Dove
Feral
The Dove shoots film, not people
Posts: 9
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Post by Dove on May 31, 2008 4:57:23 GMT
Thanks for the cocktails, ChiruGal! 1) How's the current Supanova coming together? Is it going according to plan? It’s coming together really nicely, thanks. Is it going to plan? Well, no, not exactly. This week we received word that our headline actress, Hayden Panettiere from ‘Heroes’ (NBC, Seven Network) has had to pull out of the event. The Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG), Hollywood’s all-powerful actors’ union, is threatening to strike on July 1 if their demands of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are not met. NBC has freaked out and suddenly thrown ‘Heroes’ into overdrive to complete it before the strike hits, and forbidden their actors to go anywhere. That sucks for both Supanova and Hayden’s fans, but there’s only one thing we can do about it: replace her. Our event director, Daniel, is on the case, and we should have something worked out in a couple of days. Meanwhile, Missy’s carrying on with our usual organising and I’m handling the Hayden-related PR issues. That’s showbiz, and the show must go on! We still have a wonderful lineup with everyone from Marianne, Jennifer Fallon and Sonny Whitelaw, through Dragonball Z’s Sean Schemmel, voice actors Quinton and Jeff, to the two awesome comics illo’s, and of course Hayden’s replacement and the other “face actors”. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks. 2) What do you like to do in your time off?Time off? I have a way of turning everything into a work-related exercise, but I really enjoy long-distance and endurance horseback riding (best trip so far: Iran, September 2001!) and I also like sitting around in my bar in NY (the P&G on 73rd and Amsterdam), drinking Bloody Marys and yapping to my friends. Just call me Indiana Golightly. 3) Who would you love to meet who you haven't had a chance to yet?I love to meet people with a story. I don’t care whether they’re famous or not. Something you learn in documentary is that truth really is stranger than fiction, and some people are stranger than truth. In terms of celebrities who might make me wig out just a tiny bit: Mick Jagger and Harrison Ford. I’d like to meet Stephen Fry, Robert Downey Junior, Teddy Thompson and Rufus Wainwright and buy them all a drink. A lot of drinks. Fel, tell us more about The Burning Season. What prompted you to get involved?I became involved with ‘The Burning Season’ for the same reason I became involved in documentary in the first place: for the opportunity to shine a light onto a story of critical importance to the ongoing survival of something threatened. Documentary often gives a voice to the mute; exposure is its own form of justice. In this case, it was the equatorial rainforests of Indonesia and their endangered inhabitants, which include orangutans, elephants, tigers, cloud leopards, rhinos, and other creatures. Every year in Indonesia, a forest area the size of Tasmania is cleared and burned to make way for agriculture. Usually, the crop is palm oil, which is onsold to factories who use it in everything from your soap and shampoo to your Tim Tams. (Yes, YOUR soap and cookies). Palm oil is not usually listed on the label, so it’s hard for consumers to know what / what not to avoid. The documentary examines why the clearing and burning takes place, what the impact is on global warming, and what can be done to stop it. The issue is critical because we’ve recently discovered that Indonesia’s fires are responsible for up to 40% (!) of annual carbon emissions, which makes them the world’s third- largest emitter, behind only the USA and China. Carbon emissions are the main cause of climate change/ global warming. The remaining tropical rainforests are literally the “lungs of the earth”, and without them, we will see a slide into the kind of ‘worst case scenario’ posited in Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. The good news is, it’s NOT inevitable and there IS a solution. In fact, one of the people driving that solution is an inspired young Australian entrepreneur called Dorjee Sun, and his story features in the documentary to show us the way forward. I am the assistant director of the film and also the production supervisor and a researcher. It will screen later this year on ABC (Australia), CBC (Canada), BBC4 (UK), and the National Geographic network in the USA. Our website, which will go live in about 2 weeks, is www.theburningseasonmovie.comBoth of you: what would your dream jobs be?My dream job? I’m doing it / them. I like to joke that in a parallel life I am a boxjumper, which is to say a magician’s assistant. You know, the gal with the spangly outfit and ostrich feathers who gets sawn in half? Perhaps it’s my ability to negotiate tricky situations while smiling benignly as though my legs are not being wheeled to the other side of the stage. Seriously, though, were it not for my loathing of Australia’s previous federal government, I might have joined an intelligence agency or NGO of some sort. I’ve always wanted to work for the UN; I probably would have ended up as a hostage negotiator or explosives specialist or something. Nerves of steel.
