Introducing The Livingstone Players

Founded in the 1960s, Livingstone Players is a staple of the festive season with their local panto held in the Stevenston Parish Church hall (formerly Livingstone Church) where they open up the doors to those with aspirations to being on stage or just the desire to be part of the community.

This year will see the group preform the classic Sleeping beauty for 6 shows including a matinee, such is the demand for their talents!

With the desire to create not just a fun family show but something to help creative talents and burgeoning stars, Livingstone Players is a welcome addition to any calendar and will be a roaring success with a stellar cast of characters and backstage talent supporting the show.

To learn more about the show or to learn about Livingstone Players see:

Sleeping Beauty Tickets.

Livingstone Players website.

Livingstone Players Facebook.

Talking Podcasts and Culture with Stelios Panagiotou

The world of YouTube podcasting offers an array of different opinions and personalities, we have been very lucky to be able to talk to Stelios Panagiotou about his tenure with The Podcast Of The Lotus Eaters and gain more insight into his background and passion for communication.

We are always interested in talking to people from all fields in the media. Can you introduce yourself and give us a little background on who you are and what you do?

My name is Stelios Panagiotou, I come from Greece, and I have a passion for communicating my ideas about politics and culture. My background is mainly academic. I have a degree in Business Administration and have successfully completed a PhD in Philosophy. After teaching Philosophy in academia for about 6 years, I decided it was time to enter public discussion without  the reservations that I would otherwise have. In December 2022, I made the final decision to make a career change and started working for the Lotus Eaters media company. 

Most people will recognize you from either X (Twitter) or your tenure with The Podcast of The Lotus Eaters as a social and political commentator. Can you give us a little more background on how you came to be part of that world and what you do as part of the podcast?

I found out about the Lotus Eaters from a friend who was working there. When I saw a job opportunity for a presenter being advertised on the website, I decided to apply for it. Soon after, I was hired. I am one of the regular hosts for our live podcast where we discuss all sorts of current affairs from a standpoint that is not adequately represented in mainstream media.

“We discuss -sometimes in a quasi-comedic manner- political events as well as events in the broader sphere of what is loosely described as ‘culture wars’. Furthermore, I ran Symposium, a weekly philosophy series which dealt mainly with subjects pertaining to ancient, ethical, and political philosophy.”

You have become something of a social and political commentator on social media as well as the podcast scene offering your own unique insights into the world and offering up comments about the UK and the wider social scene. How do you feel social media has shaped your view of the world and how would you describe yourself on that front?

Social media is a very broad category. Generally speaking, they exert an increasingly stronger influence on us and our way of thinking about the world. Such an influence is also augmented by the delegitimization of mainstream media in the eyes of the general public. More and more people find mainstream outlets to be untrustworthy and seek alternative sources of information. The more sources of information we get exposed to, the more informed our opinions will be. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, we should remember that whatever the media, we are still talking about the circulation of information. We need to remember that whatever the media we are using, we are still vulnerable to the danger of being led into an echo chamber where confirmation bias reigns supreme. As a commentator, I try to offer a classically liberal perspective on current affairs and unmask propaganda while avoiding sensationalism. I also use social media to connect directly with people from all over the world.

Is there any advice you would offer to someone entering into the field of podcasting as a presenter or as someone setting up their own channel that you wish you had known when you started?

Good advice depends on the specifics of one’s situation. I can only offer my view about some general points that can be interpreted and tailored to each person’s case, Find your main purpose; knowing why you do something makes the difference between those who persist through hard times and those who quit. 

1. Do your research; everyone can speak but if you know what you are saying, you increase the chances of making a positive contribution and improve the prospects for continuous engagement with your content.

2. Diversify your sources of information. Whatever the medium, the circulation of information does tend to create echo chambers. Despite this being somewhat natural, getting drawn into an echo chamber is harmful for your audience and yourself. Assert your independence.

3. Cultivate mental fortitude. We cannot please everyone and trying to do so is a blow to our independence of character. Be prepared for many negative comments and learn to not care about them. Care about criticism only to the extent in which you can take constructive feedback from it. Ignore all the rest. The internet has no shortage of angry people who are unwilling to give any of us the benefit of the doubt. 

4. Practice makes perfect. Do not think that you either have it or you don't. It is a habit that one must constantly cultivate. 

5. Finally, just do it. Do not delay. Begin as soon as possible knowing full well that if you persist, the quality of your content will keep improving. 

6. Be patient and persistent. 

What does the future hold for you in terms of your place in the podcast world? Will you continue or step more into politics and stand for election?

I am scheduled for more appearances on our live podcast. There are also some long-term plans that I am involved in that are not for me to announce yet. I am not planning on entering politics at the moment. I am planning on doing this for a long time. I am not impatient because I know full well that the kind of relationship I want to establish with my audience is one of trust which requires time.

