The Future.

Does the future scare you? I like to think it doesn't, I like to think I am excited for the future but in actual fact, yes, the future does scare me. I don't think it scares me because I'm afraid of death, or pain, or strife, that sort of thing is a definite in life and something we must deal with when the time comes, I think I am actually scared of the future because I'm afraid I won't like what I find.

It seems like everyone and everything in our world today is aiming for a 'big, bright future where all our problems are forgotten and all our needs are fulfilled!' but when I actually think about it, I don't want that. I mean, the first flying car has already been made and the other night I discovered I can watch live video feeds from hundreds of thousands of camera's all around the world (see Earthcam.com) yet this is not a comforting thought.

When I think about the depictions of the future in sci-fi films (Bladerunner, The Fifth Element, I Robot etc) I never ever think, 'oh, I can't wait to live in a world like that!' and I'm sure you'd agree, so why is every scientist and inventor in the world trying to create that? I like doing the dishes by hand, sleeping in a nice comfy bed, in a normal house that isn't just another claustrophobic block in the middle of a huge apartment complex and I like having the freedom to aspire and to travel and to explore the world and tests my limits.

It's a shame to see how much we've changed even in 100 years. When our parents were young you barely had to fill in a form to travel the world, yet nowadays we have to have more than enough money in the bank, and a green card and fit into a thousand different categories. In our grandparent's day they'd just get on a boat and sail wherever they pleased. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't particularly want to live in their day (although I do love tea and scones and pretentiousness) but on the other hand I don't want to live in the scary, hopeless depictions we see in films and books. I want to live now.

Would it be too naive of me to ask if the whole world could just stop growing? I mean, please by all means, continue finding cures to terrible diseases, but stop making space ships, invisibility cloaks (I kid you not) and nuclear weapons. Let's just have an international timeout.

But alas, I am no Barack Obama, just a kid of 17 looking for a good time, therefore what I say has no weight in the real world, but that doesn't mean it's not of any worth. I hope the human race takes heed of the many warnings we have been given across the last century, that we wont just be some species, on some planet that wipes themselves out, allowing other species from other planets to make documentaries about our sad demise.

Although I wouldn't mind seeing that.

In other news, The Sartorialist (an internationally renowned blog that photographs real people wearing awesome things) has released a book - and I want it. http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

This blog is brought to you by freerice.com - every question you get right, 10 grains of rice is donated to a 3rd world country.

Best idea since Hermione Granger.

My Life & Nicholas Cage.

Of late I have noticed my blogs getting bigger and bigger and spreading to more and more topics. Not that it worries me, but I started this blog to show the few readers that I have my path to fame, fortune and all those other good things. You see I want to make films for the rest of my life and I want to do it well, so in light of this recent revelation, I shall update you on my aspirations and what I am currently doing to reach them.

First and foremost I am now a film-schooler-in-waiting, preparing to get an email any day now from the Victorian College of Arts, beckoning me to fly down to them and have an interview. For those who do not know, the VCA was the first film school in Australia and is the NIDA of film schools. This place is hard to get into but those who do reap the rewards. To get into the VCA I had to apply in August, receiving tests in September that I had four weeks to complete and send back in.

The first was a short story using one of these criteria: 'A Fresh Start' and 'The Travelling Companion' of which I chose A Fresh Start. My short story (800 words max, which is nothing making it hard to write in) told the tale of an office worker who lets his imagination get the better of him. The story was morbid, I will admit and may have ended with a black twist but nevertheless I am happy with it. The second test was a series of photo's using the criteria 'No Way Out' or 'Itching' of which I chose Itching, creating a semi-autobiographical tale of a boy itching to travel the world. The difficulty with this was I could only use 9 photographs, meaning each photo had to tell a tale of its own, building character, story and it had to have a unpredictable twist at the end.

My twist was not a bad one; I mean, I didn't want them to get the image I was a screwed up teenage boy with a penchant for writing deranged and gruesome stories did I? Even though I may be. So, with a need to prove I was a flexible creator, the boy leaves, suitcase in hand, finally leaving to fulfil his dreams, when he is stopped by the girl of his dreams. We then flash forward to show him with a family, aged and.... happy? Yes happy.

The moral of this story (I always have a moral; they rule) is as reassuring to me as it probably is to anyone; Even if you stray from your dreams, you can always find happiness. This is good thing to remember in case I end up living on the streets begging for money. You can find the series of photographs at my flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theboyatomic/sets/72157622491988217/detail/

The rest of the tests were: a Statement of why I had to get into the course (not being modest but it kicked ass), a Resume of all film and film related things I had done and finally 2 Hypothetical Film Ideas I would like to make if I get in. Now, I would tell you those but they aren't copyrighted and I really do want to make them. Sorry guys.

Since then I have re-edited The Room, cleaning up what needed to cleaned up and really just tried to relax as much as possible. If I don't now, I never will. Since school is over I have also decided to follow in the footsteps of the great Baz Luhrmann and write a screenplay while I am young. Baz (we're on a first name basis) wrote his first film Strictly Ballroom while he was at NIDA and made it into a feature film when he finished. This is inspiring I guess and makes me want to do the same.

So that's that. I'm sorry if you are now lying dead before your computer. When your parents run in after calling you for dinner several times I'm sure they will look at what you were reading, and if they survive further than you I pray that they read this; I'm sorry for killing your child. There, that takes a load off of my mind.

