Saturday, October 30, 2004

Music Videos

I was due to shoot a music video for a London based hip hop group but the record company has postponed the shoot until next year. This is fair enough as they are concentrating on the first single release. If it does shit then the second single - and subsequently the second video will not happen... but I hope it works ok.

Nonetheless, I have lined myself up to shoot an ultra low budget video for a eltronica/techno group for which I have adapted an old short script of mine. I think the idea is solid and it will work very well as a low-budget video - but it will still have a certain style and production value to it. I want to shoot it before Christmas to fill in the gap that was created by the delay of the first video.

But today I had a meeting with an unsigned London based rapper whom I only met yesterday. His music is good and I am working on a concept that I think is both original and good. Of course I would think that, but after a while of doing stuff like this I can say I have a fair idea of what I am capable of and I am able to trust my instincts. After all, I simply do not have the time/energy/resources to waste on any old shit.

It is funny how things seems to move onwards and upwards. I am learning how to handle myself and how to conduct myself. If I keep moving in the direction I am then everything should come to me in the way that I hope, there are times however when I get impatient.

IE. I have met two people recently that want to see my showreel - but it is not completed, but both of these people are good links for MORE Work... so I really need to move forwards as quickly as possible.

Nevertheless, I must do what I must do.

Saturday, October 23, 2004

North South Divide

I went up north the furthest I have been in 10 years.

It is like a foreign country.

"You areet, cock?"

Is supposedly a nice thing - which was repeated to me several times during my visit... roughly translated it means,"Are you alright, cock?" (cock - apparently a term of endearment)

But I am aware that it might also mean,

"You're a right cock"

I suppose I'll never know.

But laughing and joking asside, I was utterly blown away by the warmth of northern hospitality. I walked into a strangers house and I swear that within 10 minutes I felt utterly at home. The northerners in this country really put to shame the miserable rascals who live in the south.

I may well have spent most of my time terrified that the scallwags up north would have robbed me blind and left my in my vest and boxer shorts but at least I would have felt at home. Kind of like a mugger who gives you your bus fare home.






Tuesday, October 19, 2004

My Problem.

It would be boring if I whinged on about how depressing it is when people you are waiting to deliver stuff utterly fail to deliver.

But it is the bane of my existence - Unreliable People - and I have to have a rant.

I wonder how much time I have wasted simply waiting for other people to do what they SAID they would do. If I added it all up I am sure that it would total months. I am a busy man and I have things I want to do.

The most fantastic part of it is that I wonder where I would be if they had all done what they said they would. Because every delay upsets the progress of each consequential step.

Anyhow, it is my observation:

There are broadly two types of people:


1. Those that do.

2. Those that don't

Those who fall into the latter category are often afflicted with a dangerous disease: the main symptoms include a chronic and persistent desire to make false and empty promises. Success in life for the rest of us will largely be affected by an our ability to recognise these people; for they are to be avoided.

I am reminded of that cliche- If you want something done, it is best to do it yourself.

Yes this is true but only to a limited sense. It is waste of time to do everything yourself and you will eventually get tired but sometimes it really is better to just do something yourself because often the amount of time and effort it take trying get somebody to make good on a commitment would have been better applied in doing that task yourself in the first place.

When I eventually have children I will hammer one thing into their heads.... Always make good on your word. You will EARN a tremendous amount of respect from others.

And if you DO fuck up on a promise - MAKE IT GOOD. AND BE SEEN TO MAKE GOOD ON IT.

In conclusion: There are not many things worse than unreliable people. And in contrast: There are few things more beautful than a promise fulfilled.

Remember my words.

Thursday, October 14, 2004

New Objectives.

Since returning from Egypt I have suffered with some persistent gut rot that means I have to remain fairly close to a toilet in case of an "attack".

The plus side of this is that I have lost weight. - I am now 74 kgs

The negative side is that I suspect this is split evenly between fat and muscle since I have not trained for 3 weeks.

My advice to anybody who wants to lose weight is to get sick. The only other time I lose weight was last Chistmas after I poisoned myself with a poulty based illness. ( Probably I did not wash hands properly when cooking Christmas turkey) Nevertheless I have some new objectives.

To Lose weight. Maybe get down to 70 kgs.

But without losing strength.

I can do 6 pull ups with a +20 kg dumbell strapped to my feet. and on the Bench press machine I can Bench Press 8 reps of 99 Kilgrams. I must retain this level of fitness as a standard,.

Anyhow, I have entered the Nike 10k Race this year. Last year I came 12,000 or so out of 20,000 runners. My time was a measly 70 minutes - this year I intend on doing it in 60 minutes. which should be cool.

This year the race will involve 30,000 runners and will take place as night thought the streets on London on 28th November at 7:00pm. It looks like fun.


I need to start training.