I don't feel reflective at all at this end of year. Though I will list in short things so I remember what stood out this year, in no particular order.
Corporate videos. Dead Cat. Published photography. Natalia. Kun Jue. Chi Aki. Heather. Nic. Ros. Xinna. Tango. Taiji. The absence of friends. Projector. Bluray. The Watchmen. Star Trek. Leather jacket. Beatrice's trip. Allo Darlin music video, directing.
The year really started in mid March and ended in mid December. Aug - Nov were the best. It felt like being at your best at everything. Jan/Feb and Dec were the worst. 2010 will start early, in Jan. I have work in Jan.
In many ways it's been a good year and in a few, it hasn't. Have experienced lots of new things through work and play and met new friends. But not so good in old friends and family.
- J
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
A way of light
Last night was the last day of Principle Photography, we went back to Putney to re shoot the very last shot of the film as last week we didn't have a cat. Upon wrap, I started to hug and thank everyone. Upon wrap, we were over the hill we had been climbing for 5 weeks straight. Upon wrap, I felt suddenly emotional. I had tears in my eyes. I suddenly felt a wave of relief and happiness that with our limitations and resources we all worked really hard to make this film to the best of our abilities and now, it was 'in the can' as it were. When Stefan, the director thanked me saying he couldn't have done it without me, i couldn't say anything back as i had a lump in my throat. It's hard to describe the emotion of finishing a film with such tough challenges. I was suddenly so grateful to everyone who put their two cents of time to carry a case, make cofffee, drive equipment and ideas to this project. I have done 6 features prior to this and this has been the hardest and most rewarding. I felt i had been holding my professionalism for 5 weeks and along with that, my emotional state, my personal self. I felt, we did it, we made this film with last minute locations and last minute crew- WE made it happen and are all proud of what we had achieved.
For most of the 5 weeks, it was intense. The first 2 were really intense.
Against odds we made the wedding scene with 100 extras where 3 days prior we had only 20 extras. We made the fireworks happens in the only take we could do. We did an exterior night shoot walk and talk for 2 half minutes no cut walking around the streets of highbury. One day, we did about 25 slates, which averages about 75 takes. The end slate number was over 425 in 26 days.
Everyday the AC's would put done a different directors and DP's name on the board for fun but on the last day, on the last slate, the director and I put our real names down.
Sure I have been annoyed at the lack of time to set up and light and the amount of coverage I was eventually asked to do and the lack of prep but we worked with it.
But Stefan was great to work with despite his lapses in phone calls and singing to the crew, he was serious and stern and directed actors well. He is a director to watch and I can absolutely seeing him directing some films of both decent budget and worth. He just needs to learn some dicipline in shooting ratio and angles and trust in himself that he got the takes in less less coverage than we need.
I loved shooting this film, but I glad it's done. We do have pick ups to do, the first being on the 14th Nov for fireworks.
- J
For most of the 5 weeks, it was intense. The first 2 were really intense.
Against odds we made the wedding scene with 100 extras where 3 days prior we had only 20 extras. We made the fireworks happens in the only take we could do. We did an exterior night shoot walk and talk for 2 half minutes no cut walking around the streets of highbury. One day, we did about 25 slates, which averages about 75 takes. The end slate number was over 425 in 26 days.
Everyday the AC's would put done a different directors and DP's name on the board for fun but on the last day, on the last slate, the director and I put our real names down.
Sure I have been annoyed at the lack of time to set up and light and the amount of coverage I was eventually asked to do and the lack of prep but we worked with it.
But Stefan was great to work with despite his lapses in phone calls and singing to the crew, he was serious and stern and directed actors well. He is a director to watch and I can absolutely seeing him directing some films of both decent budget and worth. He just needs to learn some dicipline in shooting ratio and angles and trust in himself that he got the takes in less less coverage than we need.
I loved shooting this film, but I glad it's done. We do have pick ups to do, the first being on the 14th Nov for fireworks.
- J
Friday, October 23, 2009
Someone I used to know
Am on the last week of this 5 week feature shoot. I managed to get an old camera assistant of mine who I trained. She's difficult to get on jobs now. People move on, as they should. Someone else on the crew who also knew her when she started out said it was sad to see her not seeing the art of film anymore and doing it as a job. I agree with both ends, it is a job and we do get sucked into making a living but we must never also forget why we do it in the first place.
I used to be friends indirectly with David Slade. He's directing the new Twilight film. My best friend who used to be his partner said he would do small art films. Even then I suspected he would get into the Hollywood machine of producing features that were commercially viable. He now has a family to support so there is the rub. It is said that he sold out. What does one expect? would one do the same faced with a few million dollar pay wage? Even at my end of the scale struggling to make something of this job, i would welcome a good wage on a half decent film. At the moment I am doing a half decent film with the wage of someone who works at the local restaurant.
Unfortunately, we have to pay the bills and we want to do what we want to do be it directing or Cinematography and we want to make a decent living. Why would we work so many years honing our craft to be making work that doesn't get seen? To be starving artists? No thank you. Even if it is a semblance, most of us would take it. I dare say i would and have. It is the state of economics that we direct, design and shoot to practice some semblance of what we want and get paid for it.
We have our private projects no one will fund so in the meantime, make commercially viable projects so we can still eat sleep and dream.
Someone I used to know used to show me his sketchbooks of ideas in a flat in Finsbury Park. Now he lives in LA and is directing the new Twilight film. He is the only person then I knew who was driven enough to 'make it'. And he was only doing Rob Dougan's video then back in 2000. I always wished and still do, I could too.
I used to know someone who said they wouldn't do car commercials. But when I was offered one, I only hesitated to be hired because I didn't want to fuck it up.
- J
I used to be friends indirectly with David Slade. He's directing the new Twilight film. My best friend who used to be his partner said he would do small art films. Even then I suspected he would get into the Hollywood machine of producing features that were commercially viable. He now has a family to support so there is the rub. It is said that he sold out. What does one expect? would one do the same faced with a few million dollar pay wage? Even at my end of the scale struggling to make something of this job, i would welcome a good wage on a half decent film. At the moment I am doing a half decent film with the wage of someone who works at the local restaurant.
Unfortunately, we have to pay the bills and we want to do what we want to do be it directing or Cinematography and we want to make a decent living. Why would we work so many years honing our craft to be making work that doesn't get seen? To be starving artists? No thank you. Even if it is a semblance, most of us would take it. I dare say i would and have. It is the state of economics that we direct, design and shoot to practice some semblance of what we want and get paid for it.
We have our private projects no one will fund so in the meantime, make commercially viable projects so we can still eat sleep and dream.
Someone I used to know used to show me his sketchbooks of ideas in a flat in Finsbury Park. Now he lives in LA and is directing the new Twilight film. He is the only person then I knew who was driven enough to 'make it'. And he was only doing Rob Dougan's video then back in 2000. I always wished and still do, I could too.
I used to know someone who said they wouldn't do car commercials. But when I was offered one, I only hesitated to be hired because I didn't want to fuck it up.
- J
Saturday, October 17, 2009
A wedding with love
So tomorrow is the wedding scene. It's been sitting there waiting to happen. To get 100 extras for free, to light a 100'x80' hall, to dress it for a few hundred pounds. I have never lit a space this big. Once the lighting is set, we are ready. We have 4 hrs to prelight, I have made a plan. We are making this film with a crew of 10-15 people. We are out numbered by all odds, but we have made everyday with a bang and great shots. Now we have been able to keep the track and dolly for an extra day courtesy or Agis Louka at Concept Cameras, we can speed up and make this wedding scene look the shit, as our one shot from the Phoenix cinema proved. A mix of track, handheld and lock off shots make this film photographically diverse. I sometimes wonder about the cut. We must be bold. I have pushed the lighting a little but have remained on the safe side of exposure.
Everyday in the last 20 have been a 12 hr day test and we have come out in pretty colours. Tomorrow will culminate all our experiences and skills. We are ready to make this big set piece shot like a big arse financed project on a tin budget and crew. I am proud of what we have acheived so far. Tomorrow will be the heights of our labour and I have NO doubts we will be flying by the end of the day because we love what we do.
