Podcasts, radio shows, writing and more by Alex Fitch
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Today’s show: Living in Byzantium
May 24, 2013
Today at 5pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, I’m ready for my close-up: Apocalypse Miao
Still from Byzantium by Neil Jordan
In a panel discussion recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON, Alex Fitch talks to producer Stephen Woolley, writer Moira Buffini and star Daniel Mays about the new British vampire movie Byzantium, directed by Neil Jordan, which depicts the back story and current lives of a pair of female vampires living in modern day Hastings. (Byzantium is released in the UK on 31st May).
5pm, Friday 24th May, repeated 8am Tuesday 28th May, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast at panelborders.wordpress.com/category/reality-check after broadcast (more…)
The Thread: Wrath (of the Dead)
May 21, 2013
Still from Night of the Living Dead
Wrath (of the Dead): In the second of a series of eight shows about the Seven Deadly Sins, the weekly discussion show run by PhD students from The London Consortium looks at the concept of Wrath and its connection to zombie culture. Guests include: Dr. Richard Barnett, a Fellow at the Wellcome Trust and host of ‘Sick City’, Alex Fitch, the presenter of Resonance FM’s Panel Borders and an assistant editor of Electric Sheep Magazine, and Dr. Jill Critchley, psychotherapist, member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies and accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Psychotherapist. Host: Lauren Sapikowski (Originally broadcast 20/05/13 on Resonance FM) (more…)
Today’s show: Wrath (of the Dead)
May 20, 2013
This evening at 7pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, The Thread: Wrath (of the Dead)
Still from Night of the Living Dead
In the second of a series of eight shows about the Seven Deadly Sins, the weekly discussion show run by PhD students from The London Consortium looks at the concept of Wrath and its connection to zombie culture. Guests include: Dr. Richard Barnett, a Fellow at the Wellcome Trust and host of ‘Sick City’, Alex Fitch, the presenter of Resonance FM’s Panel Borders and an assistant editor of Electric Sheep Magazine, and Dr. Jill Critchley, psychotherapist, member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies and accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Psychotherapist. Host: Lauren Sapikowski
7pm, Monday 20th May 2013 / repeated 2.30am, Sunday 26th May, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / more info at http://thethreadradio.org (more…)
Panel Borders: Exhibiting comics (2013)
page from The Book of Sarah by Sarah Lightman / exhibition launch / Press and Release flyer / photo of gallery
Exhibiting comics (2013): As part of Panel Borders’ month of shows about fine art and comics, we have our yearly look at how art from comic books is displayed in the gallery space. At OCCUPY MY TIME GALLERY, Deptford, Alex Fitch talks to gallery owner / curator Sue Cohen, and artist Sarah Lightman, about the latter’s exhibition “The Book of Sarah”, which previews her forthcoming graphic novel from Myriad Editions.
Also, at Phoenix Brighton, fine art lecturer Sue Gollifer, curator Karin Mori, exhibition designer Ben Thomson, and artist Iain Paxon (Hamilton Yarns) talk about the gallery’s exhibition of artists’ books “Press and Release”.
“The Book of Sarah” is on display at OCCUPY MY TIME GALLERY, Enclave 9, Resolution Way, Deptford, London SE8 4NT (Weds – Sat) to 1st June, 2013 / “Press and Release” is on display at Phoenix Brighton, 10-14 Waterloo Pl., Brighton, East Sussex BN2 9NB (Weds – Sun) to 9th June 2013 (Originally broadcast 20/05/13 on Resonance 104.4 FM) (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Exhibiting comics (2013)
May 19, 2013
Tomorrow morning at 8.30am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Exhibiting comics (2013)
page from The Book of Sarah by Sarah Lightman / exhibition launch / Press and Release flyer / photo of gallery
As part of Panel Borders’ month of shows about fine art and comics, we have our yearly look at how art from comic books is displayed in the gallery space. At OCCUPY MY TIME GALLERY, Deptford, Alex Fitch talks to gallery owner / curator Sue Cohen, and artist Sarah Lightman, about the latter’s exhibition “The Book of Sarah”, which previews her forthcoming graphic novel from Myriad Editions.
