Vanity will not release me.

121212 and -5 in the shade

Barry's Amusements in Winter

Dragoon Or how I stopped loving Hollywood and embraced European art cinema.

Intro

Iain McAuley drawing for VINYL TOUCH

I am now deep into post-production with Dragoon. The edit is coming together and just some voice over needed, possibly. Also currently working on getting together promotional artwork such as posters and filming stills and have a number of artists working on this. Iain McAuley and Glen Kennedy artwork is going into my "film package". This will hopefully give better advertisement options and also what they produce will look amazing.
What I want to chat about today though is the production side of Dragoon.

The Production

The influences on this piece come from European art cinema. A few years of university, studying film may well have drawn many into the wonders of Hollywood Cinema. For me it was into World cinema and art cinema (along with an unhealthy interest in the representation of Northern Irish protestants on film).
European cinema for me opened up the boundaries of plot, characters and production style. No longer did something have to make chronological sense. Does a character really need defined, loved and developed? Do the audience really need things answered or is the beauty of cinema walking away questioning your own thoughts? And last but not least the production practicalities of European art cinema is something I am very passionate about. Why not try and make a film with the smallest crew if it does not influence the production value?

First poster for Dragoon

Dragoon was this. An idea, a though, a plan. One that I stumbled upon while waiting in Partick Library. I literally threw open a book and there was a picture of a young Scottish paratrooper and the story of the start of Operation Dragoon. I was gripped. How could someone my age cope with being dropped into a foreign country, by themselves, in enemy territory? Stuck with the situation that if you see someone you will have to kill them or they will kill you. What on earth would you do? Morally where would you be placed?
That is where Dragoon came in. I wanted to make a film that made people think about that exact question. I didn't want it to be pro or anti war. I just wanted it to question the emotions and psychology of a young Scottish soldier and how that would relate to your life.
So where do you start with a World War II drama? I had spent a large portion of the budget of £120 on costume but it was well worth it. We got our full WWII costume from the splendorous Saratoga Trunk. What they don't have isn't worth wearing. All genuine costumes and it really makes a difference to know 100% your costume is period accurate.

I was really blessed to have a wonderful cast and crew who kept going on through the rotten weather. It did however make the film even more accurate. During the actual Operation Dragoon bad weather was behind the reason for the troops being dispersed across the countryside.
The wonderfully talented Ross Blackmore was my sound recordist. Some one who I have worked for in the past on short films and in a professional sense. He really went beyond with his skills, some of the folley he created and sounds he captured are just perfect. He also created a wonderful soundscape for the film along with some essential wildtracks. His director experience was something I drew upon which benefited me so much.
The actor was Euan Maharg, someone who is not a professional actor but who had the passion, desire and the exact look I wanted. He brought great enthusiasm for the production and came at it with everything he had. His performance was exactly what I was looking for.
The location I had found was really stunning. I did a recce of it, did a few GV's and took some photos, I also filmed a short video for the Sponsume page as we were mid crowdfunding.

What I wasn't prepared for though was that this forest would be being farmed on the day we were filming.The look on a sound recordists face as a lorry trundles by through an empty forest is some what priceless. This alined with a change in flight pattern of planes heading to Glasgow Airport made for an interesting day for sound.
I had written a basic script outlining a number of scenes as well as a in depth step by step script. The basic one was given to actor Euan a few weeks in advance. The in depth one was stored away. I decided to leave a lot of the scenes completely improvised. I wanted to get input from cast and crew, something that is only available with a small tight unit. This made for what I felt was a free flowing feel, with the character able to engage and move within the location without fear of trying to act but literally just being. I know it all sounds a bit theorized and airy fairy but I really think it worked.
We filmed for a whole day, getting suitably cold, wet and muddy but thoroughly enjoying ourselves and having a great laugh. The lighting through out was all natural with a reflector used about once or twice throughout. Filming in a forest is something that I will reconsider in the future. I wanted to use an intense depth of field as much as possible while not having to push up the ISO levels. This was a bit of a compromise on quality and something that I possibly would reconsider. Other than that I am pretty happy overall with the film quality and the 550d really impressed.

