The Definition of Procrastination...

FTV #1 - Rolling...

2011-11-22T21:14:00.001Z

Camera 1 - with autocue. These HD cameras are newly installed in the television studio. We are the only |University in the country to have 4 of these.

It has been a good while since I posted on here. I have decided to start posting my filmy stuff on here. So here goes...

Basically, I'm in my 3rd year of FTV+E (Film, Television and English) and we have to make a 30 minute film by the end of the year, with 10 minutes handed in by 12th December. My roles for this term are: Set designer, Head Editor and Camera. A good challenge!

At the beginning of the term we decided on a story: a young girl who feels neglected by her family falls in with a punk crowd in 1970s Britain at the height of Jubilee hype. It was very tricky because we had to be very careful with props and set design. I love a challenge but next time I might just try and stick to present and/or futuristic storylines :P

Set

A few weeks ago we started painting the flats.

After painting them we decided to paper them and put dado rails on them as well as skirting boards. The skirting boards were cheap lino-like panels from Poundland. Attention to detail is important. As is minimal spending :P

Today we filmed the bulk of our scenes. Time was against us. Basically, we were running out of time on how long we could have the flats (walls to you) because the second-years needed them. Also, an actor playing the role of the father of the girl could only devote time before Christmas and not after. More pressure! We got together at 8am this morning and finished at 5:30pm. Long day (not helped by the fact I had to work until 7:30pm! oh wells!)

Hallway Set being looked at by our Director

Living Room Set

It was a long day and we managed to get pretty much all of the downstairs-interior house scenes filmed. I am very excited for this project and can't wait to show off more developments :)

Boom! Boom! Boom!

2011-07-31T17:57:00.002+01:00

Amy on Potter #4 - The Chamber of Secrets

2011-07-12T13:43:00.005+01:00

"AMAZING! This is just like magic!"

This film is a very tricky one to look at in retrospective. This is because, at the time, CoS was considered much better, broader and epic than the original with director Chris Columbus trying new things with the camera. And it is was that way until, unfortunately, the next film came out.

On it's own CoS is a fine film, with amazingly cheesy scenes and a cracking plotline. But when one looks at it after seeing the films that come later, you can't help but think that Columbus could have done better. At the end of the day, we should not complain, we should be thankful that that films are getting better. But the tone is so drastically different from the later films, you can't help but feel disappointed.

I think this is because it is hard to fault the first one because... well it was the first. It established the universe and the next films can expand on that as they see fit. CoS could only have been "the second one" and no matter how many people considered it good at the time, it is not considered so now because the later ones established a different path. This had better make sense... :S

This film also indirectly begins a plot point: the diary, which is revealed to actually have been a horcrux in later films. And Dobby... ah Dobby! He was an annoying little twerp in this, but by DH, he is cute and rather fun! I say that, but when Harry say "never try to save my live again" to Dobby, you can't help but feel a pang because we all know too well what happens when he does.

Also, and I have no shame in saying this, CoS contains one of my favourite scenes in the entire series: the final scene where Hagrid returns and thanks Harry and Co for helping release him. I do no know why but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy everytime. It is the perfect cheesy scene to end a fun family film with, and seeing as this is more or less the end of the "family" bit of the Potter story it seemed like a fitting goodbye. It is also Richard Harris' final scene as Dumbledore before his death in 2002. (only video I could find was poor quality)

Overall, cracking film and a fine addit.ion to the franchise, even if it does lag a bit.

Amy on Potter #3 - The Books

2011-07-11T18:59:00.005+01:00

As said in my first post about Harry Potter, these books threw me into the wonderful world of reading. And I always try to get the Harry Potter books into my schedule if I have no book on the go. They are easy reads and before you know it, you'll be burning the midnight oil 100 pages ahead.

1) The Philosopher's Stone

"He couldn't know that at this very moment, people meeting in secret all over the country were holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices: 'To Harry Potter -- the boy who lived!'"

So it is hear that the glorious story starts. A boy names Harry Potter finds out he is a wizard and leaves his nasty relatives to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Throughout the book, we find that he has been famous in the Wizarding world his whole life because he caused the downfall of Voldemort, a dark wizard that killed his parents, when he was just 1.

I read this book all in one afternoon after seeing the movie and I actually preferred it to the film. Yes the films are fantastic! But when I say I prefer it, I do not mean it's better, I mean I preferred it mainly because there is content that does not make it into the film, which is fair enough. Film has restrictions that written words do no have! The world also felt richer, as JK Rowling has such a wonderful way of making you feel you are part of it.