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Post by missy on May 31, 2008 5:25:19 GMT
Lynnej - Hmmm the Novel-to-film one is interesting... Most of the novel's I love have already made the transition, but looking through my collection... I’m a big fan of neo-religious/cyberpunk/post apocalyptic tales, so I would be partial to William Gibson’s Virtual Light, Greg Eden’s Quarantine or Ben Elton’s two eco-sci-fi novels This Other Eden or more recently, Blind Faith. I’m reading Keith Brooke’s Expatria at the moment, and with almost all of the aforementioned books, I find the evolution of religion and government, combined with the expansion, or complete degradation of technology, entirely fascinating. Pretty much my entire draw card in to the world of sci-fi in the first place (hence my 12 year love affair with Stargate) - that and space ships and robots. Gotta have a good ol’ space battle.
I think any of the above would translate well in to film or television. The destruction of society is not by outside influences or invasion, but by our own obsessions, conflict, oppression and submission to those who gain power over our mind, senses or faith. They are a reflection of our possible future selves, with evidence of its possibility planted quite firmly in our current reality.
From a ‘film industry POV’ I guess they would be enticing because of that link back to the current reality. That ‘human connection’ would make it a much easier sell – either that or they’d run for the hills, as they’re more often that not completely critical of current religion, government, and commercial industry. See ‘Idiocracy’ to see what I mean….
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Post by Sheyana on May 31, 2008 5:26:34 GMT
I'll be back with more questions after 9pm tonight (I have to work and don't really have time before then to write then down).
This is just a note to say thanks for all the answers so far Fel and Missy - it's been great to read what you have to say, especially as you've been taking the time around your busy schedules!
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Post by missy on May 31, 2008 5:44:09 GMT
Chirugal *** How's the current Supanova coming together? Is it going according to plan?
Felicity answered this one much more eloquently than I would have – and the response would have been the same. Despite the hard work ahead, for me at least it’s a bit more relaxing, because we set in place a lot of procedures and processes in the last tour that are easily translated in to a different set of shows. More a copy/paste/enter data type deal. Not to mention that with each passing event, my own confidence and networks grow and strengthen to make it easier to walk the talk.
** What do you like to do in your time off?
Heh, time off what? Nah, my relaxation mode is pretty much a doona, hot chocolate and either a dvd or good book/comic. Movies at the cinema, even bad ones, are a real experience in immersion and relaxation, but trips have been few and far between.
If I had the time and resources I would love to get back in to travelling Australia, camping out and spending days lost in rainforests or ancient woodlands - Tasmania being top of my list for a long time. I've not been overseas as yet, so am very excited at that prospect – explore new cities, cultures, have myself a complete mind-shift of what the world is really like.
** Who would you love to meet who you haven't had a chance to yet?
Hmmm… Entertainment Industry? Seth Green. He seems like Good People. Others on my list are the A-list-ers with whom I would struggle to engage in conversation, so they’re a wishlist, not any real desire-to-meet.
I would love to pick the brain of Sir Richard Branson. I would invite John Borrowman over for a cocktail party, and happily sit and watch him flirt with a pot plant. I could sit for hours in a lecture by Ben Elton, but know there would be no ‘audience interaction’. I suspect he likes only the sound of his own voice in that ego bubble of his (I have an irrational love/hate relationship with him as a writer/performer). Dennis Leary and Henry Rollins would also liven up that cocktail party somewhat, although I’d put a wager on the time it takes for the cops to show up.
