Thoughts for the day

Under Pressure

It would appear that No Balls is very, Very Close to becoming a very, very real thing.  As in actually happening.   In months rather then years.  And this weekend, I’ve really started to feel the pressure.  I’m going to have to stop to favors fairly soon.  Just because I wont have the time and I will need to bring a very sharp focus into the production.  This is my one shot at a career that I’ve dreamed of all my life. There is nothing else I wan to do and to have to do something else would be an immense letdown. It’s not about being able to tell people that I’m a film writer or director, it’s about making a really fucking good film.  Better then people expect.  Not cutting corners thinking out every moment of it.  And it’s that realisation that is scary.  I’ve an awful lot to do and an awful lot riding on it.

So that’s who I am?

I Found out what Chalkster is in an urban dictionary.  Could not have put it better myself.

Disappointed

Just went to see a local filmmakers short down at the picture palace. I was really hoping that it would be good.  I though that it was likely to be pretentious, but that it had the chance of being technically and literary very good. Sadly it was not only pretentious, it was possibly the worst short film I’ve ever seen.  I really upset by it and how poor it was.  It came from guys who have taken the OFVM courses, so there really was no excuse for it. We legged it afterwards so that we didn’t have to compliment it. Gutted.

More Video’s

I helped out Hayley Nolan and up and coming comedy actress who’s just moved to LA, by filming editing her Short Sketch “Sue Silvester’s Daughter”which seams to have really taken off…

Also been catching up with an old Pal, who is interested in doing some writing with the team.  Check out this video of his:

Whats happening now?

I’m just finishing a video for Nick Cope called “My Socks” which is a lovely childrens peace.  Which I”l post in the next week or two.  And we are filming 4 short Virals for Atomic Burger and Atomic Pizza  this week.  All frickin’ go!

Laters,

Chalkster

Much

I really don’t think that I regret my change in career. It’s been six or seven years since I left easynet in the pursuit of happiness.  I’m not sure the motivation for less stress has been found, but a much more meaningful and fulfilling life has ensued.  I’m sat in a hotel in the middle of Derby getting ready for another night shoot 4pm until 4am.  I’ll be outside in five minutes helping people out so that closer to a 3pm start for me.  I’ll likely not finish until 5 or 6am.  And that is a short day or me.  But it doesn’t feel like that.  I get to socialise all day with like minded people.  Not something I actually expected.

 I do however

Miss my friends, loved ones and my dog. Its a long time to be away from home. But as they say it’s on the home stretch now.

You can check out U.F.O. on IMDB.

Laters,

Chalkster

Photo Shoots

It’s interesting you know, I grew up a photographers son.  My dad came from the times where he made his own chemicals and emulsions out of the kitchen cupboard and thick paper.  A dare say he made his own pinhole camera (I know I did).  I learned on medium format and 35ml doing a little freelance work up until I was in my late teens.  I gave up all but an amateur interest for the next fifteen odd years.  My interest has however been brought right back into focus through my friendship with James Lyon, a photographer that I believe is just about to hit a very rich vain of form. And I was a real critic early on.  Recently I managed to update my photographic portfolio a little and shoot a promo for him on the south coast. The pictures are his not mine.

Due South from James Lyon on Vimeo.

Fear

I’m very close to signing a new option with a new producer on “No Balls” which I’m very pleased about.  My only fear is that we will end up having to take on a bigger named director then myself.  Could I work on the project with somebody else at the helm?  It’s a tough call that I really don’t want to have to take, but its a real possibility.  Life I’m afraid can be really tough.  The shame would be that I’m so very confident of my ability, and the humor is so delicate that I fear it would be lost on somebody else’s watch.  Bloody fucking hell, let me keep it!

Disappointment, selfishness, internalising & so much more

I’ve been horribly let down by a close friend, who left me in a world of trouble after giving me nearly a year of trouble.  I’m always happy to try and help people out, even passing on my limited knowledge and opening my address book, and against my little voice’s advice this time allowing them to live in my house.  In a perfect world friends would be able to stay over for months at a time for nothing.  But In tough times like this when I’m on a financial knife edge?  So constantly letting me down was bad enough, but to then not pay at all so that they can put a deposit down to move in with friends is beyond belief.  Career be damned, short term damaging choices ruin careers.  I learned a long time ago that you don’t shit on your friends, if you do you apologise.  Sometimes you just use up all the good will in the world and leave the favor cupboard bare. I’d be angry if I wasn’t so disappointed by my own naivety.  Just because somebody wants to do the same thing as you are doing, doesn’t mean they have the same set of morals and that they have any level of ability.  But hey next time I’ll sit with my legs wider apart so you can really kick me in them? Or not.  The sades thing?  I’m unlikely to ever try and help anybody as much again.

Laters,

Chalkster