Sound Maker pt 2

Have just wrapped the week shoot in Philadelphia. Such an amazing experience. I feel so privileged to have been invited so warmly into the lives of people who live in such a different world to mine. The last 7 days have felt like exploring outer-space.

The textures, places and faces of South Philly have left a lasting impression on me.

Tomorrow a short day in NYC! Then flying home to my family who I've missed alot.

And the edit suite...

Sound Maker pt 1

Thanks to everyone who contacted me with ideas for the 'sound maker' project. It's been a cool few weeks of discovery and I have been exposed to some totally amazing and very talented people out there in world. For the project we found an amazing 21 year old rapper in Philadelphia and I'm jumping on a plane in a few hours to go and spend a week making the short film. This is a bit of dream job for me. I have been wishing for a project like this for while. Something small, intimate and direct. The crew is essentially me and my assistant Ryley. We will have a some much appreciated production support on the ground in Phily.

What exactly are we shooting? Not sure yet... I have some ideas, but it's going to be very much on the fly, and that is what is most exciting to me. I feel with our subject, the location, the music and the time to explore a little, we have all the elements we need. Fingers crossed.

Everything we are taking to make the film is in the picture below (apart from my laptop and some sound gear we will get in Phily). It's scarily stripped back. It's freaking me out a little..!

But if you look you can see some cameras and some microphones and a roll of gaff tape. Thats all you need really need isn't it? I'm planning to shoot mostly on the 5Dmk2, I did cave in at the last minute and hired a Sony HD Cam (VP1) just incase what we end up doing isn't suitable for the 5D.

Bring it!

Black and White

I'm slowly falling more and more in love with Black and White images. Whether it be for stills or film. The film Strandon In Canton I briefly discussed in the post below this one, is stunning in all it's monchramatic glory, glitches and all. There is something in the way that when you remove all the colour information from an image it becomes so much more simpler, more direct, and I'm becoming obsessed with it! It's more about form, shape and texture. I know this baisc and obvious, but I'm really enjoying exploring it in my work.

I once read somewhere that films are not shot in black and white anymore because an audience won't feel as though they are getting their moneys worth. Insane.

Below are a couple of pre-production stills for the Knog stills shoot I've been working on. The actual shoot was yesterday and I'll post some images from it in the next day or so... It was great fun and I'm really happy with the way it came together.

Stranded in Canton

Every time I see a photograph by William Eggleston I have to stop and look at it. I have spent hours pouring over every page of his books. He is one of those photographers that help you see the world differently. He trains your eye, your perception and keeps you on guard for the unexpected.

Spare but richly hued Egglestons' work is most well known for his colour photography some even calling him the 'grandfather of colour photography'.

However, I only recently came across a feature length documentary he made in 1973. It was shot on one of the first 'portable' Sony video cameras. It's one of the most cinematically pure observational documentaries I think I've ever seen. And it's in Black and White!

It's long (click here to watch it bigger) but well worth it. If you are not sure, just watch the first few minutes... pure poetry!

True Love and Chaos pt2

I stare at this photo everyday...

(I don't know who it's by, or where it's from...?)

Ron Mueck Rocks

Went to the Ron Mueck exhibition at the National Gallery on the weekend with the kids. Such great work.

No guessing what my poultry loving son Ollies favourite piece was.

The Best Script. Ever.

Last week I read the best script I have ever read. it was sent to me via a US manager. It is by no means perfect and needs work in places, but the subject matter and how it could be realised on screen has my mind bursting with possibilities and potential. It's the kind of script that I feel I became a filmmaker to make. And given half the chance I would work day and night for how ever long it took to get it made.

Unfortunately... the possibility of me getting that chance is about a million to one...

I took a photo of the stack of pages just after I finished reading it, so I would remember the moment.

Who knows? I'm sure bigger dreams have come true.

True Love and Chaos pt1

Lately, I have been drawn to images and films and that explore or portray ideas of 'chaos', as broad as this sounds it fits very specifically into the development of a few film projects and in particular Cherry Bomb.

Earlier today I saw this amazing short film over at Boing Boing. I wouldn't usually be drawn to this overly technical style of filmmaking, however, Nuit Blanche wears it's bells and whistles proudly on it's sleeve, yes it's FX we have all seen before, but here the visual audacity doesn't take away from the simplicity of the idea and more importantly the emotional connection between the man and woman.

What I really like about this film are the two characters who are totally engulfed by chaos, literally, smashing glass and crashing cars, and yet they remain totally at ease and focussed, almost hypnotised by one another.

Please click out and watch the clips in the largest way you can!

Also check out the equally impressive 'Making Of'. I think seeing the process behind making Nuit Blanche made me appreciate the film even more. Even though most of it's trickery is revealed, there is surprisingly more comping and FX work going on that I first thought. Making the narrative and the romantic spell of which the couple are under (of which no computer effect could enhance) even more impressive.