- J
Everyday in the last 20 have been a 12 hr day test and we have come out in pretty colours. Tomorrow will culminate all our experiences and skills. We are ready to make this big set piece shot like a big arse financed project on a tin budget and crew. I am proud of what we have acheived so far. Tomorrow will be the heights of our labour and I have NO doubts we will be flying by the end of the day because we love what we do.
- J
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Camera, cars and mounts.
Today was the designated day off. But me, the Director, both Producers and the Production designer and Art Director (all our HOD's), spent the day working. We had to have a meeting regarding the lack of extras we need for both the wedding scene and the pub scene; whether we could shoot the pub location as two different places and with a lack of people. Despite the pub being empty thus we have it for a whole two days, the bathroom photos we saw were horrible so me and Stefan spent the morning looking around for a location- pub ladies toilets in Shorditch.
We sat down and nailed a time schedule for the two day wedding scene- pre light on Sat, crowds on Sun and other on Mon. We also have actors schedules...
Then our brand new AC dropped out. My old AC dropped by to return a camera and so I got her on board as a favour.
We worked out a new Wed schedule as we decided not to shoot the toilet we had. But later we went to see the location of the pub and the toilet was do- able so we are doing it tomorrow. After the toilet scene we go to Hamstead to shoot a sunset and then to Kilburn to shoot a exit from the speed dating scene.
Friday we shoot the cinema scene in the Phoenix Cinema (one of the oldest cinemas in London) and then we go back to the banks of the Thames to shoot the pick up fireworks.
Yesterday we shot night exteriors. Lights on streets with no permit we got there early and set up ready to go. I had come up with a cheap option car mount for our a la 'Anderson' shot and taped it to our Sound Recordists car. When it came to shoot, his car wouldn't start. When they tried to boot it from the 2nd AC's car, smoke car out of both. We ended up pushing the car around the corner into place to shoot it. It worked out despite the car, despite no permits and two nervous Producers. The car door opens, the car door shuts- in one take, no cut (see Punch Drunk Love) . We grabbed the off lisence scene in one shot too- a pan back and forth. We were going to go to Turnpike Lane to grab the walk and talk but decided that the area we were in was bright enough and quiet. We strapped the tripod to the back seat and got in and did a walk and talk with then crossing the road and walking on the road. It was difficult but it turned out pretty damn well considering. Also done in one two and half minute take- no cut. looks smoother than a Steadicam sometimes. Beautiful.
The RED One camera and Edgar, a 1st AC
The Gaffer, both AC's and the Director push the car into position.
A very difficult mount in passenger side of car. It JUST fit. I also JUST fit with it too.
Low budget film making at it's most ingenious. With the Canon 5D (as we cound't mount the RED on the door.
The JC CAR MOUNT (industrial Velcro and 2' camera tape)
Me and Stefan at midnight shooting from the back of a moving car boot.
- J
We sat down and nailed a time schedule for the two day wedding scene- pre light on Sat, crowds on Sun and other on Mon. We also have actors schedules...
Then our brand new AC dropped out. My old AC dropped by to return a camera and so I got her on board as a favour.
We worked out a new Wed schedule as we decided not to shoot the toilet we had. But later we went to see the location of the pub and the toilet was do- able so we are doing it tomorrow. After the toilet scene we go to Hamstead to shoot a sunset and then to Kilburn to shoot a exit from the speed dating scene.
Friday we shoot the cinema scene in the Phoenix Cinema (one of the oldest cinemas in London) and then we go back to the banks of the Thames to shoot the pick up fireworks.
Yesterday we shot night exteriors. Lights on streets with no permit we got there early and set up ready to go. I had come up with a cheap option car mount for our a la 'Anderson' shot and taped it to our Sound Recordists car. When it came to shoot, his car wouldn't start. When they tried to boot it from the 2nd AC's car, smoke car out of both. We ended up pushing the car around the corner into place to shoot it. It worked out despite the car, despite no permits and two nervous Producers. The car door opens, the car door shuts- in one take, no cut (see Punch Drunk Love) . We grabbed the off lisence scene in one shot too- a pan back and forth. We were going to go to Turnpike Lane to grab the walk and talk but decided that the area we were in was bright enough and quiet. We strapped the tripod to the back seat and got in and did a walk and talk with then crossing the road and walking on the road. It was difficult but it turned out pretty damn well considering. Also done in one two and half minute take- no cut. looks smoother than a Steadicam sometimes. Beautiful.
The RED One camera and Edgar, a 1st AC
The Gaffer, both AC's and the Director push the car into position.
A very difficult mount in passenger side of car. It JUST fit. I also JUST fit with it too.
Low budget film making at it's most ingenious. With the Canon 5D (as we cound't mount the RED on the door.The JC CAR MOUNT (industrial Velcro and 2' camera tape)
Me and Stefan at midnight shooting from the back of a moving car boot.- J
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Have wheels will travel
We have shot half the film. This week has been an easy week in comparison. The first two were a bit mental. We had two half days. Handheld work came in a big way that has left me with muscles. Handheld standing, handheld running and handheld on a wheelchair. The camera weighs about 20kg. But it's been fun. This week were mostly exteriors shot in Shoreditch and Putney by the Thames. Had two assistants who were students but were pretty good.
We had a free stunt man fall down the stairs backwards and got amazing footage. Pretty scrary stuff but i had to remain uber cool to operate.
It's amazing what we do in the time allotted with the tiny crew and limited resources that we have. It's an achievement so far. It's a great journey...
We had a free stunt man fall down the stairs backwards and got amazing footage. Pretty scrary stuff but i had to remain uber cool to operate.
It's amazing what we do in the time allotted with the tiny crew and limited resources that we have. It's an achievement so far. It's a great journey...
Roger, our Sound Recordist on wheels
Me on Wheels, two AC's and Roger
Stefan the Director on wheels with Seb pushing
Seb our lead on wheels and camera with Stefan pushing
Seb as Spiderman (this is not in the film)
Seb as Bond (also not in the film)
Stefan in the Thames
Us setting up on the bank of the Thames
Shooting handheld in Shor(e)ditch- J
Monday, September 28, 2009
Little Big Film
We have completed the first week of this feature film. It's been a bit mental. The first few days were spent shooting in a house location with little space to shoot and light and a lack of crew. For two of those days, me and the Gaffer/AC lit and shot it. For other days I have one or two Camera Assistants and one gaffer and it was still a push to get things done. With 3k worth of lights in a room, it got up to 35c and we were literally dripping with sweat while shooting. So much that while operating, sweat dripped from my forehead onto my glasses.
The director is good though for a first time feature and the production team are really nice people. The actors are good to too and everyone is friendly. The script is funny. During the cafe scene, most of us at one time or another tried to contain our laughs during a take.
I have been lighting it to the best of my abilities and am pretty happy with the resulting photography. I have learnt how to do some good stuff too. It's stressful in the way that it ups your game in making something look both natural yet photographically interesting for a film that has a good chance of being seen in a cinema.
Despite the 14/16 hr days, the lack of crew, proper diet and time of my own, I love every moment of shooting this film and it reminds me of how enjoyable this job can be when it works and everyday is a challenge that you miraculously pull through with shots that are lit and shot well- and directed and performed well to boot.
A few stills when i had time to shoot a few. Nothing obvious about the film, for obvious reasons.
Children's tiny loft room with 180 degree pan. With a 8x'5' space to light from. Soft and warm with spotted teddys. I cut holes in black wrap, clipped them to one 650watt and aimed them.
Living room. Soft directional light with some bluish fill. And back light. This is half the set up creating what is below.
Cafe. contending with natural ambient light. I took a pair of 2k's and a 1.2 HMI and created a daytime high key ambience where the round the table funny talk takes places. I had trouble operating at some point when one of the actors improvised the line with some quick wit.
I was supossed to fly to Manchester to shoot a corporate for Virgin Media but it got postponed. So now I have a day off. Sort of, as I have other work to be finishing off.
These days are challenging fun.
- J
The director is good though for a first time feature and the production team are really nice people. The actors are good to too and everyone is friendly. The script is funny. During the cafe scene, most of us at one time or another tried to contain our laughs during a take.
