Reality Check: The life electric

In a show looking at the possible consequences of computer technology and Artificial Intelligence on humanity, Alex Fitch talks to the directors of two new films that address these themes and how it might impact on peoples lives and after-lives. Kareem Gray discusses his movie Zero One, a cross between Knight Rider and The Terminator in which a couple of hackers discover a sentient intelligence on the internet with the power to download itself into robots and other machines; Martin Gooch and members of the cast of Death discuss this new British fantasy film starring Leslie Philips in which a pair of siblings return to their family manse after the death of their father and discover he had been working on a computer programme that allows people to converse with the dead…

Both interviews recorded in front of a live cinema audience at SCI-FI-LONDON, the London Science Fiction and Fantastic Film Festival, April 2012.

Originally broadcast Friday 1st February 2013, on Resonance 104.4 FM (London)

For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com

Zero One 3D is released in America cinemas this month, while Martin Gooch is launching an indiegogo campaign to fund his new SF movie The Search for Simon next week. More info: www.facebook.com/01movie / www.thesearchforsimon.com

Further links: Zero One 3D facebook page
More info about Zero One 3D at The Dallas Film Commission website
Info about Zero One and Death screenings at SCI-FI-LONDON
Martin Gooch’s website
The Search for Simon website

Recommended events:

Andy Diggle and Jock signing Snapshot

Writer Andy Diggle and artist Jock will be signing copies of the Forbidden Planet variant edition of their new comic, Snapshot, at 4:00pm on Saturday 9th February at our London Megastore.
Jake Dobson is your typical nerd; works at the Near-Mint Rhino comic-book store in San Francisco. But when he finds a lost cell phone, he’s horrified to discover it’s full of snapshots of a murder victim.

Suddenly he finds himself hunted by a vengeful hitman who wants his phone back. and Jake in a body bag! And then things start to get really complicated…

Andy Diggle and Jock have both worked separately for 2000AD, Marvel and DC but are best known for their collaborations – including Green Arrow: Year One and The Losers.

Saturday 09 February 2013 16:00 – 17:00

Forbidden Planet London Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

More info: www.forbiddenplanet.com/events

Mike Carey reading

Fantasy/Noir novelist Mike Carey reads from a selection of his work including the Felix Castor series.

Join him at one of London’s most well kept secrets, the glorious and slightly crumbling Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, for an atmospheric evening of absorbing, candlelit storytelling. Mike will also be joined by Linda Carey to read from their new novel City of Silk and Steel.
Mike will also be reading excerpts from The Girl With All The Gifts, his brand new horror novel (published by Orbit in November).

Following the reading, you will have the chance to talk to these exciting authors about writing for Fantasy/Noir readers during a panel discussion and Q&A.

Tuesday 12 February, 7pm – 9pm
£10/£8 concessions

Holy Redeeer Church
24 Exmouth Market
Clerkenwell
London EC1R 4QE
Nearest Tube/Train: Farringdon

More info: www.spreadtheword.org.uk

Will Morris signing The Silver Darlings

Despite the snow coming down sideways and everyone outside looking like something out of The Thing we have not closed our doors like all those kids-on-my-bus-this-morning’s schools. Because learning can wait but comics can’t. Or something. Right?

If your socks and five jumpers are failing to warm you even remotely then perhaps the announcement of our very first event of 2013 will at least take your mind off the impending foot amputation. Although Will Morris’ The Silver Darlings came out about a month ago we’re throwing it a belated launch party (plus signing, plus exhibition) because nobody likes to have a birthday on Christmas Day. It’s on the 15th of February, from 7pm to 9pm, there will be booze and art and The City Shanty Band will be lending the evening a briny air.

Friday 15th February, 7-9pm

Gosh! Comics, 1 Berwick Street, London W1F 0DR

More info: www.goshlondon.com

Develop your graphic fiction ideas with Mike Carey

This one-day course will enable you to really build on and develop your own ideas, and to take some practical steps towards getting your graphic fiction work into shape for an agent or publisher. Mike will look at how to develop ideas for a series, and lead some discussion around the wider scope of the graphic form. There will also be plenty of time for you to craft your own work under Mike’s guidance.

This workshop is perfect for anyone who is already working on an idea for the graphic form, and is looking to develop their ideas further. You don’t need to have come to last season’s workshop to attend.

Saturday 16 March, 11am – 4.30pm
£60 / £45 concessions

Toynbee Studios
28 Commercial Street
London E1 6AB
Nearest Tube/Train: Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City, District)

More info: www.spreadtheword.org.uk