CSI: THE ULTIMATE SHOW

Say no more.

BTR HITS THE NFT

Beyond the River was officially selected from University alongside one other to be played at the National Film Theatre in London as part of the Eat Our Shorts film festival. The event went well and Nik Powell and Stephen Wooley were in usual attendance. There were many great films, especially a documentary about a boy's struggle with Tourette syndrome whose only escape comes through singing.

I had a great day and it was great to see a closing chapter of my life concluded with a film I helped create, projected full screen at the NFT's largest cinema screening room in front of a pretty full crowd. It looked great and sounded crystal. There's life in the old girl yet :)

CLIMBING THE LADDER

Well I've now been working at my new job for a month and am enjoying is immensely, working with great people and learning to use Avid, oh and the money helps too. I am now officially a freelance editor (still have to sort out my Inland Revenue paperwork but I have 2 months for that yet). It's very weird knowing that I am responsible for myself as in my taxes, national insurance and keeping my own books but I feel that it's the right thing to do.

As much as I am enjoying my job, the work process of editing interviews for a financial company is a very mechanical process and half my time is spent waiting for rendering/exporting/encoding. Thankfully through the extra work I do with some friends I get to co-edit short films which is much more of an organic process where all restrictions and (most) rules are throw out the window allowing you to create another world for people to be transported to.

And let it be known that I still prefer Final Cut Pro to Avid -open for change, closed for debate.

MY TOP OF '05

Ok, I couldn't cut my list down to under 14 so here's my top films of 2005. I'm sure many people will disagree and if so, make your own list. I'm also pretty sure that I've missed watching some key films this year and will be checking them out as soon as.



1. Serenity (dir. Joss Whedon)
2. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (dir. Shane Black)
3. King Kong (dir. Peter Jackson)
4. History of Violence (dir. David Cronenberg)
5. Sin City (dir. Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller & Quentin Tarantino)
6. The Constant Gardener (dir. Fernando Meirelles)
7. Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit (dir. Steve Box & Nick Park)
8. Team America: World Police (dir. Trey Parker)
9. Batman Begins (dir. Christopher Nolan)
10. Pride and Prejudice (dir. Joe Wright)
11. Million Dollar Baby (dir. Clint Eastwood)
12. Broken Flowers (dir. Jim Jarmusch)
13. Sideways (dir. Alexander Payne)
14. Crash (dir. Paul Haggis)

THE ULTIMATE STRUMMER

Having attended a film festival at the Curzon Theatre, London called 'Charlie Don't Surf', which a friend of mine put his heart and soul in to creating and pulling off remarkably (with the added help of many, including Strummerville) I have been opened up to the music of Joe Strummer.

The festival opened with a screening of Dick Rude's film 'Let's Rock Again!' (who also attended the festival and gave a fascinating and personal Q&A) setting the tone for a grand weekend. Mick Jones of The Clash was there as well as Joe's wife and family. The festival's program (available to purchase from Strummerville's site) also features some of the most heart felt testimonials from Dick Rude, Aki Kaurismaki, F.J. Ossang, Josh Cheuse and John Cusack. Also got to see Grosse Point Blank on the big screen from a great 35mm print, I swear that film gets better on every viewing.

What a great festival and what a great man! Very rarely do so many people come together to celebrate, rather than mourn, the life of someone taken before his time. The music of 'Johnny Appleseed' will certainly remain in my head for quite some time. And above all, let us never forget that the future is certainly unwritten!

Be proud Gonzo.

FINDING SERENITY

Since watching Serenity at the cinema, I went out and bought myself a copy of Firefly. I love it! For as long as my memory cares to serve, I have always enjoyed a good western and a good sci-fi and Firefly succeeds in intertwining the both, with just the right level and tone of humour, that we come to expect for creator Joss Whedon of Buffy fame.

The series works best in developing each of the nine characters individual plots as it progresses (cut short to only 15 episodes before being pulled from FOX) forcing us to ask more questions than we have answers, possibly due to it's short run, however Serenity is the hope that through the bigger screen, answers will be provided from confirmed sequels. If like me you enjoy cowboys in space (no, not Star Wars or Clint Eastwood and Tommy Lee Jones) Firefly and Serenity certainly hit the mark, leaving a guaranteed grin on your face when the credits roll!

TRACKS AND STORIES

Journeys never end but we have finally finished consolidating and condensing Atso's World travel footage into a travelogue detailing each of the places he visited: Tokyo, Cairns, Sydney, Christchurch, Hokitika, Greymouth, Auckland, Santiago De Chile, Cusco, Calientes, Machu Picchu, Lima, Miami, Washington D.C. and New York City. It's one heck of a travelogue DVD with some great music, extras and bucket loads of photos.

RISONANZA NOW COMPLETE

Myself (cameraman/editor), Atso (Director) and James (Sound) have recently completed a short film with Italian dialogue and English subtitles entitled Risonanza (Resonance). The short film (4mins) follows a female making a phone call on a hot summer day. A website is in the making detailing our previous projects and current info. Keep your eyes peeled.

MUSICALLY DIVERSE

I would just like to point out something to those who aren't aware. It is NOT wrong to listen to music that your parents used to/still listen to!