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Dove
Feral
The Dove shoots film, not people
Posts: 9
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Post by Dove on May 31, 2008 5:51:27 GMT
@ Missy: Dude, I love your idea of a party. We should combine. Can you imagine the conversation between Stephen Fry and Henry Rollins?
"We should hang out!",
-- F.
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Post by missy on May 31, 2008 6:05:26 GMT
The darling Marianne asked: ** Missy, can you tell us about your involvement with Conquest. A very fluid involvement. Conquest is the longest running QLD cross-sci-fi fan club (as opposed to those dedicated to one series/product), and my role there started as a ‘fill in’ for a missing committee member a few years ago. When the end of year rolled around and the club looked to fold, I ran a revival campaign to increase membership and revitalise the club meetings and convention formats (with the conventions held in conjunction with Vortex Events). We raised the membership numbers to their highest in years, but my commitments within and without of the club became so great that I had to let something go – and handed in my committee resignation. The club as a regular meeting group is plodding along, but they are still committed to putting on their annual convention and associated activities(the most fun being the banquet/awards night). When I left I promised to retain my role of assisting with the conventions, so I play a more supervisory/producer role, running things on the weekend in question and generally doing the on-the-ground logistics. I sometimes contribute to their marketing by producing posters and fliers. As the media/guest side of the conventions move more in to Vortex Events' territory, I have made a greater connection with that side of the business, and some very exciting projects are planned. All hush hush for now, though We’re very excited to have David Hewlett from Stargate Atlantis and Katy Manning from Dr Who on board for the end of this year, along with Marco Nero (Happy Feet/Farscape) and the wonderfully Sonny Whitelaw herself. www.conquestforever.com/vortexevents.com** Both of you: what would your dream jobs be? As Fel said – I’m already doing it. Well, I’m on my way. I have a somewhat silly ‘reach for the stars’ goal that motivates and directs me on my current career path – that is to be the Operations Manager of the Academy Awards. The real nitty gritty hands-on behind-the-scenes gig. Otherwise, Director for major film festivals or premiere events, junkets, that kind of thing. Anything big, complicated, messy and employing armies of people, but on the outside looks to be a wonderfully glamorous and seamless event where everyone is having a fabulous time. I got in to this industry to see people having a good time. Knowing that I contributed to that is what drives me to find the most out there, and often times grass roots events, as they can be the most fun for 'the fans'. The idea of a ‘compulsory attendance’ medical research conference, for example, bores me to tears, despite the fact that those type of events are where the big money is, in terms of jobs in the industry. There would be no satisfaction in that for me, and I’m selfish like that. Little to no money gain is risky, living by the seat of your pants is scary, but at the end of the day- a heck of a lot more fun.
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Post by marianne on May 31, 2008 6:43:58 GMT
Ahem... of course there's that series...what's it called...oh Parrish Plessis... Lynnej - Hmmm the Novel-to-film one is interesting... Most of the novel's I love have already made the transition, but looking through my collection...
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Post by missy on May 31, 2008 6:44:50 GMT
Fel - they'd either want to punch each other, or become the best of friends instantly. So hard to tell.
Drinks on us!
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Post by missy on May 31, 2008 6:49:50 GMT
lol Marianne, I REALLY wanted to mention that one, but thought the suck-up-o-metre would be high in the red - although I tried to hint that with my explanation of what I think would make for a great movie . You KNOW how much I love your series. It is completely my thing.
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Post by Sheyana on May 31, 2008 11:42:13 GMT
Hmm, Questions, Questions.
1 - Do you see yourselves in event-management type roles in the long term? They seem to be pretty high energy!
2 - While organising a big event, how do you keep everything straight so that things happen - I can see this harried person walking around with a huge diary but I suppose it's slightly more sophisticated than that?
