A monthly rundown about my life as a professional artist, art lover, and human being trying to survive the 21st century - good and bad, glorious and frustrating, hilarious and stupid
Read and bookmarked that Guardian piece, and can also regrettably confirm that I am in the process of detransitioning on account of Hollywood de-gaying its programming. Very inconvenient state of affairs. We're hoping to get numbers back up via that new Blade Runner show starring Hunter Schafer, and then diversify the revenue streams with the help of the next Grammys and hopefully TIFF's Midnight Madness lineup.
Spent most of July neck-deep in Giuliano da Empoli's "The Wizard of the Kremlin." Devastating read; experienced lots of grief, which I think tends to be the sign of an impactful education. Couldn't recommend it enough.
Other than that, it's tidying up scripts in time for the Zoetrope comp and counting down the days til Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (which, being in superrural Nova Scotia, will require at minimum a three-hour bus ride, which I will happily endure). A grand July by most measures!
I have! Played at TIFF last year and I built my schedule around it. Iirc it showed up in theatres out this way in late Q1-early Q2 this year. Definitely catch it if you get the chance; I found its offerings quite different from the book's, but still unique and worthwhile in their own way. I plan on finding time to revisit and pen an essay on it.
The AI comments (the author rejects the claims, BTW) and the Shane McGowan tribute made me think of something. There was an obvious outpouring of love and emotion during performance -- the whole service, really. I think that at least some of the people who desperately want AI art to be accepted as any other kind of art want that kind of response, and I don't think they understand that they will not get it. McGowan and the Pogues were loved because they produced music that was unique to them and because it comae from humans, it spoke to other humans in a way that artificial art really doesn't, not in any lasting form. McGowan obsessions, quirks, history, and flaws all combine dot produce music that moved people, not because of the specific arrangement of notes, but because of the specific, human emotions behind the notes.
Thanks, K.C. And yes, regarding the rest. Aside from the authenticity and humanity we want from our art, artists are a community of their own. You get better because of that community. You forge a family, push each other, and prop each other up. What do AI “artists” talk about when they get together to talk about the work they stole? Prompts? The years of struggle it took to write that prompt?
A lot of times it is, and I am not making this up, complaints that people are stealing their prompts and not being original enough to come up with their own. Irony, apparently, is not dead.
Happy anniversary! What a delightful celebration. Thanks for all these great recommendations. I’m also in the Olivia Coleman camp. “Wicker” sounds like wild fun. We’re having an Aussie film fest in preparation for our trip there next week, so thanks for the reminder of “My Brilliant Career.” So far, we’ve seen “Animal Kingdom,” “Muriel’s Wedding,” “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” “Breaker Morant,” and “Gallipoli”. The latter two make me wonder — what *do* Aussies think of the British? 😬 Love Sam Neill. I don’t know why “The Piano” hasn’t been mentioned; he was brilliant in that.
By the way, I didn't include THE PIANO myself because it's technically Aussie co-financed, but it's a Kiwi film by a Kiwi director. I focused on his role in the Australian identity and my own. He's brilliant in THE PIANO, though!
Certainly check out MY BRILLIANT CAREER, but you absolutely need to add PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER, and THE CASTLE to that list. I think you could also easily at SWEET COUNTRY, TEN CANOES, and RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, to make sure you get a better view of the country's Indigenous history. There are a lot of others, but this is a solid, well-rounded start. As for what Aussies think of the Brits, enjoy this brilliant Qantas ad led by national treasure Kylie Minogue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMAq8F8N2Fg
Thanks. We tried but can’t find Rabbit-Proof Fence anywhere —- including through our library! I miss the days of the local video store that had everything. I forgot we also saw The Castle — fun! “He’s dreaming” is now a family phrase. 😊 We were thinking Picnic next and thanks for the other suggestions. And now I’m eager to taste a lamington.
"So much serenity" is a great way to let Aussies know you've taken the time to pay attention to their culture. It's such an in-joke here.
RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is widely available here, so if you find yourself in one evening, looking for a depressing film to watch, it'll be here waiting for you.
Reading it halfway, I was thinking it was an elaborate gift... and it was only then you first hinted it was a surprise with the line about baby sitters, and I thought 'no way,' and then everyone yelling 'Surprise'...!
Yeah, I can't quite conceive putting together even the recreation ceremony, let alone as a surprise party!
Happy Anniversary! I was also hooked by Widow's Bay right from the start. I only feel sad that with the way things go in streaming these days, I'll probably have to wait a long time for the next season.
This was a lovely read. Your anniversary sounds wonderful! I was also saddened at the passing of Sam Neill. My daughter and I watched Event Horizon the other night which, inexplicably, is the most scared I have ever been in a cinema viewing. I’ve rewatched it a couple of times and can’t really work out what it was that had me so terrified but I remember being extremely relieved that it was still light outside when we left the cinema. I hope you enjoy The Shark Is Broken as much as I did!
Thanks, Lou! I don’t have the memories of EVENT HORIZON so many others do, which could be attributed to any number of factors like I just forgot how it made me feel. So, I’m hoping to rewatch it soon…
A month with no personal fire to extinguish feels almost suspicious now, like finding a quiet table in a Paris café with no one smoking next to the pram. I finished breastfeeding recently, my youngest sleeps a little more, and I keep being shocked by how revolutionary six uninterrupted hours can feel.
The crystal anniversary! Kudos, Cole!
Read and bookmarked that Guardian piece, and can also regrettably confirm that I am in the process of detransitioning on account of Hollywood de-gaying its programming. Very inconvenient state of affairs. We're hoping to get numbers back up via that new Blade Runner show starring Hunter Schafer, and then diversify the revenue streams with the help of the next Grammys and hopefully TIFF's Midnight Madness lineup.