I AM NOT UNEMPLOYED... AM I?

Surely I can't be. The thought hadn't even occured to me until I was filling out quotes for car insurance. Now that I have finally left the cogs of the educational system behind me what the heck do I do with my life? I work, ah of course! But where do I get a job? How low a position do I apply for? Surely my degree (a first at that) means that I am above making coffee and tea for some big shot who skipped these stages by having parents already working in the profession.

'Of course you're unemployed. What else would you be?' Comes the reply from my parents. Now 1. What do they mean I'm unemployed? I have a part time job working 1 day a week (it's a very busy day) and I work freelance making and editing films/videos/DVD's. If anything I am the complete opposite of unemployed... I'm employed! And 2. What did they mean 'Of course' and 'What else would you be'?

More projects have been presented to me and I'm involved with work which I should be doing right now, but I feel unemployed. I don't feel like I have work. I don't feel like the work I do do is even work at all. This can be only a good thing, surely?

I'll have to keep you (whoever is reading this, other than me checking for spelling mistakes) posted. Surely this is what a blog is designed for.

Now go get a job so you too can pay your money to the government!

LUTON...

I have lived in Luton since birth and today feel that I must try and defend our town from it's ever increasing negative reputation. As I type this, police have cordoned off an area of the town at the railway station ready to used a controlled explosion to destroy explosives found in a car. Five controlled explosions have already gone ahead throughout the day.

Luton is a great, culturally diverse town and faces the same difficulties that all areas face such as crime, however people seem to be more than willing to slag off our town without even visiting the place or even knowing it's whereabouts. A friend once told me that Luton's worst enemy was itself and I refused to believe this, however in recent times I am inclined to agree. Those who live in Luton (Lutonians) complain so much that news of the smallest incidents (most of which untrue or heavily embelished) seem to spread far and wide yet those responsible for the talk aren't even aware of many of the facilites the town has to offer. Most of whom chose to live here because of it's useful transport links to London and the airport.

I meet a great range of people on a daily basis and growing up in Luton, a place with a wide ethnic population, I have learnt that racism should not be tolerated as these people are my friends rather than in recent times it seems we are expected to see them as foe. Do i get bored of the town, of course but there are some big plans to give the area of the town centre a facelift as well as community areas such as Bury Park. Can the area be so bad, even though it's attracting the attention of filmmakers wishing to shoot films here, such as the forthcoming 'Colour Me Kubrick'.


Luton like any other place differs vastly depending on where you travel, with the main focus always being on the centre itself other locations such as those around the airport and further out show a more greener side, however those who criticise seem unaware of these areas. How can a town improve itself if it is constantly being knocked especially from those who live there? I simply ask poeple that before they slag off Luton, to simply visit the area and explore not only the centre with it's Multiplex cinema, Library with theatre and Hat Factory Arts venue, recreation centres, rising football team and high achieving academic places of study but to look outside of this and take view of the wider picture that is Luton.

We should always think about the impact of our words before we say them, not after.

BEYOND THE RIVER

Our final University graduation film entitled Beyond the River had it's first screening at the Hat Factory, Luton followed a couple of days after with a screening at Luton's University with mixed responses. Some liked it, some not. Various aspects of the film seem to appeal and deter various audiences which surely can be taken as a good sign. There is an agreement however that the visuals are beautiful and the acting impressed all.

Not taking any time out we are currently working on a couple of new projects. More of them later!

FILMSTOCK 6!!!

With another great Filmstock behind me for this year, having spent 3 fantastic weeks meeting directors, actors, producers, editors... oh and doing a bit of projection I can safely say that Filmstock like a fine wine (not Merlot) continues to improve with age. The highlights for me were watching a man who travelled the world making balloonhats play a balloon bass guitar to a stunned basement full crowd. Both the opening film, David Gordon Green's Undertow and the awesome closing film, Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins were perfect bookends for an indie full line-up. Roll on Filmstock 7!

COMING SOON!

For any of those who actually take their time out to check my blog I apologise for the lack of updates. I have been working extremely hard on a film with a fellow filmmaker which is looking close to finish. I shall endevour to post all details of the film when it has been completed.

IWM DOCUMENTARY AWARDS

Myself and my Co-Director (Nacho) attended the IWM film festival on Tuesday to recieve our certificates for our film being nominated for best Documentary and were informed we were only a few votes away from winning. The event was a great success and it was an honour to have our film competing against some truly well made films. Here's hoping a win for our next project!

MY SALUTE TO YOU MR. BRUCKHEIMER

Über-Producer Jerry Bruckheimer never seems to rest. With both series five of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and the new spin off series CSI: New York airing this week on Channel 5 I thought I would take this opportunity to salute one of the most influential Producers today.

Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed his household name through the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and with another on the way. Previously he was known for his action/adventure films such as Top Gun (1986), Days of Thunder (1990), Bad Boys (1995), The Rock (1996), Con Air (1997), Armageddon (1998), Enemy of the State (1998), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2001) and the often laughable Pearl Harbor (2001), he has come to be known for his stylistic approach and close partnerships with Michael Bay, Hans Zimmer and the daparted Don Simpson.