2) The Chamber of Secrets

'That'd be a cheerful visit,' said Ron. 'Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?'

Continuing my last point, JK Rowling knows how to make you feel a part of a fictional world. And this is the one the made me feel the most involved. For one glorious weekend I believed that a tree can attack you, and that cars will one day be able to fly. In this one Harry is back at school with Ron and Hermione but there is a lurking evil. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened and is causing all kinds of havoc!

As I see it, it was the last of the "fairytale"-type look at Hogwarts. After this, it just gets darker and darker. It was the first book that explored the theme of racism in the wizarding community, with some people thinking they are better than everyone else because the are "pure-blooded".

3) The Prisoner of Azkaban"

Extremely unusual though he was, at that moment Harry Potter felt just like everyone else - glad, for the first time in his life, that it was his birthday"

Now here is where the good stuff starts. It is this book that starts off the chain of events that leads to the action in the later books. It is also my favourite of the lot! The eponymous prisoner, Sirius Black, has escaped from the Wizarding Prison Askaban and is supposed to be after Harry. What I love about this one is that Voldemort does not make an appearance and that's very refreshing. It is the one book in the series that I wish I can read again for the first time. I can say that about all of them but if I had to pick one, it would be this one.

4) The Goblet of Fire

"I will allow you to perform an essential task for me, one that many of my followers would give their right hands to perform..."

The last one was where the events of Voldemort's return are set in motion (what with Wormtail being set free) and this is the one where it all kicks off with Harry being entered into the Triwazard Tournament without his knowledge and forced to compete. I remember thinking I would not finish this because it was huge (well it was the biggest at the time!) but I flew through it. It is creepy the appropriate parts and quite often funny, with Harry and Co need to find a date for the Yule Ball. It just makes you realize that they're growing up!

5) The Order of the Phoenix

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..."

This one I'm a bit shaky on. I do not want to say it is my least favourite because that implies it's shit but it really isn't. So Harry is not believed by the wizarding world over his claims that Lord Voldy is back and think he's a nutter. And the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is out to get him. It actually really affected me on a personal level because all that anger displayed in the novel is how I was feeling at the time. It's a bit of a stretch to compare myself to Harry, I mean, I was a spotty, depressed 13 years old and Harry was a spotty, depressed and bereaved 15 year old. But the anger was still there and I felt it on a very raw level.

Also, despite being my least favourite book, Rowling provides us with one of the best characters. The pathologically cheery bitch Dolores Umbridge. Now, it's all well and good to hate a character: we hate Voldy because he killed a lot of people and is the antagonist; we hate Bellatrix because we love Neville and she is part of the Black/Malfoy clan. But Dolores Umbridge was a character that was written of her to be the absolute hated of the lot: a racist, patronizing sadist who is appointed at the school out of the Ministry's fear that Dumbledore is creating an Army out of the students. She ends up abusing her power to put the school under her control. A better villain than Voldy!

6)The Half-Blood Prince

"And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure"

This one is less serious, for the most part. HBP is about exploring Voldy's past and trying to find ways to defeat him. Harry is still trying to come to terms with the death of Sirius and in turn deal with his feelings for Ginny. There is a cracking bit where Harry takes some "lucky potion" and it is almost like a recreational

drug use with hilarious results. But this is only part of the fun. The novel ends in such a way that makes you wonder what the hell is in store for Harry and Co for the next, and final book.

7) The Deathly Hallows"

Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him"

Book 7 strays away from the formula that we are so used to that it throws us off guard: There is no Hogwarts, Death Eaters are everywhere and Harry, Ron and Hermione are on the run trying to find the Horcruxes, eventually leading to the final battle at Hogwarts. The series couldn't have ended better. And most would probably fair better in the film than the book.

It's hard to describe just how much these books meant to me over the years. I started reading them at 11, which is when, in the HP universe, you get your admittance letter for Hogwarts. So it was ripe in the imagination and as Harry grew up, the genre of the series shifted. So it is an integral part of my life. How many book series change to your own style as you grow up? Answer: only 1... Harry Potter. And with this last film coming out it would truly have ended... except for Pottermore. Which I am looking forward to!

Amezzeray Out...

Amy's Bookshelf: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

2011-07-07T20:25:00.002+01:00

"No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine."

So, remember last year when I said I was going to make an effort to read more? Well I did... I just didn't blog about them! Haha! Ooops! My blogging has been lacking of late. I like to think of it as a good thing, as I was reading for University and then studying, so the procrastination that is ever so noted in the very name of this blog was widely averted. Twitter still had me though...

