Ok – Here we go again…..
After a very long break we were summoned to the shed again for a further “final pick up shoot”. 
Strangely, even though it was summer, we had similar weather conditions to what we endured during the winter months of filming in 2007-2008. Outside was chilly and wet, inside the shed was rather steamy – a combination of the truckload of mulch on the floor and the fight scenes, which produced a lot of sweaty action. The wafting fumes from the mulch and the smoke machine created a challenging environment for both actors and crew. My sfx kit got a good work out as the fight scenes were quite graphic and resulted in a lot of fake blood being used. 
Funny how after such a long break we all slipped back into the routine quite easily. What a great bunch of people to work with – even though the conditions were far from pleasant, the comraderie and good humour made it memorable. So many funny moments, so many great moments captured on film (some for the blooper tape!) and so many great memories of an amazing group of talented people. It’s been a privilege to work with the Elindil’s Secret Crew. Bring on the premiere!!
Deja Vu – or “this seems strangely familiar!”
Having thought we were all just waiting for the red carpet invite for our Indi Movie – “Elindil’s Secret”, we have been asked to do yet another “final” pick up shoot. Whilst I am excited to get another chance to work with the extraordinary team on this film set, it is a challenge to remember a lot of the details so just as well I still have a file of continuity shots! The additional shots are for a fight scene we did with blue screen 2 years ago. Quite a challenge to get the makeup right on people who have changed body shape and hair styles over that time! My task is to add certain sfx elements to “enhance” the extra fight action so I guess the old sfx blood kit will get a workout – not to mention cooking up a big batch of fake blood……. this is a strange “hobby” I have chosen!
Weekend in Rutherglen
Spent last weekend in Rutherglen with some great friends and had an amazing time staying on the Mount Ophir estate. It’s a historic old winery – originally set up in the 1890′s and was once the largest winery in the world, originally boasting 740 acres of vines and 20 houses to accommodate the management and staff. Now it is only 140 acres and there are several buildings invarious stages of renovation, some of which are being used for B&B type accommodation. It was facinating to wander over the historic site which has so many impressive views, imagining what it was like in its heyday. The majestic French Provincial tower on the winery building is the most spectacular icon and is widely used in local tourism brochures. The hosts – Ruth and Trevor were so hospitable and welcoming and their organic wines were delicious! Thoroughly recommended for a visit.
My “All Saints” Experience
Being involved in a “real ” hospital film experience which is coming up in the next months will present some interesting challenges and a chance to “play” with the sfx makeup techniques again. We are at the rehearsal stages at present but whilst the actors are polishing up their roles, I’m working on the makeup requirements and having fun making up some moulds for some facial scars and moles. Having thought it was going to be just a local hospital educational film, I have since discovered it is going to be used nationally and potentially used internationally as part of an educational series.
Now to research the moles….. ewww!
New addition to the Doggy family
We must be nuts but we are about to get a new addition to our canine bunch – another Siberian Husky. Due to the ailing nature of our little Maltese Shi-Tzu we have decided to get another pup to make sure our 4yr old Husky has a companion to ease the loss when it occurs and also to give her a playmate more suited to her level of activity! After causing a ruptured cruciate ligament in the old Maltese (and not playing footy 
), I think Molly needs a more robust companion! We are due to pick him up this weekend and as yet haven’t found a name that we can all agree on – many suggestions have flowed in from all our friends but still undecided so far……
Sneaky Siberian Husky
Our Siberian Husky loves to sneak inside when she thinks we’re not looking – she got sprung this week when my daughter found her in our computer room! She was sitting perfectly still , hoping no-one would notice her and turned on the charm once she realised she’d been caught out. LOL
She is a funny dog with lots of character, providing us with much entertainment and is very affectionate – unfortunately she leaves a trail of fluff wherever she goes (especially this time of year) so the vacuum or the lint brush is always at the ready!
Summer Holidays :)
After a very hectic year in 2009, it was great to be able to head off to W.A. for a couple of weeks of sun, sand and surf. Had a brief stopover staying at a luxury B&B (Preston Manor) in Perth where we caught up with friends and got thoroughly spoilt by our lovely host Nancye, then headed down the south coast to stay at a resort in Dunsborough. 