To learn more about Stelios Panagiotou or follow his work see:

Stelios Panagiotou X (Twitter).

Stelios Panagiotou Symposium Podcast with The Lotus Eaters.

Propshak Ayrshire

Located in the heart of Ayrshire, Propshak has become the go-to location for creative talent in props, fx and combined with their community focused training academy that is opening the doors to talent from all walks of life the propshak is the place to be and the place to be seen in the Scottish industry.

Working with some of the best and brightest in the media industry, the teams work can be seen across genres from theatre to film and TV with clients ranging from the BBC and Netflix to stage production, it is no surprise that they are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in the industry and earning a reputation for their workshops that are giving opportunities to learn and hone artistic skills in the creative fields.

The workshops are designed to be about community accessibility with a fantastic team of staff and volunteers training the next generation prop makers and fx artists in everything from masks to moulds, and so much more.

Propshak offers services to meet the needs of the smallest to the largest productions and pride themselves on the quality of their work and commitment to industry standards.

To learn more about Propshak and their work see:

Propshak Website.

Propshak Instagram.

Propshak Facebook.

Propshak YouTube.

Introducing Alejandro Forcado Filmmaker

Having just completed his latest film project, which we will be talking about soon, we wanted to talk in detail about his work and introduce the talented Alejandro Forcada whose work has garnered international praise and accolades within the film community.

As a start to introducing your work in film and media, can you tell us more about yourself  and what you do?  

I’m a filmmaker since 20 years ago. I begun taking acting classes when I was twelve years  old, but later it got my attention the behind scene cinema business. For that reason at 18 years  old I introduced myself in Cinema school until I became a filmmaker, obviously that process  took its time, however with passion, love, commitment and hard work/ study I’m a filmmaker  as I do today. Although I’m a screen writer and most of my short films have been written by  me.

Can you tell us more about your past projects and what you are currently working on?  

In my career as an indie filmmaker I developed myself making not just short films, between  them I have made video clips, documentaries, tv shows and commercials. But If I honest, I’m  still making such productions, the small difference right now is that my big focus is totally headed in showcasing on international film festivals, with an unique objective to get in that  world and keep myself in that way to stay as a real indie professional filmmaker in cinema  matters. 

What is your biggest obstacle to creating films and what would you is your biggest  achievement as a filmmaker?  

Like everyone else who have had all kind of obstacles, in my case the biggest obstacle was  the lack of support, I mean about the goverment regarding at cultural issues or cultural  developments staff who almost never have heard us to supporting to carry on such projetc.  But beyond of it that I din’t have their help, that kind of experience helped me a lot to be  more self - sufficient and provide resources I needed from another more solid perspective  and I Can tell you about the mentioned experienced was the best thing ever happened to me,  because of that I’m the man I’m, and not just in my profession…in other senses of life as  well.

What does the future hold for you and your team in media and creative terms? What can we  expect to see from you?  

What I’m able to see so far about my “future” in media and creative or film terms, well…as a  team and my self are making a great sacrifice and effort to get what we feel on creative  business. We currently are having very good results both worldwide films festivals including  international press. Through those real evidences we’re living…we can ensure we’re in the  right way. Of course If we keep our philosophy how we manage such matters, we’ll have a  prosper future in the mentioned areas.

Is there any advice you would like to offer to people entering the field of film that you wish  you had known when you started?  

The advise…I mean I never advise anybody, but something I do is sharing my experience,  therefore the suggestion or recommendation is that anybody can give up themselves, we know is a hard path…we know takes time to get what we really wish…but never…ever give up…is  not an option…THE OPTION IS TO KEEP ON MOVING…ALWAYS…DESPITE ALL.  Another recommendation is to change the strategy of your goal/ objetive. We can’t use the  same method / strategy or plan…we need to change them according to every circunstance we  face, but there is something else: THE LOVE..THE PASSION FOR THIS PROFESSION  you never let that finish…you never let that fire goes out…before all…you keep on. That’s a  promise…doing in that way…you will get much more things you have expected.

To learn more about Alejandro and his work see:

Accion Films YouTube.

Accion Films Instagram.

Soutar Fine Art: Inspiration and Appreciation

Inspiration comes in many forms when you work in media, from the walk to work to the art on our walls, there is always something that catches your attention and as a collector of art, our creative director takes inspiration from the work and many stories of the talented Stewart Nicol Soutar, a fine artist with an extensive back catalogue of work and anecdotes that we wanted to share.

Stewart Nicol Soutar has a creative background that has seen him teach, work on sets with a wide range of TV shows and creating advertising blocks while working on what has been dubbed neo surrealist abstract work that captivates the imagination and sold to critical acclaim in the European and American markets where his work features in the finest galleries and homes.