Conclusion

Dragoon has been a great learning curve. I would recommend making a short film to anyone and everyone as a great way to experiment, learn and develop. I am currently finishing up the edit and trying to polish it off with a view to taking it to festivals in the new year. I will aim to apply for as wide a spectrum of film festivals. I will eventually have the film available to view online for free after it has done a few film festivals.
What I am hoping for is a bit of exposure, a chance to show my ideas and thoughts to the wider world and get a few people thinking about their lives, their beliefs and where they are going. Not a lot to ask for ey?


That is really it. A blog post explaining a bit more about Dragoon, where it is at currently and where it has come from. Leave a comment if you have a question.

Keep your eyes peeled for new updates

www.Facebook.com/DragoonTheFilm

www.Twitter.com/DragoonTheFilm

www.DragoonTheFilm.co.uk

What I want today.

14/365 Rejects

Today seems like one of those perfectly freezing winter days that I would wrap up warm and head to a beach for. I fear I may be missing the Antrim coastline today. That will pass. These are two rejects from my TTV 31/365 project in 2011. 

A grande day out.

I hope you saw what I did there.

Skyfall (2012) - A view

I went to see Skyfall at the weekend. Having not been a major Bond fan ever and failing to see one in the cinema since the late 90's I wasn't expecting much.
I was however expecting a lot from this man, Javier Bardem.
Having been mesmerised by his performance in No Country for old Men (2007) by the Coen brothers I was excited to see him in the bond villain role.
He did not disappoint in the slightest.
 I felt he played the roll to perfection. If you are not a Bond fan go and see it for him alone. The film portrays a gritty type of Bond. Some beautiful cinematography and a few great action scenes but its mostly the usual unrealistic bond cant die action adventure. With a bit of hand to hand combat for added intensity.

I was rather shocked during the Glencoe scenes to see a few rather annoying telegraph poles. Often behind Bond and M during what was meant to be a "take in the beauty" style scene. A slight camera repositioning and the scene is perfection.

Perhaps this is the gritty Bond look, telegraph poles and all.

Overall I am going for a well deserved 4/5 on the Guy scale. God only knows what that means.

The perfect Glasgow rotten weather lp

Hard to beat pumping this out on a cold and wet day in Glasgow. It deserves a remix.

Is this the worst use of a qr code ever?

Spotted this in Ikea!

A relaxing weekend.

 

A tough week had by all so we went out and adventured. When I say we I mean the lovely lady above and myself. We went out and had a walk around Glasgow on the first day of Autumn. What a great start it was, to say a fond "Where were you?" to Summer and head out wrapped up warm.

DRAGOON - Teaser

So finally the day came last week and we had our principle day of filming for DRAGOON. It was a wet and miserable one which was tough to work in but suited the historical events of the day. One of the things that I was gladdest about was doing an in-depth rece the week before. This enabled me to pick exactly where my locations and action would be right down to the twig and stone.
I will post a more detailed blog regarding the production side, for the mean time though take a gander at a teaser I have put together. Currently now trying to chop the film down to around the five minute mark. So much great footage and a lot of great improv scenes from my young actor Euan.

The joys of working for free in TV and Film. A @dragoonTheFilm production post

There is quite the issue at the moment with young people or even just people working their butts off for free to get into the media industry. This is not a post suggesting that is a good thing, its just some personal experience.

So I have been posting, tweeting, FB'n and spamming people about my short film, Dragoon.
This week I have had a few pre-production meetings to try and get dates, equipment and thoughts all together.
The latest of these was yesterday with friend and colleague Ross. We first worked together when I was the 3rd AD on a short horror zombie film he was co-directing, A Relative End. I worked for free for a few freezing nights in the Glasgow snow. It was great fun, not because it was some epic film that we all thought we could retire off. It was because everyone was volunteering their time to help a few great fellas make their ideas become a reality.

The A Relative End set.

We filmed A Relative End towards the end of January 2012. Unknown to Ross and I we would then spend the next six months or so traveling together as part of crew on a Cbeebies production. On this we had a chance to get to know each other and our passion for film. So when I said to Ross I was making a short film he straight away volunteered his experience and equipment to the shoot. He appreciated the time and effort I had put in for him and wanted to "pay" me back in a way.

Production meeting in a Brewery......hmm

So a four hour production meeting passes and I have a friend who has over a decade of sound production experience working for free on my short film. This is why I think its invaluable to work for free on short films. Not just so people owe you one, but because its a hobby, one you make friends doing, its great fun and if its what your passionate about then its what you should do. It also gives you a chance to step up. I was working as a runner but was given the chance to be a 3rd AD. Something in the big bad world that just would not happen.

