So, It's new years eve... again!
This blogging larks a tricky business. Everytime I write something someone tells me off - it's too negative - it's too boring (!) - It's ebarrassing - It's poorly spellled (!) - ad infinatum...
So, I've been trying to write something which doesnt offend anyone, isnt boring, prrperwly spelt, positive and amusing.
Which is why I havent written anything since October...
But its the end of the year so like every other f*cker out there I'm going to write my review of the year.
Ahem.
A truly odd year. I imagine very few people this time last year could of imagined the sheer and utter cock up of managing the world that the banks have, well, managed.
I've got a few chums in business (well I say chums - I just talk to them in the hope they might drop somemoney or something), and talking to them you really realise what a deep deep mess we is in.
It's taken a long time - hundered of years but basically all the rich people have stolen all the worlds money. It's all in their bank accounts and no one can get it.
But none of that realy kicked off till the summer. What summer????
No sun!
I sat out on my roof terrace everyday for June/july/aug and september and I didnt (to the relief of my neighbours) take my shirt off once for fear of hyperethermia.
Still it did mean I got lots of writing done. Another year another script - this time an adaption of the fighting fantasy gamebook- DeathtrapDungeon with the blessing of the writer Ian Livingstone. Maybe something will come of this but it was six months time well spent. I enjoyed writing it more than anything i've pretty much ever wroted.
Another block of Hollyoaks and the death of Max. That was great fun to do and an interesting time in the hollyoaks story. Hope to do more next year (?)
Directed six short films for East 15 including two half hour films, which was interesting. Was fun to work with so many new actors - some immensly talented and some... er... not as immensly talented.
Made three 1 minute films one achieved nothing, another people keep telling me is the best thing wot I've done, and the third won me the Movie Mogul competition 2008 - the bounty of which I have yet to see but it could and I hope, lead on to some interesting events in 2009.
But you know me - lets not get excited. The pessamist is never disappointed.
I Invented the Raindance short film project - which has so far made six short films, used 12 young actors, and taugh 30+ people the delights of film making. (There are delights?)
I completed a year of my Screenwriting Masters.
Entered and got rejected from the National Portrait competition and the Photographic Portrait thingie. (I think that's a comment on my artistic career...)
Had a film screening at the Curzon Soho with over 100 people in attendance and an hour of Gooch created movies. This is hopefully (is that the right word?) the last short film screening I'm going to do. They are expensive - a pig to organise and achieve nothing, except a nice booze up for everyone else.
Raindance TV want to take my entire back catalouge of shorts to put on the telly (internet telly, not telly telly) which is good - but I fear this isnt going to break montecarlo.
Got a new passport with a very sensible photo in it - but didn't leave the country - I didn't even go to Wales! First time I haven't left the nation for 21 Earth years - This will have to be rectified.
Got a new (my first!) Agent! Very exciting moment indeed - hoping this will bear fruit soon, as many seeds have now been planted.
Had five holes drilled in my knees - a general anesthetic and months of phsio, which wasn't my favourite event of the year. But hopefully a thing I won't have to do again. Though UCLH is an excellent hospital and I will be fighting the corner for the NHS for a long time to come.
Shot the Pricillars new Pop Video - All the way to Holloway.
Saw the Damned 4 times... The stranglers, James, Siouxsie, Heavens Basement (?),The Zennors... and lots of others I can't even name... (or remember).
Met Tharg - Alien editor of 2000AD.
Top that.
~
Things to look forward to in 2009!
A feature film?
Yet another short... (maybe only 5 this year). (Im not putting a question mark as this is pretty much a dead cert).
The rest of my masters? Another feature film script?
A new computer without a sticky space bar?
Some serious trips overseas?
About a half dozen weddings to attend?
Who knows what the future will bring?
But then, thats half the fun isn'tit?
Yesterday - Chaos.
Today - Chaos.
Tomorrow - Chaos?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
OMD at the Roundhouse
So, I went to see OMD at the Roundhouse this evening, observant readers might have been able to deduce this from the title line.
I actually went with a friend, who was really late as she went to the wrong theatre (the forum in kentish town...) and whilst i was waiting for her I actually bumped in to the gilr Im secretly in love with (so secret - no one knows this at all).
But then just as I was chatting to secret love girl, my date turn up so I had to rush off and be polite.
Ahyhoo, the gig was brilliant. Seldom do I see gigs where there is so much emotion in the air.
Rock gigs rock, but I don't always feel stirrings in my heart. But when the OMD boys did Joan of arc the audience applauded more than they did at the end of the gig, it was truely a magic gig moment, if we hadnt have been standing already - we would have been standing.
