Kevin Finnan, artistic director of dance theatre company, Motionhouse, is the Choreographer and Movement Director for the upcoming Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony.

In the first of an exclusive series of Birmingham Post blogs, Kevin looks back at Danny Boyle's Olympic Opening Ceremony, and offers an insight into preparations for his performance.

Since we completed work on The Voyage, the Motionhouse and Legs On The Wall collaboration which opened the London 2012 Festival in Birmingham, I've been focusing mainly on another big project related to the Games in my role as the Choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

While this project is a personal endeavour, I'll certainly be aiming to deliver a performance containing all the energy and excitement that Motionhouse productions are known for, and I'm even more determined to contribute to a truly memorable show after witnessing last week's Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.

With the summer of sport underway in London, Birmingham based PR and Marketing agency, S&X, is in the capital to work on projects for its clients within the sports industry.

In the second of an exclusive series of Birmingham Post blogs, S&X Associate Director, Jo Green, discovers there's more to East London than just the Olympics.

The arrival of the Olympic Games in a once highly industrial area of East London has undoubtedly seen sweeping regeneration, not only in terms of the construction of the Olympic Park, but with new additions to the local area including the vast Westfield shopping centre in Stratford.

In many respects, of course, this can only be seen as a positive, with valid arguments that the new facilities have revitalised one of London's most run down areas, creating jobs and attracting people into the community.

As we've made our way around Stratford since arriving for the Games last Sunday, we've seen both sides of the current make-up of the area, from the shiny shrines to the modern world that the stadium and shopping mall can represent, to the artistic underground core which has long regarded the East End as its own capital.

Among such venues is the Stour Space, which has become a regular haunt for Team S&X during our time in London thanks to its convenient location around the corner from our base in Stratford.

Awards Season

The film awards season is now beginning in earnest. BAFTA have published their long list, from which the 6,000+ membership will choose the nominees and then the winners. I'm one of the voters. The trade press say that less films have been made this year but those completed are of higher quality. Having less films to consider is certainly a blessing and I have to say I'm really enjoying my movies at the moment. But, the big question - how am I going to vote? Tricky, with a lot of good films on offer. I think in my top three though contains two films based on true stories, the third is directed by a Brit in his 70th year. Can you guess the films?

One of my day jobs whilst we are making 'Turbulence' is running a Thursday evening film course at The Midland Arts Centre or MAC. To celebrate the awards season, I am going to dedicate each week to a different category. There'll be evenings on cinematography, actors, script, costume etc. I'm hoping to include special guests and even a special awards ceremony on the final night!

So what do the awards actually mean? For me I'd say being nominated is the most significant thing and being on that list year in, year out certainly does no harm to a career. The actual winner is much more of a lottery and ultimately less significant. Also there tends to be the lean towards one film picking up nearly all the prizes. Whilst this makes a good news story, I have to say I do think it's a shame and generally doesn't reflect what's out there. For my own work, I tend to think about the words of Martin Scorsese, famous for not winning an oscar for most of his career. He always said its not the prizes that matter but being able to make the next film. Here's to that.

So, I'm off to vote! You can see the BAFTA 'long list' using the link below, these will become nominees, and after a third round of voting, winners. Can you see any of your favourites from 2010?

http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/entered-films,65,BA.html

Also check out MAC's evening courses and of course, our film Turbulence. We are now looking for completion finance of £75,000. if you know someone who might like to invest, please ask them get in touch. Businesses can invest in the film and offset this against corporation tax before April 6th 2011.

About Turbulence http://www.turbulencefilm.com
For Turbulence investment e mail Natasha@dreamfinder.net
For MAC's courses see http://www.macarts.co.uk/page/3704/Learning+Participation
To follow me on Twitter it's @bikefilm

Brumcast 183 'Lay that ghost to rest' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on 1st November 2010 at 8pm Featuring metal, indie, folk, funk, hip hop, acoustic & more, All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
1. Munchbreak - The Dirty Kitchen (5:42)
2. Machine Boy - Happy Very Happy (Single Mix) (3:51)
3. Naseby Crossing - No Way Heavy (3:17)
4. Mother Dirt - Belly Crawler (5:06)
5. The Gruber - Purgatory
6. Trevor Sensitive and the Locals - I knew that you didn't love me anymore when you changed Facebook status to single (5:08)
7. Clacka Clark - it's only love (3:15)
8. Turn off the Sun - Lay that ghost to rest (4:08)
9. Castillo - Empires and Ashes (3:50)
10. Barolo - Allez Allez Allez !! (2:57)
11. Police Bastard - Born to die (3:45)
12. Free School - Unravelling After The Lottery (6:00)
Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes

Brumcast 182 '2nd City Blues' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on Monday 25th October 2010 8pm GMT. Featuring brand new material from Powerkraut act 'Einstellung' another incredible slice of indiepop from Trevor Sensitive, hip hop from Ignoramuss, funk from Sister Henry & The Prescriptions, punk from Bolshie plus a loads more different stuff. All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
1. Einstellung - Die Glaub Wie Haus MP3 (6:51)
2. Thoughtgang - Into outerspace (4:09)
3. Trevor Sensitive and the Locals - Oh Poor Gerald (3:15)
4. The Yipes - All Our Friends are Ghosts (3:26)
5. Sister Henry & The Prescriptions - He's so fine (3:58)
6. Lean Yellows - (Please) Say Something To Me (2:12)
7. Butterfly Fan The Inferno - Brassneck (2:47)
8. STRAYSTARSTUFF - Back2Earth (4:29)
9. Ignoramuss - 2nd City Blues (2:57)
10. Bolshie - Stuck In A Rut (3:11)
11. Circle Circus - Yeah.Okay. (2:57)
12. Kytes - Oh, don piano!!! (4:08)
13. Free School - I Am Not Nintendo (5:06)
Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes

