Gooooooood Morning 2017!
Well, I think across the board, 2016 was a shite year for
more than just me. I think the appointing of the new U.S president goes to show
how fucked we are! Got to appreciate the irony that each and EVERY job I apply
for requires a certain level of experience & yet that tossers got none in
politics but becomes America’s new ruler… Absolutely ridiculous.
2016, we saw so many people taken from us. David Bowie, Alan
Rickman, Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett, Prince, Muhammed Ali, George Michael as
well as Carrie Fisher & her dear mum. Just this morning even John Hurt has
now passed. In my personal life it was the ‘coming SO close’ moments to some
great positions and never quite getting there.
One of the most gutting things about last year was having to
finally leave my 4 year relationship, the amount of bad luck despite my efforts
was following me home. I had to leave my beloved South coast to follow the work…
Yes, in London but that’s just the way it goes. Such crap I’d endured last
year, I just lost my creative focus… I couldn’t end the year on such a bad note
so I gave myself a much deserved holiday to Budapest to see a friend of mine
and had an amazing time and even sung my first karaoke – EVER! It hit me quite
hard seeing how warm the family was around each other. Neither of the parents
spoke much English but it made no difference, I was driven to landmarks I had
missed in my exploration and handed several Hungarian shots before I could sit
down and fed until I couldn’t eat anymore in a house they had built themselves over
about 10 years or so.
It was hard to contain myself at points – By the time it
came to leave it was strange… 
I felt like we’d known each other for ages! That
night I couldn’t sleep… But it was okay… I was finally writing again. By the
time I got dropped off at the airport, her dad handed me his scarf to keep warm
and a calendar – suppose “someone” had told him that my life had been a little
bit of a mess. The guy even asked if I wanted to drive his car. When they drove
away, I swear I just wanted to stay. I’m still yet to exchange my Hungarian
florins back into British pounds. 
Since Budapest things got better piece by piece. Still no
full-time job sorted yet but what I wrote was thanks to the bond I saw between
my friend; Slavi and her father. I wrote a short script called ‘Waterproof,’
which has just taken a finalist position at Film Expo South’s ‘Three CountiesChallenge’ where I shall be expected to pitch it in front of a panel and a live
audience… Even if I don’t win, it serves as a great reminder.
I finished my work for now, working for BFI Film Academy,
teaching 16 – 19 year olds the same way I got taught in Met Film School 10
years ago. Kind of hits you, how much you know compared to a rookie when its
right there in front of you. I have also recently wrapped on a Chinese TV drama
I was working on as a 2nd AC all over London, called ‘Symphony Of
Fate.’ Coached everywhere, fed Chinese food every day amongst other
professionals, whom were all nice to work with. Shooting some beautiful
locations and rounded off with a nice wrap party just the other night. 
I
unfortunately didn’t get the job in Canary Wharf I was hoping for & I was rudely left hanging to hear back from ITV. Seriously, asked to shadow two shows being stood up from 4am - 1p... And told you're awaiting "feedback" - from what? Shadowing? - Shadowing means watching others + you can't ask questions live on air either so... 'What were you guys supposed to feedback...?' Anyway, so much for the several years I felt like I felt like they hadn't even bothered looking at. On the other hand, despite the let down, its not every day you get to shake Sir Trevor
McDonalds hand or share the same room with your childhood TV presenter; Philip
Schofield, interviewing Kelly Hoppun from Dragon’s Den about… Rearranging your
furniture…?! And here it comes guys!
There is still NOTHING I saw in their production studios
that employers should fear about hiring younger filmmakers. In contrast to my
experiences with the BBC, they were nicer (the one's I was out on the production floors with, at least!), they were generally younger people there who were far
better organised and coordinated.
And again, I must reiterate; DO NOT expect some of these pathetic universities to
get you prepared for these moments. Book out all the equipment and studio facilities you can guys. NOTHING beats the practice you'll need to have in preparation.
If you can - Go to places like the National Film & Television School!
Why? The same friend I mentioned is on their sales, distribution and marketing
MA (yep, not even cinematography related!) and their first guest on their first
day was ‘ROGER DEAKINS!’ followed closely by Julian Fellowes & Sally
Wainwright. Not only this but they also put their students into professional, “relevant”
placements. Now measure that against who you get at Bournemouth University… Where
the best advice you get from its staff is (ironically from that same dickhead,
Resh I mentioned a few blogs ago from my screenwriting BA); “Just call a friend
in London and stay on their sofa for a month and cook for them and find something
in their city, just start calling and offer yourself for free.”
I won’t name the 'guest' lecturers names as I still respect
them trying to earn a livelihood but believe me its pretty poor by comparison…
REALLY poor. But I WILL say when they start using their own staff to fill in the desperate
holes, talking about stuff that’s not even related to what you’re paying for
like “Global Cities” for fuck sake… If I could afford the solicitor fee’s I’m
afraid this would be another course I would sue to get at least half the money
back from. At least several graduates have come to me asking me for any work I
know of. Sorry, dude – join the real world. I’m not your agent!
Some I
genuinely feel sorry for but I’ve made all the connections I can be bothered
with from education and if you didn’t get involved in enough stuff before then
I suggest you test how effective your uni’s ‘careers department’ is… Good luck
with that one.
There are things that continue to annoy me in the job market
where corporates expect ONE person to handle so much when in film practice
these would equate to multiple job roles. People can judge you as a filmmaker; “Ah,
so Dan why have you spread yourself across so many areas?” My response: “I’ve
never wanted to do anything but write, maybe even direct some but you can’t
live off those skills. Do a Google search and tell me otherwise!” Then again in
the corporate world they ‘expect’ you to be superman, meaning ALL of this stuff
+ visual effects, animations, sound and music even social media management. I’ve
said all this before but… There you have it.
I’ve been able to go and see some more stuff lately. Some
excellent pieces; The Shallows, Deepwater Horizon, Sully, Collateral Beauty, Hacksaw
Ridge. As far as TV goes, I’ve got high hopes for the return of The Walking
Dead (sssh, no-one say ‘zombie!’ – #copyrightlawsareretarded)
Anyway, I have two potential contracts coming up, one as an
editor for a documentary shot in latin America that should add some interesting
spice to my showreel as well as an AC position on a film in London in May then
a short I’m writing in conjunction with KT Parker, hopefully with some great, rising
cast I’ve lined up as well as a number of crew, some I trained myself and most
I’ve worked with before. I’m just sincerely hoping that my next piece of news
is that I have the option of coming off freelancing and into a full-time job. I’ve
reached the age where I just want to do some adventuring, travelling… Just have
some fun.
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