I have been lighting it to the best of my abilities and am pretty happy with the resulting photography. I have learnt how to do some good stuff too. It's stressful in the way that it ups your game in making something look both natural yet photographically interesting for a film that has a good chance of being seen in a cinema.
Despite the 14/16 hr days, the lack of crew, proper diet and time of my own, I love every moment of shooting this film and it reminds me of how enjoyable this job can be when it works and everyday is a challenge that you miraculously pull through with shots that are lit and shot well- and directed and performed well to boot.
A few stills when i had time to shoot a few. Nothing obvious about the film, for obvious reasons.
Children's tiny loft room with 180 degree pan. With a 8x'5' space to light from. Soft and warm with spotted teddys. I cut holes in black wrap, clipped them to one 650watt and aimed them.
Living room. Soft directional light with some bluish fill. And back light. This is half the set up creating what is below.
Cafe. contending with natural ambient light. I took a pair of 2k's and a 1.2 HMI and created a daytime high key ambience where the round the table funny talk takes places. I had trouble operating at some point when one of the actors improvised the line with some quick wit. I was supossed to fly to Manchester to shoot a corporate for Virgin Media but it got postponed. So now I have a day off. Sort of, as I have other work to be finishing off.
These days are challenging fun.
- J
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Change in Climates
Last year when I was in Beijing I was talking to a new friend, a Swedish born Chinese girl. She said everyone talks about China being one of the top carbon polluters but little is said about the measures it is and will take regarding this. Now may be the time. In the forthcoming New York Climate change talks, China and India are set to take stage in announcing it's aggressive cuts representing a 'breakthrough'. Both China and India, the worlds fastest growing economies wants to continue to grow. Neither country has played a large part in what the planet is reacting to. The 150 years of western industrialization accounts for that. The USA, China and India will account for the future. Yet it is these ancient societies that will take a lead in curbing this abuse of resources. It seems apt that a civilization and culture that has been around for 6 thousand years should be the one to contain the spillage that threatens all life. A culture that has survived all this time isn't going to suddenly steer head first into self annihilation because it wants cars and mobile phones. Human civilization will continue.
As if I didn't have to shoot the 6 day a week feature, I have more work on other stills and video projects in between- shooting on my day off and editing after work. But I need the money so... it's 7 day weeks for me for the next 5/6 weeks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/21/china-india-climate-change
Letting the steam while in the climate of a pressure cooker
- J
As if I didn't have to shoot the 6 day a week feature, I have more work on other stills and video projects in between- shooting on my day off and editing after work. But I need the money so... it's 7 day weeks for me for the next 5/6 weeks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/21/china-india-climate-change
Letting the steam while in the climate of a pressure cooker
- J
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The end of a fast summer
Farkin hell. The last two weeks have been a bit mental. Mostly because of preproduction on this feature I am starting in a few days. With little money, I was trying to hire Focus Pullers and a Gaffer/Spark. I received some decent CV's and cover letters but most have been from left fielder's who don't have a clue about how to apply for job. Only in the low budget film world will one get a cover letter starting with, 'Hi there...'. Due to the token salary, we decided to hire people on a weekly basis so they wouldn't be out of pocket for the full five week shoot. This, still proved difficult. I was actually a little surprised i didn't get more 2ND AC's wanting for focus pulling experience applying. I even wrote directly to a few from diary services. One out of six replied, i think.
In the end, I managed to find seven 2nd AC's covering 5 weeks and three 1st AC's doing the middle 3 weeks. Am out on the first and last week. Also found last minute gaffer. Also a sound recordist. Also an Art Director. I may as well get an asscoiate producer credit too or open my own business as lastminutecrew.com.
I also managed to get the RED One, grip and Cooke S2 primes all under 6k. Also kept the lighting budget to 2k.
I will probably be starting the film sans Focus Puller.
With the advent of this film comes the end of summer. It was was quick but it was grand. It would be remembered as a summer of learning Tango and meeting new acquaintances. When I got my teeth in. The company of women wasn't too shabby either. It was a good summer. Though before I knew it was here, it was over.
After this mini comedy opus of a feature, I will be directing that music video for Allo Darlin. I do have one treatment which they liked but I will probably write more as am not completely happy with it. It will be, regardless of form, a John Hughes tribute.
"Life moves pretty fast... If you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it".
- J
In the end, I managed to find seven 2nd AC's covering 5 weeks and three 1st AC's doing the middle 3 weeks. Am out on the first and last week. Also found last minute gaffer. Also a sound recordist. Also an Art Director. I may as well get an asscoiate producer credit too or open my own business as lastminutecrew.com.
I also managed to get the RED One, grip and Cooke S2 primes all under 6k. Also kept the lighting budget to 2k.
I will probably be starting the film sans Focus Puller.
With the advent of this film comes the end of summer. It was was quick but it was grand. It would be remembered as a summer of learning Tango and meeting new acquaintances. When I got my teeth in. The company of women wasn't too shabby either. It was a good summer. Though before I knew it was here, it was over.
After this mini comedy opus of a feature, I will be directing that music video for Allo Darlin. I do have one treatment which they liked but I will probably write more as am not completely happy with it. It will be, regardless of form, a John Hughes tribute.
"Life moves pretty fast... If you don't stop and take a look around once in a while, you could miss it".
Mathew Broderick as Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
- J
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
RED means GO
For a DoP (Director of Photography), or Cinematographer as we are, as freelancers, can go for weeks without working. It's tough at times, you have to have other things to do, you have to have hobbies. Luckily, I have many major ones.
Work has been sparse this year. Corporates and music videos. But I just landed a feature project that I convinced them to shoot on a RED. I also had to negotiate a fee. It's low budget comedy feature. Good script. Commercial. The most commercial script i have come across in my 7 years and seemingly the most viable feature to make it to major festivals and a strong possibility to get a theatrical distibition.
I wanted to shoot it but there was a discussion regarding formats as they wanted to shoot on a 5d mk 2 which is a DSLR. Not a professional format and with a large sensor, focus issues and other. I managed to converse with the director and producer who are both good guys and clued up and they took it on board. I was first choice but still, these things can go either way.
Shooting a commercially viable feature on a professional foramt is something I have been waiting to do since I started. Sure I like the creative shorts and idiosincratic but at the same time I need to make a decent living and make work headin that way. And this has possibly come fore.
We hope for things and hope they will materialize though not knowing when. I managed to get a living wage from this feature and it seems it will be great to do. I am excited.
I am just about finishing a feature on Super16mm this year (which begand last May '08). A project I have loved to been a part of. It's an idosyncratic piece of work which stems strongly from mine and the directors mind.
It's a slow crawl but it's worth it. Enjoying what you want to do and getting paid doing it. After shooting and editing corporates and promos this year, I am ready to do a feature 5 week shoot. It's been 4 years since i did a stint like that long. We become a family sorts on shoots. For 5 weeks, it's just heaven. But it is, 6 day weeks with a constant level of managable stress everyday.
I needed more experience on the RED and doing this feature now is fantastic. It can push my often stagnated career forward. But, your work (cinematography) is only as good as the finished film is.
I am still amazed that I can do this for a living. Just about...
- J
Work has been sparse this year. Corporates and music videos. But I just landed a feature project that I convinced them to shoot on a RED. I also had to negotiate a fee. It's low budget comedy feature. Good script. Commercial. The most commercial script i have come across in my 7 years and seemingly the most viable feature to make it to major festivals and a strong possibility to get a theatrical distibition.
I wanted to shoot it but there was a discussion regarding formats as they wanted to shoot on a 5d mk 2 which is a DSLR. Not a professional format and with a large sensor, focus issues and other. I managed to converse with the director and producer who are both good guys and clued up and they took it on board. I was first choice but still, these things can go either way.
Shooting a commercially viable feature on a professional foramt is something I have been waiting to do since I started. Sure I like the creative shorts and idiosincratic but at the same time I need to make a decent living and make work headin that way. And this has possibly come fore.
We hope for things and hope they will materialize though not knowing when. I managed to get a living wage from this feature and it seems it will be great to do. I am excited.
