My next editing job is for Ebay China (yikes!), a big job for a big client and big director (yikes!). I'm actually helping my boss Danny on this one. He is editing the humungous 60 sec spot, and I'm cutting the 2 x 15 second ads. They all have visual effects in them, cityscapes created etc....well, the 60 second ad does! But I've just found out that the 2 ads I am editing will have 100% dialogue in Mandarin (Danny's doesn't, it's all voice-over). How the f@#k am I going to understand what they are saying?!!
Actually, I've edited something in another language before....Hindi actually, and it's quite fun to work on a non-English speaking script. You start to pick up words, and the ends of sentences are naturally points of reference for lines...
It's also quite amazing how it's possible to pick up on the bad performances. Fluffed lines are obvious, but you can actually judge bad acting or a bad delivery of a line in the actor's eyes and facial expressions. I'm not saying that it's easy, but it certainly is possible.
I remember reading an article on "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", and how the American editor Tim Squires found the Mandarin dialogue scenes the most challenging to edit (as opposed to the frenetic fight sequences), simply because he doesn't understand Mandarin. (I suspect he also had some difficulties, considering that Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat are not Mandarin speakers themselves.)
Fingers crossed on this one. I'm looking forward to brushing up on my Mandarin skills. Zaijin!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Tennis Anyone?
US Open starts today.......go Maria Sharapova! go Roger Federer! go Olivier Rochus (see pic), the cutest and shortest (165cm) male tennis player on the tour!
Unfortunately, those scummy free-to-air networks aren't going to show any of this tournment- the world's noisiest, rudest tennis tourney.
The Mole
I'm sorry, I'm not usually an overly critical type of person but I just have to write something scathing about the new series of "The Mole" which started last Thursday night. Now anyone who knows me well, knows how much I loved the previous 4 series. Some may also remember that my favourite contestant was Beverley in the first series. Now Bev was a 60something old biddy who was hilarious and kept stuffing up the challenges bigtime, which made everyone consider her to be the perfect Mole. Alas, poor ol' Bev was not the Mole and she got eliminated half way through the series.
And who can forget the last series when Petrina (who was the Mole) got herself deliberately eliminated off the show, as a tactical manouvre to rid herself of suspicion. Of course, it was probably the producers' idea for her to kick herself off, but I thought it was brilliant. They got her back on the show (another twist ooooh) by letting her pay her way back in by taking money out of the winner's kitty. As you can imagine this did not endear herself at all to the other players. Sucked in to them :)
Well back to my criticisms, because they have changed the format of the show for 2005. They now have the annoyingly ubiquitious Tom Williams as the host and he just sucks at it massively. The actor Grant Bowler was the previous host of the first 4 series - he was terrific, he really got into the role as the host. He had this sinister air about him, really quite "espionagey" and threatening. But he also knew when to be funny, and warm to the contestants. Grant was bloody sexy as well :) He was my "Channel 7 boyfriend" before Keifer Sutherland in "24" *laugh*
So now we have Mr Chippie, who can't string 2 words together without laughing as he did on the first show. He made mistakes! And giggled! And wore a bad pink/purple shirt!
They have also "devised" a Survivor-esque elimation segment, which is recorded live in Martin Place. Bad idea. Bad idea. Tom tried to create some drama by asking the contestants some "probing" questions about each other, in an effort to get them to bitch and whinge. The contestants answers came off as pathetic. Don't they know they need the footage edited carefully to create the drama???? You need to cut in quick, sly looks, sighs, rolling eyes........it's near impossible to capture and switch to those moments live....
So, the live aspect definitely needs some fine-tuning! When Josh, the rock singer, got eliminated, they did his interview in a foyer in Martin Place. He was still talking when they shoved him onto the street! It was hilarious! You could still hear him talking when they cut back to McChippie
On the plus side, is that one of my assistant editors is now on the show. Nat quit working with us a few months ago, after finding out she had been cast as one of the 12 contestants on The Mole. It was fun watching her the other night, interesting to see how she has been portrayed. Nat wasn't that featured in the first episode (Heidi the "Socialite" and Liz the "former pro surfer" got the most airtime), but it was cool to see her big laugh and I think we got one great sarcastic comment from her when Liz stupidly asked "Is a snow-cave like a house?". Nat threw back "No babe, it's a CAVE. Made out of snow" and rolled her eyes. I'm hoping we get more fantastic Nat moments like that....
