Showing posts with label Jason Arnopp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jason Arnopp. Show all posts

Thursday, April 16, 2009

News, Writers & Booze


Hello, you hungover polar bear, you.

As usual, it's all go here at Tenacious Towers. I had an extremely lovely, whizzy, busy day yesterday which resulted in a clear, pristine vision for the up and coming music video, tied up most of the loose ends for the shoot next week and had lots of helpful and poignant discussions in relation to various future projects.

I topped off my productive and constructive day with the carnage that always is The Meeting of The Writers, where I was most pleased to see the gorgeous Helen Smith who I haven't chatted to for an absolute age (although we managed only, "Hi!" "How are you?", "When are we going to go out next?" and then "Bye") and also finally meet fellow blogger and Twitterer, Kevin Lehane. Being totally committed to my work/training schedule, I was most amused to observe the whole evening from a very alcohol-less water angle, which was fun, but unfortunately my secret is now out. Everyone knows I am as mentally unhinged sober, as I am drunk. *sigh*  I always liked to blame the gin, red wine or the alcoholic beverage du jour for my hyperactive stupidity and now I can't. *nuts*

Talking of unhinged, many writerly bods were trying to glean some information about "Project Mute" - most of which they know I can't divulge at the present time.  I have to point out, I'm not being precious about it: I am genuinely unable to disclose much info as funding and deals are relying on discretion. I can say it's a multi-platform, multi- layered project with both short, medium and long term angles, and I start shooting some footage next week.  It will stretch my boundaries, abilities, and to some degree, mental attitude, in the most intangible manner - but it's going to be totally blinding fun for those who choose to take part in the mission.

So before I disappear back into my burrow of paperwork and research again - a quick shout out.

Virgin Media Shorts scheme is up and running again for this year. I will be entering a little something into it, as will my delightful colleague and buddy, Potdoll.

Check out the website of the wonderfully talented and delightful DoP, Stephen Murphy.  I had the pleasure of meeting up with this lovely man to discuss projects and I am thrilled at the prospect of working with such a like-minded, enthusiastic artist in the not-too-distant future. Check him out, watch his showreel, hire him (but don't clash with my dates, thanks).

The jolly decent chap of scribes, Sir Paul of Campbellness, has not just his ep of "Eastenders" being tx'd next Tuesday (21st April) but then straight afterwards, his ruddy ep of "Holby" is on too. Now, please, just take a breath and bow to the man's sheer ability to place the correct bungs in the correct scheduling pockets. He is truly a legend amongst men. ;)

Best of Oirish to Sir Stack for his shoot next week and also the best of Engerlish to the Splendid chaps who are up at full tilt next week also! May the sun shine on your shoots - unless you need no sun, of course.

And finally...well done to Tony Jordan who selected the following people to join him for a workshop soon.  He'll be a lucky man sharing the room with Dave Turner, Jason Arnopp, David Bishop, William Gallagher amongst others, I tells ya.

Right. Lunch time over. Back to storyboards and locations. Ta-ra.

Onwards.


Monday, March 02, 2009

Madness

Hi all

As I suspected, last week was a furious furore.  I don't have much time to dither over posts this week either, but in a nutshell:

Short re-write.
Feature Outline magically writes itself overnight.
Read magic Feature Outline, decipher writing, type up.
Short re-write.
Put magically written Feature Outline in drawer. Adios amigo, for a while. Dust - do your worst.
Travel to Darlington to attend The Story Engine, brilliantly organised by Ian Fenton.
Work in hotel bar, socialise with blog buds, Le Arnopp et Le Turner.
Attend first brilliant day of aforementioned festival.
Sh*t hits fan via email.
Tear apart Short film idea.
Huff. 
Drive Producer up wall.
Return to Festival seminars.
Lose all form of concentration.
Drive Producer up wall.
Return to hotel, take long shower.
Stomp around a lot like a child.
Tear apart Short film idea again.
Drive Producer up wall. Again. He's now on ceiling.
Network on a microcosmic basis with aforementioned blogbuds, joined by Chris Parr, Le Moran & Le Lemon and their prettier halves.  
Return to hotel room and work solidly until about 4am.
Breakfast before 8.15am telecon to Script Editor. Couldn't eat. Wasn't hungry anyway.
Absorb Script Editor notes.
Get ready to return to Festival & seminar I'm late for.
Decide to watch TV instead.
Kick self up arse.
Check out of room & carry on working on new beat sheet in bar (it was closed, I may add)
Make decision to quit festival whilst I'm on a roll - Simon Beaufoy will have to wait to meet me another time.
Return to festival for lunch, have quick chats & say goodbye before heading to the station home.
As leaving, start conversation with Really Interesting Bloke who agrees to be the subject matter of a long term Feature Documentary me & WorkGalBud are pulling together. F'cking A.
Leave for home with a spring in my step.
Work like a possessed demon on the train home.
Batter commuters out of way in haste to get home and charge MacBook.
Work like an even bigger demon, flat out all weekend.
New beat sheet, new character breakdowns. New, new, new everything.
Realise my rib is very sore after just being a bit sore last week, and trapped nerve in leg is getting worse.
Find out I have two ribs out of place - have them realigned. Trapped nerve eased with painkillers.
Weigh myself - have lost 7lbs in a week.  Joy.
Carry on with new new new everything.
Wait with bated breath.
Realise it's all good.

Onwards and upwards.

Laters, sweeties.


Friday, February 13, 2009

The Week That Now Was

Well hello there, you little bundles of fun.

It's been a busy week - there's no denying that.  

Having only just vaguely recovered from the brain drain exhaustion that was due to the exceptionally brilliant Digital Shorts training last week, I then launched a full attack on my project in general - resulting in a much tighter incarnation of "Perfect".  I am really very much liking this one. This one feels good and we're on target. Nice. Love it. Bloody superb.  

I have also had quite a few meetings to run through various ideas for cast, crew and general logistics. Everyone needs a wonderful Producer, I tell you. (But I have to say that, right?) Arf. ;) 

So, all in all a totally knackering week - which, of course, included a fellow scribey drinkie session. As usual, a great night had by all and it was lovely to catch up with the usual suspects Arnopp, Beckley, Barron, Campbell, Colgan, Lemon, Perry & Turner. I even met some lovely new suspects this time too, which was all very exciting as they hadn't heard any of my shit before. Fantabulous, I tell you.

Have a super weekend all.