In other news, most of the films I have blogged about are nearing their releases. Including Where the Wild Things Are, Avatar, Nine and 9. I promise to see them as soon as I can as to warn you or encourage you depending on my critique of them. Although, my words may be bias though as I am easy to please (just ask your mum), but seriously, all I need is a big screen, popcorn and that warm atmosphere of the cinema and anything that appears before me gets the thumbs up.

Unless that thing is Nicholas Cage.

I will admit, as much as I hate him, that is a great photo, really draws out his eyes.

Until next time guys...

Two Months Later....

So here I sit, sick and exhausted, on this cold, cold night, making the decision to actually blog once again. Its been two months guys so I guess a cliche line like long time, no see is in order. Maybe a why didn't you call? Or a where is my daughter you thieving bastard!? I'm joking, I know where she is.

I wonder what you have all been doing over the past few months? Tell me, I'm interested. My months followed the path of stress, stress, stress really, I handed in my short film (after leaping and pouncing catlike over the many obstacles it threw before me), did my trial exams, took a trip to Melbourne, applied to film school in Melbourne, effectively defended myself and brutally obliterated the army of tests they sent to prove my worth, finished year 12, had my formal (or 'prom' for you amero-canadians), partied, celebrated, studied, revised and got sick. But don't get the idea it was bad. Trust me, it has been a great few months. But now I must study for those ugly exams that are flying PowerPoint style towards me with horrible classical music accompanying them. And study I will.

I've also decided to post some photos of my adventures over the past few months as proof they exist and as a reasonable excuse as to why I haven't blogged. I am sorry, really. First off we have two of my favourite images from my film The Room. Just in case you forgot, The Room is about four teens who run away from reality into an imaginary place where all their problems are forgotten. The first image is from a scene where The Room shows its supernatural, random self by dressing the characters in Shakespearian, the second from the finale when they realise it is evilllll (cue spooky music and ghost cry).....



Here is the proof of my Melbourne visit:

Our final days of school:

And here is one of the only formal photos that survived my scrutinous 'Do-I-Look-Like-An-Absolute-Douchebag?' test. The stunning girl in the middle is Mel and my best friend Dan on the left:

But enough about that. I want to talk film and television now. Here is the list of films and shows I have watched over the past two months that I now recommend to you:

List of Films and Shows I Have Watched Over The Past Two Months That I Recommend To You

1. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist - Yes I know, came out two years ago but it really is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. Truthfully. Do you know how hard it is to make it into my 'Greatest Films of I Have Ever Seen' list? Its almost as hard as the 'People I Want To Murder With An Axe In Particular Lady Gaga' list. This film is awesome, the dialogue, the content, the adventurous plot and the characters. Oh and the music. All in all this is a top film. See it.

2. Adventureland - This film was amazingly good. I entered extremely skeptical, seeming as I hate Twilight and everyone in it, but Kristen Stewart and her co-star Jesse Eisenberg were awesome. Add to that a good storyline and a sweet setting (in a theme park in the late 80's) and I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Warning: May have overused teen angst themes, but what doesn't these days?

3. Atonement - Holy crap guys. I can't explain to you how good this film is. All I can say is see it. Now. Stop what you're doing, tell everyone you know to leave you alone, take the phone off the hook and watch it. You will be moved and astounded by its visual beauty and the awesome storyline.

4. Dan In Real Life - So, I'm have a confession and it goes something like this: I'm in love with Juliette Binoche. This film is rad. Steve Carrell and other awesome people (including Dane Cook and Miss. Binoche) star in this indie flick (of sorts) about a dude with three daughters, going back to his hometown for a big family gathering. Action ensues. Top film, be prepared to fall in love with Juliette. Favourite Quote: YOU ARE A MURDER OF LOVE!

5. Vicky Christina Barcelona - Self explanatory. This film is fantastic. A definite buy-before-you-see sort of film. Johansson is on par with her Lost In Translation days, Javier Bardem is excellent and Penelope Cruz is well - Penelope Cruz. Yes, this is a great film.

6. Gossip Girl - Okay, I think I've said it before but there is no judging on my blog. So all those evil thoughts you just sent my way were just destroyed by my automatic judge-sensing machine guns. Besides, this show is addictive as hell and even though in every episode this guy is dumping that girl and that girl is with this guy etc etc everyone is good looking, the acting is good, the clothing is amazing and the city is awesome so what more could you want? Watch it before you shut it down and I guarantee you will get hooked.

7. Glee - This show seemed to go off the rails in its pilot but surprisingly I think it may just pick itself back up. Sure the characters are predictable and two-dimensional and sure the show probably has a shelf life, but it is the first of its kind and the music is good so I think we should all help it out a little. If not, lets destroy it mercilessly but keep the concept alive - perhaps some aspiring teenage legend will come up with a better, long lasting idea for a musical TV show? Who knows....

8. Pushing Daisies - My brother always told me this was his favourite show and I never really took any notice. That was before I bought him the first season on DVD. This show is so well made. I mean it. Its about a pie maker who brings the dead back to life for a minute with a single touch but if they are alive any longer than a minute, they are alive forever and something of equal value dies in their place. Every episode, location and scene is stylised though ie. The pie shop is all in shades of green and the waitresses house is all in pink and white floral. ITS AMAZING. And INSPIRING. You must see it to understand how cool it is. So - see it!

9. 30 Rock - This has been my all time favourite show for quite some time so I just thought I should remind y'all about it as I love it more than I've ever loved a show. Tina Fey is a genius. The 13 Emmy's (or something crazy like that) prove it. Watch this show.

So that's my list. I know, its kind of small, but thats just your entree. There will be more. Unfortunatley as mentioned before I am sick and that means I am slowly dying inside as I type each word.......

Adios!