Also, at Phoenix Brighton, fine art lecturer Sue Gollifer, curator Karin Mori, exhibition designer Ben Thomson, and artist Iain Paxon (Hamilton Yarns) talk about the gallery’s exhibition of artists’ books “Press and Release”.
“The Book of Sarah” is on display at OCCUPY MY TIME GALLERY, Enclave 9, Resolution Way, Deptford, London SE8 4NT (Weds – Sat) to 1st June, 2013 / “Press and Release” is on display at Phoenix Brighton, 10-14 Waterloo Pl., Brighton, East Sussex BN2 9NB (Weds – Sun) to 9th June 2013
8.30am, Monday 20th May 2013 / repeated 3pm, Thursday 23rd May, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com (more…)
Panel Borders: Fine art / comics
May 6, 2013
Richard Reynolds and Rian Hughes on stage at Comiket, Central Saint Martins, Lichtenstein strip by Mort Walker
Fine art / comics: Starting a month of shows looking at the connections between ‘fine art’ and comic books, Panel Borders is proud to broadcast a pair of presentations by Richard Reynolds FRSA and graphic designer Rian Hughes given at 2013 Spring Comiket, Central Saint Martins School of Art. Reynolds looks at the influences that various works of fine art have had on comic books over the last hundred years while Hughes explores the many comic book panels that Roy Lichtenstein used in creating his works of art, currently on show at Tate Modern. (Originally broadcast 06/05/13 on Resonance 104.4 FM) (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Fine art / Comics
May 5, 2013
Tomorrow morning at 8.30am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Fine art / Comics
Richard Reynolds and Rian Hughes discuss fine art and comics at Comica Comiket, Spring 2013
Starting a month of shows looking at the connections between ‘fine art’ and comic books, Panel Borders is proud to broadcast a pair of presentations by Richard Reynolds FRSA and graphic designer Rian Hughes given at 2013 Spring Comiket, Central Saint Martins School of Art. Reynolds looks at the influences that various works of fine art have had on comic books over the last hundred years while Hughes explores the many comic book panels that Roy Lichtenstein used in creating his works of art, currently on show at Tate Modern.
8.30am, Monday 6th May 2013 / repeated 3pm, Thursday 9th May, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com (more…)
Reality Check: Apocalypse Miao
May 4, 2013
Posters for Birdemic II and Best Friends Forever
Apocalypse Miao: In a pair of Q and As recorded at the London Science-Fiction Film Festival (SCI-FI-LONDON), Alex Fitch talks to the creators of two new low budget portrayals of the apocalypse on screen. Stars Alan Bagh and Thomas Favaloro, writer / director James Nguyen and producer Jeff Gross discuss the B movie spoof Birdemic II: The Resurrection and co-writer / star Vera Miao talks about her excellent mid-apocalyptic road movie Best Friends Forever. (Originally broadcast 3rd May 2013 on Resonance 104.4 FM)
This year’s SCI-FI-LONDON festival takes place at various venues around London from 30th April – more info at www.sci-fi-london.com
For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com
Websites: www.bestfriendsforeverfilm.com / www.birdemic.com
Today’s show: Apocalypse Miao
May 3, 2013
Today at 5pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, I’m ready for my close-up: Apocalypse Miao
Posters for Birdemic II and Best Friends Forever
In a pair of Q and As recorded at the London Science-Fiction Film Festival (SCI-FI-LONDON), Alex Fitch talks to the creators of two new low budget portrayals of the apocalypse on screen. Stars Alan Bagh and Thomas Favaloro, writer / director James Nguyen and producer Jeff Gross discuss the B movie spoof Birdemic II: The Resurrection and co-writer / star Vera Miao talks about her excellent mid-apocalyptic road movie Best Friends Forever.