Spent most of July neck-deep in Giuliano da Empoli's "The Wizard of the Kremlin." Devastating read; experienced lots of grief, which I think tends to be the sign of an impactful education. Couldn't recommend it enough.
Other than that, it's tidying up scripts in time for the Zoetrope comp and counting down the days til Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma (which, being in superrural Nova Scotia, will require at minimum a three-hour bus ride, which I will happily endure). A grand July by most measures!
Have you seen THE WIZARD OF THE KREMLIN yet? I can’t tell when it was released. It’s only just showed up in Australia. Looks quite good.
Good luck with making the Gay Agenda stick after all the secret work the community has put into it!
I have! Played at TIFF last year and I built my schedule around it. Iirc it showed up in theatres out this way in late Q1-early Q2 this year. Definitely catch it if you get the chance; I found its offerings quite different from the book's, but still unique and worthwhile in their own way. I plan on finding time to revisit and pen an essay on it.
Happy anniversary! That was a lovely gift.
The AI comments (the author rejects the claims, BTW) and the Shane McGowan tribute made me think of something. There was an obvious outpouring of love and emotion during performance -- the whole service, really. I think that at least some of the people who desperately want AI art to be accepted as any other kind of art want that kind of response, and I don't think they understand that they will not get it. McGowan and the Pogues were loved because they produced music that was unique to them and because it comae from humans, it spoke to other humans in a way that artificial art really doesn't, not in any lasting form. McGowan obsessions, quirks, history, and flaws all combine dot produce music that moved people, not because of the specific arrangement of notes, but because of the specific, human emotions behind the notes.
Thanks, K.C. And yes, regarding the rest. Aside from the authenticity and humanity we want from our art, artists are a community of their own. You get better because of that community. You forge a family, push each other, and prop each other up. What do AI “artists” talk about when they get together to talk about the work they stole? Prompts? The years of struggle it took to write that prompt?
A lot of times it is, and I am not making this up, complaints that people are stealing their prompts and not being original enough to come up with their own. Irony, apparently, is not dead.
That's a satire of AI "artists" I don't want to watch.
Happy anniversary! What a delightful celebration. Thanks for all these great recommendations. I’m also in the Olivia Coleman camp. “Wicker” sounds like wild fun. We’re having an Aussie film fest in preparation for our trip there next week, so thanks for the reminder of “My Brilliant Career.” So far, we’ve seen “Animal Kingdom,” “Muriel’s Wedding,” “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” “Breaker Morant,” and “Gallipoli”. The latter two make me wonder — what *do* Aussies think of the British? 😬 Love Sam Neill. I don’t know why “The Piano” hasn’t been mentioned; he was brilliant in that.
By the way, I didn't include THE PIANO myself because it's technically Aussie co-financed, but it's a Kiwi film by a Kiwi director. I focused on his role in the Australian identity and my own. He's brilliant in THE PIANO, though!
Certainly check out MY BRILLIANT CAREER, but you absolutely need to add PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER, and THE CASTLE to that list. I think you could also easily at SWEET COUNTRY, TEN CANOES, and RABBIT-PROOF FENCE, to make sure you get a better view of the country's Indigenous history. There are a lot of others, but this is a solid, well-rounded start. As for what Aussies think of the Brits, enjoy this brilliant Qantas ad led by national treasure Kylie Minogue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMAq8F8N2Fg
OMG! That Qantas ad is the absolute BEST!!
Right?!
Thanks. We tried but can’t find Rabbit-Proof Fence anywhere —- including through our library! I miss the days of the local video store that had everything. I forgot we also saw The Castle — fun! “He’s dreaming” is now a family phrase. 😊 We were thinking Picnic next and thanks for the other suggestions. And now I’m eager to taste a lamington.
Be sure to watch that Qantas ad. It's a delight!
"So much serenity" is a great way to let Aussies know you've taken the time to pay attention to their culture. It's such an in-joke here.
RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is widely available here, so if you find yourself in one evening, looking for a depressing film to watch, it'll be here waiting for you.
Good to know!
Amazing surprise party 😃
It’s one of the coolest things I’ve done for my wife, so I’m quite proud of it.
Reading it halfway, I was thinking it was an elaborate gift... and it was only then you first hinted it was a surprise with the line about baby sitters, and I thought 'no way,' and then everyone yelling 'Surprise'...!
Yeah, I can't quite conceive putting together even the recreation ceremony, let alone as a surprise party!
Happy Anniversary! I was also hooked by Widow's Bay right from the start. I only feel sad that with the way things go in streaming these days, I'll probably have to wait a long time for the next season.
Thanks, Aaron! It does sound like they moved pretty quickly toward a second season, so I expect this one will show up sooner than later.
This was a lovely read. Your anniversary sounds wonderful! I was also saddened at the passing of Sam Neill. My daughter and I watched Event Horizon the other night which, inexplicably, is the most scared I have ever been in a cinema viewing. I’ve rewatched it a couple of times and can’t really work out what it was that had me so terrified but I remember being extremely relieved that it was still light outside when we left the cinema. I hope you enjoy The Shark Is Broken as much as I did!
Thanks, Lou! I don’t have the memories of EVENT HORIZON so many others do, which could be attributed to any number of factors like I just forgot how it made me feel. So, I’m hoping to rewatch it soon…
Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, John!
A month with no personal fire to extinguish feels almost suspicious now, like finding a quiet table in a Paris café with no one smoking next to the pram. I finished breastfeeding recently, my youngest sleeps a little more, and I keep being shocked by how revolutionary six uninterrupted hours can feel.