His newest venture takes some of his iconic work and puts them in limited edition format encapsulating his stellar art and varied collection into a series of beautiful framed images that can be placed in your home as an accent piece or in a work environment as a conversation piece.

*Corporate art collections are now common and can elevate your space from a standard office to a comfortable gallery atmosphere with minimal effort.

Personally we are going to be negotiating with Stewart about hiring pieces that will be used for editorials and film and possibly even adding to our collection of original art work because we appreciate the value of having these stunning images as both art and inspiration.

To learn more about the artist or to purchase work see:

Soutar Fine Art Website.

A Must See Brand: Narrative Cosmetics

As a makeup artist by trade, I am always looking for new options to add to add to my working kit that will add to my work or give me a wider range of options. Having found Narrative Cosmetics, in particular the FX range, I am really excited about the possibilities to create and for my work in film and TV the budget friendly side that will be a major plus going forward.

While the range offers up a wide array of beauty oriented products, it was the cream palettes from the FX range that first caught my attention and after a little research I can see there being so much more to the Narrative Cosmetics line that needs to be seen.

The FX range covers all the basics and with the addition of a YouTube channel with tutorials, you can utilize the range to create anything from a simple bruise to a creature with minimal fuss and maximum impact. Designed to meet the highest professional standards Narrative Cosmetics is fast becoming the go to brand for creatives across mediums.

Competitively priced, and expanding the range to support a wide range of requirements, you can go from theatrical to HD standard easily and with film and TV being a primary focus of my work, access to silicone compounds for quick wound creation or going old school with wax, the medical grade adhesive is a must see for the cost alone, Narrative has the scope to be a real kit staple.

If you are a makeup artist, no matter the stage of your career, passionate about FX and makeup then I strongly recommend you check out the range from film to fashion you will find something that will boost your kit and open up new potential in your creative work without losing out on quality.

To learn more about the Narrative Cosmetics range see:

Narrative Cosmetics Website.

Narrative Cosmetics YouTube.

Narrative Cosmetics Instagram.

Narrative Cosmetics Facebook.

A Slow Start To a New Year

Although it has been a slow start to the new year with the blog, that is not to say we are not busy working and there is some really interesting projects on the cards that will be internally built in conjunction with some of our clients.

Our creative director, JamesC, has been ill recently but able to coordinate calls and emails that will see him heading up ad campaigns and editorials in conjunction with Sons of Adonis skincare for men. A huge coup that we are incredibly proud of and will be using to add to our brand as the lost and build up other elements that Shakti Sood (Sons of Adonis founder) will be a major part of.

With concept and mood boards being built at the moment it is going to be fun to work with Sons of Adonis on these projects and a chance to mix the commercial with the artistic side of makeup for men.

Other meetings are being planned and naturally we will be releasing more information about our plans and showcasing the images we create.

Introducing Screaming Unicorn Productions

In the current content hungry world we find ourselves talking to Screaming Unicorn Productions, based in Glasgow, and making films for the world, they have already garnered numerous festival accolades for their short horror films and quest to bring cinematic projects to a worldwide audience.

A close knit group, they welcome new faces and talents who join the team whose passion for films shines out in their grindhouse style of horror filmmaking and gives them something of a unique look that works well and keeps the content flowing as well as creating opportunities such as their latest project (crowdfunding is underway) Skelf a Christmas Horror, which judging by previous projects will be a critical success and garner the team more accolades to add to the growing list.

Open to the potential of collaboration, the Screaming Unicorn productions ethos is about community and learning with each project opening up the chance to expand on skills or add to your repertoire by being part of something new, a really clever way of building not just a network but making film accessible and something The Lost Creatives approves of.

From a purely artistic stance, horror offers the most potential for creativity and fun in film, making this a concept that works and opens up (creaking) doors to festival accolades and commercial sales with the digital download market.

To learn more about the company or to support their new project via their crowdfunding campaign see:

Skelf: A Christmas Horror Short Fundraiser.

Screaming Unicorn Productions Website.

Screaming Unicorn Productions YouTube.

Screaming Unicorn Productions Instagram.

Screaming Unicorn Productions Facebook.

Expanding on The Foreboding: Fractured

We are always happy to talk to filmmakers and actors who take the leap and create their own projects and The Foreboding: Fractured is one of those films that captured attention from the poster, and of course the various interviews we are lucky to be able to speak to Alexander who was part of the trio behind the creation of the film.

You were a major part of the creation of The Foreboding: Fractured as both the  writer & of course the final film production, what was the thinking behind this  horror project?  