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Dove
Feral
The Dove shoots film, not people
Posts: 9
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Post by Dove on May 31, 2008 13:03:05 GMT
1 - Do you see yourselves in event-management type roles in the long term? They seem to be pretty high energy!
You know what’s funny? This is my hobby; I do it to relax. I’ll keep doing Supanova unless I can’t schedule my other work around it, or unless the rest of the crew finally sacks me. 2 - While organising a big event, how do you keep everything straight so that things happen - I can see this harried person walking around with a huge diary but I suppose it's slightly more sophisticated than that?Experience helps. The more of these things you do, the more you learn from experience. It comes down to communication and spreadsheets. Supanova’s crew are distributed all over the country, and are often away working overseas as well. The whole thing runs via e-mail, Google Groups, Skype, and mobile phones… and occasionally U-Stream and iTunes, when we’re watching the boys (Our staging crew from Joffre Street Productions, who also produce “Cool Shite on the Tube”: www.coolshite.net/ ). We are out-of-the-closet, card-carrying, evangelising geeks, and geeks heart technology. As for Missy and I, we only get to meet face-to-face a couple of times a year, so we work mostly by Skype instant messaging and Google Documents. She quite often offers to make me a cup of tea as if I am in the next room; isn’t that sweet? Missy is formidable with MS Excel these days; personally I believe it was invented by Satan. However, it is handy for managing a lot of information about schedules, budgets, flight details, names etc. We have hard copies of the main documents with us at the venue. Missy’s are neatly arranged in colour-coordinated folders. Mine are usually all crammed into my leather Filofax folder, although at the last gig for some reason I elected to use a free flimsy cardboard folder from the Strike Bowling Bar for reasons even I don’t understand. On site, Missy and I are constantly hooked up to our CB radio network, which means we can communicate with each other and also discreetly monitor what’s going on all over the venue. It’s a close-knit team and we make a point of supporting each other’s portfolios where possible. At the event, I’d also suggest ‘comfortable shoes’, but I never wear them. I wear heels. My secret is gel inner soles and drinking Nutrient Water. Missy and I share a room at the hotel, so we get to discuss the day’s highs and lows at the end of every night, usually while slightly drunk, totally exhausted and mildly deranged.
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Post by marianne on Jun 1, 2008 0:15:52 GMT
Hey this is so fascinating. I should mention (because she's too shy to) Sheyana is hoping to go into Event Management when she finishes uni. (grab her now grrls)
For both of you: Do you ever get sick of dealing with peoples 'whims' and think - erk why am I doing this?
Because of your involvement in popular culture you see the impact of technology on our leisure time. Do either of you have thoughts on 'the future of the book'.
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Post by trentj on Jun 1, 2008 1:57:06 GMT
Really enjoying this, though everyone keeps asking my questions So time to fire some off. Are there any authors you'd love to snare for Supernova? And What are you reading/watching/getting into now that may not be getting the attention it deserves?