If however you are doing runner work and everyone around you is getting paid, then you my friend are getting done over. Get onto sites like The Unit List or Media Muppet and get some entry level paid work.

Guy Phenix - Writer / Editor / Director - Showreel

Hotel view

Another photo attempting to dismantle the notions of luxury hotels during location filming. No glittering city skylines, no sundrenched beach views, this is Birmingham. You get a car park and you be grateful. Anyway better dash the spa closes at 8pm, what a joke ey?

Animals At Sea - "Sailing Boats" - Free Download

Free download of this Live recording here

Operation Dragoon - 68th Anniversary & Dragoon - Short Film by Guy Phenix

Part of Operation Dragoon © link

5th Scottish Parachute Battalion

At 0440 hours this morning sixty eight years ago young Scottish men parachuted into the German occupied area around Cannes, Southern France. These Scottish soldiers made up only a part of the large assault on Southern France by the Allies, it was called Operation Dragoon.

On that morning 68 years ago as the planes flew across the Mediterranean the weather worsened. This meant that drop zones were missed and parachutists were dropped far apart across the French countryside. This left many soldiers separated, in a foreign country with an enemy searching for them. By about 0800 hours the majority of the soldiers had regrouped. They then proceded to capture German occupied villages right across the South of France with the help of the French resistance.

  Enroute to Southern France / Operation Dragoon aboard USS LST-659 / Aug 1944 © link

Often referred to as the "Forgotten D-Day" Operation Dragoon I feel is a under appreciated part of World War 2. This is why I have written a short film from the perspective of one of the soldiers from the 5th Scottish Parachute Battalion. The film depicts the hours between 0440 and 0800. It follows the story of one Scottish soldier left to fend for himself in the forests of the French countryside. He deals with issues of fear, loneliness and faith as he tries to avoid capture and to regroup with his battalion.

The film does need some funding as I want to use props and costumes as historically accurate as possible. I have set up a Sponsume page for donations but even just sharing the page is real help.

The Sponsume page.

Filming production hotel views a la @PhilipBloom

You have seen the photos, production crew staying in amazing hotels, showing you their views. Just to make you feel better this is mine. Bristol, England.

One year as a runner at the BBC

Well today marks a year that I have been working as a production runner at the beeb. A lot has happened so I felt it deserves a blog post.

In this time I have been to every country in the UK, been further North than I have ever been before, worked with some incredible people and been seen by a few million people in a few tv appearances.

3rd AD - A Relative End - Short Film 

It has really been an amazing opportunity.

I came in to the runners pool as a recent graduate with a bit of experience from indies and BBC NI. It was a tough process, a number of group and single interviews and a few hundred applicants.

I made my way working hard, asking questions and absorbing as much as I could, from some very experienced crew and production staff. It is a case that you are only as good as your last job and that is what you have to remember and give 100%. It is also often a rather tedious job, looking after crew and talent but you have to do it and do it with a smile. People appreciate that and remember you.

I would not have wanted to spend my first year after graduating with a media studies and production degree in any other way. I love working in production. Everything from Cbeebies right through to factual it has been great. I have learnt so much that a degree could never teach but the work experience I achieve via my degree I am sure was essential to this job.
Well that is one year down here is to perhaps a few more, but will have to wait and see what this next year has in store.


N.B This has turned into some sort of runner advice post. If you are a runner or hoping to become one and want advice leave a comment.

Some Kelvingrove Museum Rangers Irony

Kelvingrove Museum knew all along

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - Views

Warning, this review contains nothing even baring resemblance to a review.

As a big Wes Anderson fan Moonrise Kingdom has been the film I have been waiting for in 2012.
Was gutted that in Glasgow it was at the Odeon and Cineworld before the GFT so had to risk life and limb venturing to the top floor in the Cineworld. An experience and a half was had venturing to the top floor of Cineworld Glasgow.

Moonrise Kingdom is the story of young love, adventure and scouts. A massive cast as per usual from a Wes Anderson film. Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman are the Wes standards both starring in a few, with the latter for me being the star of the show with a rather small but lasting appearance.
The young cast of scouts perform well with my own personal dislike of Sam (Jared Gilman) not seeming to undermine his strong performance alongside Suzy (Kara Hayward).

