UPDATE AS OF 27 / 07 / 04 How the hell are you all? It has taken me a while to get this update happening, I go wandering off at times ( in my mind mostly ) and let things slip behind. However, here we are. As always thank you for being here and reading this. I have had some real interesting times of late. Here in Auckland, we are saying goodbye for another year to one of the annual highlights for many people, that being the International Film Festival. It was very cool as this year a digital feature I worked on in 2003, with a great young debut director Amarbir Singh, was selected for showing. It had 2 sell-out screenings and has received an incredible response from a very diverse range of people. The name of the film is “1 Nite“. It is in the film noir genre & follows 4 different journeys, all taking place in one night on a well-known road in Auckland called Karangahape Rd. The truth is, I had not listened to Amarbir properly and so thought we were just doing a filming exercise, so didn’t think I was making a feature when we were filming. It was all shot on a canon digital camera, both pictures and sound. The crew consisted of Amabir and his DOP, Christobal, who also operated the camera. Chris’ camera work and Amarbir’s direction are being very highly praised, and fortunately, I am also receiving wonderful feedback for my role. I spent 5 hrs. shooting my entire role with 2 other actors, being directed through improvisation by Amabir. Another aspect that was incredible is that it was all completed for NZ $400. In itself, this is not a point to shout out proud about as we NZ actors have some of the worst contract conditions in the English-speaking world, where actors don’t get residuals. So not getting paid at all is not cool. However if this film, “1 Nite”, goes on to screen elsewhere and starts to make some money, Amarbir has committed to paying residuals to everyone concerned. This will cause a real annoyance to many of the people who control the industry here as they think it will set a dangerous precedent (actors getting residuals). Time for change! Here is a link to a web site for “1 Nite”. Amarbir and I are now beginning the process of workshopping a story I have had for many years. We hope to film it by the end of the year, again on a digital format. Believe it or not, “Nite“ is the only feature film I have shot since principal shooting finished on Lord Of the Rings in December 2000. Apart from that, I have had a couple of small roles in one-off television episodes for local shows and have worked on about 3 or 4 short films. I had the real privilege of being the master of ceremonies 4 days ago for an incredible gathering of some of NZ’s finest minds and innovators. Called “The Innovation Voyage Summit“ it was a day hosted by the local Employers and Manufacturers Association. I spent the day being blown away listening to presentations from 18 speakers whom I introduced to the audience throughout the day. These were people who have radical new anti-cancer drugs going to clinical trial stage, high-tech innovators, and inventors and designers who have products that are now taking the world by storm. It is astounding to witness the genius that exists in this country. We have a backyard full of Peter Jacksons, all operating in their own fields, with the same passion and wonderful clarity of vision. I truly think New Zealand is on the verge of some great ventures, and what was wonderful was that some of them cite Peter as creating an environment in NZ whereby excellence can be celebrated. My vision to create the doco about Operation Read, now named “Reading Rings“, is gaining some momentum. It is hard trying to do it from here in NZ and again with no money, but I have it to the stage whereby I will be able to start applying for support, to enable me to get to LA, conducting interviews and shooting additional footage. If you are going to the Fellowship Festival in London late August, see you there, or at the Paris Film and Comic Con or Dragon Con. Unfortunately Vulkon cancelled, so Orlando here I don’t come!!! I wish you all happiness and joy in your lives, and I will try to achieve the same in mine. Love and respect, ME |