The resort was superb and the amenities very conducive to relaxing and chilling out. We had access to a beach that seemed like the best kept secret because hardly anyone went there – awesome!! We did the usual touristy things like a visit to Rottnest island and had some up close and personal encounters with the very friendly Quokkas
. 
Sunbaked on the amazing beaches there and survived a fairly bumpy ride back on the Rottnest island express ferry! 
We visited some wineries in the Margaret River region and of course a trip to the Chocolate Factory 
Most of the time we just lazed around on the beaches or read books by the pool in the resort – sooooo lazy but excellent for a good relaxing holiday.
The trip back to Perth was a bit of a challenge – 46 degree temps and flights delayed due to the extreme weather conditions, then arrived in Melbourne to be advised by the pilot that it was raining and 12 degrees!! Yep – back to reality!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…..
Dashing through the shops, with a list clutched in my hand, ……… yep it’s the silly season and all is getting out of control in the shopping centres around Melbourne. Whilst I really don’t like the craziness that seems to take over at this time, I do like all the trimmings and traditions that go with our family experience of Christmas. Making Gingerbread Houses has been one of those traditions I started over 20 years ago – initially making them for family and friends and then as the children grew, I ended up doing them as a “workshop” with the kids decorating their own to take home to their families (that was pretty full on and a lot more chaotic!) These days I make them to order and still enjoy the process – with my daughter Cat as my apprentice, we put on the Christmas music to get in the right mood and get creating! It was a bit surreal baking gingerbread on a 30 degree day while listening to Bing Crosby singing about a White Christmas!
We usually do an A frame design as they are the strongest and simplest but a few yrs ago we attempted a country mansion which was huge! It was a lot of fun putting it together and doing all the trimmings but I won’t be repeating it. As I say to my customers – enjoy, but don’t send me the Dentist bills!
Ho Ho Ho
QMF 2009 – A Rocking Good Time!
After booking months ago it seems so strange that it’s over for another year already. The 2009 Queenscliff Music Festival provided a great line up of local artists and despite some rainy, windy weather we had a ball!
Friday night was a bit of a fizzer for me as I had to retire early with a brain buster of a headache but Col & Jen held up to catch Marcia Hines strutting her stuff on stage – very annoyed I missed her.
Saturday was mostly sunny and we hit the tents early to catch some local talent – we particularly enjoyed Revolver & Sun – we decided they were a combination of The Beatles and ACDC and their antics on stage were very entertaining.
Andy and I particularly enjoyed Blue Heat – a great Bluesy sound! Later in the day the tribute to the Rolling Stones by numerous artists was particularly memorable (as were some of the dance moves we saw in the crowd!)
Sunday we hit the Blues Train for a memorable ride along the rail tracks cruising to the silky smooth Ella Thompson and then rocking our sox off on the return trip with the Jimi Hocking Band. 
Caught up with another of our fav’s from last year – Steve McEwan and the Yes Men who were still great! Jen caught up wuth Peter Coombes and got some merchandise signed for her daughter who is a big fan. This year we didn’t lose Col, and Andy didn’t go “walkabout” at breakfast time, so that was a bonus!
In between music sessions we kept our strength up with yummy food and delicious coffees at the Chocolate Latte cafe. Our Accommodation was a lot more comfortable than last year and the food was delicious – especially Diana’s home made fruit salad which we voted the best we’d ever tasted.
All in all the weekend was great and even better when shared with great friends – Thelma & Louise rocked on!
Change of focus
I was recently asked to do the makeup for another friend’s short film. This time (for a change) there is no sfx work – just straight makeup – do I even remember how to do that?! As I said to the director – I don’t DO glamour! Give me a bruised, cut face any day!
Anyway, it’s all good experience and opportunities that seem to just fall in my lap should not be knocked back! We had a couple of short filming sessions leading up to the main shoot days and fortunately the makeup has looked pretty good – at least the Director seems happy with it.
As usual on these sort of ventures, everyone ends up doing extra jobs as required so my “extra” role on one of the shoot days was to be the boom operator, as they were one pair of hands short – it was a new experience for sure, but I won’t be giving up my day job!