Anyhow, even though it is only July, I thought I would get started on my reading list for the next academic year. I have to read at least 1 book per week and my course only consists of 40% of my degree. I really feel for the poor fuckers who are doing the full subject. So I got started with Gulliver's Travels initially, but I struggled with it a bit and by the time I was getting somewhere I had to hand it back to the library because of a stupid loan request. So... Northanger Abbey it is! I have been meaning to read Jane Austen for years. I have a copy of Pride and Prejudice gathering dust. After my struggle with Gulliver's Travels (which I, admittedly, put down to my own lack of intelligence as an English student rather than general bad writing as I do struggle with older texts) I was expecting all of the books on this particular module to also be difficult. But Austen is not the case.

Jane Austen writes with a satirical wit that had me giggling into the night, which greatly annoyed my sister and, in turn, made me even happier! I actually managed to read the last 2/3s of the book in one day I got so into it! So... coutesy of Goodreads:

The story’s unlikely heroine is Catherine Morland, a remarkably innocent seventeen-year-old woman from a country parsonage. While spending a few weeks in Bath with a family friend, Catherine meets and falls in love with Henry Tilney, who invites her to visit his family estate, Northanger Abbey. Once there, Catherine, a great reader of Gothic thrillers, lets the shadowy atmosphere of the old mansion fill her mind with terrible suspicions. What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henry’s mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy? Catherine finds dreadful portents in the most prosaic events, until Henry persuades her to see the peril in confusing life with art.

Catherine is a fantastic character to follow. Her naivety and her innocence makes you really feel for her and you can see her growing up and learning over the course of the novel. It is the events at the Abbey that make her realize just how naive she has been and how her imagination needs a leash!

Overall of course the novel is satirizing society with Austen using Catherine's aforementioned naivety as a way of making the reader notice just how silly and stupid it all really is! But she slowly gets drawn in and then it shifts to the parody of the Gothic novel, which were all the range back when this was written. It is quite funny at times when Catherine is exploring her room at Northanger and she finds a "manuscript" in an old drawer. It makes you feel tense for a moment and then the pieces of paper are revealed to be something completely mundane, making Catherine, and equally yourself, feel a bit silly. But you see the true value of a heroine in this book; a heroine is not just someone in the blockbusters, or overcomes pride etc... it is someone who rises to be better than they were 100 pages ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and I recommend it! It may not be for everyone though as it takes a good 2/3s of the book to actually get a mention of Northanger but most of the charm is in the slow build-up.

I give it 8/10/ With 4 for wit and 4 for charm!

Amy on Potter #2 - Potter Puppet Pals

2011-07-07T20:05:00.000+01:00

Just one example of a glorious thing that HP has brought us.

Favourite Scene #14 - A Disappointed Horse

2011-07-01T21:29:00.003+01:00

How much I love this scene: me and my Dad can do a perfect impression of "Margret??" ........"YES!!!!" :D

Amy on Potter #1 - The Philosopher's Stone Movie

2011-06-22T22:44:00.000+01:00

On 16th November 2001 I went to the cinema with a friend. It was her birthday and she wanted to see some film about Wizard that I didn't even want to see. I was secretly hoping that she would change her mind at the last minute. But no, we went into the crappy Stockport Virgin (now Cineworld - main hunting ground for chavs) Cinema and we sat in our seats. Slowly, more and more people joined us which, while not uncommon for a film on it's opening night, caught me a bit off guard because the parents were just as excited as the kids.

The film was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I saw the film, went to that girl's sleep-over, tongued a girl for the first time for a bet, tottled off home the next day and went to my bookshelf where a very dusty copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets lay. My Dad bought me the book hoping to get me into reading, but was unaware that there was an order to the books (bless him) so it gathered dust for a year. By New Year 2002 I had read all the books that were out at the time (the first four) and my life was changed. Not only did it spring in me a love for reading (bear in mind I was of the "Nickleodeon Generation" and that what we looked forward to everyday was watching an episode of Sabrina the Teenage Which at about 5pm that I had already seen about five times!) but I was enchanted by such a vibrant world!

And this film is the root of it all. It is the only one of the films that I watched before reading the book. And rewatching it today after so many years was very disconcerting in several ways. First of all, in striking contrast to the Deathly Hallows, it is a very colourful and charming kids film. And while there are two types of fans: those who love the faithfulness of the first 2 films; and those who prefer the more stylized and character-driven films later on, I love The Philosopher's Stone for establishing such a vibrant culture which could so easily have been screwed up by the director Chris Columbus from the source material. It is also disconcerting because unfortunately I suffered the "seen it too many times it may have lost it's impact" syndrome. Me and my sisters went through many a summers day wearing out our VHS copy...

