMMY winners - and last week threw out the challenge to make a micro movie in 48-hours.

Commercial photographer and former picture editor for Cumbria Tourism, Ben Barden (http://www.benbarden.co.uk) said the film had come about through sheer chance and that the three were over the moon with the outcome. He explained: “Steve and I decided back in the summer to sign up for the festival’s internationally-known 48 hour film marathon but time was running out and we didn’t even have a story. I bumped into Debbie, who also lives in Kendal, and she just happened to have a script.
“We started last week with a blank canvas and by the end of it had a prestigious award under our belts. The film will be shown at specialist gatherings in locations such as Banff and on websites, where hundreds of thousands will be able to view it.”

Featuring Kendal architect and avid mountain biker Steve Mason, Lake District National Park’s chief executive Richard Leafe and Debbie’s husband Dave McGowan, the film features one man’s break for freedom. Beyond boredom, a biker tears from the tedium of a turgid meeting. Putting adventure at the top his agenda, his mind transports him to the thrills of Grizedale’s North Face cycle route.

“Debbie came up with a great idea and, like all the contestants, we were given amazing tuition from some of the industry’s big names, such as award winning cameraman Keith Partridge, who has worked on Top Gear and Touching the Void,” said Steve Barber. “I wouldn’t say I’ve ever really been into marathons before, but this might just hook me. We’re already thinking about what we are going to do next year.”

The winning film can be seen at http://www.benbarden.co.uk/boredmeeting    
or on http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-QuWC_uxbr4 and further information at http://www.benbarden.co.uk

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Ben Barden is a commercial photographer , video producer and location manager/scout based in Kendal in the English Lake District. Offering specialist photography services to anyone looking for Cumbria photographers, or a Lancashire photographer.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10152111/1