I am just about finishing a feature on Super16mm this year (which begand last May '08). A project I have loved to been a part of. It's an idosyncratic piece of work which stems strongly from mine and the directors mind.
It's a slow crawl but it's worth it. Enjoying what you want to do and getting paid doing it. After shooting and editing corporates and promos this year, I am ready to do a feature 5 week shoot. It's been 4 years since i did a stint like that long. We become a family sorts on shoots. For 5 weeks, it's just heaven. But it is, 6 day weeks with a constant level of managable stress everyday.
I needed more experience on the RED and doing this feature now is fantastic. It can push my often stagnated career forward. But, your work (cinematography) is only as good as the finished film is.
I am still amazed that I can do this for a living. Just about...
- J
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Norway Sky
Last week I went to shoot pick ups near Risor, Norway, for the feature that began last year. We knew the location as had shot a section there last year June. Originally a lax schedule, we planned to shoot with only essential crew- a bit like documentary really. Myself and Tom (Director), Ro (Sound Recordist), Flora (actress) and Lara (Art Department). I was picked up at 3.30am as our flight was at 6.25am. Which due to the check in and security, we missed that flight. It's not like we began with a flying start as Tom had a cold and Flora had Lymes disease. Ryan Air saw fit to charge production £100 each for rescheduling to the next flight at 10.50 which, 'had plenty of seats'.
Rain was forecast for most days so we had to squeeze most of what we scheduled for the one day of sun. which we more or less managed. We were all glad to be there as we all loved the place. I chose not to have any camera assistants this time around as it was managable. I felt quite fresh there considering a lack of sleep. Perhaps it was the fresh air and starts at night.
We all got ticks at some point. Me and Tom getting 3 each.
Despite all of this, we had a good time and we got all bar one shot done, which we can live with.
Ro and Flora got to do some skinny dipping in the rain in the cold waters and i got to go out once again after midnight, drunk, on the boat with a bottle of single malt Glennfiddich, staring up at all the stars, with Ro's help this time (as he caught me trying to go out on my own...)
Tom, going down the hill
Sans AC's, I got tired on one afternoon rain break.
Although I was not the only one.
Me and Ro
Houses along the Fjord
Flora
Big arse Catterpilla
The big drop behind
The Fjord from our cabin...
The front side
Leaving the cabin
We had 4 iPhones between 5 people
On the way to the aiport we stopped off in tiny town Risor. A lovely quiet town you wouldn't want to live in.
photos taken with a Lumix and an iPhone.
- J
Rain was forecast for most days so we had to squeeze most of what we scheduled for the one day of sun. which we more or less managed. We were all glad to be there as we all loved the place. I chose not to have any camera assistants this time around as it was managable. I felt quite fresh there considering a lack of sleep. Perhaps it was the fresh air and starts at night.
We all got ticks at some point. Me and Tom getting 3 each.
Despite all of this, we had a good time and we got all bar one shot done, which we can live with.
Ro and Flora got to do some skinny dipping in the rain in the cold waters and i got to go out once again after midnight, drunk, on the boat with a bottle of single malt Glennfiddich, staring up at all the stars, with Ro's help this time (as he caught me trying to go out on my own...)
Tom, going down the hill
Sans AC's, I got tired on one afternoon rain break.
Although I was not the only one.
Me and Ro
Houses along the Fjord
Flora
Big arse Catterpilla
The big drop behind
The Fjord from our cabin...
The front side
Leaving the cabin
We had 4 iPhones between 5 people
On the way to the aiport we stopped off in tiny town Risor. A lovely quiet town you wouldn't want to live in.
photos taken with a Lumix and an iPhone.
- J
Saturday, August 15, 2009
allo, darlin'
Work is a bit slow this summer. A bit here, a bit there, though with 4 digital features very possibly around the corner- which would be very cool to work on and complete.
I went to see Lucky Soul, The Pipettes and Allo Darlin' the other day. I met some of the band members and subsequently emailed two so far about the possibility of directing/producing a music video. Elizabeth Morris of Allo Darlin' seems very keen and are in the middle of recording their album. They have yet to decide about their next single. Lucky Soul's next single Russian Dolls- would be good to shoot somethng for them too. Their manager is in Japan at the moment. I will email The Pipettes later.
Commercially, if the band isn't famous or sell well, doesn't matter how good the promo is. Equally if the band sells well and the promo is bad- the director gets to work more. But at this point, I not looking for commercial success, I just want to produce a couple of good music videos for music I like and help promote the bands and I'll see how I feel after.
Unlike Cinematography, Directing is, when you start out, something you have to go do yourself an build a reel. I am hoping to at least to build upon the umbrella i work under, Bus Strike Prod and/or even the possibility of trying to get representation as a director in the future. I know I will keep shooting and keep my head above water waiting for those 'breaks'.
I think it has taken me this long to be fully comfortable directing/managing. It took the experience of shooting a lot to be able to understand how things work and to manage crew. I hope directing promos will come as naturally to me as directing the few shorts I have done.
Lucky Soul at The Lexington
Last weekend I went to the Tango Al Fresco in Regents Park with a new friend from class, a nice Chinese lady. We saw some faces from the various classes i take now which was cool to start becoming part of this small Tango community in London. She didn't bring shoes but it was way too crowded to dance- for us beginners! We went for dinner after. She is an accountant but is also quite interesting and has lots to say. We chatted for hours and time flew. It's been a while since i met someone new whose company i really enjoy and feel conforatble with. I am sure it has a lot to do with her being Chinese. It was a really nice day. Strangely, many of my regular friends seem to have vanished in the last few months so it's nice to meet new people through Tango. And to meet an attractive Chinese lady i get on with after months of not talking to people in class- almost seems fit perfectly with that old adage, 'all good things to those who wait'. Although it would be good to see some old faces, at the moment, I'm quite enjoy being new to people and them new to me in this new life of Tango (currently 4 classes a week with 3 different sets of teachers).
Tango Al Fresco at Regents Park
- J
I went to see Lucky Soul, The Pipettes and Allo Darlin' the other day. I met some of the band members and subsequently emailed two so far about the possibility of directing/producing a music video. Elizabeth Morris of Allo Darlin' seems very keen and are in the middle of recording their album. They have yet to decide about their next single. Lucky Soul's next single Russian Dolls- would be good to shoot somethng for them too. Their manager is in Japan at the moment. I will email The Pipettes later.
Commercially, if the band isn't famous or sell well, doesn't matter how good the promo is. Equally if the band sells well and the promo is bad- the director gets to work more. But at this point, I not looking for commercial success, I just want to produce a couple of good music videos for music I like and help promote the bands and I'll see how I feel after.
Unlike Cinematography, Directing is, when you start out, something you have to go do yourself an build a reel. I am hoping to at least to build upon the umbrella i work under, Bus Strike Prod and/or even the possibility of trying to get representation as a director in the future. I know I will keep shooting and keep my head above water waiting for those 'breaks'.
I think it has taken me this long to be fully comfortable directing/managing. It took the experience of shooting a lot to be able to understand how things work and to manage crew. I hope directing promos will come as naturally to me as directing the few shorts I have done.
Lucky Soul at The LexingtonLast weekend I went to the Tango Al Fresco in Regents Park with a new friend from class, a nice Chinese lady. We saw some faces from the various classes i take now which was cool to start becoming part of this small Tango community in London. She didn't bring shoes but it was way too crowded to dance- for us beginners! We went for dinner after. She is an accountant but is also quite interesting and has lots to say. We chatted for hours and time flew. It's been a while since i met someone new whose company i really enjoy and feel conforatble with. I am sure it has a lot to do with her being Chinese. It was a really nice day. Strangely, many of my regular friends seem to have vanished in the last few months so it's nice to meet new people through Tango. And to meet an attractive Chinese lady i get on with after months of not talking to people in class- almost seems fit perfectly with that old adage, 'all good things to those who wait'. Although it would be good to see some old faces, at the moment, I'm quite enjoy being new to people and them new to me in this new life of Tango (currently 4 classes a week with 3 different sets of teachers).