I suppose it would depend on what stage we are talking about. At the very beginning the  main focus was how we could make a teen horror flick without it being cliché or exactly  the same as the others. Then hearing the timeframe we had made me have one thought  “Let’s do it.” If we’re talking two weeks in then I was more thinking about the SAG AFTRA strike & whether continuing the film was a good idea since the strike was  something I supported. The answer became keep the film going due to the fact we don’t  have a big corporation behind us, it was myself, Peter & Kemal with a very dedicated  team. Honestly there were so many thoughts that went through my head throughout the  course of the project. Some were purely down to the script & the story, the others came  down to my acting. 

As a writer & creator, which part of the process do you feel you most enjoy? In  front of the camera? Behind the camera? Writing the stories? Or a combination of  these?  

I mean first & foremost I’m an actor, so playing Connor was something I really enjoyed &  also quite unexpected. In front of the camera it was a joy being able to work alongside  Eve Kathryn Oliver & Olivia Bennett. Obviously there’s Peter as well but I feel like that’s  kind of a given. Myself & Peter have been wanting to act alongside one another for a  while so finally being able to do it was brilliant. It just felt right. I loved coming up with  the stories, the characters & how the world intertwines with all of it. Having Kemal come  on & really embracing the world that the story is set in made the project that much  easier & he had such an amazing understanding of it. It got to the point where even  though I created this world, it felt like Kemal & Peter had a far better understanding of it  than I did in the end. I feel like they definitely know all my little tricks now. 

You & the team are currently working on PR for your project including interviews  & festival planning. What do you feel will be the next phase after this project & the  marketing?  

Well Myself, Kemal & Peter have been talking about the future of the world that’s been  created & if we were to return to it, how we’d go about it. We love this world, we love the  characters. We’ve spoken about making a feature however it is all up in the air. If the audience likes the film & wants to see what I would consider the true perspective, then chances are it’ll be made.  

What advice do you have for people who are starting out or looking to start their  own projects?  

I think the best advice I could possibly give is throw yourself into it. If you have an idea,  run with it as best as you can. You’ve got to be a little bit risky & you have to be okay  with the idea of not running through a wall but finding a way over it. On sets big & small  there are always issues, very very rarely is it smooth sailing & believe it or not that is  quite possibly the best part about it.

To learn more about the film see:

IMDB The Foreboding: Fractured.

Horror Scream Video Vault Interview.

Blazing Minds Interview.

Podcast Interview.

Talking Theatre With HeadlessActing

Theatre is a major part of the cultural scene and we are happy to talk to one of the people aiming to put Scottish talent on the map with a series of shows aimed at the stage and building on their own experiences in the field, from sourcing funding to casting, HeadlessActing is pushing the envelope of the creative arts.

Why don’t you start by introducing yourself and telling the lost audience what you do in the creative arts? 

My name is Brandon Ferguson and I’m an Actor and writer.  Recently, I created the production company ‘Headless Acting’ as a way to produce and perform some of my own  pieces of writing. Currently, HeadlessActing is working on two plays with a third being in early development.

You have been talking on social media about your recent Fringe show and plans to do more stage work from a Scottish perspective, can you tell us more about that? 

Yes, I have just finished my first ever run at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, I was playing ‘Peter’ in “Alba” which was written by Jack Byrne and Jordan Howat of ‘Action Theatre Scotland’. I had a wonderful time working on that. I’d never smiled more in my entire life, on the stage and off.

Once the Edinburgh Fringe was over I was just so eager to jump into something else, I decided it was time to create my own work. The Theatre industry in Scotland is dying a slow and painful death, whether that’s to do with ticket prices or even just that theatre is seen as “posh.” I wanted to fix that. I wanted to bring in a brand new audience, reach people who may never have stepped inside a theatre before. 

I had written a play about an event in Scottish history, but this play was a huge task. I would need a big team and a lot of funding. So,  I chose to start with something else, something smaller. So I wrote “*Smoke Not Included” which is a Stoner Comedy on the Stage. This play is one act, one location and four characters. What better way to bring in a new audience than putting on a stoner comedy haha.

Something we have noticed is you are very theatre focused with stage being a major part of your social media showcase, can you tell us what made this your focus as a creative? 

I’ve always been interested in theatre.  I never got to see much of it prior to being in high school, but I was always so entranced by the theatre. The sets and costumes, the actors! It’s magic! Buy a ticket, grab a drink and sit and enjoy the show. You might see a perfectly executed performance, you might see actors breaking character and causing everyone to laugh, you might even happen to see a story that touches you in a way a TV show or Movie never could. I like to say that theatre is just a live action book. When someone reads a book they can imagine what is happening and what the world may look like. Well, on the stage it is the exact same! The audience has a suspension of disbelief, you don’t need backdrops and a full room of sets. You just need the actors and a few important pieces of set or prop and the imagination of the audience does the rest. It’s great! 