I dont know... maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic!

Perhaps...

A Loud Night Out

Just got back home from seeing one of my favorite bands MASTODON live! The played their 2009 album Crack The Skye (my album of the year) in it's entirety, from beginning to end. All killer, no filler! They then had a small break and then walked back on and ripped into a dark and brutal set covering highlights from their back catalogue. One of those all to rare, intensely beautiful live music experiences.

It's kind of left me speechless...

A Quiet Night In

I perhaps over looked the Fever Ray album above as one of my favourite things of 09... I think it will be on high rotation for a long while yet. I totally love this Fever Ray clip for all it's wonder and weirdness, but this or this would be my choice cuts from the album. So good on Vinyl!

Random China (pt2) Kids

How cool is the little girls outfit below. Fashionistas and hipsters all over the world are falling over themselves trying to get the right look and here it is, put together by some awesome 6 year old in a small rural village in South West China.

The group of kids in the 3rd shot, told us, according to our translator, "...had never had their photo taken". We were set up to shoot on the side of this crazily steep mountain range and from out of nowhere I could hear kids giggling. I looked through some bushes and saw this cheeky bunch of kids 'spying' on us. My wife Nat (who is a dancer) managed to coax them out of hiding by playing a little dance game with them. The kids told us they were walking home from the local school which took them 2 hours(!).

It's hard to believe they had never had their photo taken, but their nervousness around the procedure and their shrills of laughter of seeing themselves on the digital screen on the back of the camera afterwards made it evident that it was definitely a rare occurrence.

I'm thinking more and more about that film in China...

(as usual click on the image for a larger view)

Random China (pt1)

Back in Melbourne after two very cool weeks of shooting and travelling across China. The local Chinese production company were amazing to work with and delivered above and beyond what I expected. They worked very hard and have left me with not only great footage for the TVC's, but also provided us with many great experiences and memories.

As I said in a post below Shanghai is an incredible city. It's more Bladerunner than Tokyo, in fact I think it's way more Bladerunner than Bladerunner (except there are no flying cars, yet...). I really fell for it in many ways. So many contradictions, it's a very raw and at times confronting place but also a very cosmopolitan city (It is known as the Paris of the east), with great restaurants and galleries. Ultimately from where I was standing and looking only through travellers eyes, I feel it could be a very liveable city. I would love to spend more time there. Although seeing how quickly it is changing, by the time I get back there, it could be a very different city again.

The shoot also took us high up into the mountains of South-West China into the provence of Yunnan where after two flights and a seven hour mini-bus journey across and through some of the most steep and rocky mountainous passes we found ourselves at our destination, the incredibly lush Lugu Lake.

It would be so great to go back and shoot a film. Perhaps just a short. While I was there, my mind was constantly filled with random images, sequences and scenes from possible stories that could be easily and simply shot there. There is so much life and energy on the streets, it's all there, waiting.

Twenty 0h Nine...

Here are a few of my favorite things... of 2009!

MASTODON - CRACK THE SKYE

Probably album of the year for me, Mastodon brought stoner / prog / metal with a healthy dose of the old school to a whole new audience. From the very first note of opening track Oblivion I was totally hooked.

DEVIN TOWNSEND - KI and ADDICTED (pts 1 and 2 of a 4 album release)

OK, I'm really showing my metal geekiness now. I've been a tragic, obsessive HevyDevy fan for over 10 years. Everything he releases I buy and devour. This year has been particularly exciting as he has come out of a hiatus and released 2 new albums, both very different from each other (and the next 2 promise to be even more different) but thats the genius of Devy. I wont bore you with any tracks, as Devin is very much an acquired taste, you either love him or hate him.

But I would love to put this clip up of Devin working in his studio. As this blog is part of my process diary, I'm really fascinated with seeing how other artists work and do their thing. I've also always been interested in watching people record music in studios and this very basic clip of Devin laying down vocals all by himself in his studio, for me is totally fascinating (and so geeky). Devin is totally in the zone. Creatively, physically and technically. This kind of birds eye (dicks eye?) view is the next best thing to sitting there in person, I just wish I could have a cup of green tea from his silver thermos.

I also might have finally been able to access and appreciate the music of THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE, made infamous from their appearance in the great music doco Dig. Although Anton Newcombe made a great documentary subject, I could never really understand nor appreciate his rambling madness and detuned brand of psychedelia. But while working on this current job, I spent alot of time driving with DOP Germain McMicking and he had a compilation of BJM on high rotation. And this one track just clicked (such a beautiful song)... And now all the other tracks are beginning to make sense as well. I so love it when that happens.

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

This Swedish vampire film has appeared on a few 'Best Of' lists going around and I totally agree. Every frame, ever beat of this film, in my mind, is a masterpiece. One of the few films while I was watching, I wished could have gone on for hours and hours and hours...