Tango Al Fresco at Regents Park- J
Monday, August 03, 2009
Into the life
Last year when I went to Beijing and Hong Kong, is more or less what kicked it off. That’s a half truth though, I was always interested in practising Taiji, which is why I did that class in Beijing after a chance encounter with the students and teacher at a public park in Wudaoku. Argentine Tango (as opposed to the Ballroom kind) is a different story, and less ‘pure’ in it’s interests though I can reveal that I am sure I am not the only one that shares this. My friend Beatrice asked me to come to a Milonga in Hong Kong. She was just starting at that point. I saw the tutor dancing with one woman after another and both seem to enjoy it. I turned to my friend and said, ‘He’s a got a better job than I’ve got’. Kidding aside, I have always danced, and love dancing- though have only done so at discos. It’s a very human thing to do, ancient tribes did it, and so shall we.
It wasn’t until February until I started the Taiji and Not until April till I started the Tango. They both have lots in common. In both, you need to shift body weight from left to right, your knees have to be a little bent, your balance as to be good and posture is important. It took months for me to learn the basic Chen form and then to practice it regularly. For someone who does very little exercise prior to November of last year, you realize just how out of shape you are when you try and touch your toes from a standing position; or how your balance on one leg is shit; or what a lack of energy you generally have. I still drink and I still smoke, but I am trying to balance out a little.
I didn’t really start my gears properly in Tango until late June due to many things. Now I attend more classes and also some practicas. I’m still learning how to just lead a basic walk. I can do the walk fine but not too sure about the leading. Practice is everything. I’ve learnt to ocho, giro, gancho, sandwich and some other steps but I can’t do or lead a woman to do any of them on the dance floor yet. You can learn a step but we haven’t gotten around to how to connect the jigsaw of improvisation. I’m not in a hurry, I just would like to lead a nice slow walk with good communication with whoever you are with at the time. That’s the best thing.
It’s only in the last few weeks that I started talking to people in my class and also to people at Milongas. I also met a nice Chinese woman who just started learning and we enjoying practicing with each other. All of a sudden, Tango became really fun, which is what it’s supposed to be and not just a current exercise in learning the forms in hope to one day use them (6- 12 months at the earliest so I have been told- so by Christmas).
When I started in class a few months ago, even when we came to practice with complete strangers, I used to sweat. Now I don’t. Such is confidence one needs time to gain.
In that Taiji is good for mental and physical health, to balance your mind, Tango is a creative and fun connection you share with someone. It is a physical communication of playing, flirting and teasing in a language you both understand.
In my opinion, these are the stuff of life.
The other day I spent half the day with a friend and his friends who I didn't particularly get on with. We drank from 5pm-1am and i didn't eat for 10 hours and spent more money than I would have liked to. Even though i didn't suffer from a hangover the next day, I felt weird and felt I had wasted time and i was a bit annoyed at myself. It's been a while since I was at a place and people i didn't particularly want to be with (as i don't do that) and it really made me realize that kind of life i didn't want and the one that i did.
- J
It wasn’t until February until I started the Taiji and Not until April till I started the Tango. They both have lots in common. In both, you need to shift body weight from left to right, your knees have to be a little bent, your balance as to be good and posture is important. It took months for me to learn the basic Chen form and then to practice it regularly. For someone who does very little exercise prior to November of last year, you realize just how out of shape you are when you try and touch your toes from a standing position; or how your balance on one leg is shit; or what a lack of energy you generally have. I still drink and I still smoke, but I am trying to balance out a little.
I didn’t really start my gears properly in Tango until late June due to many things. Now I attend more classes and also some practicas. I’m still learning how to just lead a basic walk. I can do the walk fine but not too sure about the leading. Practice is everything. I’ve learnt to ocho, giro, gancho, sandwich and some other steps but I can’t do or lead a woman to do any of them on the dance floor yet. You can learn a step but we haven’t gotten around to how to connect the jigsaw of improvisation. I’m not in a hurry, I just would like to lead a nice slow walk with good communication with whoever you are with at the time. That’s the best thing.
It’s only in the last few weeks that I started talking to people in my class and also to people at Milongas. I also met a nice Chinese woman who just started learning and we enjoying practicing with each other. All of a sudden, Tango became really fun, which is what it’s supposed to be and not just a current exercise in learning the forms in hope to one day use them (6- 12 months at the earliest so I have been told- so by Christmas).
When I started in class a few months ago, even when we came to practice with complete strangers, I used to sweat. Now I don’t. Such is confidence one needs time to gain.
In that Taiji is good for mental and physical health, to balance your mind, Tango is a creative and fun connection you share with someone. It is a physical communication of playing, flirting and teasing in a language you both understand.
In my opinion, these are the stuff of life.
The other day I spent half the day with a friend and his friends who I didn't particularly get on with. We drank from 5pm-1am and i didn't eat for 10 hours and spent more money than I would have liked to. Even though i didn't suffer from a hangover the next day, I felt weird and felt I had wasted time and i was a bit annoyed at myself. It's been a while since I was at a place and people i didn't particularly want to be with (as i don't do that) and it really made me realize that kind of life i didn't want and the one that i did.
- J
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
One's environment
An article on CO2 emissions produced by China:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/28/china-greenhouse-gas-emissions-greenpeace
The article isn't very interesting, but many of the comments were surprisingly leaning towards an understanding. One being quite funny:
- J
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/28/china-greenhouse-gas-emissions-greenpeace
The article isn't very interesting, but many of the comments were surprisingly leaning towards an understanding. One being quite funny:
-
The more Ii think about this, the more it pisses me off. Environmentalism is just so middle-class, so White, so Western, I wouldn't be surprised if its doctrines are lost on people from Asia, Africa and South America. If I was growing up there, and I was told 'stop developing your factories and start growing trees and living off the land', I'd tell these outsiders to f*ck off back to their own country, and mind their own d*mn business! But that, I suppose, is just me ;)
- J
Monday, July 20, 2009
July snaps
Photos! Been a while since i posted any photos but here goes. A mix really from this month. Some from a music video where Taxidermy props were involved, my new skateboard and a shoot i was on.
The set with natural daylight
Lit set. 2 light bulbs and a 800w redhead. We then added smoke machine
white stuffed rat
skinned rat, sans head but tail intact
Nice big fucking house we shot in. The speakers are inbedded inside the walls. Probably worth about 5 million
My small homage iPhone sketch for Michael Jackson. Like Germaine Greer said, 'It was not surprising that we lost him, but that we had him at all'. Bille Jean sure sounds different now. And i'll be moonwalking a lot more.
My new wheels. 50's nouveau? Darling, love the colour
The tricks you can do on those... but i won't
Looks a little like Michael Jackson in Smooth Criminal no?
The set with natural daylight
Lit set. 2 light bulbs and a 800w redhead. We then added smoke machine
white stuffed rat
skinned rat, sans head but tail intact
Nice big fucking house we shot in. The speakers are inbedded inside the walls. Probably worth about 5 million
My small homage iPhone sketch for Michael Jackson. Like Germaine Greer said, 'It was not surprising that we lost him, but that we had him at all'. Bille Jean sure sounds different now. And i'll be moonwalking a lot more.
My new wheels. 50's nouveau? Darling, love the colour
The tricks you can do on those... but i won't
Looks a little like Michael Jackson in Smooth Criminal no?More later.
- J
- J
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Directions in small steps.
Tonight I went to a new class for Tango. The third. It wasn't bad (unlike the last class). And set in a nice ambience despite small. I ended up dancing with an elderly lady who didn't quite follow steps. But t was nice as bumped into someone one the way out, a Japanese guy who had been doing it for 5 years. We went up to the Milonga (which was included in the price). It was nice watching people dance and I still long for the time when i can join in! In the next few months probably. The eldery lady was there and she ended up talking about the big picture of god and the cycle of human evolution which was interesting, even so considering she didn't say shit while we danced. I have started to take more tango classes in order to progress more rapidly.
I have been shortlisted to direct a music video. It's uncommon for a DoP to get into music videos directing. Normally directors are discontent with the DP's they work with and choose to shoot their own stuff. But I have wanted to direct for a while as I started shooting and directing my own projects and others and have liked it immensely. I am a little tired of watching people direct badly and have the urge to do it myself. I think i would be pretty ok at it.