“There’s also what I said before about the theatre industry in Scotland dying. I don’t think I could just stand back and watch that happen. I had to create. I had to try and show people that theatre isn’t scary, it isn’t too posh for you and it shouldn’t be too expensive.”

You recently talked about a crowdfunding campaign for your projects. Can you tell us more about the project and what is being planned?  Will you focus solely on theatre or expand into other areas of work? 

We are raising money for our first production, “*Smoke Not Included” , on Kickstarter, we still have a few hundred pounds left to raise. I couldn’t even describe this play to you if I tried, it’s quite silly, lighting and sound is used in a way to emphasise humour, there’s a lot of fun moments but at its heart, there’s a nugget of sadness. Neil, Jacko, Lauren and Aaron are our characters. They all have quite interesting relationships with each other. I won’t say too much haha. We’re currently casting for Aaron and Neil, submissions are open until 20th October. We are planning on going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next year as well as having a few performances in Fife. We also intend on filming the production and posting that on YouTube sometime after we finish doing the show. This is a way to combat theatre shows being short lived. We’re kind of immortalising it on YouTube haha. 

I do believe that HeadlessActing will remain working in theatre, but that’s not to say there isn’t a short film or two in the works.

What does the future hold for you and your team in media and creative terms?  What can we expect to see from you?

Currently HeadlessActing has a 4-Year plan. We aim to cast, rehearse and perform a show every year for the next four. We want to work with as many Scottish creatives that we can! I can’t say too much right now but we are working with a Scottish Artist and a Scottish Musician on one of our projects right now. We are also aiming to cover a wide range of genres. Starting with Comedy, then Horror, then History, Then Noir. If you’re following our Instagram (headless_acting) and our Twitter (@HeadlessActing) you’ll see we post updates all the time! Right now we are casting for *Smoke Not Included. We’ve received a lot of submissions and the self tapes are coming in now. We’re very excited for what the future holds.

To learn more about HeadlessActing or to support their work see:

*Smoke Not Included Crowdfunding Campaign.

HeadlessActing Instagram.

HeadlessActing Twitter.

New Village Video

As we are all aware there are major changes in motion in the mainstream market of film and TV, which is leading to the question “can the indies step in and entertain us?”  Happily the answer is yes, and sites like New Village Video are stepping up to the plate with gusto and bringing old school values and entertainment back to the market.

Focused on the best and brightest of the indie, art, and grindhouse movie scene, New Village Video is about the charms of a video store combined with the best of the digital age. 

Indie film is the heart of much of their work and their films have that “straight to video” feel that is somewhere between nostalgic and innovative, offering you the chance to support new and emerging talents, filmmakers and artists in a way that is entertainingly quirky.

What this means is there Is an option for us out there who have lower budget visuals and tongue in cheek chic films that are about pure entertainment, getting films out there and opening the door to genre based films that focus on the popcorn chucking entertainment, and scares that a good movie should.  From a filmmaking perspective New Village Video is the modern version of the VHS for hire route that gave us cult/underground movies that went from backyard films to schoolyard legend without the need for a PR team.  

Giving power to the indies is just a small part of what this offers, New Village Video is set to become the digital film archive for those who just want to entertain.  Worthy of checking out on all fronts: from consumer to artiste, the potential to showcase your work, make money on your investment, and have your film seen is enough to tip the scales in their favour and as someone who appreciates movies, and has a set of goals that include schlock horror, this will be top of the list for me to showcase my own films and with their commission rates in the favour of the filmmaker, it is without question a good time to be an indie filmmaker in a fluctuating market. 

To learn more about New Village Video or to discuss submissions see:

New Village Video.

Submissions at New Village Video.

IC9: A Glimpse Into The World of Film Courtesy of vShowcards

The Lost Creatives team always appreciates when we are given insight and a little bit of the background to a project and as always vShowcards has been part and parcel of that by bringing to our attention the new police drama IC9.

Tackling the controversial and very contemporary issues of people trafficking and illegal immigration, the film looks at the personal as well as the professional from a police woman’s standpoint as she hunts for her sister and discovers a startling, dangerous truth about her own family coupled with the harrowing insight into the world the trafficked people find themselves in.

With a stellar team both in front and behind the camera including such leading actors as Georgia May Foote (coronation street) and Richie Campbell (Grace, liar, ITV) and of course vshowcards founder and all round actor of note Darren Tassell who has (with permission) given us access to the documentation and files for the project.

vShowcards works hard as a casting site and has also played a part bringing in such excellent talent as Richie Campbell, and Georgia May to peoples attention thanks to their savvy use of social media and contacts, each member of the team of course brings their unique talents to the table and add dimension to a nail biting script by Kyle Titteron and Gulshan Singh making this more than a film but a true showcase of talents.

