April 23, 2006
Hollywood puts its faith in holy films
The Sunday Times reports on the forthcoming “flood of Christian films” showing that “Hollywood, long accused of promoting Godless amorality, has found religion.” Naturally, His Dark Materials gets a mention, alongside the likes of The Passion of the Christ, The Da Vinci Code and the upcoming remake of The Wicker Man. Read more.
April 14, 2006
Why Atheism? DVD due for release (updated)
Update: The National Secular Society has made the educational DVD Why Atheism? (which we reported the release of in December) available to buy exclusively from the NSS shop. The DVD features six films, including an extended interview with Philip Pullman in which “the best-selling novelist and honorary associate of the National Secular Society talks to Michael Rosen about morality, fundamentalism, his atheist heroes and fears for the future of atheism.”
You can find out about the rest of the DVD's contents and buy a copy for yourself here.
You can find out about the rest of the DVD's contents and buy a copy for yourself here.
April 4, 2006
Thousands at Movie Auditions
The first of the open auditions for Lyra was held today, at Cambridge. Thousands of young hopefuls turned up and queuing started very early, with CBBC putting an estimate of some 1200 girls there. The auditions at Kendal have also taken place, this Thursday (the 6th).
From reports from those girls who contacted us, it seems as though the casting directors simply dismissed those girls that they felt did not look the part – which is disappointing as this rather ignores any acting talents they may have.
Those girls left were asked simple questions such as “what would your daemon look like?” Those further selected from the group were sent to have their photograph taken, to potentially be called back after all the auditions have taken place. Remember there are still two seperate days of auditions left: see here for all the details.
There's a good gallery of images on the CBBC website now, but to read full experiences of girls who were there, head here. This will expand as more people get back to us. If you went, please do email us with how it went – or simply comment here.
From reports from those girls who contacted us, it seems as though the casting directors simply dismissed those girls that they felt did not look the part – which is disappointing as this rather ignores any acting talents they may have.
Those girls left were asked simple questions such as “what would your daemon look like?” Those further selected from the group were sent to have their photograph taken, to potentially be called back after all the auditions have taken place. Remember there are still two seperate days of auditions left: see here for all the details.
There's a good gallery of images on the CBBC website now, but to read full experiences of girls who were there, head here. This will expand as more people get back to us. If you went, please do email us with how it went – or simply comment here.