2011 comes and goes
And whilst the achievements we were expecting to have done have not all been, er, achieved. We are certainly on the right track at the moment. It’s been a very, very hard year, and had it not been for an awful lot of support from friends and family I’m not entirely sure how I would have got through it.
Off in the wrong direction
I’ve learned to trust my gut over the past 30 odd years and am rarely wrong on the big decisions for it. But sometimes my lack of patience makes me override that feeling. The most damaging time for that was the beginning of the year and the repercussions are to some extent being felt today. Main lesson learned? Check people’s credentials out carefully. If they say they worked for one of the largest film companies, make sure that it was not front of house at their local cinema. At the level we are working on, that just don’t cut the mustard they were putting on your hotdogs. It’s also a time when you realise some people will take advantage of you and never expect to deliver anything. But that’s okay, they will put the blame firmly on your shoulders. The rub is we have some very competent people in charge of the big project now, and it’s bigger and better then ever before.
On the right track
The script has come on leaps and bounds and Si and I feel we are back in control of it. The dirge dialog that we were forced to include has long since disappeared and some of our favorite moments have re-appeared. We have even been lucky enough to have some Script master class time with our friend and mentor Mike. We’ve learned so much about story and characters that our original ramblings and attempts at writing seam to be a distant memory. I’m not sure I even want to read them again, though I might as a form of inspiration. I often wonder how we were so lucky as to find such a strong group of people to help us into this harsh business. At the moment we can only repay them one way and that’s by working hard and proving that we have listened to everything they have told us, that we have improved through our associations.
On Set
I also got back on set this year, and met some childhood hero’s without any real disappointment. Whilst my expectation of the film are held realistically low, I did get to meet and make friends with some very talented individuals who I really would like to work with again. It was also nice to start the whole thing of as a Head of Department with authority from the off. Although my hands were tied with regards to dealing with some of the laziest in for themselves wankers anybody could hope to meet. Hopefully they will learn that their are many other people that can do their jobs, they are not special. For me though it was a great chance to prove how much I’ve learned and do a good job. They film, I’ll leave that up to the director and producers.
SFC
The first year without a season ticket in ages, and I still blame those charlatans for putting Baz and myself in financial jeopardy. Worst still we have only seen the mighty Southampton a few times this year, and as we start the new year we are at the top of the Championship. That’s something they will never be able to give back to me, and I will never forgive. Hopefully next year we will get to go to see them more regularly back in the Premiership. Hugely optimistic.
Tech
Still learning, and the film will be shot in a very new and state of the art format, which is very exciting.
So
On with the year, it’s set to be very exciting and there is much work to do, but one hope that this time next year No Balls will be in the charts :)
Laters,
Chalkster