NZ#3

NZ#2 LAST NIGHT

Went and saw Vince (who is assisting me on this commercial I'm doing) play drums in his band Sherpa.

NZ#1

Currently in New Zealand directing a commercial. Exit Films recently opened an office here in Auckland so it's cool to be here in a home away from home. I love NZ. Something about it always reminds me of Australia from when I was a kid. It's maintained an innocence to a degree and somehow remains 'simpler' in the best possible way. Not to mention the Kiwis are heaps nice.

LOVE / HATE

Why am I the 30 millionth person (on YouTube) to hear and see Lana Del Ray. I didn't know anything about Lana Del Ray until yesterday when I read a newspaper article about why everyone in the world 'hates' her. So then I just had to go and see who and what people were all in a tiz about. And now, I'm obsessed with her... which just proves that old saying "The only thing worse than being talked about, is not being talked about."

I don't really care if she has 'duck lips' or she's the daughter of some rich guy or she changed her name, or she's too pretty / ugly or can or can't sing. I know I'm being sold something that isn't what it appears (or is it?). It's been packaged well, the wrapping is nice and it makes a sweet and mysterious sound when you hold it up to your ear and shake it. Regardless, I think this song and the clip (which makes the song 'sound' even better) is stunningly beautiful.

FIRST DAY

A little off topic for Hoaxville but today was a big day in our house as Rosebud had her first day at school. Big for her and perhaps even bigger for her Mummy and Daddy. We felt quite good about Ollie going to school, in fact we counted down the days in anticipation for both he and we were ready for it! But little Rosie, our baby, it just doesn't seem right to be dressing her in a uniform and taking her to school. She is so little and so innocent and so sweet! I'm very conscience of time passing. I'll never say "they grow up so fast...".  I constantly take in the moment with both Rosie and Ollie taking detailed mental snapshots of how big they are, where they are and what they are doing. But for some reason its very tricky to get my head around Rosebud heading off to school...

She literally ran to school, dragging us by the hand to get her there quicker.

But once in the classroom and surrounded by new faces there was a moment of hesitation...

But as the wave of nerves passed a smile appeared and all was well. She was happy.

Nat and I lingered (in denial) for as long as we could. Finally slipping away when she focused on an activity. As I was walking out the door I turned to see her one last time. One of those bitter sweet moments. My heart breaking, because everything changes from here on in, but also proud to see her so eager to step out and into world and all it has to offer.

The house was very quiet today, especially for Nat.

But a long 7 hours and 30 minutes later...

I know I'm a gushing proud parent. But check out the 'blue checked uniform details' on that drawing! Genius!

Catching the big fish...

...with David Lynch.

MONSTER PHOTOS

The Monster Children photo issue came our last year, so I'm a bit behind with putting this up. The book is a wonderfully curated selection of images by photographers from all around the world and I was excited they included two of my photos. One is the Thugs Against Drugs car from LA I put up here a while back and the other is of a strange and beautiful diving platform I saw while in Vladivostok, Russia.

You can buy a copy here.

Last night, last week, last month, last year

FIRST LOVE

My photography / man crush on Joel Sternfeld deepens with the release of his new book First Pictures.

MAGNUM MYTHS

On the weekend I watched this wonderful hour long docco about the Magnum photographers agency. I love these guys (who doesn't?), apart from producing incredible work I think most the photographers possess special magical powers. Watch in the opening sequence how Martin Parr approaches some elderly women on the street, where one would imagine a group like this would be upset with a stranger coming up and taking close-up photos of them, Martin seems to have them under a spell from the second he takes the first frame. Amazing. Similarly Larry Towell (at around 4mins 30 secs), take photos of Mennonite farmers, the amazing thing here is seeing the footage that the documentary crew shoots, which is great, but the 'photo' Tony shoots of essentially the same scene is so incredibly beautiful, it's like it was taken at a totally different time and place. Magic!

I love watching this process (some more of it here), it's like watching a type of alchemy take place before your eyes.

Spoiler Alert: Special appearance by Henri Cartier-Bresson in the final sequence. Giving the film a poetic and playful climax as only H C-B could.

BAD POINT OF VIEW

As I'm deep in the heart of watching Series 4 right now, I loved stumbling across this fan cut montage of a lot of the POV shots from Breaking Bad. I never realised this type of camera positioning was such a recurring beat throughout the show. But it's reminded me it's definitely one of the defining elements of the shows visual style.

via The Worlds Best Ever

DADS HOUSE

While driving back down south towards Melbourne, we passed near Gosford, so I thought I'd best drop in and have a cup of tea with my Dad. I lived in this house for a couple of years when I was 11 and I've only visited a couple of times since. There are a lot of memories here, both good and bad. It was good to see my Dad though.

MUMS HOUSE

Tamworth, New South Wales. Early evening after hot summers day.

(FAMILY) ROAD TRIPPIN'

Back from 3500kms of family road trip fun. Xmas good. New Years good. Country air, ocean air, afternoon naps and eating and drinking way to much with family and friends.

"Are we there yet... Are we there yet...?"

Dragonslayer

Scratch this off my 'to-do' list from below... Watched a screener of Dragonslayer the other night. A vérité documentary about 'free spirited' skateboarder Josh 'Screech' Sandoval. The film creates a cinematic portrait so rough and ready, yet so pure and intimate. To be honest, it's the sort of film that makes me want to give up film making altogether because it's the kind I have always wanted to make, and here it is, made. Well not quite... but it's a film that both inspires me and frustrates me in the best possible ways.

The other thing that Dragonslayer does well is give you incredible access into a very 'specific world'. I've seen many 'skate films' and films with skateboarders as characters, but none have given this kind of access into the lifestyles of this subcultures most hard-core players.

It's such a beautifully poetic and fucked up punk of a film.