I have a blog?

Well, of course. But it's been a while with a lot of time taken up with teaching and writing. And there is more teaching to come, which is exciting. Being paid to talk to others about a subject you love and are frankly obsessed by is amazing and does wonders for the old self confidence. The folks at Screen Education Edinburgh are a fine bunch.

Lots to do afterwards as well. More short ideas to be hammered into draft form, that 8 sequence approach to Wanted I said I'd attempt (it's coming, Nick, I promise!) and loads more. Life is getting fuller these days, which can only be a good thing, especially with two new nieces to dote on.

So, this is just a quick note to say I'm still here (to the few of you who read me) and the proper blogging will resume soon. In the meantime, I've got a deadline in a week so I'm shutting myself away in my office and will emerge unshaven and shaky in seven days time.

Sci Fi, Puppets and Other Stuff.

Well, been a bit busy with things.

Had a good time at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival, pitched a project to a panel in front of an audience of about 50 people (not a pleasant experience), drank too much and saw some good films. Pictures to come. Bring on next year.

I'm in the process of starting notes for the next draft of my current feature project, editing two videos (one actually a paid job!) and have also begun the early stages of a new short, a pretty damn ambitious science fiction project that may involved the use of puppets playing main characters (alongside one or two humans). My inner Henson is trying to break through.

Also beginning to work on that new 8 sequence approach look at Wanted. Will be watching that film quite a few times (my knowledge of my previous subject, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, is borne mainly from 20 plus years of verging obsession and watching it a whole lot more than most people might) and reading the script as well. That may take a bit of time.

And it looks like I may be starting some freelance teaching in a month or so, teaching schoolkids how to write and make films. I wish we'd had that when I was a kid. Or maybe I don't. We pretty much taught ourselves, learning from our own mistakes. This new task looks quite interesting as we're merely guiding the students and not explicitly telling them what to do. Should be interesting. And it's always good to have some teaching on the old CV.

All that and my looming 40th birthday in under two weeks. Planning a bit of a do with my oldest mate who's one day older than me.

Now, how do I earn some money?