5pm, Friday 3rd May, repeated 8am Tuesday 7th May, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast at panelborders.wordpress.com/category/reality-check after broadcast (more…)
Reality Check: the True Love of Arthur Sleep
April 26, 2013
Stills from Arthur Sleep and True Love
the True Love of Arthur Sleep: Alex Fitch talks to graphic designer turned film-maker Sam Harris about his short silent film Arthur Sleep, a half hour Stygian odyssey that mixes elements of The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari and Eraserhead, as a trip on the London Underground takes a traveller into more mysterious destinations than he envisioned. Also, in a Q and A recorded at last year’s SCI-FI-LONDON, Alex talks to the writers and producer of True Love, an SF thriller that tests a couple’s devotion to each other as a set of innocuous questions in a surrealist prison turn to torture. (Originally broadcast 26th April 2013 on Resonance 104.4 FM)
Arthur Sleep is premiering at Deptford Old Town Hall, New Cross, London SE14 6AF on 28 April at 4pm with a live score performed by members of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and London art-rock bands – more info at
www.freefilmfestivals.org / True Love is released in Japanese cinemas on 27th April and this year’s SCI-FI-LONDON festival takes place at various venues around London from 30th April – more info at www.sci-fi-london.com
For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com (more…)
Today’s show: the True Love of Arthur Sleep
April 26, 2013
Today at 5pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, I’m ready for my close-up: the True Love of Arthur Sleep
Stills from Arthur Sleep and True Love
Alex Fitch talks to graphic designer turned film-maker Sam Harris about his short silent film Arthur Sleep, a half hour Stygian odyssey that mixes elements of The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari and Eraserhead, as a trip on the London Underground takes a traveller into more mysterious destinations than he envisioned. Also, in a Q and A recorded at last year’s SCI-FI-LONDON, Alex talks to the writers and producer of True Love, an SF thriller that tests a couple’s devotion to each other as a set of innocuous questions in a surrealist prison turn to torture.
Arthur Sleep is premiering at Deptford Old Town Hall, New Cross, London SE14 6AF on 28 April at 4pm with a live score performed by members of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and London art-rock bands – more info at
www.freefilmfestivals.org
True Love is released in Japanese cinemas on 27th April and this year’s SCI-FI-LONDON festival takes place at various venues around London from 30th April – more info at www.sci-fi-london.com
5pm, Friday 26th April, repeated 8am Tuesday 30th April, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast at panelborders.wordpress.com/category/reality-check after broadcast (more…)
Today’s show: From small press to mainstream
April 22, 2013
This morning at 8.30am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: From small press to mainstream
Excerpts from Ellipsis by Tom Humberstone, Danger Academy by Tony Lee and Dan Boultwood, The Alchemist’s Easel by Al Davison, Strange Embrace by David Hine
In a panel discussion recorded at SCI-FI-LONDON, the London International festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film, guest presenter Matt Badham talks to comic creators David Hine, Al Davison, Tom Humberstone and Tony Lee about starting their careers in independent comics, how that influenced their style and choices when breaking into the ‘mainstream’ industry and the advice they have to give creators starting out now. (Recorded and edited by Alex Fitch)
8.30am, Monday 22nd April 2013 / repeated 3pm, Thursday 25th April, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Websites – Tony Lee, Tom Humberstone, David Hine, Al Davison (more…)
Panel Borders: Young Graphic Novelists, Spring 2013
April 15, 2013
— 2 Comments
Extracts from Frogman by Matt Fitch and Mark Lewis / The Adventures of Leeroy and Popo by Louis Roskosch
Young Graphic Novelists, Spring 2013: Continuing a month of shows looking at small press and independent publishers, Panel Borders looks at two titles that rework familiar pop-culture tropes in new comics by young creators. In an interview recorded at Comica Comiket, Alex Fitch talks to Louis Roskosch about his video game inspired graphic novel The Adventures of Leeroy and Popo, published by Nobrow. Also, Dickon Harris speaks to Matt Fitch and Mark Lewis of ‘Dead Canary Comics’, about their collaborations in the worlds of advertising agencies and comic book creation as they discuss the production of their first superhero title, the Spider-Man spoof Frogman.
