… the world’s got me!

The last two weeks have been pretty chocka full for me! At work we are doing a huge push of publicity and promotion of The Outlook for Someday (check out the dope website btw) because there is now only under 2 months for people to create and submit their short film to the challenge. I’ve been doing telephone interviews with radio stations around the country, an appearance on ALT TV as well as going on in studio on Imogen’s thursday wire bFM show last week. This week and next we’re looking at getting on Breakfast and also some stuff on I AM TV (new Mai Time).

Alongside all of that I’ve been working on a few contracts namely working with Greenpeace on doing some ongoing public activities as part of the Ocean campaign which has been some really cool learning for me and a different experience in terms of Greenpeace work. I’ve been also doing a bit of contract film work which is also some interesting learning but a great opportunity to continue to refine my experience in shooting pictures which I only have experience and no training it. It’s the perfect time because its making me a little bit of money but I also have aspirations to get a few zero budget short films complete by the end of the year so when the time comes to shoot a short on film I can have some work behind me which will help me stand up when making a submission to the film commission.

Speaking of films – the Internation Film Festival has been playing at several venues around Auckland the last few weeks and all up I think I saw around 7 films including two Israeli directed films which were also my two highlights. The Band’s Visit – A film about an Egyptian Police Orchestra who get stuck in the wrong Israeli town. An interesting cross-culture story set in a region of the word where more often this type of story involves confict and violence. The second was called Waltz With Bashir and was chosen to close the festival. This film was an animated documentary about the filmmakers lack of recollection of the 1982 first Lebanon war. He goes and visits people he was in the army with and tries to understand why his memory of the events (namely the Sabra and Shatila massacre) has dissappeared from his mind.

Until next time.

So the last few weeks have been pretty hectic.

Andrea and I have been running workshops for Educators and Faciliators on how to support young people in making a film for The Outlook for Someday film challenged which launched last week.

on Monday straight after the full on 5 day wellington stint we did the Auckland one – following that Will and I took off to the Media That Matters festival screening in Auckland and I did another shout out about the project – It was a great little festival with 9 really amazing and powerful made by young people as well as awesome performances between the films from the South Auckland Poet’s Collective crew.

On Tuesday I moved flats I know live on Baildon Road in the heart of the Mighty Grey Lynn! A stones throw from my work, the GL park,  savour and devour, harvest wholefoods and the surrey cres shops. Awesome. Untill I crashed the rental van I hired to move my stuff in into a car that was parked outside my old house. After the initial shock I finally got all my shit into the van and to my new house (thanks to Troy and Caleb).

Wednesday evening I went and spoke about The Outlook for Someday on Green-Core a show on ALT-TV.

Friday Andrea and I flew to Christchurch early to do the workshop down there. Andrea stayed the weekend – I flew back the same day.

Saturday I went and saw The Band’s Visit a really beautiful film about an Egytpian Police Orchestra who get stuck in the wrong Israeli town – its an interesting and refreshing look at Arab-Jew relations – I loved it especially because of the familiarity of the people and language – also re-inspired my enthusiam to go to Israel next year.

Then I arrived home to the begginings of my flatwarmings – and after a shower and costume dressing and a few drinks I was well into it! A fun night – Jack, Max, Fran, Elly, Ella and I hung out alot and was heaps fun.

Sunday Mum came around and we moved Storm in! She’s been hanging under my bed alot (her safe place) but has been wandering around the lounge as well.

Afterwards we went up to Muriwai to visit Dan and Jo before she goes to the Olympics in two weeks. We had Jachnun (a traditional Israeli pastry baked dish thing). I also had the pleasure of meeting a very little young man called Tiki who was a very awesome 10month old baby!

After that mum and I went up to Palm Springs and had a bit of a soak in the hot pools which was just what I needed after this stressful week!

So I pretty much had an epic 5 days in Wellington – it all started at 3.45am on Wednesday morning !!! when I woke to get ready for the 4.10am shuttle. After flying and waiting and travelling we finally arrive to the conference at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington all blurry eyes and jaded.

That evening after a long first day of conference I caught up with Amelia and some of the Auckland crew who were also down at the same time (helen, penny, robyn, bead) and then after dinner back at the YHA where most of the youthline crew were staying I was almost asleep on my feet but somehow after a few drinks managed to find a second wind – and after many more drinks and a few bars finally made it to bed at 2am!

Friday night I had a grreat night out in wellington! went and caught up with Jesse and Dan who’s band Elston Gun were playing and then ran into other people and hung out.

Saturday was the Youthline conference which was really awesome hearing about what all the Youthline centers nationally were up to and getting to meet other youthliners I havnt yet met and hanging out with the urge advisory group some more.

Saturday night hung out with Nao and Jayne at Mighty Mighty where The Situations were playing a gig – potentially drunk a few too many Mojito and Tequila!

Sunday hung with will and worked at the GEC office until we all shared a taxi back to the airport!

So as promised to myself I am writing in my blog!! I’m off to Wellington tomorrow for the Involve conference for the rest of the week and going to spend the weekend there.

Last weekend was heaps of fun – all centered around Saturday night really – I went to The Basement and saw Dr. Collossus play with Anna then I headed up to The Rising Sun where Kayleigh was having her 21st.

I’ve been watching this skate video called Lakai Fully Flared and its totally amping me to skate again – and if it weren’t for the snow and snowboarding I’d be wishing it was summer so I can skate!

Ok blog – lets talk soon.

peace