mike[space] dot net

So little time to say it. I don't quite understand how I can be in a position where I'm my own boss, but don't seem to be able to find time to keep my blog up to date. I suppose one of the impacts of twitter is that my need to spout off in public is served, without any of that tedious mucking about with writing coherent, cogent sentences.

Anyway, enough excuses, this is just a quick catch up to distract me from the process of colour grading November Rain, which is proving a little tricky with some of the lighting. So what's been going on since the half marathon?

Alright, I admit it, my running has taken a bit of a hit, I only managed 3 runs between the half and the end of the year, and my much hoped for reboot this year has been something akin to watching Windows load on a knackered but much loved computer. Takes a long time and full of false starts. But I have also begun the One Hundred Pushups training programme, which is going surprisingly well so far.

On the creative front, I've been keeping myself pretty busy. I've finished the first draft of my feature horror(ish) film, and am about to embark on the second draft. I'm a little nervous of the process, but just need to get stuck in really. There's the possibility of a producer being interested, which is good, but scary at the same time (external judgement, could be painful!!).

A sitcom that I have been co-writing with a friend of mine has made it through to the second round of a competition (down to the last 32 from 500 entries apparently!). There's a read through tomorrow, so am looking forward to watching that and (hopefully) progressing to the next round. Writing the second episode (after we got through on the strength of the first) was great fun, and I'm really pleased with how the characters seem to be finding their voices now. I'm avoiding getting my hopes up, but would (obviously) love to progress further.

And finally, November Rain, the short film I wrote and directed at short notice back in November (hence the working title), is nearing completion. Well, I say that, but even once I've done the grade, we still need to sort the music, and there will possibly be some additional sound pickups for it. But it's starting to take shape, and I'm really looking forward to showing it to people. I have been struggling with a final title for it. I have one which I used during the shoot which I do really like, but I'm concerned about how much it reveals about the story before you've watched it. Trouble is, nothing else I've come up with is even half as good really. I hate coming up with titles.

So those are the main projects. Christmas was great, lots of family, lots of food and booze, and generally a good time had by all. A little too much sleeping on inflatable mattresses, but you can't have everything! I'm also starting to do a bit more programming work here and there, which is proving interesting. I'm lucky that I have a skill set that enables me to dip in and out of work as a contractor, as well as the friends that are willing to help me do that.

Other than that, not much else to report. Oh, maybe a quick recent films list is worth going through:
The Last King of Scotland - really enjoyed this, particularly in tandem with the documentary that helped separate fact & fiction. Forest Whitaker is brilliant.
Synecdoche, New York - off the scale amazing. Desperately need to watch it again, as it is bloody confusing. But stunning all the same.
G.I. Joe - utterly fucking awful. Even in the state I was in, very difficult to find much to enjoy ... asides from the fight in Paris. That was quite cool.
The 39 Steps - the Alfred Hitchcock version. Really very good. I was a bit worried it wouldn't be, especially as the comedic adaptation I saw at the Criterion was so good - I thought without the stage gags, the story wouldn't hold up. But it does, and it has a good sense of humour all of its own.
Yes Man - yes, yes, yes man! Was in the perfect mood for this when I watched it, properly life affirming and fun.
The Wrestler - worthy of all the plaudits sent in its direction. Mickey Rourke is a genuine revelation.
Sherlock Holmes - honestly? I enjoyed it. Don't remember much about it (not cos of inebriation, but because it's that sort of film), but I did have fun. Which surprised me.

Right. Think I can face fiddling around with colour balance and the like again now. Till next time ...