Sunday, 31 August 2008
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
On being Doris Day
I have to confess I'm turning into a bit of a nanna at the moment. Still in my post-festival energy-drained downtime, I feel like I've been warding off an impending cold for two whole months. It's always on the brink of taking me over, but I've been successfully keeping it at bay. Unfortunately, in order to achieve this, I've had to abandon all hope of a social life, in favour of staying in, sleeping lots, overdosing on hot lemon and ginger tea, and watching endless episodes of TV series on DVD clutching my ancient M&S hot water bottle. Yes, folks, isn't my life thrilling?
Hearty winter walks on the cliffs
Having made a good inroad with season 5 of the West Wing, I've temporarily been sidelined by a marvellous 2004 British TV mini-series called Blackpool -- a musical comedy cop mystery story (?!) starring David Tennant as a cop investigating a murder in a casino owned by David Morrissey. It's bloody brilliant, and Tennant is as watchable as ever. It's only marginally making up for me being a little bit too far away to go and see him in Hamlet at the moment. (He's currently playing the Dane in Stratford.)
Dashing Scot in hilarious drama
Last Sunday a gang of us went to the 50s fair at Rose Seidler house. This was about an hour north of Sydney, an original modernist house built in stunning grounds, which hosts a 50s fair each year. I refrained from spending any money but adored the dresses and fabrics and homewares on the stalls. When I do get my own place I'll be 50s-inspired when I kit it out. There were so many gorgeous narrow-waisted red-lipsticked women hanging about too, and stylishly-quiffed men.
Another reason for my lack of a social life is I'm completely skint, due to saving up for two exciting impending trips. On Monday I set off for the Toronto Film Festival, via Vancouver, and when I return my dad will be arriving for a month's visit. We'll be heading off to New Zealand for a couple of weeks, where I hope to escape the world, go tramping in the hills and recreate Lord of the Rings on a camcorder starring John and Carmel. Woo hoo. So despite my boring posts now, just think what gems await you when I blog about my travels.
The view from Kirribilli where I dined last week
cx
Having made a good inroad with season 5 of the West Wing, I've temporarily been sidelined by a marvellous 2004 British TV mini-series called Blackpool -- a musical comedy cop mystery story (?!) starring David Tennant as a cop investigating a murder in a casino owned by David Morrissey. It's bloody brilliant, and Tennant is as watchable as ever. It's only marginally making up for me being a little bit too far away to go and see him in Hamlet at the moment. (He's currently playing the Dane in Stratford.)
Last Sunday a gang of us went to the 50s fair at Rose Seidler house. This was about an hour north of Sydney, an original modernist house built in stunning grounds, which hosts a 50s fair each year. I refrained from spending any money but adored the dresses and fabrics and homewares on the stalls. When I do get my own place I'll be 50s-inspired when I kit it out. There were so many gorgeous narrow-waisted red-lipsticked women hanging about too, and stylishly-quiffed men.
Another reason for my lack of a social life is I'm completely skint, due to saving up for two exciting impending trips. On Monday I set off for the Toronto Film Festival, via Vancouver, and when I return my dad will be arriving for a month's visit. We'll be heading off to New Zealand for a couple of weeks, where I hope to escape the world, go tramping in the hills and recreate Lord of the Rings on a camcorder starring John and Carmel. Woo hoo. So despite my boring posts now, just think what gems await you when I blog about my travels.
cx
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Addiction
Hello folks. I mentioned a while back that I made a film for Kino Kabaret. Kino is a global movement which is all about making films with passion and a spirit of collaboration, and not simply waiting around with an idea but no drive to bring it to fruition on film. So many people feel they need funding and official backing to make films, when actually all you need is a good concept, a good team, and ambition.
Kino screenings are held once a month and people make their films for a particular Kino. I made this film with Alex last year for Kino after the SFF. Kino Kabaret is held twice a year, and instead of having a month to make a film, this time you only have 48 hours. So... I turned up at 10am on Monday 14 July without a clue of what I was going to make, had an idea by 11am, storyboarded it and met my actor at 4.30pm. Shot it that evening, recorded the sound the next morning, edited it the next afternoon and it screened at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15 July at the ACP. How's that for 'not being shackled by the burdens of time or money'?!