With classic Wes Anderson iconography, Yellow, POV shots, slow mo, beautiful soundtrack and some amazing props this truly is the most Wes Anderson thing Wes Anderson has ever done.

I really enjoyed Moonrise Kingdom but thats biased I was never not going to like it stupidly. Whats most interesting for me is Wes using film in this digital age.

To the left is one of the Aaton 16mm camera's used by Wes on Moonrise Kingdom (Yes that is wood). Wes has always used film, right from his raw Bottle Rocket days with a young Owen and Luke Wilson. I guess why change working with a format that you know works for you or perhaps there is something a bit more to the use of 16mm film.




In this digital age of 3d, 5d's, red's  and 2k 4k hd blah blah perhaps its a homage to the cinematic experience. Of telling a good story, be that black and white in hd or just sticking it to the man and saying, my story, my actors, my props, my soundtrack that is what is making this film great, not how many fps we are filming at or how times 3d is optimized.
I guess only Wes knows why he would shoot on an old format, with cameras that aren't being made by the big companies anymore. Would love to know but can only guess. It gives me hope and belief that the story is the most important piece in a film, forget about all the equipment its the script....and the props...and the amazing soundtrack.

Here is an interesting blog post by a camera man on Moonrise Kingdom.

Also these stills from the set are beautiful.

June - Creative project - finding OSCAR

Filmed last year in Paris, finally edited this month.

Shadow Dancer (2012) - Views

This looks great, proper serious thriller based around the troubles in Belfast during the 90's. Always a bigger basher of Northern Irish 'troubles' films but to be honest this looks great. Hard to expect anything else from James March. A foreigner(Cornwall) coming in to do a 'troubles' film always gives me goosebumps and a ranty blog. This however with its cast, grimy cinematography and what looks like a decent twist and turn plot with a hint of romance could be a real cracker. Look forward to seeing it.

Shadow Dancer (2012) - Views

This looks great, proper serious thriller based around the troubles in Belfast during the 90's. Always a bigger basher of Northern Irish 'troubles' films but to be honest this looks great. Hard to expect anything else from James March. A foreigner(Cornwall) coming in to do a 'troubles' film always gives me goosebumps and a ranty blog. This however with its cast, grimy cinematography and what looks like a decent twist and turn plot with a hint of romance could be a real cracker. Look forward to seeing it.

May - Creative Project

5 X 5 video project is the unedited collection of five five second clips to represent a topic. Mine is the journey from Glasgow, Scotland to Portrush, Northern Ireland. More 5 x 5's 

America's Sweethearts (2001) - A view

I shall advise you not to watch it as John Cusack puts in a better performance in below 20 second clip than he does in an hour and thirty minutes of America's Sweethearts boredom.

 Thought I would give an overly horribly reviewed rom-com a go, its got Julie Roberts and John Cusack so it has to be half decent. You would hope so anyway. The film is slow to start, patchy throughout and a complete bore. Surprisingly though Catherine Zeta Jones is actually rather good.....lolz no she aint she's shocking........Avoid if possible.

Special mention to these fellas below, pure genius.

America's Sweethearts (2001) - A view

I shall advise you not to watch it as John Cusack puts in a better performance in below 20 second clip than he does in an hour and thirty minutes of America's Sweethearts boredom.

 Thought I would give an overly horribly reviewed rom-com a go, its got Julie Roberts and John Cusack so it has to be half decent. You would hope so anyway. The film is slow to start, patchy throughout and a complete bore. Surprisingly though Catherine Zeta Jones is actually rather good.....lolz no she aint she's shocking........Avoid if possible.

Special mention to these fellas below, pure genius.

Northern Lights - Documentary project

Northern Lights is a documentary project about YOUR Scotland by YOU. Its a simple idea. Capture anything that represents YOUR Scotland. Maybe your walk to work, your thoughts on culture or maybe your favorite place in Scotland. The documentary wants to capture all parts of Scotland so anyone and everyone is welcome to submit. If you are stuck as to what to capture there is also a list of Director's Requests with suggestions for what sort of footage is needed.
You can use anything from a modern camera phone to a Super 8 camera. The only thing that is needed is to take that footage and put it on Youtube via the WeAreNorthernLights website.