There was a lot of audience participation, gone the feeling of awkwardness and stupidity, that sometime you can feel when trying to clap along to a pop tune.
But then looking around I was one of the young ones (36), the band themselves must all be mid to late 40's, which is no bad thing, but at several points I really was a teenager again and there was a bit of sentiment in my eye at several points.
A truly great gig.
Its in my top ten of all time...
I actually went with a friend, who was really late as she went to the wrong theatre (the forum in kentish town...) and whilst i was waiting for her I actually bumped in to the gilr Im secretly in love with (so secret - no one knows this at all).
But then just as I was chatting to secret love girl, my date turn up so I had to rush off and be polite.
Ahyhoo, the gig was brilliant. Seldom do I see gigs where there is so much emotion in the air.
Rock gigs rock, but I don't always feel stirrings in my heart. But when the OMD boys did Joan of arc the audience applauded more than they did at the end of the gig, it was truely a magic gig moment, if we hadnt have been standing already - we would have been standing.
There was a lot of audience participation, gone the feeling of awkwardness and stupidity, that sometime you can feel when trying to clap along to a pop tune.
But then looking around I was one of the young ones (36), the band themselves must all be mid to late 40's, which is no bad thing, but at several points I really was a teenager again and there was a bit of sentiment in my eye at several points.
A truly great gig.
Its in my top ten of all time...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
No more Pink Floyd
So, my brother gave me a music magazine to read the other day, as Queen (or what they have now become, like Frankensteins monster they have risen from the dead with a new head on top) have a new albumn out.
I was a big fan when I was a kid, so this is still an event, I remember running off to Our Price records to buy the I want it all 12" single and fighting with my friend hayes as they only had one copy left... (I won).
Anyhow, what was more interesting in this magazine was an interview with David Gilmore, Axeman with the Floyd.
At the end of the article he said - no I ain't gunna play with the Floyd no more. (words to that effect)
So that was a bit sad, and then I went to sleep and in the morning I woke to find that poor old Richard Wright, Keyboard player has only gone and died.
Terribly sad.
I think that puts the end to the Floyd re-union I was hoping for then.
I feel very lucky to have seen Floyd at live 8 in 2005, which was incredibly good. I also saw them at Earls Court in about 1994, which was amazing, and in knebworth in about 1989, then went off to see Roger Waters do The Wall at THE WALL in East germany.
That was amazing 200,000 people, the biggest gig in the world at the time.
I still have dust in my turn-ups from Potsdammenplatz, where we were standing in all the fox holes, where they had blown up the land mines, leaving huge craters, so everyone had to stand on the rim, so they could see anything!
Waters managed to get in a helicopter at one point and flew off over the Wall, but we didnt know it was him, as we were all looking at the WALL - the biggest stage ever constructed apparently.
The amount of hours I spent as a kid, and still sometimes now, listening to the music and actually being somewhere else at the same time, must run in to hundreds or thousands.
I think Pink Floyd were the band that made me think, music is something that I shouldn't do, as I'm crap at it and I should concentrate on the visuals - film making and the like.
Better use of time for me I think, and as we have been once again reminded, we only have a limited amount of the stuff.
So Richard. Thank you for the music.
I was a big fan when I was a kid, so this is still an event, I remember running off to Our Price records to buy the I want it all 12" single and fighting with my friend hayes as they only had one copy left... (I won).
Anyhow, what was more interesting in this magazine was an interview with David Gilmore, Axeman with the Floyd.
At the end of the article he said - no I ain't gunna play with the Floyd no more. (words to that effect)
So that was a bit sad, and then I went to sleep and in the morning I woke to find that poor old Richard Wright, Keyboard player has only gone and died.
Terribly sad.
I think that puts the end to the Floyd re-union I was hoping for then.
I feel very lucky to have seen Floyd at live 8 in 2005, which was incredibly good. I also saw them at Earls Court in about 1994, which was amazing, and in knebworth in about 1989, then went off to see Roger Waters do The Wall at THE WALL in East germany.
That was amazing 200,000 people, the biggest gig in the world at the time.
I still have dust in my turn-ups from Potsdammenplatz, where we were standing in all the fox holes, where they had blown up the land mines, leaving huge craters, so everyone had to stand on the rim, so they could see anything!
Waters managed to get in a helicopter at one point and flew off over the Wall, but we didnt know it was him, as we were all looking at the WALL - the biggest stage ever constructed apparently.
The amount of hours I spent as a kid, and still sometimes now, listening to the music and actually being somewhere else at the same time, must run in to hundreds or thousands.
