Edwin James Lynch

This is a picture of us writing. Notice how there's only one of us at the computer? I'm on a beanbag. Phil does the writing , and for those of you who know me well, I talk . I'm actually taking random photos with my new CanonA430 (I highly recommend it) while Phil taps away. Lately, we've been pleasantly surprised by our work. Twelve years on it looks like we have a worthy mani character (Katy) and a good, solid story. This is how we got to the screenplay on this particular rewrite: We used the Clare Dobbin Matrix to analyse the existing story We broke the story down into about 16 sequences, tracking our main character We titled each sequence (for main character) and made micro-notes on 3 x 5 cards We discussed the hell out of each sequence from the main character's story POV We attacked the screenplay scene by scene It's taken us about 3 weeks. That's 2 full days writing per week. It's nice to be able to say that. Feels like we've achieved someth...

Phil commented on that last piece. I forget that people actually read these things. I assumed you were all lazy and illiterate ;) Yes . . . as Phil says . . . we have taken time to write this screenplay. And it's depressing to think about it. Sometimes I feel like Marshall in Absolutely Fabulous . Marshall went to Hollywood 20 years ago to develop a screenplay with a studio. People in various episodes ask him how it's going. He usually has an actor attached, or a big producer, or an out-of-work director . . . No doubt Jennifer Saunders has met a few of these people . The industry is teaming with writers working on a screenplay. Until a screenplay becomes a film - it's only a blueprint - not considered an art form in itself. And yet it takes such a long time to write one. When people ask me what I do - I answer web designer . It's my knee-jerk, "pat" response. It's also less problematic and gets me more $work than if I say, "filmmaker". ...

The other day I saw a locally made feature, The Actress . It was really quite good - for what it was. But my heart sinks when I see a well-directed film with huge writing holes . Holes which are easy to fix if you give your screenplay time to brew . Directors are Stupider Than Writers It is common knowledge that directors, in the main, are stupider than writers - often led into projects ego first. But even the stupidest director could probably do well with a short course in screenwriting. Because if you can't read a feature film in the first place, how can you direct one? Sam Mendez and Alan Ball are a case in point. After the success of American Beauty , Alan went on to write the multi Emmy Award winning Six Feet Under . And Sam? Well . . . just have a listen to the audio commentary on Six Feet Under and you can hear what's driving Sam's engine. Interesting that the commentary is credited as Sam Mendez with Alan Ball. Writing is one way to remain humble. You get lousy...

A picture I did (of an artist) in Tuesday morning's art class. The best stress relief ever ! Drawing is like meditation. Not like Saturday. The kids I teach Saturday are in 2 groups. The 9-12 year olds The 15+ y.o. teenagers The differences in behaviour between these two groups is vast . There is no professional approach to acting at all for the younger, immature kids. It's completely a game. The director is merely a part of that. Things not to rehearse with 10 year olds When I say not rehearse , what I mean is - just roll the camera and go for a take. Rehearsing is never taken as seriously as a camera shot. On tape, with a tiny crew (ie. me on Saturdays) and with kids as my subject, I shoot all "rehearsals". Young kids get bored and soon wander off to the toilet - or to Mum - or to get a drink. Instead of rehearsing, just shoot whenever a child has to: hold hands, touch or hug another (unfamiliar) child do a fake fall or punch cry do anything t...

I've been working my guts out doing websites all week (day and night) and now I have to mark 50+ online student usability exercises. Ugh! I got a glimpse of my girlfriend this week. She lives really far away and - as I ride a CRX 1 Flat bar road bike - it takes me a good 2 hours to get there. Especially after riding from Como to teaching Saturday acting classes in Hammersley. I got to her place late and then had to leave at 5am to get to Freo on time - where my parents were celebrating their 4oth wedding anniversary. Hi Ma & Da. Congratulations! Now for the meat of this post. Read carefully: It's a nice ride. For every difficult hill, there's a downward slope. I top around 50kmh (peak at 60kmh) but try to cruise along at around 30kmh to conserve energy. You never know when you might need to sprint. I'm mostly on bike tracks - I don't like to ride on sand. My bike has no shocks, so my energy isn't wasted. I get to feel the ground. Whatever power I have go...