Aberdeen Skyline
 Here is an example of the sort of footage that is needed. An unedited video with no music capturing a bit of Scotland from my perspective.

Since attending the opening night of the Northern Lights project way back in February I have been taking part, filming what Scotland is for me. With my job I have been traveling right across Scotland and the rest of the UK. The project is an amazing opportunity for everyone and anyone in Scotland to have their bit of Scotland seen by the world.
If that isn't enough to get you contributing there are some amazing awards for a variety of submissions.

So get out there.

Get capturing YOUR Scotland.

Submit to We Are Northern Lights.

and share YOUR Scotland.

Smallest Cinema in Wales

On our way to the next filming location we came across this.
What a wonderful example of vintage charm! Couldnt help myself so I had to pop in and see what it was like.
La Charrette is such a gorgeous wee cinema. Previously one mans pride and joy shared with 70members now it is at the Gower heritage centre. It can be booked for screenings. Amazing atmosphere as you walk in!

15 Second Film Festival Screening. QFT, Belfast

Illustrated poster by @helloiain

2012 has so far been a rather big year for me. Its about to get a lot bigger in the month of May. Two of my short films VINYL TOUCH and DUEL will be screened as part of the 15 Second Film Festival at the Queens Film Theatre, Belfast. These two shorts were both written and directed by me. VINYL TOUCH is about a man with a special skill and DUEL is a window sill battle to the death between two cameras.

This will be my first ever screening so its rather exciting. I of course however am in Wales filming so will not be attending. You however can!
If you head on down to the QFT on Saturday 5th May, the screening starts at 6.45 with doors open at 6. It is free entry with no tickets needed. Heres a link to the FB page with more info about other screenings.
So thats,

QFT

6pm

5th May 2012

Free Entry

If you catch either of my films let me know what you think. 

One through to Six

Back home after a week of filming in some amazing locations. So much detail. Its alot of extra work in pre-production but it really is worth it.

The Lift

Short art documentary on a lift I found in 147 Bath Street, Glasgow that captured my imagination.

mint julep »to the sea«

Just look at this double camera visual wonder. Such a great idea. It looks like a simple double rig and then constant edit between the two. Others are saying twixtor with tilt shift. Bottom line, beautifully simple but makes for something painfully intriguing. Bringing so much movement to a nice wee music video.

The Shore wins an Oscar.....and then what?

http://theshorefilm.com/

Now if you know anything about my blog you will be aware of my distate for films about the "troubles". I have a wide brush and I paint with my eyes closed at times. I thought Elephant was superb and was a truly gripping representation of the mindless violence that ripped the country apart. I do however find most other "trouble" films to be boring and the same old, dragging us back, nearly glamourising the troubles.
I was delighted to read a few months ago about The Shore being nominated for an Oscar in the live action short film section.
Was even more delighted to see that this morning it won. Not because I think that the Oscars mean anything, look at the directors who missed out in the past. It is because I think that The Shore is possibly the start of things to come. As Terry George put it "This is about reconciliation in Northern Ireland, it is really close to my heart."
It is also great to see that this is something that is being supported with awards and is maybe a chance for Northern Ireland to start to move on artistically. There has been terrible, shocking and disgusting things done in this country and nobody will forget or let that disappear. But do we really need to see it recreated and brought up again? We are a small but creative country taking things onto the world stage. Lets make these things represent Northern Ireland's beauty in the landscape and people.
Finally a massive congrats to all involved and to Terry George on getting an Oscar third time around. Check out an interesting interview with Terry below.

Grabbers (2012) - A follow up #filmmaking #ireland #film

You may remember a post I made in early December regarding the Irish Film Board funded Grabbers and Shadow Dancer. I was glad to see Irish film being represented at Sundance, its a great festival and an amazing platform for any countries cinema talent to be shown off. My issue with the two of these films was  the films. Now now I know I hadn't seen the films but a film about a monster allergic to alcohol invading a rural irish village and a "troubles" film is not how I want Irish film represented. I think we are a bit better than that.
I got some stick and rightly so, people put a lot of effort into making these films and they should be proud of what they have achieved. It has now thought come to the stage to take a look at the reviews that have come out of Sundance.