Anyway, even though this new series of The Mole is looking pretty dismal, I will still be watching every Thursday night :)
And who can forget the last series when Petrina (who was the Mole) got herself deliberately eliminated off the show, as a tactical manouvre to rid herself of suspicion. Of course, it was probably the producers' idea for her to kick herself off, but I thought it was brilliant. They got her back on the show (another twist ooooh) by letting her pay her way back in by taking money out of the winner's kitty. As you can imagine this did not endear herself at all to the other players. Sucked in to them :)
Well back to my criticisms, because they have changed the format of the show for 2005. They now have the annoyingly ubiquitious Tom Williams as the host and he just sucks at it massively. The actor Grant Bowler was the previous host of the first 4 series - he was terrific, he really got into the role as the host. He had this sinister air about him, really quite "espionagey" and threatening. But he also knew when to be funny, and warm to the contestants. Grant was bloody sexy as well :) He was my "Channel 7 boyfriend" before Keifer Sutherland in "24" *laugh*
So now we have Mr Chippie, who can't string 2 words together without laughing as he did on the first show. He made mistakes! And giggled! And wore a bad pink/purple shirt!
They have also "devised" a Survivor-esque elimation segment, which is recorded live in Martin Place. Bad idea. Bad idea. Tom tried to create some drama by asking the contestants some "probing" questions about each other, in an effort to get them to bitch and whinge. The contestants answers came off as pathetic. Don't they know they need the footage edited carefully to create the drama???? You need to cut in quick, sly looks, sighs, rolling eyes........it's near impossible to capture and switch to those moments live....
So, the live aspect definitely needs some fine-tuning! When Josh, the rock singer, got eliminated, they did his interview in a foyer in Martin Place. He was still talking when they shoved him onto the street! It was hilarious! You could still hear him talking when they cut back to McChippie
On the plus side, is that one of my assistant editors is now on the show. Nat quit working with us a few months ago, after finding out she had been cast as one of the 12 contestants on The Mole. It was fun watching her the other night, interesting to see how she has been portrayed. Nat wasn't that featured in the first episode (Heidi the "Socialite" and Liz the "former pro surfer" got the most airtime), but it was cool to see her big laugh and I think we got one great sarcastic comment from her when Liz stupidly asked "Is a snow-cave like a house?". Nat threw back "No babe, it's a CAVE. Made out of snow" and rolled her eyes. I'm hoping we get more fantastic Nat moments like that....
Anyway, even though this new series of The Mole is looking pretty dismal, I will still be watching every Thursday night :)
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Shiney Happy People
I'm guessing that you are wondering what the above picture is. Well it's not a photo of alien lifeform on Mars, it's not my arse and it's not a club stamp which will allow me to re-enter Arq or Stonewall and glows-in-the-dark and takes ages to wash off.
It's a smiley stamp that my 2 year old niece kindly gave me the other night on the back of my hand. Call me sentimental, but when she took my hand in her own little hands and stamped me without asking if I even wanted it, I felt really touched and my heart swelled with pride at her sweet gesture. Awwwwwwwwwwww......
It's definitely moments like these which make me feel so happy that life is good, and that innocence is wonderful.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Run, Baby Run
Is there anything better than beginning the day with a run? I've been running since the year began, and it's another good way to start the day, apart from a swim. I've noticed how crappy and shitty I feel the mornings when I don't do any exercise. I get into work, and I feel all tense and stressed, and I've barely sat in front of the computer or begun work with my clients *laugh*
When I run/swim, I feel great and there's a definite bounce in my step and I feel like I'm ready to tackle the day! Oh Joy!
I've come to realise that I quite enjoy exercise. But I just hate sweating. Ew. Even when you swim, you sweat I've discovered. It's more noticeable once you get out of the pool though.
I am thinking of doing the City to Surf run next year *laugh*. I think I will be "thinking" of doing it this same time next year.