I just added a link to Taylor Media's website for Marx and Venus (I did the site). The SBS script deadline is March 31st, but, as I did her website and Sue Taylor is exec-producing the show (with Natalie Bell, Ian Booth and Francesca Strano line producing the 25 episodes) I felt it my duty to let everyone know that TM is looking for directors, DoPs and editors. My CV is in. Phew! But I'm thinking of submitting a cover letter. Or hopefully, explaining my particular during interview - and without trying to sound like I'm gonna break house-style . Writing with other people . . . Ooooh I've written two episodes of M&V so far - one with local writer, Richard Hyde and one all by myself . I want to write one with Phil Jeng Kane, but I want it to be his idea. I'm second credit on Richard's and I want the same credit on Phil's. Three scripts sounds reasonable and not too greedy - especially if I'm working with other people. "What? What kind of filmmake...

I'm tandem teaching an art class at Curtin Uni. Well, teachin g probably isn't the right word. Experiencing might be better. Each mini lesson I get to do what the students are doing. It's called Multimedia design 175 - Theory and Practice . A loosening up class designed for people who think they can't draw. Each week we do a different, really cool thing. Like the objects above. I drew these by feeling what was in a brown paper bag without actually seeing . Which was the point. I was quite surprised at how the drawings came out. In retrospect, it kind of confused me. We can see things without using our eyes. Filmmaking - The infamous and oft-ignored Axis of Action I was ranting the other day - as usual. There was an old movie on Channel 31 which was really bugging me. The camera kept flipping around the room. One moment we were high angle POV (point of view) the next low. It was jarring. But I noticed that it was still irritating even if the camera was only a few inch...

I ride a bicycle and this is what I see. When you ride a bicycle (as opposed to driving a car) the world changes . Your approach to life changes. My approach to filmmaking changes. The body becomes a metaphor, the road - life - each hill an obstacle. You are using your own power. You are thousands of years of human technology. You are losing fat, strengthening your muscles, heart, lungs, entire physical wellbeing.Problems dissolve. You de-stress. Coffee at Just Espresso , Como Coffee on the other hand freaks me out! It makes me anxious and very often I return home and do everything but work. I was having coffee with a friend (Rob) this morning and we were talking about our work lives. Comparatively, we are extremely lucky. We work when we want and do what we want. We're not answerable to anyone because we have clients - not bosses . Most people my age are paying mortgages and raising children - in jobs they don't particularly love. I don't feel the urge to do that and I...

Finally put up the podcast interview I did with Phil Jeng Kane (from the FTI) a week or so ago on the 9th Mumbai International Film Festival . The sound is a bit thin because I had to remove a slight buzz. Today I'm teaching 3 classes of students internet studies. I wanted to get these podcasts ready for them so they could see some of the technology working. I was surprised to find that a few friends of mine had no idea what a podcast is and fewer knew the meaning of BLOG!!! Well, guys, this is about all there is to a BLOG. You're reading it. It's an online, public diary. In response to Phil's comment . . . Yes, I know filmmaking is a team sport. 100 people worked on A Stone Throw (AST). Without them, or yourself, there would be nothing. Obviously. The writer, producer and sound designer overpowered me with an idea and I went with it. It's possible that 50 people may have approached me after the film with, "What were they saying in that long shot?" My last...

Yawn. It's 6am. Maggies are warbling. Crows are cawing. There was one thing that came back to me from several people. It's been bugging me all night. The same critique. And it has to do with thinking that the audience are dumb. For those of you who know the film, I'm talking about the scene where Cassidy confesses his crime to his Mum. Several people at the premiere, including one twelve year old boy, asked me why we got to hear the dialogue between Cassidy and Tess as he confesses his crime. They felt it interrupted the story and hindered their connection with the film (my interpretation). On the shoot day, Joshua Beechey was a bit nervous about Anna Brockway playing Tess - his mum. So I went with that. I got Joshua (Cassidy) to retell most of the story to her and finally confess based on what he remembered of the script . She would hug him and it would look awkward. It did. To actually hear this bit of dialogue was always going to be a bit iffy for me - but more importan...