Have to keep moving and progressing...
- J
I have been shortlisted to direct a music video. It's uncommon for a DoP to get into music videos directing. Normally directors are discontent with the DP's they work with and choose to shoot their own stuff. But I have wanted to direct for a while as I started shooting and directing my own projects and others and have liked it immensely. I am a little tired of watching people direct badly and have the urge to do it myself. I think i would be pretty ok at it.
Have to keep moving and progressing...
- J
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Modes of Transportation
I went online looking for skate shops in London as I only know of Slam City which has been around ever since I was a teen. I have been meaning to get another board for a while. I did discover that you can buy a board complete online now. No fussing with choosing bearings and wheels and trucks. I looked up about 200 before I found one. Most of the designs are so garish and awful and as the man over the telephone said, 'juvenile'. When I was a juvenile I didn't really have £100 to spend on a board so I got a cheap one which was fine. This time I just got it over the telephone.
Today I was asked by a friend who is directing a car commercial next month if I had 'car stuff' on my reel. Sadly i have shot many interior cars but very little exteriors. It's a four day international shoot with a 160k budget. If I had any decent 'car stuff' on my reel, he would have put me up for it.
I guess I will have to stick with the skateboard for now and work on the car stuff in the mean time.
- J
Today I was asked by a friend who is directing a car commercial next month if I had 'car stuff' on my reel. Sadly i have shot many interior cars but very little exteriors. It's a four day international shoot with a 160k budget. If I had any decent 'car stuff' on my reel, he would have put me up for it.
I guess I will have to stick with the skateboard for now and work on the car stuff in the mean time.
- J
Sunday, July 12, 2009
From All Directions
The most comprehensive collection of news regarding the events in Urumqi on the news site, EastSouthWestNorth:
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20090706_1.htm
The graphic photographs of death puts things in perspective while the Channel 4 interview with Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer (By Lindsey Hilsum on July 6) broadens our perspective on how the news is told and perhaps there may be weight in the statements of the CCP when they speak of 'separatists'...
- J
http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20090706_1.htm
The graphic photographs of death puts things in perspective while the Channel 4 interview with Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer (By Lindsey Hilsum on July 6) broadens our perspective on how the news is told and perhaps there may be weight in the statements of the CCP when they speak of 'separatists'...
- J
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Brothers and Sisters
I'm not sure why that even after last year I am still surprised at the reporting the BBC does. It's so biased it insane. Although it does state how many people died as a result of the initial protests by the Ulghurs on Sunday, it continues on to say, 'Groups of Han Chinese armed with clubs then rampaged through the streets in a counter-protest '. There is nothing about Ulghurs weilding knives and batons on Sunday- no of course not, they were just protesting, except 140 people, mostly Han it has been reported (though unconfirmed but doubtful if not true considering) died that day.
I'm not biasing with the Han Chinese or against the Ulghurs, but reporting that is obviously biased needs a watchdog. Read the Guardian for a more balanced view and the article in Open Democracy on the recent history of Xinjiang.
I also found this good article that was written back in April. It speaks a rare view in the western media whose knowledge and attitude about Tibet/China/Human Rights issues are not on autopilot. Ian Buruma says:
"...the Chinese have another argument up their sleeve, which seems more plausible (and more modern). They are justly proud of the ethnic diversity of China. Why should nationality be defined by language or ethnicity? If Tibetans should be allowed to break away from China, why not the Welsh from Britain, the Basques from Spain, the Kurds from Turkey, or the Kashmiris from India?"
The Welsh are the only people from that group that don't have arms. All the others are considered militant/terrorists. The Tibetans in Lhasa didn't have arms either, but they still managed to kill both Han and Tibetans in the riots of March 2008.
Ian Buruma goes on to argue that the oppression is not an ethnic question but a political question of a lack of democracy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/08/tibet-china
new articles:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/the-uighurs-and-china-lost-and-found-nation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/08/uighur-china-protests-ethnic-violence
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8140492.stm
- J
I'm not biasing with the Han Chinese or against the Ulghurs, but reporting that is obviously biased needs a watchdog. Read the Guardian for a more balanced view and the article in Open Democracy on the recent history of Xinjiang.
I also found this good article that was written back in April. It speaks a rare view in the western media whose knowledge and attitude about Tibet/China/Human Rights issues are not on autopilot. Ian Buruma says:
"...the Chinese have another argument up their sleeve, which seems more plausible (and more modern). They are justly proud of the ethnic diversity of China. Why should nationality be defined by language or ethnicity? If Tibetans should be allowed to break away from China, why not the Welsh from Britain, the Basques from Spain, the Kurds from Turkey, or the Kashmiris from India?"
The Welsh are the only people from that group that don't have arms. All the others are considered militant/terrorists. The Tibetans in Lhasa didn't have arms either, but they still managed to kill both Han and Tibetans in the riots of March 2008.
Ian Buruma goes on to argue that the oppression is not an ethnic question but a political question of a lack of democracy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/08/tibet-china
new articles:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/the-uighurs-and-china-lost-and-found-nation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/08/uighur-china-protests-ethnic-violence
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8140492.stm
- J
Monday, July 06, 2009
Writing Wrongs
In the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang, China, a protest and riot broke out yesterday between ethnic Ulghurs and Han . It is reported that 140 people have died as a result and over 800 people are injured. It is said that it is the most serious riots since the 1989 Tian'anmen Square. How this tragic incident is reported, just as the Lhasa riots of last year where, are of interest.
While the Guardian article concentrates on the sabotage and on the ground perceptions of ordinary people the BBC have chose to take the political and blame angle with a bias towards the Ulghur's and against official China- so much so in the video report that it assumes that state police were responsible for the violence. Though it seems to me, as in the Lhasa riots, that the Ulghur ethnic population were attacking the Han population. After all the eyes on China last year, isn't it silly to assume that official China would order a riot police force to shoot at the civilian population? Doesn't that sound more like propaganda?
The China Daily also places the political in the article though towards the other direction, towards the World Uyghur Congress (WUR) for whom China places blame. The article also takes an eye witness account as well as the possible explaination about the trigger of the riot.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/06/china-riots-uighur-xinjiang
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8135203.stm
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-07/06/content_8384017.htm
- J
also here: http://centraln.blogspot.com/
While the Guardian article concentrates on the sabotage and on the ground perceptions of ordinary people the BBC have chose to take the political and blame angle with a bias towards the Ulghur's and against official China- so much so in the video report that it assumes that state police were responsible for the violence. Though it seems to me, as in the Lhasa riots, that the Ulghur ethnic population were attacking the Han population. After all the eyes on China last year, isn't it silly to assume that official China would order a riot police force to shoot at the civilian population? Doesn't that sound more like propaganda?
The China Daily also places the political in the article though towards the other direction, towards the World Uyghur Congress (WUR) for whom China places blame. The article also takes an eye witness account as well as the possible explaination about the trigger of the riot.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/06/china-riots-uighur-xinjiang
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8135203.stm
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-07/06/content_8384017.htm
- J
also here: http://centraln.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
one step at a time
Confidence. ‘What is it?’ I sometimes ask myself. I hear it through friends of mine. Few think they have it. And though I come to struggle with it myself, I often subscribe to that well known Nike tag line, ‘Just Do It’.
Confidence is a belief in oneself is it not? One may be confident in one thing and not another. Such as one may be confident in work but not with human relationships or vice versa. They say knowledge is power. I think knowledge is empowerment. For example, when I was growing up I was scared of everything, I was a small child and was bullied at school. In my teens I became ‘cool’ because I was an art student and I wore torn jeans and a plaid shirt! I didn’t have a lot of external confidence in my ability to produce great art as I wasn’t supported by my family. But I persevered to learn more about the world and still do. And it is the struggle to stand to your convictions that gain respect it has to and internally, in the mirror, one gained confidence through the support of peers and through doing and facing fears.
Confidence isn’t often a given, you have to face fears and hurdles and you can become confident through bravery. If you forget about the concept of ‘confidence’ for a while and just do it, you can achieve a leap of faith. Even the leap of anything for the first time, is an achievement of faith. The first step is always inherently the hardest but I think ultimately necessary to being enlightened.
