Thoughts for the day

I’m Really, Really Pleased

That the Hurt Locker got six Oscars, it stopped the almost unstoppable lover of French Canadian horse faced music from cleaning up because we all have to see his film about Smurfs.  Due to financial complications I’ve not had the opportunity to see either film.  I am however really please that a relatively low budget film, that has a proper script and some very impressive filming techniques which also covers off some off the darker places and activities that are happening in our world - notice I said our world.  Of course M. Cameron produced some stunning low budget films in his early days - Terminator anybody? He also brought us Jessica Alb, whom I really fancied until I discovered she was the geeks choice.

So What is Your Problem?

We went to a BAFTA and Film ONE event last night to watch her film and have a Q&A with Joanna Hogg, who whilst I don’t agree with some of her choices [DOP and Camera] was very down to earth and seamed very honest. The film could have done with better sound and filming, some of that was down to the equipment it was shown on.  The story though was charming and mostly kept me interested.  It’s so much better then the last film we saw with OFVM and a billion times better then the Oxford based horsie, money and talent wasting [and this bit hurts] film maker. No it was that the producer that interviewed her managed to make it all about woman film makers.

Still Dont See my Problem?

Right, it’s not about woman, and here is the key thing, Hurt Locker is a very good film, last nights film was a good film.  What I don’t get is why it matters that these people are woman, I enjoy the films if they are made by men or woman, it only makes a difference to me if they have a chip on there shoulder.  Do I enter competition about men in films?  Now dont get me wrong, I do realise that it’s been a long journey for woman over the last few hundred years and that even recently a lot of jobs and awards have gone predominantly to men.  That is changing though and if you still go on about it, I personally think you take away from your achievements.  I really do.  So come on girls suck it up and keep up the good work.  I’m just more interested in your film making then your gender.  Unless your fit and I fancy you, that’s a totally different story though.

 So Here is to film Makers

All colours, all genders all nationalities.  Lets just make sure they are good ones and not that durge made by people unwilling to take advice who have acess to the money that should be going to people that can actualy do something worthwhile with it. Joanna Hogg spent well and made well - even if I’d like her to have the budget for a camera with prime lenses.

Laters

Chalkster

That I was bound to!

Firstly two things that need to be mentioned, first that I’m always shocked when people die young, far too young I noticed on the BBC today that Britney Murphy died Yesterday at the tender age of 32, sometimes life is so much more fragile then we really think.  My thoughts go out to her family and friends.  The second thing is tat I’m reasonably chuffed that Rage Against the Machine got the Christmas Number One, its jsut a shame it was all orchestrated on FaceBook, which takes the punch out of things a little.

Ah, the Rant!

Indeed, as anybody that knows me, knows that I have issues With FaceBook, and how so many people blindly join the site even though there are many, many political and ethical reason for not doing so.  It is however a choice of conscience or lack of.  It’s all about freedom of choice and you can if you wish, give up a good chunk of your human rights and let huge companies and governments monitor  you with far greater ease.  I think it’s foolish and naive, what people are willing to give up for easy communication.  It just shows how lazy people are getting and I do believe that the masses are going to suffer in the long term for their lack of foresight, or just ignorance.

But What Really Bugs Me

Is that I’m loosing touch with friends who only communicate through FaceBook, it’s true.  One argument is that I should forget my principles and ‘Just get on it’ because it is easier for people who blatantly don’t give a fuck about their ethics let alone mine.  I miss out on finding out my friends are getting married, that they have had new born’s; all sorts of things! It’s just so disappointing.  Look, I get that you don’t care [generic], I do, I can even understand the draw of social networking, it allows you to see what everyone is doing, every last move.  It means that you can watch people, it’s like big brother, it’s wrong but I understand it.  Privacy its no longer an issue, I don’t think people want it anymore, people want to be exhibitionists; you want everybody to know what your doing.  You are a STAR, you have you own page a window for everyone to look at [not too difference to my Blog as it happens.  But WHY does everyone want me to give up on my ethics just because they have?  I am not and NEVER will be on FACEBOOK, and I’m really sad that this means that I loose touch with friends as it is now their ONLY way of communicating.  I’m easily contactable, I like to drink coffee and have a chat, Take phone calls… I like to write.

The thing is

I don’t think it’s a fad, I cant see the evil regime disappearing.  I’d just like to go a day in my life when people don’t mention the word, when I was on set there was basically no conversation that happened without somebody mentioning FB.  My picture appears against my will, friends have put my number on the site. NO, NO, NO, go ahead you can be on it, but get it-in your heads - NOT ME.  Yes I’d love to see the photo’s of your kids, email them to me, or show ‘em to me.  Everyone can see them if I put them up; that means you don’t care who, send them to me and I know you have at least made the effort.  And the more people ostracise me for my choice the more resolute I will be.

I got a card

From an actress that I auditioned once, I think she is really rather good, and we stay in touch, when i find the right part for her she will get a very good shout at it.  She sent me a Christmas card this year.  I’ll tell you what, she will be remembered much better for that then a nudge or a poke or whatever you call it.  Making an effort is just, so very important.

This is not an attack on you

Just realise that we can stay in touch  and be the strong friends we always were,just by making the effort we always have.  It actually means sooo much more.  I cant however promise not to tell you “I told you so”, when FB is exposed for what it really is.

Laters,
Chalskter

Two things annoy me about Organisation

The American spelling and lack of it [organisation that is].It the steady march to producing my first feature film I’m grabbing any job in the industry that will forward me the opportunity to learn and earn.  Currently I’ve taken on the position of Assistant Producer, for the next for weeks I’ll be working on a reasonably financed film with some interesting cast members.  The script is half decent, and for a change is properly formatted, if the dialog a bit clunky.  It certainly justifies the budget and that is often not the case.

Sad, bad and Glad - Oh and Shite

Or Something like that is the Title of an independent feature financed by screen south.  It is soposed to follow the stories of three siblings in their dysfunctional world.  I went to see a screening in Oxford with the OFVM, I thought it may be interesting to meet the producer and ask some prevalent questions.  As it happens, Si and I sat at the back [second mistake], we could not get out without looking rude, and rude is what I wanted to be.  What a total bag of SHITE, £300,000 of lottery money went on that dirge.  I only found out after the screening that it was a comedy!  How did they spend that much money I ask you.  How do I get my life back, over two hours spent with the film and listening to what now appears to be a monotone useless producer, who had nothing helpful to say. 

Now Don’t Get me Wrong

I’m actually pleased I went, I feel so much better about my projects now.  If that can get made, with some quality actors [who appear to have directed themselves], then I’m pretty certain we have a bright future ahead of ourselves.

Laters,

Chalkster