With filming underway at the moment, stories and images are leaking out that show not just a cast and crew enjoying the work but adding to a film that is gathering attention not just from social media buzz but from interested parties looking to the project to see what is happening in the business including bloggers, journalists and potential viewers who are seeing snippets and images sneaking through, the anticipation for this film is rightly high.

IC9 is a large scale UK indie production that is a showcase of talent, ingenuity and intrigue. A truly welcome project that will hit the high notes and with the support of vShowcards and many others who are seeing the potential of cinematic projects and how it can be achieved with the right people backing you.

Naturally, we will be happy to support the ongoing work and cannot wait to see the final film, we will be talking to key team members about the project itself looking at the casting process, making of, and what the future is for the production team.

For more information on vShowcards and what they do see: The vShowcards Website and stay tuned to the blog for further updates on the project.

Timeline Updates

While the blog and other elements have been very quiet of late, we do apologize for this, it does not mean we have been idle. In fact it is the opposite with so much in the works we have had to set deadlines for projects and new launches before time really ran away and we lost track of what is being done.

Some of the domains we own are now due for renewal and we are using that as the baseline for soft launching websites and taking down some of the older work to make things as clean as possible.

With a wedding under our belt, in what will be a two-part package, there is some really beautiful images coming from that which will showcase our creative director and founder working as well as our beautiful bride.

Lost Creatives is going to be changed dramatically as well with new galleries being worked out to match the upcoming Lost Project Media site that will be the home of our video and print work, a mix of editorial and commercial campaigns, more on this later.

James will be launching a fresh new site which as a makeup artist he wanted to be a whole set of new work all tailored to the lost identity and brand and completely different from his previous site with a focus on the commercial.

In the next week we will be doing a very interesting set of blogs piece about indie brands that popped up on our radar and will be playing a part in the working kit of our house artist. Both of which are interesting and will offer very different perspectives on a makeup kit as well as product usage and placement.

With an end goal of updating not just the websites but our other networking sites such as Vshowcards, by August we will be well on our way to the whole new look and entirely different brand identity than when we started and it is truly exciting to see how things have developed from where we began.

The Behind The Scenes Podcast is Now Live

If you are a mover, shaker or media maker, then the Behind The Scenes Podcast is the place to be seen and a must for keeping up with what’s happening. Started as a way to bring the behind the camera people to the forefront, it is already offering up insights into the background work of the creative realm that would otherwise be unseen and showing how much deeper the work goes than just the stage or a screen.

We are privy to some of the upcoming interviews (one of which will be our own JamesC) and know how much time and effort is going into this from a purely creative stance, it is already on our watch list. Lost Creatives being a behind the scenes blog, we are fully behind Stephen the founder of the Behind The Scenes Podcast and cannot wait to see more and highly recommend watching and subscribing to the channel and other social accounts.

A special nod goes out to the cast and crew at City Theatre who are amongst the early interviewees and offered up some interesting insights into the world of theatre casting and acting.

To learn more or to subscribe see:

Behind The Scenes YouTube.

Behind The Scenes Twitter.

Behind The Scenes Instagram.

Behind The Scenes TikTok.

Talking Politics and YouTube With That Preston Journalist

Building on his early success, Ashley aka That Preston Journalist, has opened up to The Lost Creatives about his journey as a podcaster and journalist in the YouTube sphere.

Since we first talked to you about your You tube channel and political commentary, what has changed for you as a podcaster and how has that affected your channel? 

When we first spoke, my channel was very much in its infancy. Since then, it has grown bigger than I thought and continues to pick up around a thousand new subscribers each month. As a result, it no longer feels like a hobby or a past time, it is now something that is very much part of my daily routine. As the audience grows, the content I put out has to be taken more seriously as well. When I first started, I was talking to maybe 100-500 people, now the channel generates 50,000-100,000 views per day so it has to be good. 

Working to YouTube restrictions on what you can talk about is difficult, but when it comes to politics, most things are OK. I have also been asked by other channels to appear with them as well which I have done on many occasions, but the main passion is always with the daily content. 

“It is also quite nice to be recognised by people in the street, I am by no means a celebrity, nor do I wish to be, but it does happen sometimes and it is always nice to hear that someone enjoys the channel because it takes up so much time and a lot of effort goes into it.”

One of the things that stands out about your work is you talk from a working man's perspective rather than the usual political bubble stance. What do you think makes this important and how can people be more involved in the discussions? 

One of the biggest compliments I get is that I am a working class man from a working class background. I am not part of the establishment, I live and work in the same streets and towns as the people who watch me, this means I am far more relatable than someone sat in a studio in London who knows nothing about life outside the M25. 

