Keeping moving

Busy-ness all around. I'm now editing the footage we filmed in Cornwall last week and it's a tough job - 4.5 hours to reduce to 5-10 mins! I've only really edited drama, where there's a script to help you make decisions, but we have interviews, observational footage, sketches, vox pops and more! Trying to turn it into something coherent that flows smoothly and is engaging is quite challenging. Although it will be rewarding if I can get it right.

I've also been asked to make another film before my trip to Aus... filming in a prison! Not sure which one, and I haven't seen the script yet, but a production company I met with last year has asked me if I'd be interested in shooting a film based on a script a prisoner has written, set in the cells. Will definitely be an interesting project. Although I haven't heard from the producer since she first called me (almost a week ago) so hopefully it's still happening.

Keeping busy is ensuring I don't have time to mope or dwell on missing Ben (and other friends/family). Thankfully Ben is busy too - he won the Australian Writers Guild unproduced screenplay award (which involves a trip to Adelaide - ha ha!) Although he has been DUMPED from the Tom Budge Good Time Band! I suggest a boycott of their gigs by all Melbourne music lovers. Bring back "hot strings"! There's no loyalty these days (his fellow band mates haven't said anything! Not even a "sorry you got kicked out of the band for not being trendy enough!" Ben would quit if any of them had got unceremoniously dumped. Makes me mad)

Bushfires

I haven't written for a while, my apologies.

Partly it's because I've been in Truro, Cornwall, making a film with kids who have/had substance use problems. Although it went fantastically well, the young people were so enthusiastic and candid and creative, it was exhausting! I had internet access but no brain at the end of each day to write anything.

The main reason I haven't written though is because I found out a week ago that I know someone who died in the bushfires, Eva. And I don't know what to say. I didn't know Eva that well but she was a friend of one of my best friends, Petrea (one of the greatest people in the world), so I have spent some time with her over the last 7 years or so. I know Eva will be sorely missed by many people. Petrea and her friends have suffered enough tragedy for several lifetimes, and now they have to deal with yet another terrible loss. It's so hard to comprehend. I just hope you're all OK. And also those people who were close to Eva and her family who I don't know. Just. Fucking. Awful.

The bushfires have made all the headlines over here. In fact they were front page most days until the plane crash in NY. Just goes to show how the news media works - they obsess over one tragedy until another takes its place.

I hope you're all well and able to keep smiling through this hardship.

xxxxxx