Category Archives: 2008

NO INVASION OF NORMANDY TODAY Dec ’08

This week I ordered a Sock-Loupe from Hood Pro (http://www.hood-pro.com/). The copy says a “fully rigid loupe” can be adjusted to have a “minor droop.” I pay by Paypal and within minutes receive an email from the inventor, Mike Stevens. … Continue reading

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DIY POLE ARM CONSTRUCTION: The Making of Roman

What are some of the movie shots that really impressed you? Not whole sequences, just single “gee-whiz” shots. Chances are that those you remember best are high-angle, moving shots. Maybe the opening shot of Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil, the … Continue reading

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THE BOLSHOI COULDN’T MAKE IT Nov ’08

BONDI BEACH AUSTRALIA, MARCH. 1966 I’m in the surf filming Will Rushton, an English comedian. He starred in the BBC’s That Was The Week That Was and in the feature film Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines. Today he’s … Continue reading

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SUSANNE STOLE MY MOUSE! Oct ’08

Floating around in cyberspace there’s an article entitled 12 Breeds of Clients and How to Work with Them. But only 12? Come on! What about Susanne? The Presidio Film Center, San Francisco, 2002. Son-in-law George Lang has completed a three-day … Continue reading

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THE LAST RESORT Sep ’08

SEBASTOPOL, CALIFORNIA, JUNE 2008. It’s 6:30 in the morning. I’m in a frost-damaged vineyard that’s being chopped down. It’s raining. I’m shooting in close to the vines. Every time one gets the chop, it collapses on me. I’m drenched; so … Continue reading

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A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE PROFITEROLE AUG ’08

Before you read another word, you’ve got to watch this. STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, 1984. Hey, today I’m a director. (So different from the usual Stefan/Tricia modus operandi.) We’re here in Will Shakespeare land, home base of my client’s client, Alveston Kitchens. Up … Continue reading

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A FISTFUL OF SCHOLARS – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND A FEW DOLLARS MORE July ’08

Central St. Martin’s College of Art, London 1995 I am up a 14-foot ladder with my 16mm Éclair NPR camera. It’s a film about the five art colleges that make up The University of the Arts London. I’m sitting here, … Continue reading

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OBSOLESCENCE, That’s the Name of the Game!

Here’s a fun game you can all play. It’s called Obsolescence. No $200 on passing GO. More like losing $200 on every dice throw. Bought an iPhone? You’re in the game — and doing badly. Come July 11, the new … Continue reading

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MY BRILLIANT CAREER OR NO ONE LIKES A SMART ASS Jun ’08

SYDNEY 1963 I’m working at J. Walter Thompson as an assistant in their TV department. Their on-staff television director is Hans von Adlerstein. Hans speaks, dresses and acts as if he were the German actor-director, Erich von Stroheim. Only the … Continue reading

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LIFE ON THE BLEEDING EDGE May ’08

SPITFIRE TELEVISION, LONDON, NOVEMBER 1990. I’m at work early. Anna is waiting for me. She’s our graphic designer doing “The Wide Away Club” opening titles for a local television station. “I’ve been here all night. We finished at 6, on … Continue reading

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