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

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

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