I think Pink Floyd were the band that made me think, music is something that I shouldn't do, as I'm crap at it and I should concentrate on the visuals - film making and the like.
Better use of time for me I think, and as we have been once again reminded, we only have a limited amount of the stuff.
So Richard. Thank you for the music.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Its my Birthday and I'll blog if I want to.
So, It's my Birthday. Well it is here, it might not be toi the west or even the far est, but right here right now, as Fat boy slim might, or might not say, it is. My Birthday.
I've been told that my blog is too negative, so I'm making my new years resolution to be more positive about things. Mostly the work things but other things too.
We will see how that goes.
Shit. That didnt sound too positive.
How about I'm looking forward to the future.
No, that sounds like a job application.
What about things look rosey.
No that just sounds rubbish.
Maybe I can't do it?
Maybe the lack of positivity is so ingrrained from 15 year teetering on the brink of the film industry it's just sapped my will to live.
Deflated me.
Maybe not.
Positive. Positive. positive.
Thats my new motto.
I've been told that my blog is too negative, so I'm making my new years resolution to be more positive about things. Mostly the work things but other things too.
We will see how that goes.
Shit. That didnt sound too positive.
How about I'm looking forward to the future.
No, that sounds like a job application.
What about things look rosey.
No that just sounds rubbish.
Maybe I can't do it?
Maybe the lack of positivity is so ingrrained from 15 year teetering on the brink of the film industry it's just sapped my will to live.
Deflated me.
Maybe not.
Positive. Positive. positive.
Thats my new motto.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Time our greatest foe...
So a month has past, thats an earth month, not a Martian month, or even a Jovian month, however long they may be. I mean what with all the heavy gravity, it'd be pretty pointless having a colony there, so don't really need to have a calendar system there, ad there won't be anyone.
I supose you could have an orbiting base, but then you might as well just use the earth calendar, as you would be experiencing sun rise and set.
Hmm. Worth a thought.
Anyhoo. A month has passed and very little to report - hence lack of postage.
Been teaching film making for Raindance which was pretty successful. Its amazing how easy everything is with all the digital technology these days, not like when i started out. Oh no.
Kids these days etc.. don't know their born. tum ti tum.
Been asked to write another feature film, this will be my 9th. But once more unpaid until it is finished. rather tedious that I didnt get asked three months ago when I had the operation on my knees!
Went to a meeting the other day and the producer didnt turn up and then didnt contact me for two days, and didnt say he was sorry.
Why do people think they can behave like this! Well obviously they can and they do!
In the mean time been working on the showreel, which might actually one day be finished...
I supose you could have an orbiting base, but then you might as well just use the earth calendar, as you would be experiencing sun rise and set.
Hmm. Worth a thought.
Anyhoo. A month has passed and very little to report - hence lack of postage.
Been teaching film making for Raindance which was pretty successful. Its amazing how easy everything is with all the digital technology these days, not like when i started out. Oh no.
Kids these days etc.. don't know their born. tum ti tum.
Been asked to write another feature film, this will be my 9th. But once more unpaid until it is finished. rather tedious that I didnt get asked three months ago when I had the operation on my knees!
Went to a meeting the other day and the producer didnt turn up and then didnt contact me for two days, and didnt say he was sorry.
Why do people think they can behave like this! Well obviously they can and they do!
In the mean time been working on the showreel, which might actually one day be finished...
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
So, its about the 23rd of July, where do the days go?
Its been a funny old couple of weeks, I'm still hobbling around on my crutch post - knee op, which is fairly annoying and the people of London still completely fail to get out of my way or offer me a seat on the bus or tube but then I never really expected that they would!
Last week I spent 4 days working as a 1st Assistant Director on a student film at shepperton studios funded by LCC (london college of communications) where I am doing my Masters and Skillset who give people in the film industry money to do stuff for some reason.
It was a fantastic set, the art department had really done a fine job, and each department had a Mentor from the industry, most of whom had been in the industry for at least 20 or 30 years and worked on everything you could think of, from Star Wars to Harry Potter to Gladiator.
Sadly however the Director and his side kick the Director of photography were possibly the two most arrogant and ignorant people I have ever met. They had done no prep as far as I could tell, and had absolutly no idea how to shoot a film. It was like being on a photographic set, each shot was totally different to the last, no continuity opf lighting, atmos or even performance.
The director hadnt even decided what genre it was and he had already started shooting.
They consistantly ignored all advice and comments from the mentors and continued to behave like they were shooting Godfather 4.
The budget was £100K and they pissed it all away.
On day three the shot list was M/S (medium shots) all day long. Nothing else. It was like the director hadnt even thought about what it was that he was going to do.