Nobrow and Dead Canary Comics will be among dozens of exhibitors at this year’s Comica Comiket, taking place at Central St. Martins School of Art and Design, Handyside Street, King’s Cross, London N1C 4AA on Saturday April 20th, 2013 – more info at www.comicafestival.com (Originally broadcast 15/04/13 on Resonance 104.4 FM)
For more info and a variety of different formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Young Graphic Novelists, Spring 2013
April 14, 2013
Tomorrow morning at 8.30am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Young Graphic Novelists, Spring 2013
Extracts from Frogman by Matt Fitch and Mark Lewis / The Adventures of Leeroy and Popo by Louis Roskosch
Continuing a month of shows looking at small press and independent publishers, Panel Borders looks at two titles that rework familiar pop-culture tropes in new comics by young creators. In an interview recorded at Comica Comiket, Alex Fitch talks to Louis Roskosch about his video game inspired graphic novel The Adventures of Leeroy and Popo, published by Nobrow. Also, Dickon Harris speaks to Matt Fitch and Mark Lewis of ‘Dead Canary Comics’, about their collaborations in the worlds of advertising agencies and comic book creation as they discuss the production of their first superhero title, the Spider-Man spoof Frogman.
Nobrow and Dead Canary Comics will be among dozens of exhibitors at this year’s Comica Comiket, taking place at Central St. Martins School of Art and Design, Handyside Street, King’s Cross, London N1C 4AA on Saturday April 20th, 2013 – more info at www.comicafestival.com
8.30am, Monday 15th April 2013 / repeated 3pm, Thursday 18th April, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) (more…)
Today’s show: Exploring the Strange Frame
April 12, 2013
Today at 5pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, I’m ready for my close-up: Exploring the Strange Frame
Alex Fitch interviews Silviu Purcarete at East End FIlm Festival / still from Strange Frame
In a pair of Q and As recorded after festival screenings, Alex Fitch talks to the makers of new recent genre defying, surrealist movies. In an interview recorded at the East End Film Festival director Silviu Purcarete discusses his movie Somewhere in Palilula, which depicts a doctor’s arrival at a small town to start a new job, only to find that there are no children in the children’s hospital and the location is cut off from the rest of the world for most of the year by impenetrable weather… Also, director G.B. Hajim and co-writer Shelley Doty discuss their Sci-Fi animated musical Strange Frame, set on a moon of Jupiter in the 28th Century, featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Michael Dorn (Star Trek‘s Worf) and a variety of names from telefantasy shows.
The next SCI-FI-LONDON film festival starts April 30th at BFI Southbank, Stratford Picturehouse and other venues, while the East End Film Festival returns in June. (more…)
Panel Borders: Small press publishers
April 8, 2013
Titles published by Sloth Comics, Accent UK and Disconnected Press
Small press publishers: Starting a month of shows in a new time slot, Panel Borders is looking at small press and self published comics, including the titles produced by two British independent publishing companies in interviews recorded at the London Super Comics Convention.
Alex Fitch talks to Nicolas Rossert, Loran and Charles Cutting about Sloth Comics, a new publisher devoted to both British and European graphic novels, including reissues of classic titles. Loran discusses his book Booyah!, about a playful green monster with anger management issues; Cutting talks about his steampunk adventure Steam Hammer, and Rossert describes his approach to choosing graphic novel formats and the process of getting the rights to republish Moebius and Alejandro Jodorowski’s classic Madwoman of the Sacred Heart.
Also, publisher Colin Mathieson discusses his company Accent UK which has built up a commendable body of work over the last dozen years concentrating on anthology books which have showcased the work of some of the country’s finest small press creators. Artist Conor Boyle joins the conversation to talk about Accent’s latest graphic novel Who on Earth was Thaddeus Mist? and the importance of design to the company’s range of books. (Originally broadcast 08/04/13 on Resonance 104.4 FM)
For more info and a variety of different formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this podcast at www.archive.org
Links: Sloth Comics website
Accent UK website
Disconnected Press blog (more…)
Tomorrow’s show: Small press publishers
April 7, 2013
— 1 Comment
Tomorrow morning at 8.30am on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Small press publishers
Titles published by Sloth Comics, Accent UK and Disconnected Press
Starting a month of shows in a new time slot, Panel Borders is looking at small press and self published comics, including the titles produced by two British independent publishing companies in interviews recorded at the London Super Comics Convention.
Alex Fitch talks to Nicolas Rossert, Loran and Charles Cutting about Sloth Comics, a new publisher devoted to both British and European graphic novels, including reissues of classic titles. Loran discusses his book Booyah!, about a playful green monster with anger management issues; Cutting talks about his steampunk adventure Steam Hammer, and Rossert describes his approach to choosing graphic novel formats and the process of getting the rights to republish Moebius and Alejandro Jodorowski’s classic Madwoman of the Sacred Heart.