I was part of a heated debate a while back regarding Bruckheimer's choice of films and whether he puts any thought in to what he is making. My simple answer was yes. Although Bruckheimer is still churning out the much beloved action films such as the recent King Arthur (2004), National Treasure (2004) and the not so popular Bad Boys II (2003), Jerry is producing a large proportion of the biggest shows in America and the most popular imports to the UK. CSI (2000), CSI: Miami (2002), CSI: NY (2004), Without A Trace (2002), Cold Case (2003) and Skin (2003) has proven a more thoughtful and intelligent Bruckheimer, disproving many of his doubters. He has also made many less talked of Producing roles, adding to the diversity of films he has now racked up and showing a more story based than stylistic based producer, such as American Gigalo (1980), Flash Dance (1983), Crimson Tide (1995), Coyote Ugly (2000), Remember the Titans (2000) and Veronica Guerin (2003) which have become overshadowed by the fixed 'action producer' label he has acquired.

It is clear to see how influential Bruckheimer is in the marketing of a film by simply looking at the film posters. Look closely and you may catch a glimpse of the directors name but in big bold letters heading the top of the poster are the infamous words, 'A Jerry Bruckheimer Production'. I have followed his work since my first viewing of Beverly Hills Cop (1984) and now cancel all events which get in the way of watching one of his new releases. Having listened to many interviews with people who have worked with him it seems that he isn't a producer who wants to direct but simply a producer who wants to protect every idea that his name becomes attached to. Many criticise his approach to action films but surely the priority of a Hollywood producer is to make money by giving the audience what they want and no one can doubt that he's certainly doing that!

I can guarantee that after any Bruckheimer film you will be ready to take the world on. Here's to you Jerry!

For the Telegraph's Bruckheimer interview click here.

DEBRECEN HERE WE COME!

Filmstock International Film Festival is heading to Debrecen, Hungary. It has been based in Luton, England for the last 5 years and is now finally achieving the recognition it deserves. I got involved last year having already frequented the event for two years prior and am proud to be involved with such an amazing and unique film festival. With a montage curator (Jim Sheridan and Mike Hodges having curated '03 and '04) still to be confirmed Fillmstock 2005 is shaping up to be the biggest with Debrecen in April and Luton in June. For more information regrarding the festival please visit www.filmstock.co.uk.

WHO WANTS SEX?

Do we need sex in films? I recently read an interesting article regarding sex in films and began to think about the need. I am often amused by the way in which parents close their childrens eyes when sex is on television or film but they will let them listen to songs with swearing and play games where you shoot people. Surely sex is a natural part of life (Team America is a whole different ball game).

But how much do we need to see? Watching Natalie Portman in Closer (2004) was much more powerful to me that that of Baise Moi (2000). The notion of a female keeping her clothes on such as Portman surely is much more dangerous for the viewer as it allows the imagination to override the reality giving a greater interest and focus to the particluar part of the film. Mike Nichols obviously agreed with this when he made the decision to cut all of Portman's nude scenes from the film.

Sex and Lucia (2001) however uses the imagery of sex as a very basic function which becomes an intergral part of the narrative structure rather than being used for a specific impact like that of Closer and Baise Moi. I personally agree with sex in film but only if it is necessary, but then how do we define necessary and does this mean that sex is necessary in porn so it instantly becomes acceptable? I have to say that I would never decide to sit my children down with the grandparents to watch a good two hours of Debbie Does Dallas, but that's just me.

TO HD OR NOT TO HD?

Why should we have to re-invest in to buying our whole film collection again? Having just about managed to buy my whole VHS collection again on DVD the new HD (High Definition) format will mean the eventual need to update again! As the need for sharper, cleaner images become greater, we now have a solution, HD TV however with this new technology a small war is brewing for DVD glory. With both Blu-Ray (Sony, MGM and Twentieth Century Fox) and HD-DVD (Warners, Disney and Universal) fighting it out to see who's hardware will prevail what does this mean to us? Well they both work in the same way, by reading using a blue laser as apposed to the red DVD players use at present and either win will initially allow back compatibility meaning that we can play our existing DVDs on the new systems but I suspect that this won't last for long.

My main concern is that DVD's at present are full with useless extras that give little insight in to the film itself but rather act as fillers to help market the product, Collateral being a prime example of a needlessly produced 2 disc edition. The eventual goal for the new hardware is to feature the whole Bond box set (21 discs at present) on to one DVD whilst providing better image and sound quality. Recently estimated, the first generation discs will hold four (HD-DVD) to six (Blu-Ray) times as much as current discs. Although HD-DVD seems inferior the need for new manufacturing equipment and plants for Blu-Ray will mean a more expensive price tag. Although these ideas sound far fetched, with HD already being used in Japan and America through television, come 2007 we will begin to see newer equipment with a bigger price tag.

Although this feels like I am complaining, I believe that this progress is important but am greatly concerned over the larger price tag and seeing the beloved DVDs going to same way as VHS but more importantly seeing a DVD featuring 7 hours of extras such as 'Affleck's Personal Diary'.

MILLION DOLLAR WORDS

Some wise words from Clint.