Undercurrents (news)
Encyclopedia
Undercurrents is an alternative video news network which began with the UK
distribution of videotapes shot by volunteers. It has since expanded to include a web presence, media training for volunteers, and a film festival
, BeyondTV
.
) felt were not being addressed by the mainstream media. One of the issues covered was the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill, whose varied measures included attempts to curtail large gatherings both of travelers and rave
s and make direct action protest a criminal offense. A second video compilation was released before the end of the year. Bands such as the Levellers
included Undercurrents references on their CD sleeves. Radiohead have donated funds and Comedian Mark Thomas allowed undercurrents to produce and distribute his first DVD to raise funds.Undercurrents was amongst the first groups which coined the phrase 'video activism'- the use of camcorders for social change. A co-founder, Thomas Harding, wrote the video activist handbook published by Pluto Press. Undercurrents now distribute films via DVD and in 2009 they launched visionOntv - a Peer to Peer TV channel over internet.
Many of the video activists who worked at Undercurrents went on to work at Oxford Channel including Roddy Mansfield, Jason Torrance, Thomas Harding and Debora Harding. But they found that TV was not the way forward
international Film festival in Swansea and tour the Summer festivals with a compilation of radical and empowering films.In 2009 they launched The Sol Cinema a micro touring cinema powered by lithium batteries and designed by Jo Furlong. Undercurrents has won a number of awards including Digital Hero awards 2011, as well as film festivals in Germany, Tokyo, France, USA, UK and Czech republic.
, to Oxford
and are now based in The Environment Centre
in Swansea
.
'Reach for the Sky', premiered at BeyondTV festival, produced by Undercurrents, focuses on Swansea Airport
and that uncontrolled aviation expansion is unsustainable. Swansea Airport, with the connivance of Swansea Council, was given the go-ahead to operate in the centre of the Gower Peninsula
, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
, the first AONB to be designated in the country. Public pressure forced Swansea Airport to close down. Air Wales
, which operated from Swansea Airport has now closed down.
Many of their latest videos are hosted on YouTube. Undercurrents have also embarked upon a new project for distributing activist video http://visionon.tv
Undercurrents are currently producing video podcasts about environmental issues such as Climate change. Video podcasts include Surfing, Bushcraft and sustainable housing.These can be viewed at channel website
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
distribution of videotapes shot by volunteers. It has since expanded to include a web presence, media training for volunteers, and a film festival
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
, BeyondTV
BeyondTV
BeyondTV is an international video festival in Swansea. Organised by independent filmmakers Undercurrents, BeyondTV has taken place since 2000 in various venues, from the Patti Pavilion, BeyondTV 2005-06 in the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea Marina. BeyondTV 2005 hosted the Misty Awards for...
.
History
Undercurrents is an alternative news agency which came into being in 1994 with a VHS videocassette of news which the founders (Jamie Hartzell, Paul O'Connor, Zoe Broughton,and Thomas Harding (publisher)Thomas Harding (publisher)
Thomas Harding is a British journalist, videographer and publisher who is known for running media organizations that cover stories that other news outlets will not cover....
) felt were not being addressed by the mainstream media. One of the issues covered was the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill, whose varied measures included attempts to curtail large gatherings both of travelers and rave
Rave
Rave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
s and make direct action protest a criminal offense. A second video compilation was released before the end of the year. Bands such as the Levellers
The Levellers (band)
The Levellers are an English rock band, founded in 1988 and based in Brighton, England. Their musical style is said to be influenced by punk and traditional English music.-1988-1990:...
included Undercurrents references on their CD sleeves. Radiohead have donated funds and Comedian Mark Thomas allowed undercurrents to produce and distribute his first DVD to raise funds.Undercurrents was amongst the first groups which coined the phrase 'video activism'- the use of camcorders for social change. A co-founder, Thomas Harding, wrote the video activist handbook published by Pluto Press. Undercurrents now distribute films via DVD and in 2009 they launched visionOntv - a Peer to Peer TV channel over internet.
Many of the video activists who worked at Undercurrents went on to work at Oxford Channel including Roddy Mansfield, Jason Torrance, Thomas Harding and Debora Harding. But they found that TV was not the way forward
BeyondTV
BeyondTV is an international video festival in Swansea. Organised by independent filmmakers Undercurrents, BeyondTV has taken place since 2000 in various venues, from the Patti Pavilion, BeyondTV 2005-06 in the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea Marina. BeyondTV 2005 hosted the Misty Awards for...
international Film festival in Swansea and tour the Summer festivals with a compilation of radical and empowering films.In 2009 they launched The Sol Cinema a micro touring cinema powered by lithium batteries and designed by Jo Furlong. Undercurrents has won a number of awards including Digital Hero awards 2011, as well as film festivals in Germany, Tokyo, France, USA, UK and Czech republic.
Status
Undercurrents subsequently became a non-profit company and a registered charity. They have moved their office from LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, to Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and are now based in The Environment Centre
Environment Centre (Swansea)
The Environment Centre in Swansea, Wales, is an independent charity organisation for environmental information, education and activity. Environment Centre may also refer to the building the charity is located in....
in Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
.
Court Cases
Some of their footage of political protests has been used in court cases, including footage of Genoa G8 summit, and a police raid on indymedia work spaces.Current projects
In 2007 Undercurrents released EcoVillage Pioneers- a documentary exploring sustainable low impact communities around the world.'Reach for the Sky', premiered at BeyondTV festival, produced by Undercurrents, focuses on Swansea Airport
Swansea Airport
Swansea Airport is an airport located at Fairwood Common on the Gower Peninsula west south-west of Swansea, Wales.-Operations:Swansea Airport has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee...
and that uncontrolled aviation expansion is unsustainable. Swansea Airport, with the connivance of Swansea Council, was given the go-ahead to operate in the centre of the Gower Peninsula
Gower Peninsula
Gower or the Gower Peninsula is a peninsula in south Wales, jutting from the coast into the Bristol Channel, and administratively part of the City and County of Swansea. Locally it is known as "Gower"...
, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
, the first AONB to be designated in the country. Public pressure forced Swansea Airport to close down. Air Wales
Air Wales
Air Wales was an airline based at Cardiff International Airport in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan. It operated scheduled regional services within Great Britain, as well as to Ireland, Belgium and France...
, which operated from Swansea Airport has now closed down.
Many of their latest videos are hosted on YouTube. Undercurrents have also embarked upon a new project for distributing activist video http://visionon.tv
Undercurrents are currently producing video podcasts about environmental issues such as Climate change. Video podcasts include Surfing, Bushcraft and sustainable housing.These can be viewed at channel website
External links
- Undercurrents website
- Reach for the Sky
- http://www.undercurrents.org/BeyondTV.html Beyond Tv annual video activist festival
- visionOntv is a IPTV
- BBC: Witnesses recall bloody G8 police raid
- http://www.azbushcraft.com Video podcast series from Undercurrents