In these difficult times, we have to be bold and go where one hasn’t gone before. Don’t regret and go forth. Life is short and you are now living, don’t waste it.
- J
Confidence is a belief in oneself is it not? One may be confident in one thing and not another. Such as one may be confident in work but not with human relationships or vice versa. They say knowledge is power. I think knowledge is empowerment. For example, when I was growing up I was scared of everything, I was a small child and was bullied at school. In my teens I became ‘cool’ because I was an art student and I wore torn jeans and a plaid shirt! I didn’t have a lot of external confidence in my ability to produce great art as I wasn’t supported by my family. But I persevered to learn more about the world and still do. And it is the struggle to stand to your convictions that gain respect it has to and internally, in the mirror, one gained confidence through the support of peers and through doing and facing fears.
Confidence isn’t often a given, you have to face fears and hurdles and you can become confident through bravery. If you forget about the concept of ‘confidence’ for a while and just do it, you can achieve a leap of faith. Even the leap of anything for the first time, is an achievement of faith. The first step is always inherently the hardest but I think ultimately necessary to being enlightened.
In these difficult times, we have to be bold and go where one hasn’t gone before. Don’t regret and go forth. Life is short and you are now living, don’t waste it.
- J
Monday, April 20, 2009
Facing the Music
This evening I have a Tango class. I just started up again and should be doing it twice a week now as I feel as I am catching up since I started last October and when I came back to London waited till April to start again.
Over the weekend I did a ‘bootcamp’ of Salsa taught by a Irene Miguel. I had shot her instructional DVD over a year and a half ago and they want to do more. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing so well financially so I suggested that they can pay me in classes and they agreed. I come as a guest and learn the Salsa that she teaches. And she is one amazing dancer and great person.
Taiji level one beginners classes have come to an end and now will be starting level one proper and I guess perfecting the form that we have learned already. Taiji is nothing without correct posture, breathing and attaining the control of ones qi.
All these classes are very related. They all centre on posture, body awareness and left/right weight balance- so closely related you’d think they originated from one source of philosophy. Granted the Irene has also done Taiji and bases some of her philosophies on her Salsa to Taiji. Even still, they can all complement each other while I learn them at the same time.
For some reason, I never took classes in my twenties. Perhaps it was laziness or a lack of money. Nonetheless, in recent years I have been active in engaging with and learning the things I want with little procrastination. With these classes and home studies of languages, I still want to learn two more things I always wanted to- the piano and guitar.
Speaking of music, I am finally going to get my arse in gear and forward my showreel to RSA, Partizan and Agile Films, this week. Agile Films, who I have already done work for when they were tiny, should be okay. In fact, the recruitment officer for them who I spoke to today was the runner on the shoot I did for them. Ironically, the biggie- RSA should be ok since I shot most of David Mullett’s video prior to him getting repp’d by them. Partizan is a sling shot but they do quirky stuff and I do have a chance of working with them. We’ll see. I could have forward my reel a while ago but I just wanted to be ready. I didn’t want to come very fresh, lacking in experience, begging for an opportunity. I wanted to get hired with little question. For years I have been building enough experience to worl for these production companies. I have been biding my time. And although I am a little nervous, I think I am just about ready.
I am aware that in both my action to learn and to forward my showreel were both things I could only have done now despite a small regret I hadn’t done it sooner. Taiji and Tango students are certainly are a bit mature in age so I know I am not ‘late’ in that. In all classes, it will take years to practice any of those disciplines well so before I am 40, which isn’t bad. If I can make a good living shooting decent music videos and some commercials in the meantime, that would be pretty good too.
- J
Over the weekend I did a ‘bootcamp’ of Salsa taught by a Irene Miguel. I had shot her instructional DVD over a year and a half ago and they want to do more. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing so well financially so I suggested that they can pay me in classes and they agreed. I come as a guest and learn the Salsa that she teaches. And she is one amazing dancer and great person.
Taiji level one beginners classes have come to an end and now will be starting level one proper and I guess perfecting the form that we have learned already. Taiji is nothing without correct posture, breathing and attaining the control of ones qi.
All these classes are very related. They all centre on posture, body awareness and left/right weight balance- so closely related you’d think they originated from one source of philosophy. Granted the Irene has also done Taiji and bases some of her philosophies on her Salsa to Taiji. Even still, they can all complement each other while I learn them at the same time.
For some reason, I never took classes in my twenties. Perhaps it was laziness or a lack of money. Nonetheless, in recent years I have been active in engaging with and learning the things I want with little procrastination. With these classes and home studies of languages, I still want to learn two more things I always wanted to- the piano and guitar.
Speaking of music, I am finally going to get my arse in gear and forward my showreel to RSA, Partizan and Agile Films, this week. Agile Films, who I have already done work for when they were tiny, should be okay. In fact, the recruitment officer for them who I spoke to today was the runner on the shoot I did for them. Ironically, the biggie- RSA should be ok since I shot most of David Mullett’s video prior to him getting repp’d by them. Partizan is a sling shot but they do quirky stuff and I do have a chance of working with them. We’ll see. I could have forward my reel a while ago but I just wanted to be ready. I didn’t want to come very fresh, lacking in experience, begging for an opportunity. I wanted to get hired with little question. For years I have been building enough experience to worl for these production companies. I have been biding my time. And although I am a little nervous, I think I am just about ready.
I am aware that in both my action to learn and to forward my showreel were both things I could only have done now despite a small regret I hadn’t done it sooner. Taiji and Tango students are certainly are a bit mature in age so I know I am not ‘late’ in that. In all classes, it will take years to practice any of those disciplines well so before I am 40, which isn’t bad. If I can make a good living shooting decent music videos and some commercials in the meantime, that would be pretty good too.
- J
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Paperwork
Years ago I think in 2002 I went to the May Day protests. It was the year the police closed in a group of people, some tourist even at the crossroads of Regent and Oxford street. I was about 100 yards from where that happened. I was there to video document, not to protest or riot. I shot the riot police standing in a row and was right in front. Everytime there was a little thing thrown or a slight disturbance the riot police, like a wall would barge forward with their shields with force. I got caught in the line a few times and bolted it like everyone else. The clothing store, C&A used to have a little ‘roof’ protruding from it’s store front to around the corner and quite a few people had gotten up there. I thought to get a better view and to avoid more pushing so I went up via the lamp post. There were quite a lot of riot police there and some police on horses. They were pushing the crowd towards Tottenham court road and it was quite rough at times. I recorded groups of people suddenly knocked over by horses and some people who were sitting peacefully, dragged along the road. When the riot police pushed the crown back, we had to get down. They took my video camera- and put it on the ground hard- in the process almost breaking it. I was heavy handily searched and told to ‘fuck off home’.
The next day I went back to Oxford/ Bond street (as I worked there at the time) and everything was back to normal like nothing had happened. Shoppers were going about their lives exactly where just the day before people were dragged and hit by other people with batons and shields. It was quite disconcerting.
I went the year after too. It was a much more festive protest this time. Almost boring. A friend who came with me had intentions to protest and maintained that all police had violent personalities and all had intentions of exacting authority and violence against citizens. I disagreed.
The recent G20 summit was hyped by the media and the police with aims to deter protestors turning up at all. Due to the heavy handedness at which the police had dealt with the May Day protests in the past, there has been an almost equal amount people with video cameras and press at the protests as protestors. The G20 protest, despite being threateningly ‘dangerous’, turned out to mild. There is the current investigation over the death of Ian Tomlinson who after police struck him- without provocation- to the floor- from behind- and later collapse down the street and died. Due to this case, there has been in the past weeks, a look into riot police practice and the unnecessary violence they exact upon an unarmed people.
The Guardian has this article with a number of videos illustrating this, including the one with the late Ian Tomlinson.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/15/g20-protest-police-videos-catalogue
When I get around to it, I will post a short video of the footage I took at the May Day protests I spoke of.
