My year in review with a look to 2012

2011 has been a pretty big year for me. A lot has happened and a load of life changing decisions have been made. It started off with a 365 photo project. That lasted January.
2011 jumped in half way through my final year of media studies and production at the university of ulster, coleraine. This was my dissertation year where I looked at the influence of the Lawrence collection on Irish photography. I also did a practicle piece using rephotography. A big thanks to Dr. Gail Baylis for keeping me sane. Loved studying and final year was a dream working on such a big topic
I graduated with a first, moved country, got a job and got my first film commissioned "VINYL TOUCH", as the rest of the year continued in sunny Glasgow.
I have managed to do so many things this year that last year I couldnt even have dreamed of so I will give a brief look at 2012.
2012 I will still be working away at a job I love and on the side keep working on my short film script writing this year and hope I can further develop these.

In 2012 creativity I want to~>

Make atleast two short films over 5mins.
Have a photography project exhibited.
Get working in some major film productions.

Grabbers (2012), Shadow Dancer (2012) and Irish Film- A pre View

Now I am not a big fan of horror, it is one of those genre's I find cheap, tacky and inappropriate. In recent years films like Saw, Paranormal activity and HC (Not even gona write it) have flown past me without as much as a glance to see any. I have no interest in seeing that sort of gore, perhaps from my moral standpoint but also because watching people getting killed aint really that great.

This whole viewpoint may be turned upside down however,  staying away from stereotypes, cliches and that cheap tacky look comes an Irish Horror, Grabbers.

"When an island off the coast of Ireland is invaded by bloodsucking aliens, the heroes discover that getting drunk is the only way to survive." Grabbers (2012)

Oh wait nope, I was wrong. Here is hoping there are a few dopey Garda, loads of sheep, a few leprechauns and a member of the IRA. It wouldn't be so bad if this was another Shrooms (2007), you remember it? No? Good.

The issue I have is that this is representing Irish film along with Shadow Dancer (2012) at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival . Shadow Dancer is set in Belfast so I dont have to confirm that indeed it revolves around the IRA.




When is Ireland and Northern Ireland films going to get away from its tacky stereotypes and make a real leap into the future. There are enough films about the troubles or about rural Ireland with dopey Garda and weird locals. Its about time we stood up and took ourselves seriously because its sure nobody else will if we keep churning out the same stuff.
I know there are a lot of people making some great short films in Northern Ireland but they aren't getting the same sort of funding as these stereotype films. Maybe I am wrong in thinking we need this? Its just my thoughts as I am sick and tired of seeing pretty big budgets going into rural or trouble films.

Anyway I havent even see as much as a trailer for either of the films and I am sure they are rather entertaining, but I shant be rushing to watch either but will be interested to see the reviews from Sundance.

Battle of the christmas ads

So John Lewis get a Smiths song covered, cute kid, loving family and its all about being excited to give more than receive awwww, as seen below. 

Very cute blah blah but really it aint all that and a bag of chips. If you spend your whole time watching videos of kittens in 240p on youtube of course your gona get emotional when you can actually tell what somebody's facial expressions are in some form of quality in a video. It has surely been blown out of proportion that this is the height of festive feeling, I didn't even twinge, just paused it and went to listen to the Smiths original. 


Now on the other hand(four fingers and a thumb, bada boom) We have the festive advert representation from a bit of a higher cliental, Harvey Nichols. What a festive treat this is.

Seriously not a clue what they were thinking. Whats the message? Your a slapper, your gona be walking home after sleeping with some randomer, you need a Harvey Nichols dress, you will then look like you spent a lot and might get in with a postman, if you're lucky. DONE.
Should have just recreated the video for "Last Christmas" by Wham! with Harvey Nichols clothes, to be fair remaking "Club Tropicana" would be more festive that this.

Love Through The Viewfinder

So I made this last friday. Its a #faketrailer for the @Vimeo weekend project.

Shot entirely on a Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray on 720p. The whole thing idea to export took about 40 mins. It seems like the creative testing due to lack of equipment is going to continue for a while longer. Something I am beginning to live with and I think perhaps even enjoy slightly. No need for Epic's or 5d's here. Just good old fashioned story telling. Here are a few photos of my beautiful custom made blutactripod. Drop me a comment and if I get enough interest may start selling them on ebay.

RRP £40 my price £20*

*Phone and tripod not included

At least with this equipment hiatus I am able to focus on writing and currently am working on a number of different shorts that I hope to make during 2012, A few comedies, a romance and a thriller. Hopefully it shall be a big year for me creatively and work wise but I guess the two tie in nicely.

