Bad Film Club

Had to blog a top night that was shared with myself, da Maria, Rus and Richard yesterday. Trotted down to The Barbican after work for Bad Film Club. A simple concept really - show a really terrible film, have two comedians (Nicko and Joe) sit at the front with laser pointers ripping it to shreds, get the audience to join in, pass round free sweets and let everyone drink booze as well. Genius. Basic Instinct 2 was on the menu tonight, and it is indeed unspeakably rubbish, so much so they even let Stan Collymore have a cameo (possibly the most unconvincing screen death ever). Great night and I laughed...a lot... for probably the first time in a couple of months. Felt better and got to work at 8am with a heavy head, but a wee skip in my step. A long day of rush-designing (wow factor according to the brief) exhibition stands took the skip slightly out of my step, but I still kept chuckling to myself. A bit sad face again tonight, but tomorrow is Friday which is officially a good thing.

Che - Part One

Last night I went to the flicks on my own for the first time in longer than I can remember - a bit weird at first as was probably the only person there 'unaccompanied', but quite enjoyed zoning out and losing myself in the visual treat that awaited. Che - Part One is Stephen Soderbergh's fantastic story (the first part anyway) of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara's journey from young politically conscious Argentine Doctor to iconic revolutionary and freedom fighter. What a brilliant film - peppered with so much detail, absorbing cinematography and passionate, inspiring characters. Benicio Del Toro is just brilliant, as is Demian Bichir as the hyper-driven Fidel Castro. The strength of spirit and belief in a cause for the common good of a people I have rarely seen in a film. I loved the huge sweeping shots of the Cuban jungle (hmm...itchy feet) and Che's commanding, yet humbling address at the UN. A life affirming and heart warming story of a collective dream becoming reality through self believe, sacrifice, fight and passion. Amazing stuff - 9/10.

2008

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times;

It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness;

It was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light;

It was the season of darkness, it was the season of hope;

It was the winter of despair, we had everything before us...

Charles Dickens, A tale of two cities.

The section of the above passage neatly sums up my year. Those who know me will also know the score. Those who don't will be spared the tedium of reading about it. 

Onward into 2009 and a Happy New Year to you and yours.

Verona Exposure

The lovely people at Schmap have asked to use one of my photos for the sixth edition of their Verona Guide. Thanks for the exposure guys!

Then We Came to the End

This is a supplemental post. After Christmas I will no doubt spill an epic stream of consciousness that sums up two of the hardest months of my life so far...but for now here is a review of a great book my bestest mucker DragonDrop gave me.

Working in a creative role you often wonder if the challenges, pressures and cultural nuances are the same in other companies. Then Came to the End by Joshua Ferris reassuringly and sometimes scarily confirms this! It tracks the lives of a group of creatives working in a US advertising agency during an uncertain economic climate (sound familiar folks?). The unwritten competition and peer pressure to out-perform and out-create each other is compelling and fascinating. The limited lifespan of the creative comes into its own and younger blood threaten the old school, whilst others hit pre-midlife crisis and consider U turns and drop-out strategies in their careers. My favourite term and concept in the book, which I am sure every designer can relate to, is 'Polishing Poo'. You know, a client gives you a load of badly written copy on a scrappy piece of A4 and expects a great design to mask the poor quality in the final piece. How many times have I been asked to do that?! Three words - Copywriter...Hire One. This book may not appeal to those not working in a similar industry, but it is a great insight into the human condition, office politics and power struggles. Made me want to quit my job and farm Emu though (or something). 8/10. Cheers DD.

Deathray Exposure

Deathray Trebuchay are a Ska/Punk/Surf band from East London, and their performance was without doubt one of my highlights from this year's Latitude Festival. Llewelyn from the band got in touch and has asked if they can use my photo as the main image on their MySpace site. Check them out - they're boss!

Thanks for the exposure guys.

Vapour Trail

First you look so strong

Then you fade away

The sun will blind my eyes

I love you anyway

Thirsty for your smile

I watch you for a while

You are a vapour trail

In a deep blue sky

Tremble with a sigh

Glitter in your eye

You seem to come and go

I never seem to know

And all my time is yours as much as mine

We never had enough

Time to show our love

Lyrics by Ride c. 1990. 

Image by ChrisM