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Dove
Feral
The Dove shoots film, not people
Posts: 9
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Post by Dove on Jun 1, 2008 5:21:10 GMT
MDP: Hey this is so fascinating. I should mention (because she's too shy to) Sheyana is hoping to go into Event Management when she finishes uni. (grab her now grrls)Awesome! All the best, Sheyana. Missy is sure to have more constructive professional advice for you than I would, so I’ll leave it to her. For both of you: Do you ever get sick of dealing with people’s 'whims' and think – “Erk. Why am I doing this?”No; I don’t tend to question why I do it - because I have my reasons - but it does make one think less of certain individuals. Many people are moody, demanding and eccentric, and I confess to a certain pathological anthropological curiosity in observing their actions – like watching how an unusual bug behaves. Interesting! Because of your involvement in popular culture you see the impact of technology on our leisure time. Do either of you have thoughts on 'the future of the book'?I am, like Dorothy Parker, a ‘constant reader’, and something of a purist when it comes to books. I’m incapable of going into a second-hand bookshop without gleefully clapping my hands together and exclaiming “Treasure!” like some sort of literary Gollum. Humans need stories, and despite the multiplicity of new entertainment options I think there will always be a certain kind of person who wants their storytelling crack in the form of a book with pages. I know I have an addiction to books because even when I’m travelling and I can’t feasibly buy any material objects that I have to carry around, I still always buy books. New York is shocking for that kind of thing because there are book stalls on every other sidewalk in my neighborhood(s) and I usually find something I can’t live without. Because we’re becoming increasingly mobile and technology is assisting miniaturisation, I think there’s a place for products like Amazon’s Kindle*, which is kind of like an iPod for books. For me, nothing will ever replace the experience of sitting down with a book – the smell of the ink, the feel of the paper, the sound of the pages riffling – but the idea of being able to carry around half my collection in something the size of one book has its appeal. Are there any authors you'd love to snare for Supanova?I can honestly say we love the Australian authors we already have at Supanova, but in addition to MDP, Sonny and Jen, some other genre writers I’d like to see include: Tamora Pierce Terry Pratchett (who, alas, is in poor health) Neil Gaiman Steven King TV screenwriter Steven Moffatt (Press Gang, Coupling, Doctor Who) TV screenwriter Darin Morgan (The X-Files) What are you reading/watching/getting into now that may not be getting the attention it deserves?In all honesty, I’ve pretty much spent the last two years reading only stuff to do with the documentary I’ve been working on ( The Burning Season), or documentaries I intend to make. Because much of the material I work with is either depressing or very complicated, my taste in entertainment often leans towards classic pulp. When I have time, I’ve been catching up on comics (Transmetropolitan, Bite Club, Y – The Last Man), old pulp literature (Doc Savage novellas) and TV I missed when I was living in Libya/ Egypt (How good is ‘House’?! I’m only up to season one). I’m also on a Kinky Friedman kick right now, but don’t get me started or I’ll come over all New York Jewish cowboy detective. I suggest checking out: FreakAngels – www.freakangels.com/ - a free weekly online graphic novel by famous comic author Warren Ellis set in a kind of steampunk future London. Planetary – Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s epic comic series featuring the bodacious Jakita Wagner, a fantastic female lead. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_%28comics%29Persepolis – This, and other graphic novels by Iranian emigrée Marjane Satrapi, describe life in Iran before and after its transition to an Islamic theocracy. They are honest, touching, and nattily drawn. The beautiful movie animation is out in Australia in August, (a YEAR after it came out in Europe!). Iran is an amazing place, quite unlike what you've seen on the news, and Marjane's books are a good introduction to the culture. www.iranian.com/Books/2002/November/Satrapi/Y- The Last Man – a post-apocalyptic comic series about an event which kills off every male of the species on Earth, except one guy, Yorick, and his monkey. A well-realised concept, stylishly illustrated. www.amazon.com/Y-Last-Man-1-Unmanned/dp/1563899809The hard to find but frakking awesome “Modesty Blaise” novels from the ‘70s by Peter O’Donnell. Not the comic strips, the novels… you can get them here: www.amazon.com/Modesty-Blaise-Peter-ODonnell/dp/0285637282 I tried to option these for adaptation a number of years ago but they weren’t available. I think I’ve read them all about six times. Thanks again, everyone, for your interest and your questions. I hope we've entertained thus far. * Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/ref=amb_link_6369712_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0KE5M9Z1DA5V98WWFKAM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=401927101&pf_rd_i=507846
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Post by marianne on Jun 1, 2008 22:02:59 GMT
Missy must have got caught up yesterday.
So I'd just like to say thanks to our wonderful guests Missy and Fel, for their time and their intelligent insights. I'd also like to welcome them back anytime to see what's cooking at the Patch.
bests MDP
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