He kept waving about his own script which had some scribbles on, but never showed them to anyone else and never made any copies.
His notes were in coloured pen, and he said I like to think in colour. Well. That's lucky, then itsn't it?
It was amazing to me, who would kill to have such an opportunity, that the Dir hadn't bebothered to learn quite simply, anything about directing at all.
His direction to the actors was laughable, but one of the actors was taking it very seriously, and I just thought, Oh dear you're a bit of an arse arn't you. His loss.
One wondered what they get taught at school. Tch, kids these days.
~
Tonigfht was the opening night of the Rushes Soho Film Festival where I have a film playing in competition - The Gravity of Belief, so I was invited to the opening booze up which was at the old GLC building behind the london Eye.
It's now a film museam so I got to rub shoulders with daleks, darth vader, Boba Fett, and so on, quite fun really. Lots of the usual faces at london film things.
Its been a funny old couple of weeks, I'm still hobbling around on my crutch post - knee op, which is fairly annoying and the people of London still completely fail to get out of my way or offer me a seat on the bus or tube but then I never really expected that they would!
Last week I spent 4 days working as a 1st Assistant Director on a student film at shepperton studios funded by LCC (london college of communications) where I am doing my Masters and Skillset who give people in the film industry money to do stuff for some reason.
It was a fantastic set, the art department had really done a fine job, and each department had a Mentor from the industry, most of whom had been in the industry for at least 20 or 30 years and worked on everything you could think of, from Star Wars to Harry Potter to Gladiator.
Sadly however the Director and his side kick the Director of photography were possibly the two most arrogant and ignorant people I have ever met. They had done no prep as far as I could tell, and had absolutly no idea how to shoot a film. It was like being on a photographic set, each shot was totally different to the last, no continuity opf lighting, atmos or even performance.
The director hadnt even decided what genre it was and he had already started shooting.
They consistantly ignored all advice and comments from the mentors and continued to behave like they were shooting Godfather 4.
The budget was £100K and they pissed it all away.
On day three the shot list was M/S (medium shots) all day long. Nothing else. It was like the director hadnt even thought about what it was that he was going to do.
He kept waving about his own script which had some scribbles on, but never showed them to anyone else and never made any copies.
His notes were in coloured pen, and he said I like to think in colour. Well. That's lucky, then itsn't it?
It was amazing to me, who would kill to have such an opportunity, that the Dir hadn't bebothered to learn quite simply, anything about directing at all.
His direction to the actors was laughable, but one of the actors was taking it very seriously, and I just thought, Oh dear you're a bit of an arse arn't you. His loss.
One wondered what they get taught at school. Tch, kids these days.
~
Tonigfht was the opening night of the Rushes Soho Film Festival where I have a film playing in competition - The Gravity of Belief, so I was invited to the opening booze up which was at the old GLC building behind the london Eye.
It's now a film museam so I got to rub shoulders with daleks, darth vader, Boba Fett, and so on, quite fun really. Lots of the usual faces at london film things.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Who'd you like to meet, eh?
So, just a quickie (as I once begged an actress) as it is late and I am tired.
So, I was in the Pub last night with an old chum and his ex (no-names to avoid embarrassement) and someone said - if you could meet anyone at all alive today - who would you meet?
And the Ex said without barely a pause for thought: Ben Affleck.
I almost spat my whole pint out.
Ben F****** Affleck?
The Ex was not impressed by my derision, and when I challenged her as to why she chose him, she said: he's Cute.
So, when faced with the opportunity of meeting any of the great (ha!) leaders of our time, artists, sportsmen and women, travellers, scientists, celebrity chefs, she chose a (lets face it) 2nd rate actor...
I don't wish to be a snob, but oh dear me.
any hoo. I just thought that was worthy of note, we must all remember how lots of peoples brains work.
And the Ex works in high finance, so no wonder the world is falling down all around.
Nothing good can come of a planet where peoples idols are Ben Affleck.
Personally I'd like to meet [CENSORED ON LEGAL REASONS]
So, I was in the Pub last night with an old chum and his ex (no-names to avoid embarrassement) and someone said - if you could meet anyone at all alive today - who would you meet?
And the Ex said without barely a pause for thought: Ben Affleck.
I almost spat my whole pint out.
Ben F****** Affleck?
The Ex was not impressed by my derision, and when I challenged her as to why she chose him, she said: he's Cute.
So, when faced with the opportunity of meeting any of the great (ha!) leaders of our time, artists, sportsmen and women, travellers, scientists, celebrity chefs, she chose a (lets face it) 2nd rate actor...
I don't wish to be a snob, but oh dear me.
any hoo. I just thought that was worthy of note, we must all remember how lots of peoples brains work.
