CRIMAS LIGHTS!

When Ollie (now 10) was a toddler whenever he saw Christmas lights, he would shout from the back of the car "CRIMAS LIGHTS!". It's now somewhat of a tradition in our family… "CRIMAS LIGHTS!"

THE QUIET BEFORE...

Entering that very precious stage of early pre-production where it's not too busy, there's time to do what you need, to catch up, to think out loud, to listen to music, to watch movies, to leaf through reference books, to shove ideas together, to plan, to suggest, to dream. I've moved into the Gallipoli production office and for the next week or so I'm the only one on my floor. It's so bloody wonderful to have this time and space because very soon it's all going to fill up and disappear... But right now, this is the bit to cherish.

Coming into land last week after a day of casting in Sydney.

'TO OUR GLORIOUS DEAD'

Carved and gilded in granite in Martin Place, Sydney. Glorious dead...

ROSEBUD IS 7

…and innately more happy than she appears in these snaps!

IF NOT HERE, THEN WHERE?

VLAK AND WHITE

Got a ten page photo spread in VLAK magazine which is published out of Prague. I'm thinking very seriously about having a year of black and white...

SUPER HEROES!

This looks good. UPDATE : It's VERY good. See it here...

MORNING WALK

CHOPPED ON THE WEEKEND

IF NOT HERE, THEN WHERE?

TATHRA

Roadtrippin with the family from Sydney to Melbourne via the south coast road...  Stopped for the weekend at one of our favourite places Tathra.

As much as I like Sydney, after five months away  it's SO good to be back in Melbourne!

POSTCARDS FROM PUBERTY BLUES 2 #5

FIRE WORKS

I took the first photo below at Matauri Bay nestled just below the northern tip of the North Isalnd of  New Zealand in January this year. On a warm summers night I watched a  bunch of kids setting off fireworks, having the time of their lives. I sat on the beach with my kids in amazement at how wonderful and free spirited it all was and how in Australia today this would be unheard for kids let alone being able to make it happen in a film.

I've shot quite a few fireworks sequences and trying to get an actor anywhere near a live firework is near impossible. The process ends up being so regulated with safety concerns and restricitoins (all for good reason) and the sequence I believe always ends up feeling a little 'sanitised'. But after alot of planning and tests I was so happy last Friday night that I was able to replicate that image (and a whole lot more!) not only as a photograph but as part of filmed sequence. And I might add in a highly controlled and safe environment. Satisfying!

Matauri Bay, New Zealand, Jan 2013

Kernell Beach, Australia, Aug 2013

POSTCARDS FROM PUBERTY BLUES 2 #4

TWO DOWN, THREE TO GO

Have finished Eps 1 and 2 of Puberty Blues 2. And now deep in pre for my second block where I'll shoot the final episodes 7, 8 and 9. Never shot three episodes at once before. Shooting two at once is tricky enough, three is a mind fuck... feeling a bit rooted.

I heart Kurnell.