Most of the effects do not hold up. The Quidditch scene in particular, while obviously very good at the time, seems a bit too bright now, although that could be down to the significant tuning down of the darkness in later films. The Troll also looks a bit dodgy (well dodgier than back then!) but other than that it is a film that will definitely stand up in the years to come. It charmed me during my rewatch in the same way that The Princess Bride charmed me. And hopefully it will do the same for years to come.

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 14

2011-06-21T21:52:00.000+01:00

Day 14 - Favorite male character

This has been a tricky one. Been pondering all day what the top of all the male characters can be.

Hmmm...

I'm gonna go with a weird one cos it's a fictional character in a TV show full of people as themselves. George Dawes, played by Matt Lucas in the AMAZING BBC comedy Shooting Stars has got to be up there because he never fails to makes me laugh. He was recently replaced by Angelos Epithemou (another fictional charcter that I nearly saw at the Stockport Plaza on my 21st birthday but laryngitis decided to be nasty that day) who is actually not that bad but George has so many classic moments on Shooting Stars. Heis a giant baby that keeps the scores! So what's the scores George Dawes? :P

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 13

2011-06-19T20:22:00.000+01:00

Day 13 - Favorite childhood show

Now, this is where it gets tricky. I'm of that generation where Sky/Cable TV was just getting popular. So, as expected, we were addicted! Ahhhh what to choose? Kenan and Kel, Sister Sister, The Secret World of Alex Mack, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Pokemon...

But I'm going with...

Come Outside. Yes it's more of a baby show but I still love it today and more impressive still as they still show it to young kids today!

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 11

2011-06-18T19:58:00.000+01:00

Day 12 - An episode you've seen more than 5 times

Star Trek Deep Space 9 is my favourite Star Trek series. And this episode, In the Pale Moonlight is one of my all time favourites. And this scene has to be one of the darkest scenes in Star Trek history. As is the last line...

I think I'll watch it again now...

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 11

2011-06-17T14:20:00.000+01:00

Day 11 - A show that disappointed you

Outcasts... need I say more? It was supposed to be amazing! But it really wasn't...

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 10

2011-06-16T17:01:00.000+01:00

Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

Oh it has to be Gilmore Girls! I always thought it was a soppy program but I gave it a go one day and it really is one of the most feel-good shows that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! :)

It is about single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Roryand their various troubles in life. Friends, boyfriends and Lorelai's parents to whom Lorelai has been estranged since her teenage pregnancy. It is so much more than just about the Gilmore's though. Each character, no matter how small, get's their chance to shine and what started as a program with 8 main castmembers ended as an ensemble of about 20 (a bit like BSG). I highly recommend it. They just started showing them from the beginning again on E4, try to catch it!

Emedding, once again is not available but go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E9VzsRymWc to view a selection from "Friday Night Dinners". Basically, in the Pilot, Lorelai asks her estranged parents for money to fund Rory's education (they consider Rory the daughter they never had) and they agree on the condition that they have dinner every Friday night. Cue hilariousness!!!

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 9

2011-06-15T09:35:00.001+01:00

Day 09 - Best scene ever

Don't know about the best, but it's certainly my favourite.

All I'll say is: Escaping From New Caprica. BSG. The video is unembeddable but you can view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdkCpnGMyGw

Blows me away every single time!

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 8

2011-06-14T19:38:00.002+01:00

Day 08 - A show everyone should watch

Gonna have to go with QI. It is informative AND funny! I have learnt a lot from watching this! :)

Courtesy of wikipedia: QI (Quite Interesting) is a British comedy panel game television quiz show created and co-produced by John Lloyd, hosted by Stephen Fry, and featuring permanent panellist Alan Davies. Most of the questions are extremely obscure, making it unlikely that the correct answer will be given. To compensate, points are awarded not only for right answers, but also for interesting ones, regardless of whether they are right or even relate to the original question. Conversely, points are deducted from a panellist who gives "answers which are not only wrong, but pathetically obvious", typically answers that are generally believed to be true but in fact are not. Points are also often deducted if an obvious joke answer is given. In addition, bonus points are often awarded or deducted for various challenges or incorrect references to a certain thing or place, varying from show to show.

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 7

2011-06-13T14:24:00.000+01:00

*yeah I haven't done this for a while, but hey-ho! I was moving house and job-hunting.*

I'm baaaaack!

Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show

There isn't one I can think of! Friends is just awesome that way!

So instead I offer a video of a mouse (which looks more like a rat) vs a cat!

