let’s talk

logo a go go

Mark from Biscuit (biscuit.net.au) gave into the lure and allure of true independent and no budget filmmaking.. hence our funky new (free) logo. Give him a paying job if you can, his work always exceeds expectation.

I’m getting the graphic printed on to a tshirt and wearing it at MIFF opening night. Please feel free to say hello, I’m shy.

savage cinema

Just really, really good advice from filmmaker Mark Savage.

talk hard

If you get that reference, you might be an 80s movie geek like me.

Point is, the lines of communication are still open. If you think you have something to contribute, please let me know. You can remain anonymous if you like. You don’t have to be a big name in the industry. If you are, that’s a bonus, because I probably didn’t get further than your PR person!

contact@nothingbutthestruth.com

Unlike Chopper, I’m all ears.

heroes

They say never meet your heroes. Since filming began, I’ve met a few of mine. I’ve also met people who would become new heroes to me. If you’ve contributed to this project in any way, you automatically obtain hero status. I can’t thank you enough, from the bottom of my heart. Every interview, every email, every snippit of information draws this production closer to the truth.  

I’m just one guy with a camera, anyone can point and shoot. It’s the hundreds of voices that are really the heart of this project. The inspiration to tackle whats right and wrong in the Australian film industry comes from you. For that I am externally grateful. Thank you.

For me, it’s not about money, awards, film festivals or recognition (which I’m sure will elude me anyway). The only measure of success for this documentary is when (if!) it’s seen.. someone, somewhere will be inspired to pick up a camera and start shooting.  

If you think this going to be a hatchet piece, you don’t know the struth.

i’m your biggest fan, but…

As Eddie McGuire’s 1 vs 100 returns to television tonight, I’m sharing this clip where the director of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival interviews his nanna. Everyone’s a critic.

Update: After airing only 2 shows, this series was boned. Nanna knows best!

why rock the boat?

After careful consideration, I’ve decided that courting controversy is no way to promote debate and therefore improvement in the industry. That considered, here’s Andrew “Stumpy” Leavold with a gentle, politically correct view.

so you wanna be a filmmaker?

Cool. I’ll cradle your inner Kubrick child. But for the sake of the god’s truth, stop dreaming and pick up a camera.

I started shooting this doco in July 2006. I had no idea how to use a camera as the following footage will attest to. But a funny thing happened. The more I shot, the better I got. I learned the secrets of the focus ring and exposure. Daylight vs artificial light. Getting good sound. Great advice: the audience will put up with bad video, they won’t put up with bad sound. You’ll understand if you don’t give up.

The future of the Australian film industry is you. Stop moaning and pick up a camera.

Here’s Scott Ryan. This clip was shot on my 7th day of filming. Try to overlook the technical shortcomings. 

I have heard from a reliable source that the SBS show Scott is working on will be our next great tv series.

i’m a bad, bad man

Recently at the Dungog Film Festival, Noni Hazlehurst said:

“For us to have this perception that Australian films are crap, and they’re not making any money, and no one is going to see them is really destructive.”

Is this project promoting that perception? Probably (but hey, it was a teaser, its meant to include lots of juicy bits). More importantly, is that perception an accurate view on the state of the industry? 

As I work through the egos, the disenchanted, the talented and talentless, those with an axe to grind and those that have been hacked apart by axe wielding critics, the naive and the weary, the passionate and brave, the cultural warriors and eternal optimists, the insiders and outsiders, the victorious and the casualties, the determined and those simply determined to have a good party..

.. somewhere within lies the struth.

Noni, I’m keen to talk. You seem to have something to say.

Here’s some more Noni goodness: http://www.livenews.com.au/Articles/2007/11/14/Aussie_TV_culture_drought_child_abuse