Little Chef

A lot can be said about that motoway magician, little chef. Food indistinguishable, served lighting quick and with a questionable meat ratio. It may have been the 18 hour day talking but I came across this beautiful design relic in the toilet. Somebody sat down and was told "design a tile that will brighten the toilet experience for weary traveler, sleepy drivers and hordes of mothers unions". That person took that task to hand and came up with the below tile and you know what, my mood was lifted. So for that sir I slow clap you.
More than likely though this tile was just the cheapest at tile market.

Iphonography and the hipster photographer

The debate has been raging for years regarding iphonography. That style that is seen cluttering up facebook profile pics, war photography and people looking up at buildings. You know the type created by hipstamatic or instagram.
I however have been living in the dark ages. No smart phone for years and touch screen was something I did to wipe off dirt. I however have recently gained a smart phone of the android family free via a contract. This has opened up a brand new world as shown in my movember pics.
This I feel gives me the right to discuss this topic. I have been a keen TTv'r for A while and I have to admit that although the process is easier, quicker and the end result is pretty similar, I seem to have a mrs.doyle misery style (link)  love of carrying around an old camera, trying to balance and focus the shot while trying not to look like a complete weirdo staring into a cardboard box. Its just far more satisfactory. Its like comparing growing a tree, cutting it down, chopping it up into sections and shaping it into a glorious chair or go to ikea and follow five steps with some pva glue and get the similar chair. Just that little bit less satisfying. Below is a few of said unsatisfactory photos.

#movember 29/2011

Have got to stop using these filters etc.

#movember 28/2011

Would appreciate a donation for mens health month movember. DONATE

#movember 27/2011

#movember 26/2011 @helloiain

Iain and I rather filthy and nasty.(location hint) Donate at http://guyphenix.com

#movember 25/2011

Guess the location for 200 monopoly pounds.

#movember 24/2011

Behind me wales and the sea. In the beautiful north wales. Belfast tomorrow.

#movember 23/2011 mo-ile high club

Keeping it classy in the plane toilet.

#movember 22/2011

Big day ahead, next few mo pics will be located across uk.

#movember 21/2011

#movember 20/2011

Look at that stare and tache, get me on an train iv wesandersoned.

Management (2008) - A View

This 'touching' rom-com, as its tagline portrays it stars Jennifer Aniston (of use to be married to Brad Pitt fame) and Steve Zahn (of no fame). It is about Mike (Steve) falling in love with Sue (Jennifer) when she stays at the hotel his parents own. This is the part of the review where I fill in what happens in the rest of the film but you get the idea. She aint keen, then she gets more interested then there is distance, then there is dramatic traveling and surprise visits, mixed with something about morals and stuff, then there is an old love interest blah blah cliche cliche cliche and then all happy in the end, mush mush mush.

Back when Brad was kewl.

You may not think it but this film really got me asking questions and thinking. The biggest of all these questions is about Jennifer Aniston. Is it a case she cannot read or that she couldn't be bothered reading over a script before deciding to do it? I am yet to see her in a half decent film. They all are complete stinkers. Anyone know of a decent film that auld Jennifer has been in? Maybe she just hopes if she does enough films one of them will be decent. I truly aint sure what she is thinking especially with this film. Its terrible. Some of the dialogue is just awkward and pointless. If I want a motel based Rom-Com I will watch Bottle Rocket or even Pyscho, as it is a better option than this serving. Poor poor Jennifer. At least she is better than Angeline Jolie.

A big 1/5. Not worth a watch but it is only and hour and a half of your life lost.

#movember 19/2011

#movember 18/2011

One of those days.

#movember 17/2011

A rather long day with the same again tomorrow, photo may be taken on location.

#movember 16/2011

Two mo's, ground breaking stuff.

#movember 15/2011

Too many effects, so little effort and skill.

#movember 14/2011

Forgot to post yesterday but this was taken yesterday.

#movember 13/2011

#movember 12/2011 @r_phenix

This one is for all the haterz out there. Haterz gona hate playa gona play.

If you want to donate http://www.movember.com/m/987668

#movember 11/2011

Coming along nicely, kinda.

#movember 10/2011

Poladroid scum

#movember 9/2011

A dark mysterious one.

#movember 8/2011

To donate http://www.movember.com/m/987668

What I am working on at the moment.

You may have seen a while ago me posting a bit about this "A Giant Problem". Its a short mockumentary on the Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland.
I was working on it before graduating from University Of Ulster with Alan McCracken  and we managed to put together a first draft of the script. Unfortunately dissertations, work and moving house got in the way of us getting out of pre-production. 