My parents walked it once, a few years ago. I think it took them over 4 hours, and they were one of the last ones to finish. So proud of them!!!!!!
When I run/swim, I feel great and there's a definite bounce in my step and I feel like I'm ready to tackle the day! Oh Joy!
I've come to realise that I quite enjoy exercise. But I just hate sweating. Ew. Even when you swim, you sweat I've discovered. It's more noticeable once you get out of the pool though.
I am thinking of doing the City to Surf run next year *laugh*. I think I will be "thinking" of doing it this same time next year.
My parents walked it once, a few years ago. I think it took them over 4 hours, and they were one of the last ones to finish. So proud of them!!!!!!
Friday, August 12, 2005
"Kaze Wo Atsumete" by Happy End
I just found the Japanese lyrics and English translation for this cool song. It featured in one of my favourite movies of recent years "Lost In Translation". Anyway, it's a really sweet song, which first came out in 1970 from Happy End, a Japanese folk band.
I've liked the song for a while now, because of it's sweet melody and a sentiment I could only imagine was innocent.
Well, tonight I found the English translation of the lyrics...
As I was walking down a towering alley
In the outskirts of the city
I saw beyond the blotched fog
A streetcar still sluggish from sleep
Crossing over the sea
(Chorus)
That's why I want to gather the wind (under my wings)
Gather the wind (under my wings)
And run across the blue sky.
As I passed through a beautiful sunrise
I saw beyond the empty-looking breakwater
A city with its day-colored sails up
Moored in the port
(Repeat Chorus)
When I was killing time one morning
At an empty coffee shop
I saw through the cracked glass
The rustling of the high-rises' silken clothes
Brushing on the sidewalk
(Repeat Chorus)
Makes no sense to me, but I still love the song ;)
I've liked the song for a while now, because of it's sweet melody and a sentiment I could only imagine was innocent.
Well, tonight I found the English translation of the lyrics...
As I was walking down a towering alley
In the outskirts of the city
I saw beyond the blotched fog
A streetcar still sluggish from sleep
Crossing over the sea
(Chorus)
That's why I want to gather the wind (under my wings)
Gather the wind (under my wings)
And run across the blue sky.
As I passed through a beautiful sunrise
I saw beyond the empty-looking breakwater
A city with its day-colored sails up
Moored in the port
(Repeat Chorus)
When I was killing time one morning
At an empty coffee shop
I saw through the cracked glass
The rustling of the high-rises' silken clothes
Brushing on the sidewalk
(Repeat Chorus)
Makes no sense to me, but I still love the song ;)
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Burpday Nonchalance
it's my birthday today, and i'm feeling a bit "woteva" about it all. i have turned 31 (eek!) which is possibly the main reason why today feels pretty much like any day. long gone are those times when i would feel eager during the weeks leading up this day. so strange. i used to organise parties, or dinners, group outings to "Putt Putt Golf", picnics, yum cha....but this year i couldn't be arsed!
i've got some nice family things organised for me today and tonight, and some dear friends have asked me to do stuff, but on those occassions work has prevented me from being able to :( in fact, i would be working right now *laugh* but i refused to, so I'll be going in tomorrow (sunday).
yes, i've now become my father when it comes to these events.....he doesn't care too much about these things, and doesn't want presents or attention. his attitude with his own birthdays, father's days and christmases has always been "Be nice to me EVERY day of the year, and I'll be a happy man". Such a wise man...
by the way, i am totally aware of the irony of me posting a blog about the birthday i don't care about.
;-)
i've got some nice family things organised for me today and tonight, and some dear friends have asked me to do stuff, but on those occassions work has prevented me from being able to :( in fact, i would be working right now *laugh* but i refused to, so I'll be going in tomorrow (sunday).
yes, i've now become my father when it comes to these events.....he doesn't care too much about these things, and doesn't want presents or attention. his attitude with his own birthdays, father's days and christmases has always been "Be nice to me EVERY day of the year, and I'll be a happy man". Such a wise man...
by the way, i am totally aware of the irony of me posting a blog about the birthday i don't care about.
;-)
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