The screening of A Stone Throw went well, I'm pleased to report. Really smoothly. We had 100 invitees and maybe the same number who came to see "Little Fish". Mum did the tickets and Dad opened the beer and wines - and helped me with the Coles platters. Mostly, everyone liked the film. The kids who were in it loved it (of course) and I was happy to see the odd tear being shed by one or two of the adult actors. How weird is that? They're obviously over the idea of seeing themselves onscreen. I don't think I'd have the objectivity if I was an actor - to actually enjoy the film I was in. Maybe only the best actors were crying - as self-consciousness and narcissism are the enemies of good performance (according to Stanislavski) . . . To me, the film looked good. It still feels a bit like a series of cuts, sounds and images, but it went over well. I didn't notice many of the mistakes and all had a great time. Sort of. Hosts never have much fun at parties. Nex...

OK. I've made about 100 phone calls. Nobody RSVPs these days, so I figured I'd save catering money by actually calling people. So far, about 120 people - cast, crew and associates - are coming to the premiere. We're having it at FTI's Fremantle Outdoor Film Festival . We have a beer sponsor: Advance Multimedia and Animation in association with Cave Pictures . Micro-brewery beer. No preservatives. I'd link to Cave , but they don't have a website just yet (I know because I'm doing it). Should be fun. Around 300 stubbies. 2 varieties. Red & white wine. 5 Coles platters and my mum and dad doing beer, wine and door entry. I'm pretty nervous, but also looking forward to it. To the feedback. To the negative feedback in particular. I'm a bit over claps and kisses. We filmmakers need to accept criticism. If we're to move forward. I welcome it in constructive form. There's nothing more useless than, "That was a great film." But you gotta ...

Hello. I'm back in Perth. The 9th Mumbai International Film Festival 2006 is very over, but it will return in 2008 (they hold it bi-annually) and Bombay still exists in my head. A Stone Throw didn't win anything, but will be premiered here in Fremantle, this Friday 24th at the FTI's Fremantle Outdoor Film Festival . 7.30pm screening followed by Little Fish and 6.30pm for crew drinks. So why is this BLOG entry entitled, Mumbai Madness ? Mumbai (Bombay) Madness: After getting off the plane, I developed an annoying cough. My girl told me I smelt like human faeces and refused to kiss me until I showered and bathed for at least 2 days. When I finally got back to my (home office) desk, there was a pile of work waiting for me. Hours and hours of tutoring Usability and Web I.T. at Curtin University Making 2 x short films with tweenies and teenagers at The Filmbites Film School Several websites to do (at least 3) and A whole host of film-related projects that I'm...

Unfortunately, A Stone Throw didn't win anything . . . *sniff* :( Most of the international films that won prizes at the Mumbai International Film Festival 2006 had India as the subject / backdrop - or they were made by ex-pat Indians living abroad - or they had an Indian actor - or they were films made by filmmakers who had served on previous years' MIFF judging panels. I'm not being too cynical. That is just the way these things go. I'd be naive to think differently. In fact, I was surprised that our little 10 minute film, A Stone Throw had been included at all. It was one of only a few non-Indian inspired films. Having said that, a ScreenWest -funded documentary about the rebel army in Aceh won the judges hearts. The Black Road , directed by William Nessen and produced by Andrew Ogilvie, was absolutely brilliant and easily deserved to win. In fact, William risked his life making the film. He filmed alongside the Indonesian army as they attacked Aceh - and he als...

I met the lady who coined the term, Bollywood . Janet Fine is a freelance journalist for magazines like Variety and the Hollywood Reporter . After living 20+ years in Mumbai, I think Aussies make some kind of sense to her. She invited us all to a strange, glitzy party - hosted by a famous Italian chef. No place in Mumbai is particularly impressive, so when I got out of the car and stepped into a muddy, dirty roadway, I was surprised. We were on the doorstep of the famous downtown Bollywood restaurant, Olive . Photographers and videographers pumped flashes and lights at model-like actors. Watching the Bollywood films which play every night on TV here (there are literally thousands of them) shows just how skilled these people are. They're not using Stanislavski, Adler or Meisner - they are more like expert dancers with fantastic co-ordination and lip-synching skills. It's a different style of acting . They are more than simply models . I recognised nobody and ordered a Tom Coll...

