Mareel - Cinema & Music Venue

[Baron Farkoff]

Well what would lead you to ask the question again? The head of the council said that it was going ahead, so I would expect that it is.

Also, the man leading the project said on the radio that it was out to tender.Hmm, all sounds suspiciously like it's going to plan.

Reading between these lines, Wiiman, what would lead you to ask if the wheels have come off?

Have you heard a rumour? Do tell.

 

I'm almost crapping myself with anticipation.

[WiiMan]

I'm almost crapping myself with anticipation.

Your incontinence is of no interest to me.

 

But if it's out to tender as was stated, then it must be advertised somewhere. The European Journal for a start, but it isn't there. That's no rumour it's a fact.

[Baron Farkoff]

Reading back a few posts regarding my question about a studio, the answer seems to be a no: I asked for industry standard, not Rolls-Royce.

It seems that if I wanted a studio here I would have to build it myself, by making several phone calls to different individuals or organisations regarding procurement of equipment and space, instead of one call, likeI meant. It might go something like this:

" Hello, I'd like to record my fabulous new single at your studio,please, so that I can put it on Radio 2 and get it into the pop charts. I hear that you have some great engineers and recording stuff. I've booked the pressing plant for a week friday and got my own mastering engineer.Do you have any space before then?"

Is it possible to get a positive response to this question in Shetland at the moment? I have not heard a definitive "YES!" to this question,and so I must sadly conclude that the answer is indeed no.

[WiiMan]

^^

 

Farkoff's delusional again.

[Baron Farkoff]

Delusional in what way, if you please?

[crofter]

Delusional in what way, if you please?

edit: sorry!

[Guest Anonymous]

Please play nice now children.

Mareel is happening, so back it

[suuusssiiieee]

Maybe so but it's still the biggest £9 Million white elephant i can think of.....

 

With a budget plan based to an extent on "alcohol sales" its nothing more than a glorified subsidised "pub".

 

Besides don't you think we already have enough of those establishments on this island?

 

Oh yes im really gonna take the kids to the new blockbuster flick, and then as a side show watch people get hammered too......

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Yeh it flys in the face of cutting serious levels of binge drinking in Shetland.

Would there be sponserships of bands and performances by Alcohol companies to raise funds?, you know if and when financial figures look squeezed, surely thats the way this would go?.Nothing wrong going for a quiet drink before a gig or film with the kids in tow, but drinking habits take a long long time to change , if ever.

[Baron Farkoff]

Have you ever been to a theatre?

I ask because I have noticed, while working in such establishments, that due to a phenomenon known as "theatre prices" people only tend to have a swift G+T or similar in the interval,and at most one or two afterward before they move on to a less civilised establishment to achieve that dubious goal of getting "hammered". Now it could be argued that "theatre prices" exist because of this mode of consumption, where drink is not the main focus of the evening, but just a lubricant to help other matters get discussed without having to seek refreshment elsewhere. It could also be argued that this is a "soothmoother" way of doing things-getting highly excitable about "luvvie" concepts like music and film without being able to drink "properly", like a real hardworking Shetlander might.

It's not a pub. It is a place where you are able to get a drink while you are at a show, and from what I've seen about Shetland drinking styles, pub owners have very little to worry about. So your kids wont get to see a film because a few folk are having an interval drinky? Unlucky, kids.

[Baron Farkoff]

Good point about binge drinking and behaviour changing in Shetland, PJ, but to be fair ,you have to see past the refreshments issue and see what Mareel is really about.Changing drinking habits on Shetland might be considered a priority to some, but also creating alternatives has to be up there too,no?

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Yes we have been to a Theatre before, and state of the art , expensive ones, and seen more bands than wev'e had hot dinners.

What i was getting at, is that there seems to be an issue here how this project will make profit without relying on huge Alcohol sales, i can't see popcorn going for £20 a pot, well not here anyay. I think the idea of a music and cinema venue has to be a family orientated concept, surely this is a step in the right direction for young and old alike to apprecate something without the need to abuse Alcohol. Tom Morton states his concerns for T in the park and it's blatant promoting of Alcohol, Mareel wouldn't want to go down that road, im sure. nothing wrong with having a sociable drink though! Bring up Iron Maiden or Tiesto and we'll see u there !!

[Baron Farkoff]

Couldn't agree more about the alcohol issue,PJ, my PBL wasn't directed at you.

I also have concerns about how the place will make its money, but I think that to do this Mareel will need to be filled with great ideas which all combine to make the most of its potential.

There is a need for a studio here.There is a need for a music venue here.There is a need for filmmaking facilities here.

A need for training facilities so that all people can exploit their talents correctly and keep up to date with modern trends in the business.

Mareel has all this planned out, and more.

Shetland is in a unique and amazing position here, with its fantastically isolated and elemental feel:surely its as far away from London as its possible to be and still be in Britain? Well, apart from Gibraltar, but you can get there quicker from London than you can get to here.Anyway, as a premium "unspoilt" wilderness location, Shetland could be the next big thing, If it plays the game right.Jenna Reid in Mojo magazine (brilliant!), Sigur Ros are cool, and Shetland is the nearest thing to Iceland Britain has. Mark Radcliffe mentions it on his radio show, Man city fans get it in the papers. Legends lived and died here.Legend has it that these kids can all play at least three instruments by the age of seven and sing better than the Welsh...

Shetland is amazing. Not a lot of people know that in the grand scheme of things.

We are about to make big news as issues like oil and windfarms push us deeper into the media mire, and a lot of people are going to become more aware of Shetland life and culture. Surely a building that gives some representation to the forward thinking nature of the islands' population can only be a canny investment.

Shetland could make a mint out of itself if it gets some perspective on itself, but that's always going to be tricky for an island nation.

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Yes i agree that a good music venue here could attract a large mix of bands from all over, with Shetland being more and more in the spotlight.

I also believe more interaction with Nordic countrys should be really pushed forward, their music scene from Denmark to Iceland is really happening.

With the cheap flights to Bergen in JUN...JUL...AUG being very popular the potential of a regular market for Norweigians especially ,to visit Mareel is out there, more so than people unfortunately paying through the nose to get here from mainland UK. Proper marketing outwith Shetland is most important, by Mareel direct to the Nordic public.

Ifeel a project like Mareel must look outwith Shetland to pay for its self so there are the funds always available for our future talent here in Shetland.

All avenues should be explored , and the music scene , not forgeting the cinema would be transformed for ever.

[WiiMan]

I also have concerns about how the place will make its money, but I think that to do this Mareel will need to be filled with great ideas which all combine to make the most of its potential.

OK then Farkoff. If great ideas are going to make money for this place why are they not in evidence in the business plan? The only gret idea in there is to sell drink. Nothing original about that.