Friend and filmmaker Toddy Burton recently released her short film The Aviatrix for the online masses. Click the poster to check it out on YouTube.

hoperisesfilm.com

Though we never ended up meeting, I had the pleasure of working with Josh Garrels last year, creating visuals for a concert in Vancouver. His music has a haunting, soulful quality that I really enjoy. His new album, “Jacaranda”, has just been released.

Check out some samples on his site, JoshGarrels.com. Then head on over to the store or to iTunes and pick yourself up a copy.

The shoot in Bulembu was fantastic. Many memorable moments with the Tenors, and I feel like I was able to capture the beauty, memory and emotion of the place. It’ll be a fun edit - 2TB worth of footage - and I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.

I’m now on to directing 2nd unit for a doc here in Israel. Main unit arrives in a couple days; I’ll be spending the first few days collecting “GV’s” (as the Brits say - General Views) around Tel Aviv.

Incidentally, it took 23 minutes because that’s all I had before the taxi arrived.

A string of nights with 3 hours sleep then attempting an all nighter don’t lead to efficient work. Around 4AM I found myself nodding uncontrollably, so I settled in for a short “nap”.

But… I’ve done this a few times now. I only managed to forget a few Clif bars and my book to read. Everything else came out in a flurry, and habit landed most of what I need in my bags in a few minutes.

And with that we’re off to Bulembu. The equipment left yesterday with my DP, Jonny - 9 cases plus a carnet. So I’m travelling nice & light, just a carry-on and a backpack for clothes. It’s three days of transit to Bulembu… I hope to update with some pictures or video once we’re settled on the ground.

That’s the itinerary I just booked, leaving August 22nd and returning September 29th. After Bulembu, I’ll be heading to Israel to shoot 2nd unit for a production there with Jim van Dijk. I’ll be (happily) using the Red camera again, and working with a bigger crew & budget.

And on my way home, a short stopover in Oxford.

Together with Rwanda: Hope Rises being complete before I go, and the trip to Bulembu before heading to Israel, all I have to say is:

Woot.

We’ll be shooting on the Red, filming the Canadian Tenors as part of a storytelling package for a benefit concert at the Orpheum. I’m excited to visit Bulembu again, to share its beauty, see its evolution and renew friendships.

This is the first project of a new venture, Cinesketch. And tomorrow I’ll have some news on where I’m heading after Bulembu…

Real-world Working REDs

Plus some other RED-related news that I’m not allowed to post :)