And the Ex works in high finance, so no wonder the world is falling down all around.
Nothing good can come of a planet where peoples idols are Ben Affleck.
Personally I'd like to meet [CENSORED ON LEGAL REASONS]
Sunday, June 29, 2008
TV Credits
So, tomorrow is another day of note as far as I'm concrened. I know in the history of Tv and things of that nature it isnt very important at all, but for me having a week of TV directed by me is a very good thing.
So there is Hollyoaks on everyday this week, twice a day and then 5 times on sunday, so 15 times in one week!
Not bad credit rating for a week. almost 8 hours of broadcast TV travelling through the air and onto people TV screens directed by me.
So I'm happy with that.
Just need some more now...
have been in darkest Somerset for over a week now and am getting a little bit cabin fevered, so going to head back to london in a day or two.
And start the great, and never ending, search for work once more...
Oh To be freelance!
So there is Hollyoaks on everyday this week, twice a day and then 5 times on sunday, so 15 times in one week!
Not bad credit rating for a week. almost 8 hours of broadcast TV travelling through the air and onto people TV screens directed by me.
So I'm happy with that.
Just need some more now...
have been in darkest Somerset for over a week now and am getting a little bit cabin fevered, so going to head back to london in a day or two.
And start the great, and never ending, search for work once more...
Oh To be freelance!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Knee's up mother brown....
So, I've not blogged for a while, but I have a reasonable excuse, had a bi-lateral arthroscopy on both knees - Ouch! so been to Hospital and got 5 holes in my kness and some bandages.
Why 5 holes when i only have 2 knees- I don't know, but that is wot I got!
Surgeon says he knows a man who wants to buy my shoes... Thank you, I'm here all week etc...
They seem to be OK, hurt a lot, still on pain killers and I had it done a week ago, going to see the nurse today to change the dressing.
I was slightly concerned cause the surgeon naver came to see me, even thought I asked, just sent some flunky who didnt know what operation I had had done! But that is the NHS, it's free, but not very good. Like going to the £1 shop...
Gone to stay with my mum and dad for at least a week, cause I can mostly stay on the ground floor and the temptaion to get on a bus and go somewhere is gone.Food is good here too!
I know this has got nothing to do with films and film making, but it's important to me - they are my knees, so I'm going to blog it.
Normal, (ish) service will resume soon.
Why 5 holes when i only have 2 knees- I don't know, but that is wot I got!
Surgeon says he knows a man who wants to buy my shoes... Thank you, I'm here all week etc...
They seem to be OK, hurt a lot, still on pain killers and I had it done a week ago, going to see the nurse today to change the dressing.
I was slightly concerned cause the surgeon naver came to see me, even thought I asked, just sent some flunky who didnt know what operation I had had done! But that is the NHS, it's free, but not very good. Like going to the £1 shop...
Gone to stay with my mum and dad for at least a week, cause I can mostly stay on the ground floor and the temptaion to get on a bus and go somewhere is gone.Food is good here too!
I know this has got nothing to do with films and film making, but it's important to me - they are my knees, so I'm going to blog it.
Normal, (ish) service will resume soon.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Revised opinions on Indiana Jones pt4
So, I have been advised by one of my more interesting friends (Martha) whose opininion I hold in the highest regard, to re-blog my comments on Indian Jones 4:
***Please do not read if you haven't seen the movie, as I do rather give the ending away big time***
I was excited to see Indy, so came out of the cinema with a bit of a glow, and wrote the blog about 30 mins after, but the more I think about it the more I see plot holes and shit bits:
This is how our conversation went:
Martha says:
Ay up. I can't believe you thought Indiana Jones was any good...
Captain Mart says:
I'm revising my opinion the more I think about it
Martha says:
Downwards, I take it?
Captain Mart says:
Indeed.
Martha says:
You'll have to reblog it.
Captain Mart says:
I was excited to see Indy, but the more I think about it the more I see plot holes and shit bits.
Martha says:
I was really excited too. But was instantly annoyed by opening shot of unnecessary CGI animal, and didn't really improve from there. Most disappointing.
Martha says:
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.
Captain Mart says:
Yes- I didn't understand the whole opening sequence with the roadster car and the girls? and the CGI car chase later on, which wasn't as good as the speeder bike chase in Jedi 20 years ago...
Martha says:
I think the opening was an incredibly self indulgent American Graffiti reference from Lucas. That was my take on it.
Captain Mart says:
Ahhh, good point, if you cut out all the self referential and self indulgent stuff, you could cut an hour from the film.
