"Why do you do it?"

The curse of being busy and having stuff to write about is that you don't have time to sit down and write about it.

I am loathe to apologise or explain why things have been so sparse on the blog recently (for reasons explained here), but I just want to say for those loyal readers (all 4 of you), that I am still dedicated to it, just busy. There's the day job, then my photography project which is labour intensive, some home projects, family visits, and finally some longer term projects which I will write about soon(ish).

In the meantime, please check out this video. If you try and play it below, it will tell you it wont play, just click on it and it will take you directly to YouTube, or follow the 'this video' link I made. I think it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen, especially for anyone in the effects industry. It points out the utter absurdity of what we do, never better expressed by the look on the face of the man in the green leotard when asked the question - "No that's how you do it, but why do you do it that way?".

His flummoxed reply - "I mean that's just.. this is.. this is.. how we've always done it."



Special Effects | Visual Effects | Eastenders | Time Trumpet | Armando Iannucci

Lily Allen at Popscene

Last Thursday October 12th, Lily Allen came to San Francisco.



I was introduced to her via my favourite daily blog - Thighs Wide Shut - which appears to be the ramblings of a madman, but makes a lot of sense the more you read it. I wrote about her single 'LDN' back in May and how I thought it was going to be a big hit.

Since then her album 'Alright Still' did very well in the UK, she had a number 1 song, 'Smile', and has started to appear in the mainstream US music press, although the album wont be showing up here until next year. Some clever person convinced her it would be good to do a few tour dates in the US, so we could have the pleasure of seeing her perform live, instead of scrounging around for clips on YouTube.



As you can see we got pretty close to the stage, mostly by accident with a little bit of planning. Her set was short, barely over 30 minutes, but it was fun. She had good stage presence, she seemed happy to be there and enjoying the response of the crowd.



This photo shows the scene. For some reason I find this photo funny - mostly because of the two guys on the far right of frame (part of the security I think), talking about something.

Her natural speaking voice wasn't quite as Laahndon as her singing might suggest, in fact it was almost posh. I liked having the guys playing brass on stage - it gave a depth to her songs that is a little washed out in the production of the songs on the album.



Why didn't I frame this photo higher? (I was pointing the camera from above my head so couldn't judge the framing exactly)



I hate using flash, but in dark lighting with a jumping crowd it's tough to avoid it. This photo shows why, although it has a nice atmosphere to it.

Lastly, here she is in her video for 'LDN'. (not the original video, but a new one with much better production)



Lily Allen | Popscene | San Francisco

Horatio sez.

A friend at CBS told me that it's Horatio 'Caine', not 'Kane'. Potatoes, patatoes. His delivery is still priceless. I've tried to use empty space to represent it as best I can.

'Rio'
Caine: “I know
exactly
how this
is going to end.”
Riaz: “Go Home.”
Caine: “I will Antonio
when this is over.”

'Going Under'
Calleigh: “It’s all compromised.”
Caine: “Yes
everything
but you
ma’am.”

'Going Under'
Caine: “I had a brother
who worked under cover just like you.
He crossed to the dark side
and never came back.
Jake
He never came back. “

'Death Pool 100'
Caine: “But they’re
not
gonna get away
with murder.”

Horatio Caine | Horatio Kane | CSI: Miami

Tales From The Ranch

As I mentioned recently, I've been working again, for a different division of Lucasfilm, this time based at Skywalker Ranch.

To understand the significance of that remark, let's just say that Skywalker Ranch is to Lucasfilm what the Vatican is to the Catholic Church. It's the inner sanctum. The source of power. The Death Star. Mecca. The Temple of Doom. Ok perhaps not that last one.


In lieu of talking about what I'm actually working on (which, alas, I can't, at least not yet), I thought I would share some photos of the place. It's located on several acres of a secluded valley, in some of the most scenic countryside in a county packed with gorgeous places. Several herd of deer live here, wild turkeys, along with long-horned steer that graze the surrounding hillsides. It's a functioning ranch, with livestock, horses, and a garden that grows fruit and veg.



The bicycle ride to the Ranch goes past cow pastures and through woodland. It's about 15 miles from home, over two or three hills, and takes a little over an hour.


Lake Ewok lies at the center of the Ranch, from which you can glimpse the Main House.




Behind the Main House lies the Carriage house, where my desk is located.


During the day deer wander freely

as well as the large and comical long horned-steer



At lunchtime I've been walked up the local trails (although I've had to stay off the one that the steer use. I was told they're harmless but that they 'like to play with you'. I can only imagine what that looks like).





There are plenty more pictures from my time so far at the Ranch. Just click here to see them.

Skywalker Ranch | Lucasfilm | Marin County | Star Wars | San Francisco