We both have been working on various things since but now I have managed to get a bit of free time from work where I have been working on my 15 second short, Vinyl Touch. This free time has also seen me start to redraft the "A Giant Problem" script with a view to seeking funding from NI Screen, to finally get this out of the pre-production hole. 

#movember 7/2011

http://www.movember.com/m/987668

#movember 6/2011

Bit of a reoccurring theme with the late night pics.

http://www.movember.com/m/987668

#movember 5/2011

My first Guido Fawkes night where people have actually been celebrating it. Went to Glasgow green fireworks, rather disappointing. 

#movember 4/2011

Taken just in time.

Canon c300 - a basic view

So this is it. Canons rival to the Red. I would love to go into a load of detail regarding the 8mp sensor or the lack of AF etc but I really do not have the knowledge to back up how that makes it better or worse that anything else.
It means that this bit of kit is starting off at $16,000 and that is ridiculous if this is going to be considered against HDSLR's. I was thinking that this would be the new wave of HDSLR's that would not only change the indie film world but possibly beyond, but alas those dreams have been shattered by what looks like a mix between a Hasselblad, a 5d mII and a PD175.
I shan't be rushing to buy or use one and neither will many others I suspect.
In other news if you are planning on buying one to replace your 5d mII I will be more than happy to take it off your hands.

#movember 3/2011

Another hard day of growing complete. Spent most of it in this position editing. I also edited my homepage into a Movember themed ad. 

#movember 2/2011

Not much growth going on. Early to bed and with the right attitude perhaps a handle bar and a productive day. I am thinking more 5 o'clock shadow and to much COD on the wii. Sucks me in!

#movember 1/2011

And so it begins. Another year of Movember. Will try to post a daily pic like last year but do not get your hopes up.

Will post a donation link later with some details. Will be doing it through http://movember.com to generate awareness for prostate cancer.

John Peel, Copyright and the sneaky sneak

First off big up my man John Peel on this sad day. His Joy Division sessions has had many a play by me.
That leads me on to a find today while time waisting in a generic high street clothing store. Something around krimarp.
The above photo is their take on an iconic Joy Division album cover. They have a bit of a theme with iconic album covers and a sexist, stupid or often both remix.
How does the copyright work on these? Aslong as its your own take its post-modern and work away? Stupid companies and their unoriginal ideas, shame on them.
In other news their clothes are cheap, rumours are that developing world kids tears are half price.

Wrap time

What a cinematic town wee edinburgh is. Have spent the whole day filming around the royal mile. Past the gangs of tourists and 'free' tours there is a rather nice town. Just need to be there 7am or 7pm. Now to glasgee

The Only-place-open-for-coffee coffee

I cannot stand that mcd's ad. Make up coffee? Unless they mean use it to take off your plastered on make up it makes no sense. What sort of person takes their loved one to mcdonalds to make up for something.
Break up coffee I understand. If you are dumping someone might aswell have the location represent your feelings. Stupid ad.

Steve Jobs - "Insert Caption"

The beach is that a way ladies.

A BTS of the Redbull Mini drome Glasgow by foundlight productions

Two Sundays ago the RedBull minidrome came to Glasgow and I was there with Foundlight Productions to make the official video for the event. It was a great experience for myself having never worked with GoPros which I spent most of the day with. This is a wee break down of the event with some BTS photographs.

The day started off with a variety of competitors arriving most notably the winner from the Polish RedBull Mini Drome Events, Toms (in photo to right). A quite fella but a determined one and he was the first competitor. The competition started with each rider getting a total of six warm up laps to try and get used to the track or even get used to riding a fixie as some competitors just arrived and then borrowed a friends bike.

After the six warm up laps they had to have a go at ten laps as fast as possible. This time was added up and the fastest thirty two would go through to the next round of races. The next round was a head-to-head. Two competitors on each side of the velodrome going as fast as they can to try and catch the other. This was a far more intense situation and made for a number of rather intense battles, some lasting a mere few laps, some going to the bitter end and resulting in a referee's decision. As this all went on we continued to film from a variety of locations. Time lapses on the balcony looking down, handheld at track side, a jib to shoot the drome action and GoPro's to capture the intensity in the drome.

Crash captured

In the end it was Toms who came away with the win. He had been in the lead right from the start with his blistering time set as a high bar for the rest to chase. It was a great spectacle and a lot of people seemed to really enjoy a great day out. All the competitors had great fun even those who crashed and there was no severe injuries. Below is the finished video that Foundlight productions made for Red Bull. Enjoy.