Martha says:
And no, the later car chase was mostly rubbish. Especially the anti communist monkeys, and the kamikaze jump into the river as if she knew she'd land on a magic tree which would gently deposit them into the water.
Captain Mart says:
And why did the English bloke, (Ray Winston), just lie on the floor at the end and tell Jones to go? Did he sprain his ankle?
Martha says:
Beats me. I didn't get that either.
Captain Mart says:
And why did the aliens have a dimension gate AND a space ship? you'd only need one.
Martha says:
Why did we have to have any bloody aliens at all?
Martha says:
Felt very wrong.Captain Mart says:
Yes I agree, that was part of the SS and GL self indulgent bolloxness.
Captain Mart says:
Can I post this conversation in my blog and save time and effort?
Martha says:
Sure. Just take out my typos...
***Please do not read if you haven't seen the movie, as I do rather give the ending away big time***
I was excited to see Indy, so came out of the cinema with a bit of a glow, and wrote the blog about 30 mins after, but the more I think about it the more I see plot holes and shit bits:
This is how our conversation went:
Martha says:
Ay up. I can't believe you thought Indiana Jones was any good...
Captain Mart says:
I'm revising my opinion the more I think about it
Martha says:
Downwards, I take it?
Captain Mart says:
Indeed.
Martha says:
You'll have to reblog it.
Captain Mart says:
I was excited to see Indy, but the more I think about it the more I see plot holes and shit bits.
Martha says:
I was really excited too. But was instantly annoyed by opening shot of unnecessary CGI animal, and didn't really improve from there. Most disappointing.
Martha says:
I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.
Captain Mart says:
Yes- I didn't understand the whole opening sequence with the roadster car and the girls? and the CGI car chase later on, which wasn't as good as the speeder bike chase in Jedi 20 years ago...
Martha says:
I think the opening was an incredibly self indulgent American Graffiti reference from Lucas. That was my take on it.
Captain Mart says:
Ahhh, good point, if you cut out all the self referential and self indulgent stuff, you could cut an hour from the film.
Martha says:
And no, the later car chase was mostly rubbish. Especially the anti communist monkeys, and the kamikaze jump into the river as if she knew she'd land on a magic tree which would gently deposit them into the water.
Captain Mart says:
And why did the English bloke, (Ray Winston), just lie on the floor at the end and tell Jones to go? Did he sprain his ankle?
Martha says:
Beats me. I didn't get that either.
Captain Mart says:
And why did the aliens have a dimension gate AND a space ship? you'd only need one.
Martha says:
Why did we have to have any bloody aliens at all?
Martha says:
Felt very wrong.Captain Mart says:
Yes I agree, that was part of the SS and GL self indulgent bolloxness.
Captain Mart says:
Can I post this conversation in my blog and save time and effort?
Martha says:
Sure. Just take out my typos...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Propper PSB's
So, finished my latest block of episodes on Hollyoaks and showed them to the big chief yesterday, I was amazed that he watched all 5 but didnt really comment on anything, other than - not enough extras - too many extras and he didnt like the music.
But on the whole all good, it would have been nice if the big chief had said 'oooh thats a nice shot' at least once, but then I don't think he's looking at that, I'll have to wait until I get out of the world of soap (ooops - 'ongoing-drama') until I get that sort of comment I think.
Obviously as predicted, I now have post shoot blues, so went into town (liverpool) today to potter about, and ended up in the cinema watchin The new Indiana Jones movie, which is pretty good, though it has a lot of unrelated sequences which I dont really see the point of, that is not to say they arn't good, just not needed.
Good film, but still no Raiders.
Tomorrow Max and OBs leaving do Piss up, which I hope will be fun...
But on the whole all good, it would have been nice if the big chief had said 'oooh thats a nice shot' at least once, but then I don't think he's looking at that, I'll have to wait until I get out of the world of soap (ooops - 'ongoing-drama') until I get that sort of comment I think.
Obviously as predicted, I now have post shoot blues, so went into town (liverpool) today to potter about, and ended up in the cinema watchin The new Indiana Jones movie, which is pretty good, though it has a lot of unrelated sequences which I dont really see the point of, that is not to say they arn't good, just not needed.
Good film, but still no Raiders.
Tomorrow Max and OBs leaving do Piss up, which I hope will be fun...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Post shoot blues
so, another shoot complete. I know amazvingly finished shooting yesterday. I actually hate the end of the shoot, cause you, the director don't want it to end, cause this is your calling, what you were put on earth to do, and now its finishing.
But the crew. 90% of them just want to be in the pub watching the footy.
so its kind of a battle to get crew top work to a high standard until the very last minute before the final WRAP.