Hi readers . . . and hi Mum! ;) I've been watching some pretty heart-wrenching documentaries here at the Mumbai Film Festival . Watching docos seems to be a fast track to learning about the world. Many documentaries have an Indian element, but a couple stood out. I tend to make friends with the people who make films I like, so I'm pleased to say that Rajdeep Randhawa is now a close and personal friend of mine. Rajdeep made a 47 minute documentary called, "Ek Tha Lal Pari." Shot mostly cinema verite, it documents the problematic relationship between a eunuch and her lover. It's an on and off relationship, but the two are still very much in love and have lived together for 20 years! In India, eunuchs live in enclaves. They are ostricised by society, but also revered and considered to have many spiritual powers. So they earn money by performing special rituals at marriages, births, deaths etc. It is a special honour to be blessed by a eunuch. To cross one would resu...

Well, I'm truly settled in now. The festival has started. Documentaries, short films and animation. Great stuff. Finally found a good net place to post my BLOGs. I'm sure there are millions of readers. The Mumbai International Film Festival is pretty cool. The Indian docos are nicely controversial and the short films are very entertaining. One short film, "Ryan" was inspiringly brilliant! It was a mind-blowing animation about a guy having trouble hanging on to his creative edge as he grew into his 40s. Not sure why that one was so appealing ;). I'm learning about India by a mixture of sitting in an air-conditioned cinema and walking the streets. The roads are really dangerous because of the traffic. There doesn't seem to be a system of rules. The whole city is all a little random in terms of the overall organisation. I don't know how the festival organisers have managed to pull anything together. As I was warned, India has a public service problem similar ...

Okay, so I've arrived in Mumbai for what people call the Mumbai experience . It looks absolutely gorgeous from the plane, at night. I could see fireworks bursting in the sky below and little campfires everywhere. In fact the whole of India seemed to be peppered with lights - not like Australia at all. But then the plane landed! Basically, I'm in the world's biggest shanty town . We got off and had to walk over the tarmac because airport staff were on strike. The papers are all aglow about how efficient things are here and how the government is doing so well. Hmm. Looks to me like the place doesn't have a government . My first Mumbai night reminded me of Bali (admittedly, the only other place I've been outside Australia). Everything is rundown, disorganised . . .filthy. The taxi driver got lost, the hotelier hadn't received my booking and I've yet to hear from the festival organisers - the same ones who tout the Mumbai International film Festival as being the...

I woke up this morning at 5am. There was some guy on a super loud speaker chanting right outside my hotel room. I opened the curtains to a huge mosque. The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Shah mosque . . . 142.3 metres high! The chanting and wailing was punctuated with short speeches - religious, I assume. Discovered that there are two types of police here. Normal, state police and Islamic police! Their job is to enforce Islamic law for Muslims. Things such as drinking alcohol and not facing Mecca at certain times (such as 5am!) are fineable offences. But, as a little bird told me - it's not the fine, but the loss of face which really hurts. Malaysian Airlines is a bit of fun. Not a moment goes by without a piece of food or beer being shoved into your hands. The guy next to me ordered two beers! Very friendly people here. Not at all pushy. Saw half a report on TV that Mumbai Airport technicians are on strike. I've been told to make sure that the taxi driver keeps his windows closed (...

Had my shots, got my digestion drugs and I'm about to cut my latest podcast with Michael Bond and upload it before I go on a filmmaker's trip to Mumbai. Thanks to ScreenWest, the Mumbai Film Festival organisers and the Lotteries Commission of WA, I'm on my way. I'm not a big traveller, so have no idea what to expect. What a fiasco to get Visas, medical shots and organise hotels, transfers, insurance and flights etc. Stressful stuff. I guess people who travel a lot get it all the time. I suppose you develop a knack. Anyone travel to a festival? Post a comment. Please!? I've charged up my MP3 player with The Beatles' "Magical Mystery Tour" - supposedly influenced by their own trip to India back in the 70s. I've also got Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives", Godley and Creme's "An Englishman in New York" and Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street" to keep me company. Those guys will be my teddy bears. Now I kn...