A number of years later I found out my best friend from primary school became a police officer. He was and still is a softly spoken, gentle person. Last time I saw him about 2 years ago, he had said that many people in the force, like, using force- they want to see and be in, some action. My friend said, he hated violence and preferred be doing the paperwork in the office and helping people.
- J
The next day I went back to Oxford/ Bond street (as I worked there at the time) and everything was back to normal like nothing had happened. Shoppers were going about their lives exactly where just the day before people were dragged and hit by other people with batons and shields. It was quite disconcerting.
I went the year after too. It was a much more festive protest this time. Almost boring. A friend who came with me had intentions to protest and maintained that all police had violent personalities and all had intentions of exacting authority and violence against citizens. I disagreed.
The recent G20 summit was hyped by the media and the police with aims to deter protestors turning up at all. Due to the heavy handedness at which the police had dealt with the May Day protests in the past, there has been an almost equal amount people with video cameras and press at the protests as protestors. The G20 protest, despite being threateningly ‘dangerous’, turned out to mild. There is the current investigation over the death of Ian Tomlinson who after police struck him- without provocation- to the floor- from behind- and later collapse down the street and died. Due to this case, there has been in the past weeks, a look into riot police practice and the unnecessary violence they exact upon an unarmed people.
The Guardian has this article with a number of videos illustrating this, including the one with the late Ian Tomlinson.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/15/g20-protest-police-videos-catalogue
When I get around to it, I will post a short video of the footage I took at the May Day protests I spoke of.
A number of years later I found out my best friend from primary school became a police officer. He was and still is a softly spoken, gentle person. Last time I saw him about 2 years ago, he had said that many people in the force, like, using force- they want to see and be in, some action. My friend said, he hated violence and preferred be doing the paperwork in the office and helping people.
- J
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Last Days
I am currently on a small project shooting for architecture firm, Scabal who are putting together a video as a proposal for funding. It is about the late David Medd who was an architect who designed primary schools. I only heard today that he had passed away last week Tuesday and came as a bit of a surprise despite that he was 91, because I only saw him 5 days prior to that.
David Medd designed primary schools with the philosophy regarding teaching practices and social progress. More on this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/apr/14/david-medd-obituary-architecture-school-buildings
For the shoot, we have been out twice to primary schools that David and his late wife Mary Crowley designed in post war Britain to shoot him talk with the current head teachers there and a contemporary architect about the changes made to the original school. The first time he turned up hours late due to someone elses fault. We were a little worried as we couldn't get hold of him. The second time he had left the premises with his radio mic still attached to him, which was actually, our fault.
At 91, David was still fierce about his ideas regarding primary school design and i respected this will to still express his opinion and make the trip to the school at his age. I didn't know him but I wanted to be an architect when i was younger and I agree with the type of beliefs David argued for as they were in line will philosophies that should be part and parcel of architecure. I am thankful that we shot as much as we did as it's probably the last audio visual document of David.
David Leslie Medd, architect, born 5 November 1917; died 7 April 2009.
- J
David Medd designed primary schools with the philosophy regarding teaching practices and social progress. More on this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/apr/14/david-medd-obituary-architecture-school-buildings
For the shoot, we have been out twice to primary schools that David and his late wife Mary Crowley designed in post war Britain to shoot him talk with the current head teachers there and a contemporary architect about the changes made to the original school. The first time he turned up hours late due to someone elses fault. We were a little worried as we couldn't get hold of him. The second time he had left the premises with his radio mic still attached to him, which was actually, our fault.
At 91, David was still fierce about his ideas regarding primary school design and i respected this will to still express his opinion and make the trip to the school at his age. I didn't know him but I wanted to be an architect when i was younger and I agree with the type of beliefs David argued for as they were in line will philosophies that should be part and parcel of architecure. I am thankful that we shot as much as we did as it's probably the last audio visual document of David.
David Leslie Medd, architect, born 5 November 1917; died 7 April 2009.
- J
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
"Yes We Can"
The Communist government in Moldova were re elected two days ago and a protest and riot ensued. Protesters ended up storming the parliamentary offices and even police had to be evacuated by priests. Now that's a protest.
Other news of interest, China is reforming it's national health care system establishing a new clinic in 700,000 existing villages and making health care more affordable and accessible. Health care was free under the new Communist government in the first few decades and life expectancy rose dramatically. But since economic reforms in the 80's, China's health care system has been a shambles with millions of poverty stricken people unable to get medical care. It's a pay now get get treatment later system. They aim to complete reforms in three years with a longer plan for 2020. There have been many protest around rural areas aimed at the state of medical care.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/08/china-healthcare-poor
http://www.danwei.org/front_page_of_the_day/medical_reform.php
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/07/content_7652264.htm
I tried to look for this article on the BBC website but it could not be found. Then again, it states on the BBC site that China has 'nearly' 4000 years of history. In fact, it has more than 5000 years easy. I guess if you miss a thousand years, you might miss a major story or two...
- J
* "Yes We Can" is from Obama's Primary speech.
Other news of interest, China is reforming it's national health care system establishing a new clinic in 700,000 existing villages and making health care more affordable and accessible. Health care was free under the new Communist government in the first few decades and life expectancy rose dramatically. But since economic reforms in the 80's, China's health care system has been a shambles with millions of poverty stricken people unable to get medical care. It's a pay now get get treatment later system. They aim to complete reforms in three years with a longer plan for 2020. There have been many protest around rural areas aimed at the state of medical care.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/08/china-healthcare-poor
http://www.danwei.org/front_page_of_the_day/medical_reform.php
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-04/07/content_7652264.htm
I tried to look for this article on the BBC website but it could not be found. Then again, it states on the BBC site that China has 'nearly' 4000 years of history. In fact, it has more than 5000 years easy. I guess if you miss a thousand years, you might miss a major story or two...
- J
* "Yes We Can" is from Obama's Primary speech.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
March On
Jan and Feb were boring and a bit depressing so no photos. So here are are a few photos from the month of a fun March...
Music Video for artist African China. Here Steadicam Operator Eric doing his thing with the models. I was holding their coats.
While dropping off the radio mics from Kentish Town on a brilliantly sunny Sunday morning , I came across a drunk man slumped outside Nandos. I adore England.
Travelling to Mansfield near Nottingham on a local train. Figure rich people don't travel on this line (please see 'Robin Hood' for cultural reference).
Middle of the month and help shoot a student short. It was nice for once to work with two beautiful oriental actresses.
Ooh, car crash...
So it was off the plane in Geneva for a corporate and in the car bombing it down to Annecy (France). The iPhone's shiity camera sure takes dreamy picture though. We failed to find a place to eat that late so we had a McDonalds Big Mac. I felt like throwing up after.
The day after i wanted to have a real burger... I was starting to think it was illegal to sell proper burgers in this here town. 
Annecy Hospital, beyond the carpark, the mountains are glorious.
No Plomb at the gas station. Damn, could have done with some Plomb.
A luxury room at Gevena airport. All smoking.
Reporting for Good Morning Poland (TVN)... Not really, just shooting the ex Prime Minister...
- J
Music Video for artist African China. Here Steadicam Operator Eric doing his thing with the models. I was holding their coats.
While dropping off the radio mics from Kentish Town on a brilliantly sunny Sunday morning , I came across a drunk man slumped outside Nandos. I adore England.
Travelling to Mansfield near Nottingham on a local train. Figure rich people don't travel on this line (please see 'Robin Hood' for cultural reference).
Middle of the month and help shoot a student short. It was nice for once to work with two beautiful oriental actresses.
Ooh, car crash...
So it was off the plane in Geneva for a corporate and in the car bombing it down to Annecy (France). The iPhone's shiity camera sure takes dreamy picture though. We failed to find a place to eat that late so we had a McDonalds Big Mac. I felt like throwing up after.
The day after i wanted to have a real burger... I was starting to think it was illegal to sell proper burgers in this here town. 
Annecy Hospital, beyond the carpark, the mountains are glorious.
No Plomb at the gas station. Damn, could have done with some Plomb.
A luxury room at Gevena airport. All smoking.
Reporting for Good Morning Poland (TVN)... Not really, just shooting the ex Prime Minister...- J
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Thetowncrier 28 Jul 09, 1:52pm (about 2 hours ago)