And I should know cause I was crew on 200TV programs and 13 Features, I onlt realised it was so many when I was trying to update my CV, I must have been bored!
Back in the edit, which is like coming down the mountain once it has been scaled.
what next?
Maybe shoot some of my own stuff again, and finish of a short or two.
and then probably get booked for three things at once and choose the wrong one, later on in the year.
But the crew. 90% of them just want to be in the pub watching the footy.
so its kind of a battle to get crew top work to a high standard until the very last minute before the final WRAP.
And I should know cause I was crew on 200TV programs and 13 Features, I onlt realised it was so many when I was trying to update my CV, I must have been bored!
Back in the edit, which is like coming down the mountain once it has been scaled.
what next?
Maybe shoot some of my own stuff again, and finish of a short or two.
and then probably get booked for three things at once and choose the wrong one, later on in the year.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Noise noise noise
so, in the words of The Damned, noise, noise, noise. yes lots of Noise's Off today. I can even remember the amount of times I had to re-take stuff cause of noise on the other sets. We had four film units working within hearing noise of each other, if we farted the other crew would pick it up, so we had great difficulty getting out stuff clean,especially with one unit shooting the death of *** outside our window, with crane and steady-cam.
Whilst we had intimate chat scenes inside.
Good days work though. and then upon wrap I drove to stockport south Manchester to see `my editor, who is working on my latest short - The Lift - all about 4 people who get stuk, unsurprisingly - in a lift.
Im happy with it, it should be finished v. soon. then wot?
Dunno guv.
Whilst we had intimate chat scenes inside.
Good days work though. and then upon wrap I drove to stockport south Manchester to see `my editor, who is working on my latest short - The Lift - all about 4 people who get stuk, unsurprisingly - in a lift.
Im happy with it, it should be finished v. soon. then wot?
Dunno guv.
Monday, May 12, 2008
I'm probably not even really allowed to talk about this but I will any-way safe in the knowledge that no one is actually reading any of this rubbish.
So. A few days one of our actresses was diagnosed with ring-worm which isn't acxtually anything to do with worms, its a fungal infection that leave strange ring shapes on the skin and itches. She got it from her pet cats.
and as actors are always MWHA MWHA'ing each other all the time - it quickly spread to one of the other actreses and now another, and I can't look at them with out itching...
We were suposed to have an intimate scene between a new mother and her new born baby, but we couldnt have the newborn on set due to the risk of infection of ring-worm.
so I had to shoot the baby scene without the baby. We even had the producer down on set to make a descision, but all she did was say get on with it...
Well, I supose that is a decision really... well done her!
The other Units are referring to my unit as the 'fellowship of the ring-worm'.
Of all the things that I ever thought would hamper my shooting, I never thought that fungal infection would be one of them...
Cannes film festival starts this week, but I won't be there as I have a decent enuf excuse that I am Directing for money, so Im happy with that.
So. A few days one of our actresses was diagnosed with ring-worm which isn't acxtually anything to do with worms, its a fungal infection that leave strange ring shapes on the skin and itches. She got it from her pet cats.
and as actors are always MWHA MWHA'ing each other all the time - it quickly spread to one of the other actreses and now another, and I can't look at them with out itching...
We were suposed to have an intimate scene between a new mother and her new born baby, but we couldnt have the newborn on set due to the risk of infection of ring-worm.
so I had to shoot the baby scene without the baby. We even had the producer down on set to make a descision, but all she did was say get on with it...
Well, I supose that is a decision really... well done her!
The other Units are referring to my unit as the 'fellowship of the ring-worm'.
Of all the things that I ever thought would hamper my shooting, I never thought that fungal infection would be one of them...
Cannes film festival starts this week, but I won't be there as I have a decent enuf excuse that I am Directing for money, so Im happy with that.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
sultry evenings...
So back in Liverpool after a brief sojourn to Gooch HQ HQ. (AKA Mum n Dads).
Last few weeks solid Hollyoaks shooting. It's been good, lots of nice scenes, with some of the er, ahem, more better actors... (no names mentioned). I'm only glad I'm not working with **** who seems a right ***, they even **** to the ***, *** times!!
I know, shocking.
The plot line has a lot of stuff in hospital so its been a lot like filming ER for the last 3 days, only with a lot smaller budget, and set. and less steady-cam.
Actually I did use a bit of steady cam. but only cause I know the operators get paid more, and I felt he could do with a few quid.
This week we film the death of a major character, so that's all quite exciting, especially as we have already filmed the aftermath and everything is a bit back to front! Filming can be a tad confusing at times...
Noticed one of my lovely actresses on the cover of NUTS magazine at the petrol station, I now see her in a new light.