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 6

2011-05-22T10:19:00.000+01:00

Haven't done for the last few days due to revision. All finish now. yays! :)

Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite t.v show

We have established that my favourite show is Friends. Now we're at another tricky stumble: there are far too many good episodes to choose from!

The One Where Joey Speaks French.

It's my favourite, but not the best. This just cracks me up every time!

Joey Trying To Talk French - Click here for the most popular videos

Star Wars Costumes + Animals = Pure Cuteness!!

2011-05-18T22:47:00.001+01:00

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 5

2011-05-16T09:01:00.002+01:00

Day 05 - A show you hate

Yeah I really hate this. Everytime "The Hills" is on I really want to poke my eyes out with my eyeliner. And it would seem that a British version has started called "Made In Chelsea". I have steered way clear of that!

Thankfully it's over now but that does not numb my hatred for it!

The Hills Season 6 Trailer (Long) by trentisthenewpink

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 4

2011-05-15T09:46:00.000+01:00

Day 4 - Your Favourite Show Ever

Now this is a toughie...

Okay, lets draw up a criteria... a show I love, that I never get bored of and that if it's on, I can get straight into it without checking the TV guide.

Easy! Friends! :)

City Till I Die...

2011-05-14T22:18:00.000+01:00

I have been a fan of Manchester City for as long as I can remember. I went to my first match when I was 7. We lost 2-1 against Norwich, but I remember it well!

When we got taken over in 2008 I was worried that winning something wouldn't feel right. It was, at the end of the day, bought. Yes we worked hard towards it but at the end of the day we bought our way there. And you know what? I don't care! Today we won the FA Cup... today we ended our 35 year trophy-drought... today... we made history!

My Dad says he's amazed I stayed a fan for as long as I did, especially with what they put us through in the late 90s. But It's times like the 1999 Play-Off Final and 2000 Promotion at Ewood Park that make me love football, no matter how high City are.

I say that, but I'm pretty fucking pleased they're high! Now I'm off to get more booze...

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 3

2011-05-13T18:14:00.000+01:00

Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)

I haven't really watched any new ones in the last year...

So I'll put one that I got into last year instead...

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 2

2011-05-13T18:10:00.000+01:00

NOTE: this was originally posted yesterday but for some reason blogger took it down :(

Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching

Going to go with Castle for this one. This is mainly aimed at the UK readers because some bright spark decided to put Castle on Alibi. A sky channel that no-one has heard of!

And it's an awesome show that seems to get better every year! And Nathan Fillion is in it, making it his second day in a row.

30 Day TV Show Challenge - Day 1

2011-05-10T10:00:00.000+01:00

Because I have far too much time on my hands! The full list is below. I'm going to try and be a bit better with this one than the film one! And in some ways I am more passionate about TV than I am about film... which is kinda weird!

Day 1 - A show that should never have been canceled.

Well that's easy!

For those who *don't* know me, follow me on twitter or this blog (highly doubt it!) Firefly was cancelled after only 14 episodes had been made despite high critical acclaim and a dedicated (but small) fanbase. Fox well and truly screwed up with this one: crap advertising and dumping it in a bad slot. Luckily it came back in the form of a fantastic film Serenity after doing amazingly well on DVD. So not all was lost!

As promised, here is the list!

Day 01- A show that should have never been canceled

Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching

Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this t.v season)

Day 04 - Your favorite show ever

Day 05 - A show you hate

Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite t.v show

Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite t.v show

Day 08 - A show everyone should watch

Day 09 - Best scene ever

Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

Day 11 - A show that disappointed you

Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times

Day 13 - Favorite childhood show

Day 14 - Favorite male character

Day 15 - Favorite female character

Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show

Day 17 - Favorite mini series

Day 18 - Favorite title sequence

Day 19 - Best t.v show cast

Day 20 - Favorite kiss

Day 21 - Favorite ship

Day 22 - Favorite series finale

Day 23 - Most annoying character

Day 24 - Best quote

Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)

Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale

Day 27 - Best pilot episode

Day 28 - First t.v show obsession

Day 29 - Current t.v show obsession

Day 30 - Saddest character death

30 Day Film Challenge - Day 30

2011-05-10T09:48:00.000+01:00

Day 30 - Your Favourite Film this time last Year.

Well... Aliens has been my favourite film since I studied it in detail for my Film Studies Auteur Assignment. So that's 4 years of clear favouritism.

The thing about me is that I have a clear favourite then lots of little favourites. I don't have a clear list. So here is one of my favourites that I do not recall making it onto the list at some point.

WELL THIS WAS FUN! :D