Also, publisher Colin Mathieson discusses his company Accent UK which has built up a commendable body of work over the last dozen years concentrating on anthology books which have showcased the work of some of the country’s finest small press creators. Artist Conor Boyle joins the conversation to talk about Accent’s latest graphic novel Who on Earth was Thaddeus Mist? and the importance of design to the company’s range of books.
8.30am, Monday 8th April 2013 / repeated 3pm, Thursday 11th April, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) (more…)
Today’s show: Digitising comics
March 31, 2013
This evening at 6pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Digitising comics
Covers of Panel Nine digital comic collections The Certified Hunt Emerson and Dapper John, interior of Verity Fare / David Lloyd promotes Comics Thing app
Concluding a month of shows looking at web comics, Alex Fitch talks to two experts in web based technologies about their dissemination methods aimed at bringing comics to tablets and other devices. Russell Willis discusses his Panel Nine range of graphic novels for the iPad which include titles by Eddie Campbell and David Lloyd and are about to be joined by a new digital store front for International book publishers.
Also, in a presentation recorded at Cartoon County in Brighton, Charles Kriel talks about his Indiegogo campaign to fund a new app designed to be the equivalent of iTunes for comics allowing collectors to combine their existing digital comics collections with newly bought titles to fill in the gaps, with questions asked by Alex Fitch, David Lloyd and members of the audience.
6pm, Sunday 31st March 2013 / repeated 4.30pm, Tuesday 2nd April 3pm, Thursday 4th April, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com
Links: Panel Nine / Sequential / iEnglish websites
Comics Thing indiegogo campaign / 12 Stories Tall website (more…)
Panel Borders: Collage and reappropriation
March 24, 2013
Clockwise from top left: webcomics by Scott C x2, Becky, Paul O’Connell x 3, Frank
Collage and reappropriation: Continuing a month of shows looking at webcomics, Panel Borders examines the work of a quartet of creators whose online strips and cartoons reinvent retro images and iconic characters from film and TV to beguiling effect. In a pair of short interviews recorded at Thought Bubble, Leeds 2012, Alex Fitch talks to American creators Scott C – about his webcomics Double Fine Action Comics and The Great Showdowns – and Becky and Frank about Tiny Kitten Teeth, cartoons which utilise imagery from toys, cereal packaging and children’s literature.
Also, Alex looks into the varying merits of print and web-based comics with British writer / artist Paul O’Connell, in an interview recorded at the University of Brighton. Paul’s postmodern fumetti mash-ups mix comedy and horror via strips such as A Muppet Wicker Man and The Seinfeld Matrix… (more…)
Today’s show: Collage and reappropriation
March 24, 2013
This evening at 6pm on Resonance 104.4 FM, Panel Borders: Collage and reappropriation
Clockwise from top left: webcomics by Scott C x2, Becky, Paul O’Connell x 3, Frank
Continuing a month of shows looking at webcomics, Panel Borders examines the work of a quartet of creators whose online strips and cartoons reinvent retro images and iconic characters from film and TV to beguiling effect. In a pair of short interviews recorded at Thought Bubble, Leeds 2012, Alex Fitch talks to American creators Scott C – about his webcomics Double Fine Action Comics and The Great Showdowns – and Becky and Frank about Tiny Kitten Teeth, cartoons which utilise imagery from toys, cereal packaging and children’s literature.
Also, Alex looks into the varying merits of print and web-based comics with British writer / artist Paul O’Connell, in an interview recorded at the University of Brighton. Paul’s postmodern fumetti mash-ups mix comedy and horror via strips such as A Muppet Wicker Man and The Seinfeld Matrix, and the artist discusses his collaborations with other Brighton based creators, including Lawrence Elwick on Charlie Parker, Handyman, plus his aspirations for using the medium of online comics to its full interactive potential.
6pm, Sunday 24th March 2013 / repeated 4.30pm, Tuesday 26th March, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast after broadcast at www.panelborders.wordpress.com (more…)