So that's the result. It's a little rough, could be edited tighter (about 1-2 mins shorter) but it was fun to make, Simon was a great sport, and it was a welcome creative release after the stress of work over the last few weeks.
cx
Kino screenings are held once a month and people make their films for a particular Kino. I made this film with Alex last year for Kino after the SFF. Kino Kabaret is held twice a year, and instead of having a month to make a film, this time you only have 48 hours. So... I turned up at 10am on Monday 14 July without a clue of what I was going to make, had an idea by 11am, storyboarded it and met my actor at 4.30pm. Shot it that evening, recorded the sound the next morning, edited it the next afternoon and it screened at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15 July at the ACP. How's that for 'not being shackled by the burdens of time or money'?!
So that's the result. It's a little rough, could be edited tighter (about 1-2 mins shorter) but it was fun to make, Simon was a great sport, and it was a welcome creative release after the stress of work over the last few weeks.
cx
Friday, 1 August 2008
Blue Mountains retreat
There's nothing like a getaway to the Blue Mountains to restore the soul and revitalise the spirit after a hectic few weeks. The wonderful Matt organised a post-Kino retreat to the Blue Mountains, three blissful days off work with mates in a cottage in Leura. This time of year is my favourite -- crisp cold wind, stunning blue skies, and gorgeous clear nights with more stars than blackness, it seems. The mountains are just a couple of hours by train West of Sydney, and it was a great idea to get away from the city and chill out for a few days.
Bushwalking with the gang
Although we did go on a splendid bushwalk the majority of our time was spent in the cottage, gathering around the log fire, gazing out at the view, chilling, reading, cooking, eating and most of all watching films. Matt brought his projector and we cleared a whole wall to project films onto. A mixed bag of mainly horror films ensued, until someone had the bright idea of propping the projector up so it beamed up onto the ceiling and we were all strewn on mattresses on the floor watching films effortlessly up above. Move over Cecil B DeMille. Pure decadence!
Movie-watching in style with Alex and Karina
See more pics from the trip here, including Carmel's stylish modelling of walking boots and waterproof jackets. Totally unnecessary.
Since the festival my cheesy film-watching has been my therapy: after a six-month period of talking about fantastic world cinema, it seems I needed some trash to balance it out. Among the films I have watched are:
80s-tastic cheese. Gotta love Andrew McCarthy
Goldie Hawn chick-flick cheese
Classic Aussie outback horror
Flashback to childhood with the Neverending Story
Cringe-making 80s sexual politics
As well as the aforementioned Labrynth, Princess Bride, The Muppet Show, Enter the Dragon, The Big Chill, and heaps of episodes of the West Wing...
Anyway, cheesy films aside, I'm back in Sydney, working hard at post-festival wrap-up and getting ready for my Toronto trip in September.
I have more news too about my rollerskating escapades and filmmaking fun, but will blog again at the weekend. Hope those of you in the UK are enjoying the heatwave while I'm huddled against the heater.
cx
Although we did go on a splendid bushwalk the majority of our time was spent in the cottage, gathering around the log fire, gazing out at the view, chilling, reading, cooking, eating and most of all watching films. Matt brought his projector and we cleared a whole wall to project films onto. A mixed bag of mainly horror films ensued, until someone had the bright idea of propping the projector up so it beamed up onto the ceiling and we were all strewn on mattresses on the floor watching films effortlessly up above. Move over Cecil B DeMille. Pure decadence!
See more pics from the trip here, including Carmel's stylish modelling of walking boots and waterproof jackets. Totally unnecessary.
Since the festival my cheesy film-watching has been my therapy: after a six-month period of talking about fantastic world cinema, it seems I needed some trash to balance it out. Among the films I have watched are:
As well as the aforementioned Labrynth, Princess Bride, The Muppet Show, Enter the Dragon, The Big Chill, and heaps of episodes of the West Wing...
Anyway, cheesy films aside, I'm back in Sydney, working hard at post-festival wrap-up and getting ready for my Toronto trip in September.
I have more news too about my rollerskating escapades and filmmaking fun, but will blog again at the weekend. Hope those of you in the UK are enjoying the heatwave while I'm huddled against the heater.
cx
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