"Hilarity should ensue, but the humor drummed up by Wright and scenarist Kevin Lehane is pretty tepid, middlebrow stuff; despite the idea's potential, this doesn't come within spurting distance of "Evil Aliens," "Shaun of the Dead," et al" Link

 Dennis Harvey reviewed for Variety and gave the film a pretty rough ride. He puts one small plus point to the film being,

"Trevor Forrest's widescreen lensing of County Donegal scenery"Link 

Next review and I shall give you one quote from Fearnet.com, I shan't link. 

"So it's an Irish monster movie about a monster that can't eat drunk people. Come on, that's pretty cute." 

They seemed to love it. Not really much to get from the review as they analyse "the talkier bits". Next review. This final review gives the film a pretty good dressing down. It is the only review with a rating and it comes in at a 1.5/5.  Nicholas Bell reviews for Ioncinema.com 

"Intentionally goofy, and drearily written, your reception of the film will all depend on how high you set your stakes. ThinkTremors (1990) was a classic? Maybe you’ll enjoy this tired flick." Link

I was rather surprised to see such a harsh review. Did not expect the writing to be so badly received. It is a low budget horror after all.
It seems that overall Grabbers has had a pretty bad reception and with its constant referral as 

"but even if you have to see it sober, it’s a fun, small British film, complete with the requisite British humor and characters actors" Link

This goes ahead and opens a brand new can of worms as to what is an Irish or British film but a film made in Ireland, funded by the Irish Film Board with Irish actors, Written by an Irish man, Directed by a Northern Irish man but yet, not made in America? British film then.
Come on people Ireland can make films! Let us get out there and show it.

Coriolanus (2011) - A view

Having not watched a Shakespearean film/tv adaption since that glorious 1997 adaption of Macbeth with my old favorite, Brian Blessed. Coriolanus had a tough act to follow.
I am not a Shakespeare fan so this story was unknown to me but it soon neatly unfolded with weird mother son connections and betrayal as one would expect from an Englishman's pen.(I jest)

Coriolanus

The story that we see is that of the soldier Coriolanus fighting to protect Rome from its enemies and then be rewarded by being put forward as the senate. At this point in the film I was beginning to sway (mentally not physically) as to if I would enjoy this, it started to dry up and the long rambling Shakespearean dialogue was beginning to take its toll as I would frequently zone out.
Then came along Jimmy Nesbitt. Have to say I was impressed by the full cast, some great performances but for me James Nesbitt really caught my eye and ear. The Northern Irish accent seemed to suit the Shakespearean dialogue so well and his sneaky role was played to perfection.
There then is a bizarre Jeremy Kyle style TV debate and it is decided that Coriolanus is to be banned from Rome. It all happened so quickly and some bizarre character changes happened far to fast but what happened next for me was the best bit of the film. We see Coriolanus as he is by himself heading to find his sworn enemy Aufidius. Throughout the film we have had close up shots of Coriolanus in battle or in anger showing his aggression, concentration and frustration but now we get wide open shots but beautiful delicate diegetic sound of footsteps and birds. This is framed by beautiful greys and blue as he walks through open landscapes and depicts his confused, lonely and betrayed character.

Coriolanus then gives his life over to his enemies and asks that he may seek revenge with them upon Rome. People come ask them not to, his mum, wife, son and cleaner arrive, crying talk of wombs etc and then he decides to sign a peace treaty. Its all very nicey nicey. Oh yeah and then he gets stabbed to death by the men he had just fought along side. Thee End.

Overall as I said before a brilliant cast and was only disappointed by Jessica Chastain
who plays her role as Coriolanus's wife perfectly but it is pretty much the exact same role as Mrs. O'Brien from The Tree of Life. The loving caring wife who does no`t say to much and always seeks to impress. She is perfect for it but would like to see her in some different roles. I haven't seen her in much else though so should not be tough on her, great actress.

Over all great film, misleading trailer which literally has used only the dialogue that is not Shakespearean to make it seem a bit more relevant. The violent and gruesome scenes could be cut back a bit, no need really and they do not show some beautiful cinematography and instead focus on the fighting side. Id give it a solid B+. Trailer is below give it a watch and let me know what you think.