Funny writing this blog, I mean I know NO ONE reads it, so its a bit diary I suppose... Thought I might try to films some comedy sketches in early June, but have encountered a massive level of apathy from my so called creative chums, who tell me they are full of ideas... maybe I'll just stick to the A plan and shoot my feature in the summer.
Now that does sound like a plan.
Last few weeks solid Hollyoaks shooting. It's been good, lots of nice scenes, with some of the er, ahem, more better actors... (no names mentioned). I'm only glad I'm not working with **** who seems a right ***, they even **** to the ***, *** times!!
I know, shocking.
The plot line has a lot of stuff in hospital so its been a lot like filming ER for the last 3 days, only with a lot smaller budget, and set. and less steady-cam.
Actually I did use a bit of steady cam. but only cause I know the operators get paid more, and I felt he could do with a few quid.
This week we film the death of a major character, so that's all quite exciting, especially as we have already filmed the aftermath and everything is a bit back to front! Filming can be a tad confusing at times...
Noticed one of my lovely actresses on the cover of NUTS magazine at the petrol station, I now see her in a new light.
Funny writing this blog, I mean I know NO ONE reads it, so its a bit diary I suppose... Thought I might try to films some comedy sketches in early June, but have encountered a massive level of apathy from my so called creative chums, who tell me they are full of ideas... maybe I'll just stick to the A plan and shoot my feature in the summer.
Now that does sound like a plan.
Monday, April 21, 2008
BAFTA!!!
Good evening,
So, I set up (I say I, but actually Esta did it and I watched), (I say 'Watched' but actually I mean -looked out of the window and ignored everything she said), hence the lengthy delay, so, Ahem!
So, I set up this blog months ago and then didnt put anything in, as I was kinda waiting for a good 'in' - you can't just start a series in the middle, but then yesterday I got my 'in', so here it is...
I'm currently commuting to Liverpool everyweek, to work as a Director on Hollyoaks the TV show.
So, I was on the train, having skived my way into first class, which is a story all of its own, but not actually that good a story, so I can't be bothered, and I got a text - I directed a whole load of stuff for the Spooks Interactive website and it won a BAFTA!
Flippin heck, There's me stunned at the sheer incredulousness of it all. My best films get ignored and some internet work I did gets a BAFTA, still it does mean I can now write on my CV - Officially not shit! which is nice.
But there was no one to tell on the tgrain, as we sped through the dark countryside (I say 'sped' but trundle would have done...) My parents are on holiday outside Europe for the first tie in 25 years, and it was quite late so I didnt want to call anyone, so i told the man sitting opposite me, who bought me a drink and turned out to be... a film finacier.
Oh the fickle twists of fate.
A bizarre day indeed. That was yesterday of course, and now today, back at the 'oaks, had my production meeting as start shooting on wednesday, everythings cool.
Will fill you all in on the delights of Directing on the 'oaks soon, stand by studio!
So, I set up (I say I, but actually Esta did it and I watched), (I say 'Watched' but actually I mean -looked out of the window and ignored everything she said), hence the lengthy delay, so, Ahem!
So, I set up this blog months ago and then didnt put anything in, as I was kinda waiting for a good 'in' - you can't just start a series in the middle, but then yesterday I got my 'in', so here it is...
I'm currently commuting to Liverpool everyweek, to work as a Director on Hollyoaks the TV show.
So, I was on the train, having skived my way into first class, which is a story all of its own, but not actually that good a story, so I can't be bothered, and I got a text - I directed a whole load of stuff for the Spooks Interactive website and it won a BAFTA!
Flippin heck, There's me stunned at the sheer incredulousness of it all. My best films get ignored and some internet work I did gets a BAFTA, still it does mean I can now write on my CV - Officially not shit! which is nice.
But there was no one to tell on the tgrain, as we sped through the dark countryside (I say 'sped' but trundle would have done...) My parents are on holiday outside Europe for the first tie in 25 years, and it was quite late so I didnt want to call anyone, so i told the man sitting opposite me, who bought me a drink and turned out to be... a film finacier.
Oh the fickle twists of fate.
A bizarre day indeed. That was yesterday of course, and now today, back at the 'oaks, had my production meeting as start shooting on wednesday, everythings cool.
Will fill you all in on the delights of Directing on the 'oaks soon, stand by studio!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The future of blogging...
Blimey, the future has finally arrived. Even I, Captain Luddite, have a blog, lets see if I can actually write anything of any interest over the coming however long...
Wish me luk.
Damn, a spelling mistake...
Wish me luk.
Damn, a spelling mistake...
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