Here is a link for the trailer in HD.

Also, interestingly Greig Fraser who shot Last Ride, is currently in New Mexico shooting the Hollywood remake of Let The Right One In, to be called Let Me In... My fingers (and thousands of other fans' fingers) are firmly crossed that they don't fuck this up.

VAN DIEMAN'S LAND

When I first saw this film at the Adelaide Film Festival I had no expectations of what it might be like. But a few minutes in I knew I was watching something remarkable. I was really blown away by the film and the filmmakers who made it. I've since become friends with Jonathan (writer, director, producer) and Oscar (writer, actor, producer) and they are very cool guys and downright inspiring to say the least.

Sadly, despite good reviews VDL was mostly overlooked. The film is beautifully shot, had incredible performances and was bravely directed. It's another example of how a good film can slip by relatively unnoticed. I find it hard to believe that people just don't care about this kind of cinema. Speaking of which, I was surprised when VDL was totally overlooked by the AFI's and IF Awards, especially the IF's 'so called' Independent Spirit Award. This film was made with no Government funding and was realised through, donation, credit cards and good will. I'll step off the soap box now...

It's out on DVD soon and I strongly urge you to 'do yourself a favour' when you see it. I can't wait to have a copy up on my shelf.

RED MEAT

I had my first piece of red meat after 16 years of being a vegetarian. After a few years of not feeling right and unexplained lethargy, I gave into a primal urge that I had been fighting for a long time. I suited up and headed to The Savage Club with my friend Mike and had a medium rare steak and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever eaten. It felt like pure medicine. I've been having the occasional hunk of flesh since and I feel so much better for it. Much to the discomfort of my (vegie) wife.

KIDS

Watching my son Ollie complete his first year of school, reading and writing and making films!

And beginning to have the strangest and cutest conversations with my 3 year old Rosebud as she learns to thread words and sentences together.

THE LEICA M8

If you have been reading this blog over the past few months, you would have seen a few entires regarding the new 5DmkII and it's HD video shooting abilities. I have been using this camera for a while now and I'm still blown away by what it can do, and also by where this technology will take filmmakers of all kinds over the next few years.

But while I had my hands on such beautiful camera equipment I became more and more aware of finding a camera that would take me back to my love of photography in a more pure sense. Hence, I started drooling over Leica Rangefinder cameras, a camera system I have been aware of for years, but have been all too aware of the prohibitive cost, so I have been careful not to get to close.

But after the Black Pearl which also came with a cash prize I bit the bullet and bought a Leica M8 and a 28mm Leica Sumicron lens. I mean, if it's good enough for Wim Wenders... (Beware Leica porn ahead! but it's OK cos it's in black and white so it's ART!)

The M8 is a very simple camera but a very precise one. It just takes photographs (weird huh?), no HD video, no bluetooth, no HDMI out. Leica offers no auto focus or other bells and whistles, it processes images slowly, it's not great in low light and the fact that it has Leica engraved on it makes it at least twice as expensive as any other camera. But once you get your head around it, the files it produces are stunning and have a different feel to every other camera I've seen or used. The Leica lenses are simply breathtaking. Like Wim, it makes my heart beat faster just thinking about it. Learning to use a use a rangefinder has been like learning to take photos from scratch, but I think (I hope) I'm becoming a better photographer because of it and that is something I want to continue doing much more of in 2010 and beyond.

Happy New Year!

ps: Also over the next month or so I have plans of overhauling this site and making it into something a little more involved and hopefully much better.

Cherry Bomb

I have been working on the 2nd draft of my script Cherry Bomb, a film I was working on before Last Ride was sent to me. Cherry Bomb is about a bunch of teenagers who rob a bank in Brisbane, Australia, in 1978. It's based on a true story.

I first heard the story on talk back radio 5 years. The headline news story at the time was about some prisoners who had recently escaped from a Perth jail and the radio host was asking callers if they had ever been 'on the run'. A caller named 'Pat' rang up and told his story about what it was like to be on the run from the police when he was 16 after robbing a bank. I was so taken by the story, I was driving at the time and I had to pull over and just sit and listen to his story. Over the next week or so, I tracked Pat down and flew to meet him in Brisbane. My producer for this project Jane Liscombe and I optioned his story soon after.

The photo above is of 'Pat' aged 15, (That's Alice Cooper make-up he's wearing!) one year before he and his 15 year old girlfriend and two other friends robbed a bank and (almost) got away with over $40 000. The photo below is from the same time. I find these images, and a bunch more I photographed from Pats childhood photo album amazing. If I can get a sniff of the atmosphere and the energy of these random polaroids in the script, I think I'll be on the right track.

Cherry Bomb has taken along time to come together, partly as I was swept away with Last Ride. I find it really difficult to work on more than one thing at time, something I need to get much better at. Progress is slow, but I'm really happy with the direction this script is heading in.