Timeless.

I read Watchmen in my teens in the early 1990’s. Over the years I read about the possible adaptations of the film, just as many Watchmen fans. But a film never materialized, until now. When I was 16 I gave a copy to my valued art teacher who have not read comics before. She thought it was great and never new comics could be as such. The fact was, comics on the whole, were not as such but it was Watchmen, written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons who put this epic piece of work on the map.

I watched it on the opening day and have been to see it again. I have not went to see a film twice in the cinema since Jurassic Park back in 1993. I’m apprehensive to call it fantastic. The film is viewed in perceived in many ways. The first of which is from the original Watchmen fans. The book that is dubbed, ‘unfilmable’ from it’s creator, Alan Moore. Alan Moore, after the other shambles of adaptation to screen of his works V for Vendetta and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen refused to have anything to do with Watchmen and agreed to have all royalties forwarded to co creator Dave Gibbons. The second perception would be from people who have no idea of the book, of it’s history, of it’s gravitas and the struggle of bringing it the screen.

It has been noted not only did Zach Snyder endeavoured to remain faithful to the story and design, but in his intentions of faithfulness- failed to adapt it to the screen- and THIS- is what is curious.

For myself, it was great to see Watchmen brought alive. The actors brought life into the characters we have known for over 20 years on pages. I think it not only brought them to life, but gave them a dimension in reality that was contained in the comic book format.

Many, including once attached director Terry Gillingham said that it was better as a mini series considering it’s original length and depth. And although I agree that it perhaps would have fulfilled it’s original detail in a series, I think it would have lost the violence, the verve and cinematic magic the film had. Even in a series, it could not have contained the detail the book had- only the book has that- it’s a piece of work that is what it is supposed to be- a book.

Saying that, the adaptation tries religiously hard to maintain as much elements as the book- going so far as a line for line dialogue and using the book as a storyboard- which as far as I know- has not been attempted before. Casting no A list stars though still with a $120 mil budget.

It’s got enough cinematic sound and visuals to discern it from the comic and uses it well. Bob Dylan’s ‘Times They Are a Changing’ plays as the opening sequence telling the back story of the original ‘Minute Men’ is great, Nostalgic and in my own feeling, sad, human and a reflection of those times. Philip Glass’s ‘Pruit Igoe & Prophecies’ plays for Doc Manhattan’s reminiscing of time which resonates of Kubrick’s 2001. Nat King Cole’s ‘Unforgettable’ plays as the Comedian is beaten to a pulp and thrown out the window- a device used since Scorsese for Goodfellas.

I was particularly surprised at the empathy Billy Crudup brought to the largely CGI’d character of Doc Manhatten. Except for his outburst at the TV studio, he remains largely an observer of human activity but actually comes across as dualistic as the other human characters. His performance made me feel sorry for him, which I never did in the comic.

Rorshach was given voice by Jack Earle Haley and is excellent. His movement and side swagger as he walks is great. A sociopath with unbending integrity who drives for the truth and the justice earns a respect.

I am disappointed by the response of some people who have no idea of the book and subscribe to the illusion that Watchmen the film is just another superhero movie. It is not.

At two and half hours long, it's actually too short. Adding another 30 minutes correctly, would have made it close to a masterpeice. I hope they have a director's cut in the DVD.

There are so many things I can add about the film but needless to say, I liked it. They made a great film and Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, created a great book. Go watch.

- J

no between

Peter Suchitzky, ASC said, ’Develop as many interests as you can, as you will need to fill the long gaps between movies and enrich life in general’. I know what he means. But it was an unusually full week last week. And it’s not like I am shooting any ‘movies’ at the moment or anywhere near his career stage. After the music videos last weekend, I went on to shoot a corporate for a new production company. Well, they aren’t new, but I am to them. I’ve never met them but I have now worked for them and as it seems, will continue to. I got the job forwarded to me from a friend of a friend and then finding myself in Nottingham one morning working for an invisible employer. What a job…

‘Corporates’ are basically in house videos such as training videos or promotional material for a company. One typically meets people who work in offices who work the 9-5. It’s a nice break from ‘filmmakers’ in a way. It’s really easy work in comparison to anything other shooting work and paid fairly well for what it is. I was asked to shoot another 3 this week and they let the cameramen edit the piece too which is good as we can work from home and get more days work. It financially works out very well which is great because I was starting to count my pennies. What is good about this job is that you get to do many different things, meeting different people and can make a lot of money in a short space of time to cover yourself for all the days you don’t work. Ideally, one would work enough to not just cover yourself but to save enough to do something with it.

I attended the beginning of the month Panalux drinks. Panalux is the lighting division of Panavision. We always associate Panavision with big productions and Panalux with it. But I had met the Panalux guys at Cameraimage through my Focus Puller who knew Panavision Polska. So it was good to know the organizers and not feel like someone who wasn’t invited to the party. Afterall, their goodwill towards myself at Cameraimage was enough to make me hope I could give them some business- despite not going anywhere near the prospect prior to that- because I am kinda anti corporation. And As I spoke again to Barnaby from Panalux, he was very supportive of DP’s and how we struggle with our careers. He was even supportive of shooting corporates when I told him what work I had been doing of late. He said you have to work and continue to shoot as much as possible and not be too fussy at most.

Derek and Lawrence turned up from the Cameraimage crew who I knew but the others couldn’t make it. I met someone there who turned out to be the assistant of a famous Polish DP who also organised a workshop my AC went to- who know each other! Small world.

What threatened to be a bore of a night got better and I stayed until I got the night bus home.

This week shooting in Derby and Canterbury. A shoot in London tomorrow at Seimens and also shooting fashion stills for a friend.

More later about the film adaptation of, ‘Watchmen’ and photos from shoots last week.

At the moment, I can’t wait till I have some time to spend time doing my extra interests. In the meantime, I will be in projects enriching my pocket and skill in shooting interviews.

- J

Up Your's YSL

Working as a freelancer, jobs can be like buses- you wait for a long time and then 3 come along. On the weekend I shot 2 music videos. The first was a steadicam job along the Thames with the artist and gradually, 15 models. It was a 8am call and me and the Steadicam operator got set up. First time i met the guy who was Malaysian Chinese- a first I'd met. Nice guy. Either production had fucked up or the models were lazy but they didn't turn up on time and the producer had to fish for available 'talent' on that morning. We waited until 3pm until we started. Shooting along the Thames near the London Aquarium on a Saturday is about the busiest time and it was difficult to get the shots. Made more difficult with the silly time constraints we now had and the ambitious shots the director had in mind. Not to mention the many tourist who gathered to watch our models in hot pants and tee shirts in the cold and the men who wanted to take photographs with the models. You'd think some men had never seen a group of 'fit' women. We wrapped at 6 as the sun left us. But we have to pick up this Thursday due to the lack of models.

Sunday's shoot went smoothly. Manage to light some nice bling pack shots of a gold watch, chain and a pair of sunglasses- low budget style. Despite not being a fan of bling at all- the African mix was welcome and the challenge to light highly reflective sunglasses quickly, effectively and beautifully with a lack of budget was a nice achievement!

Am shooting and editing a corporate starting tomorrow set in a college. A last minute gig that i got told last minute was in Nottingham, a two hour train journey from London. Also got called for another corporate/promo the day after.

Forgetting about work, I was glad to hear that someone had bid for the Chinese artifacts at last weeks auction (see last post) and has refused to pay! I support the action in protest against this auction. Yea!

- J