Brumcast 181 'Backseat Babe' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on Monday 18th October 8pm GMT. Featuring hip hop, extreme metal, psychobilly, post rock, goth, IDM & more. All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
1. Ignoramuss - Lightbulb (4:34)
2. Black Heart Generator - Motown Punk (2:56)
3. Mister Underwood - 30Grin (5:46)
4. Black Mekon - Backseat Babe (1:46)
5. Fatbwoi 5 - Bullet (3:00)
6. The Death Notes - In the Spider's Web (5:02)
7. B.A.D Featuring JDot Sosa - 05 - I Go Hard (3:51)
8. Elysian Born - Magisterium (5:41)
9. The Magnificatz - Cat Come Scratchin' (2:49)
10. Broken Again - Spineless (4:43)
11. ThisIsSinister - A Horse's Strawberry (3:19)
12. Sleeping Through Sunday - U is for... (5:21)
13. Vasculum - Evisceration of the Chosen (0:55)
Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes

Brumcast 180 'Feral Fanzine Frenzy' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on Monday 11th October 8pm GMT. Featuring new tracks from Fukpig, Trevor Sensitive, The Lines, Barolo & (Silver) Souevnirs, All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
(silver) souvenirs - Lights (3:34)
Kramer vs Kramer vs Godzilla - Hello Dude! (4:22)
FebruaryMarch - Biological Robots (4:52)
B.A.D MC - Get Your Ass On The Floor (3:30)
Falling & Laughing - Feral Fanzine Frenzy (4:11)
Trevor Sensitive and the Locals - I've Read Finnegans Wake (2:50)
Glatze - Glatze (LIVE) (5:09)
The Lines - Glorious Aftermath (3:26)
Fukpig - Necropunk (1:41)
AutoGenic - charade (3:05)
Last Under The Sun - Beautane (5:36)
Barolo - Vails (6:46)
Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes

Brumcast 178 'Yes I walked alone' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on Monday 27th September 8pm GMT. Featuring new tracks from Jonathan Beckett, Health & Efficiency, B.A.D, The Pad Foundation and more, All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
1. Intro (0:19)
2. Old School Tie - Wasteland (4:16)
3. The Traps - The Honey Drip (3:25)
4. Jonathan Beckett - She's A Vampire (3:44)
5. Anoushka M- I'm Ill (3:26)
6. The Wickets - By The Sea (3:36)
7. Bombdog - yann (3:36)
8. Health & Efficiency - Yes I walked alone (4:26)
9. Pandas and People - When Will I Stay Till The end (4:22)
10. B.A.D Featuring Stunna Kai - I Defend (5:09)
11. The Pad Foundation - Rosebuds (4:16)
12. KvKvG- Barak Obama goes loco in a restaurant (3:39)
13. MotherTrucker - Midnight Sin (7:36)

Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes

Brumcast 177 'Where has the money gone?' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on Monday 20th September 8pm GMT. Featuring a special new one from Trevor Sensitive & The Locals, madness from The Destroyers, ambient from The Pad Foundation, grind core from Fukpig, quirk from Spill Twins and more, All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
1. Intro (0:19)
2. Trevor Sensitive and the Locals - Introducing the Locals (L.A.) (4:35)
3. The Pad Foundation - Heart beat (5:04)
4. Karma suite - Karma Suite - skyward Bound (4:10)
5. Mispelt - 4 National insecurity (3:04)
6. Sick City Club - Song for Nobody (3:55)
7. The Destroyers - Where has the money gone? (3:02)
8. Spill Twins - Quantum Foam (4:24)
9. The Arcadian Kicks - Tiny Machine (3:47)
10. Fukpig - Millions Dying (2:15)
11. The Black Fuzz - Tank Town [Live] (3:19)
12. Sleeping Through Sunday - Answer faster, Answer better (4:27)
13. CPS - Rosso Artsfestmix2 (7:43)
Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes

Brumcast 176 'Scream & Stomp & Shout' was broadcast live on http://www.rhubarbradio.com on Monday 13th September 8pm GMT. Featuring band spanking new tracks from (silver) souvenirs, Tom Peel, Trevor Sensitive & The Locals, Bombers, Tantrums, Calories KvKvK and more, All tracks written and performed by artists from Birmingham and the UK Midlands. Download free and direct from here Full show details and audio streams at the archive
Here's this show's playlist :-
1. (silver) souvenirs - Knives (3:39)
2. 8-Bit Ninjas - Fight in a Bus Stop (3:34)
3. Boat To Row - A Book, A Bike, A Joy (2:20)
4. Trevor Sensitive and the Locals - As Free As Air (4:11)
5. Calories - you could be honest (1:50)
6. Eat Y'Self Pretty - Kids/Caffeine (3:49)
7. Tantrums - Gan Juan - Give me my ticket out (5:38)
8. Perlasix - Room Service (edit) (5:09)
9. Pick Your Weapon - You Must Defeat Shane Long To Stand A Chance (2:44)
10. Tom Peel - Scream & Stomp & Shout (3:22)
11. Bombers - After The Blackout (2:09)
12. The Traps - Andromeda (3:08)
13. Kramer vs. Kramer vs. Godzilla - Shit-Hawkes (6:25)
Enjoy!
Little Chris
Brumcast is broadcast on Rhubarb Radio http://www.rhubarbradio.com Mondays 8-9pm GMT. Brumcast on Twitter http://twitter.com/brumcast
Join the Brumcast Facebook group
Myspace - www.myspace.com/brumcastbirmingham
Brumcast RSS feed - http://brumcast.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml
Subscribe via iTunes