I am very lucky to have an active audience who leave thousands of comments on my channel every week. Its fantastic to see so many people engaged, it shows that the content is interesting and thought provoking, which is exactly what I want. Also, in terms of YouTube, the more comments and interaction you get, the more it aids the channel algorithmically.

Are there political aspirations in your future or do you have other goals in mind that you can share with us?  

I have harboured political aspirations in the past, but to be honest, I, like many millions of people in this country, am politically homeless. This, I feel, helps the channel because it gives me some impartiality. I can never say never about maybe standing for a party one day, but it won’t be any of the current parties, they all represent the same things and do not represent me. 

I would like to do further media work, perhaps radio or even TV discussion shows, but they are such a closed shop to anyone who isn’t, or hasn’t in the past been a part of the media scene. I am in no hurry to do either really, my channel gets more views a day than some organisations who spend millions of pounds on presenters etc… such as GB news and Talk TV. IF any opportunities did come my way, there is no way I could sacrifice my YouTube channel, it has taken a lot of dedication and hard work to build it up to the position it is in now and I wouldn’t throw it away for anyone. 

What message would you like to convey to your viewers and potential viewers in terms of what you are doing as a podcaster highlighting the political realm?  

The idea of starting the channel came to me because I was so frustrated with the group-think media we have in the UK. Whoever you watch on the TV, whether it be the BBC, ITV, SKY etc… They all say and think the same things, it's just a big echo chamber. 

I wanted to present a different side to politics in this country, what I would consider to be the opinions of the silent majority who are not represented, but these are the people who decide elections, they deserve to hear news from all different aspects. 

If anyone reading this is wondering whether or not to give it a watch, I would ask them to ask themselves, do you believe everything you are told by the mainstream? Is there not another point of view out there to consider? If the answer is yes, then my channel is the place for you. 

I discuss all sorts of subjects in relation to politics and try to remain impartial most of the time, but I do it with passion, so the impartiality lapses sometimes, but I feel that adds character to the videos and debates. Some people who watch my channel don’t even agree with me most of the time, but they keep watching, so I guess that means I am doing something right, if people keep coming back for more, the content must be worth watching. 

To learn more or to subscribe to “That Preston Journalist” Channel see:

That Preston Journalist YouTube.

That Preston Journalist Twitter.

Project Notes

A habit our creative director JamesC picked up when living in India that we are actively pushing again, is keeping a notebook and pen to hand, ideal for writing down phone numbers or emails, sketching ideas for photos or as we know he did frequently, outlining plots for TV or film projects.

JamesC has in the last few weeks come up with ideas that will work as short films for festival entry or expanded into a much longer concept that need to be padded to suit the plans for 2023.

Festivals are going to be a very heavy focus of the work ahead, we have spent a lot of time checking options of annual, quarterly and by far our most favoured, monthly film festivals that take film and photo projects.

Of course our favourite book for filmmakers “Don’t F*ck Up Your No Budget Film” by Ivan Peric, plays a heavy part in our thinking because this insightful first hand account of low budget creation is designed to shape your work into a commercial project and works well with our own thinking and add to this the very savvy and again, first hand account of Patricia Jones book “Opening Doors for Working Class Actors” which when combined with Ivan’s book has the scope to create a great combination and open up the projects we have to fresh talent and with the right focus and marketing (kept within a budget) see a series of smaller films and Web TV projects built with a commercially viable slant that will benefit all involved.

We will be using the Vshowcards site for casting and actively encourage people to check them out not just because we think it is a fantastic network site, but for the various casting calls that are available.

Expanding notes on our plan will be slow released through the blog and we will be working hard to get this push running with the Lost Agency supporting it and of course led by our own JamesC who will be front and centre with upcoming interviews including the Behind The Scenes Podcast, amongst the other elements at play.

Stay tuned for more updates and sneak images of our notes.

The iKons Return in 2023

As we move into 2023, The House of iKons is gearing up for their first showcase of the year. A creative spectacular of talent in design, makeup, and backstage talents of all stripes, being part of the iKons show is a step in fashion that no one wants to miss.

“Known as a platform for talent, The House of iKons is the ticket to have, the place to be seen, and the show to work for those established or entering the fashion arena.”

With their connections to the global stage (a top 6 show worldwide for the independent fashion scene), their ties to Royal households including the prestigious and forward thinking Thai Royal family, have taken the show from its London base to a global stage bring designers and talent from across the world to the table and giving them a unique voice in the fashion world.

The February show is the first stage in the calendar that this year features a spectrum of creative talent and as always will be open to new people who want to add to their CV with prestige.