Coriolanus (2011) - A view

Having not watched a Shakespearean film/tv adaption since that glorious 1997 adaption of Macbeth with my old favorite, Brian Blessed. Coriolanus had a tough act to follow.
I am not a Shakespeare fan so this story was unknown to me but it soon neatly unfolded with weird mother son connections and betrayal as one would expect from an Englishman's pen.(I jest)

Coriolanus

The story that we see is that of the soldier Coriolanus fighting to protect Rome from its enemies and then be rewarded by being put forward as the senate. At this point in the film I was beginning to sway (mentally not physically) as to if I would enjoy this, it started to dry up and the long rambling Shakespearean dialogue was beginning to take its toll as I would frequently zone out.
Then came along Jimmy Nesbitt. Have to say I was impressed by the full cast, some great performances but for me James Nesbitt really caught my eye and ear. The Northern Irish accent seemed to suit the Shakespearean dialogue so well and his sneaky role was played to perfection.
There then is a bizarre Jeremy Kyle style TV debate and it is decided that Coriolanus is to be banned from Rome. It all happened so quickly and some bizarre character changes happened far to fast but what happened next for me was the best bit of the film. We see Coriolanus as he is by himself heading to find his sworn enemy Aufidius. Throughout the film we have had close up shots of Coriolanus in battle or in anger showing his aggression, concentration and frustration but now we get wide open shots but beautiful delicate diegetic sound of footsteps and birds. This is framed by beautiful greys and blue as he walks through open landscapes and depicts his confused, lonely and betrayed character.

Coriolanus then gives his life over to his enemies and asks that he may seek revenge with them upon Rome. People come ask them not to, his mum, wife, son and cleaner arrive, crying talk of wombs etc and then he decides to sign a peace treaty. Its all very nicey nicey. Oh yeah and then he gets stabbed to death by the men he had just fought along side. Thee End.

Overall as I said before a brilliant cast and was only disappointed by Jessica Chastain
who plays her role as Coriolanus's wife perfectly but it is pretty much the exact same role as Mrs. O'Brien from The Tree of Life. The loving caring wife who does no`t say to much and always seeks to impress. She is perfect for it but would like to see her in some different roles. I haven't seen her in much else though so should not be tough on her, great actress.

Over all great film, misleading trailer which literally has used only the dialogue that is not Shakespearean to make it seem a bit more relevant. The violent and gruesome scenes could be cut back a bit, no need really and they do not show some beautiful cinematography and instead focus on the fighting side. Id give it a solid B+. Trailer is below give it a watch and let me know what you think.

My Glasgow Swishblog

My latest wee vid. A swishblog of Glasgow from my perspective. Really enjoyable video to make such a simple process can make such a fun end product. Would recommend giving it a go.

I used my Xperia Ray with 720p video and I rather like the incognito style I was able to achieve. 

Moonrise Kingdom Trailer and Wes Anderson

So finally we get a look at Wes Anderson's latest feature. A coming of age romance set in the 60's with a stellar cast of non-wesandion proportions. Ed Norton and Bruce Willis some how fit in perfectly as the camp leader and the local sherif. With a release date rumoured to be this summer I for one am rather excited.

It all of course has come from a short film, BottleRocket. You should give it a watch and get an idea where the Wes Anderson look started. The feature film that was later made based on this short is one of my favourite films and the best Owen Wilson has ever been.
For me it is great inspiration that from shooting a simple short film with a few of your mates it created so many opportunities for Wes. Here is hoping with 2012 I get a few short films out there.

Tape Recorders - a techart instillation

On view at Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney until February 12, 2012.

Crash Corsage - The wedding crashing app

Crash Corsage from EricSchlakmanDotCom on Vimeo.

Perhaps an all time low on the app store. My personal favourite bit is that after their app is based on stealing other peoples private* information they reassure you that you "(Don't worry, we'll never regift your email address to someone else.)" Because come on that would be terrible. Somebody's information about their wedding, now thats for everyone to see.

*open directory supposedly but thats ridiculous.

Tiny Tim

Napoleon Dynamite meets Elvis.

Listening to some Tiny Tim to get the first working day of 2012 going.

Adventures in Oban

What a curious wee spot Oban is. Have been informed by the SPT in Glasgow all year that it is both the seafood capital of Scotland and closer than I think.
I ventured north easterly with friends for a new years eve experience like no other. Eye opening to say the least. Bags were piped and fires certainly worked but it was getting back to the seaside that was great. A bit of north Antrim nostalgia was created and a wet exploration of castles and a folly were had. Go to Oban, eat seafood, its closer than you would think.