Schedule for Show Saturday 18th February 2023

Networking & Exhibition Starts  from 12.00pm till 8.00pm:

Exhibition doors open from 12.00pm:

• Vip 360

• Raaj K Asthetics 

• Love Collection 

• PamPinay 

• AveriStar

• Fantasma

• JCIDEL

• Park Pharmacy 

• Zilli Coffee

• Nacharee Thai Kitchen 

• Zaira Christa 

• InfiniteAloe

• Tawa sponsored by Nydia Crick

Fashion Show: Segment ONE 2.00pm

• GRAND OPENING: Love Collection

• Adriana Ostrowska

• DNB Couture represented by The Fashion Life Tour

• JCIDEL

• Hafanana Swimwear represented by The Fashion Life Tour

• DivaBigg

• Music Performance: Anya Kay

• Jhay Layson

• The Fashion Life Tour

• Therese Marie Collection

• Apple World Collection

• Love Collection

• Andre Soriano

• GRAND FINALE: Yalacity supported by HM The Queen Sirkit of Thailand Department of Agriculture 

SOLO SEGMENT - DivaBigg 4.00pm

Premier of Documentary - ‘Fat is Fashion’ & Fashion Show of DivaBigg collection.

Fashion Show Segment TWO 5.00pm

• GRAND OPENING: PIMPA Paris 

• Fantasma

• Chavez

• Jhay Layson

• Maria Mahlmann MM REMIX

• Music Performance: Myles Smith

• The Fashion Life Tour CLC Couture

• The Fashion Life Tour

• Links by Gwen

• Adriana Ostrowska

• Music Performance: Cooper Phillip

• Pam Pinay

• Perry Jones represented by The Fashion Life Tour

• Zaira Christa

• Tawa sponsored by Nydia Crick

• GRAND FINALE - Will Franco

To learn more about The House of iKons, or to book tickets see:

House of iKons Website.

House of iKons Instagram.

House of iKons Facebook.

House of iKons Tickets.

Image credits: Mark Gunter, Ram Eagle, Mok Photography, @ch_photoz, Jessica Smith, @mtuck1967, @jalb_films, Mariana London, Andreas Münchbach, Alfred Brandl.

Introducing The Behind The Scenes Podcast

Entering into the podcast field and offering up a new perspective on the industry is the team “Behind The Scenes” whose upcoming podcast is creating massive buzz before they launch to such a degree that creatives of every stripe are seeking them out to talk.

Going behind the camera is something we at the lost creatives can appreciate to such a degree that our own creative director will be interviewed, and we are supporting the move fully, the leading voice behind this; Stephen, worked as a supporting artist and saw first hand what goes on and the hierarchy of the industry and wanted to give a voice to those who usually don’t get the chance to share their stories. Opening the door to so many new and established faces, the Behind The Scenes podcast is set to be the place to be seen and heard in 2023!

To learn more about the “Behind the Scenes” podcast and subscribe see:

Behind The Scenes YouTube.

Behind The Scenes Twitter.

Behind The Scenes Instagram.

Behind The Scenes TikTok.

Reaching Out in 2023

As we are in the first week of a new year, the lost creatives team has been making really positive moves and reaching out to not just new people but spending time talking to old friends in the realm of photography to discuss potential studio and location shoots.

With our first official telephone meeting of the year now done, we are very excited by the potential of what is being proposed and can start really taking stock with a view to moving our own brand forward.

New in the mix is creative director Jamesc, who wants to do not just horror based shoots but go back to freestyle painting (inspired by the amazing makeup artist Linda Mason) for editorial and showcase once again, his creative talents.

Over the coming weeks we will be releasing more news and updates including interviews with actors, producers and other creative talent.

Welcome to 2023, lets make it a good one!

Working The Makeup Dept Budget With Desired FX

In the world of film and TV, budgets can be the biggest constraint alongside time, to the creative process. For the makeup department often this means we have to search out cost-efficient options to create a particular look or downgrade the process to fit the money available, thankfully, there are services like Desired FX that can help with this and give you a budget-friendly, professional add-on to your kit that will push the department ahead.

From silicone wounds to scars, tattoos including bruising and standard designs, Desired FX offers up a range of products that will work for most scenarios and even offers a studio custom service to allow further scope for creativity on a budget.

With increasing options in the digital market from Amazon to HOD TV (Horror on Demand), the indie film sector has never been so popular with the on-demand film/TV sector becoming bigger year on year, but budgets being tight in the circuit, having the option of a team like Desired FX who can provide cost-efficient options for the FX department, there is scope to bring a different dimension as a department head working smart with the available funds.

To learn more about Desired FX or to purchase see:

Desired FX shop ( 10% off on all products with the promo code "JamesClark10")

Desired FX Instagram.

Desired FX Facebook.