Pat Murray

As an outsider reading both this thread and the blog(s) in question, this is my 2cents. 1. I really enjoyed reading through Dan Parke's blogs. 2. It appears a sincere attempt to share his experiences producing a low budget feature with other budding low budget filmmakers. Unfortunately, the first paragraph of the blog in question used ambiguous language which could be perceived as insulting to the production's DP. 3. Based on what I read before the changes, he definitely needed to talk to his DP and smooth the waters. It seems that he has and deserves a break at this point. He meant well, made a mistake with some poor communication and has since apologized and did what he had to do to reconcile with his DP. I don't see any point in carrying on in this manner and thank you to Dan for sharing your experiences with other filmmakers. Just be careful in the future. ;)

I only disagree with the length of your visit. Go for it! And stay as long as you can. See what happens. 'Those who never took a chance never had a chance.'

Off the top of my head, "The White Ribbon" is the first German film which comes to mind. The director is Austrian, but I'm pretty sure the film is considered German. Maybe you'd enjoy writing your thesis on a more defined period such as German Expressionist cinema versus Hollywood cinema in the 20s. But if you're looking to blaze a new trail, then I tip my hat to you.

I could not figure out Ridley Scott's politics from the article, but I'am fairly certain the author, Stuart Jefferies, is left of Lenin. LOL. The Somali perspective would have been nice, but here's something important to know from the POV of the Somalis in that battle. Pretty much the only thing the viewer needs to know. The American soldiers were trying to grab a Somalian warlord who was a major cause of chaos, destruction, famine etc. The failure of that operation probably has a lot to do with Somalia's current existence as a lawless failed state. The warlord and his thugs weren't freedom fighters against an oppressor. No need to partake in any political ideology to know this. It's a historical fact. That said, agree that "Gladiator" is a (very enjoyable) revenge flick, but revenge flicks make great popcorn movies. I didn't think the movie deserved Oscars, this is, however, an Academy who gave an Oscar to Julia Roberts before Martin Scorcese! It certainly isn't profound and Ridley definitely hasn't produced anything profound in a long time. So, I agree there, but that article you link, no offense, was like leftwing nails screeching on a chalkboard. :-)

Good point and a point of frustration. Canada doesn't lack talent, it appears to lack resources and/or support. I guess it's easier to export the talent and let US money come to Canada to film American productions as our contribution to western film and television culture. Doesn't help, either, when I look at grant opportunities for independant filmmakers and the impression I get is a preference for experimental and intellectually stimulating dramas etc. Which is fine, but - commercially speaking - I would like to see Canada's film and television industry be more ambitious and at least match the contributions of Ireland and Australia. Sorry for the threadjack. I agree with the POV that Stephen Fry may have a point, but there is a place for "lower common denominator" television as people don't always want to be intellectually challenged. I do love British television overall, anyways.

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The Tom Green Show is another. As well as SCTV and The Kids In The Hall. Saturday Night Live is the brainchild of a Canadian. Not mentioned yet and my personal favourite Briddish show, Blackadder.

Right off the bat, thanks so much for the link. This is very exciting! I agree that a collection of Thedra Bara films would be terrific, but finding a cache of Mabel Normand and Clara Bow films is an even bigger find. Mabel in particular was a successful actress, director and producer who happened to be one of the first to direct Charlie Chaplin. A favourite Mabel Normand quote of mine: "Say anything you like, but don't say I love to work. That sounds like Mary Pickford, the prissy bitch" A cache of Clara Bow and Mabel Normand films along with other early female Hollywood stars should shift your views quite a bit. Lots of great films came out of Hollywood during the silent era, most of them tragicaly lost. I love the Euro films from the era, but Hollywood was producing lots of terrific and boundary pushing films prior to the Hays code as well. It's too bad there was such a cavalier att

The use of colour to draw the viewer's eye to a subject extends beyond wedding photography and movies. The masters of oil and canvass have used the technique for centuries. Sometimes subtle, sometimes not to subtle. It can be cutsey and tacky and gimmicky, but used as a tool of artistic expression by a master it can be a powerful work of art. Such as the scene with the girl in red during the clearing of the Jewish ghetto was. Her red grabbed the viewer's eye and took him/her on a tour of the horrors of that night.

Just to be clear, it didn't bother me, I just added I had the same problem in case there's a glitch or something else effecting multiple forum members that needs to be dealt with. I don't know why it happened to me, but as I wrote, I just registered again under a different variation of my first name. No skin off my nose. No doubt Tim is a busy man.

Lighting is a major contributor to the art of filmmaking. (Beyond the obvious practical reasons) Hopefully that'll never change. Kubrick finding a lense that will allow him to light a scene by candle in "Barry Lyndon" is one thing, (and beautiful), but to just treat lighting as an expensive chore and hope to one day only use available light would be boring and suck a lot of creativity out of filmmaking. The ability to shoot in the lowest of lighting should be just another artistic tool for the filmmaker.

The same thing happened to me. I sent an e-mail to Tim Tyler but never heard back so I eventually gave up and registered again using Pat instead of Patrick.

BTW, I'm not surprised Gregory Middleton was singled out by the first reviewer considering your work on Passchendale.

Here's a less sneering sarcastic defeatest review ;) (I'm mostly referring to the cracks about Telefilm funding): http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/...7559/story.html Seems I'm going to have the same problem with Gunless that I had with Gross' previous two, the script. Whatever, I'll go see it anyways.

That's an excellent policy, Richard. I'll look out for "Dark Reprieve" and look forward to the "Dogfather". Do you think Dark Reprieve will make it onto The Movie Network?

I don't see a problem with that. As the saying goes, "The customer is always right." You have to appeal to your biggest markets if you want to sell your product. Or, you can be like Guy Maddin. As for Porky's and Christmas Story, they are produced by mostly Canadian crews and a Canadian DP. If I go to IMDB, they are listed as Canadian/US (wiki lists Porky's as just Canadian) and I believe Porky's still holds the record as the highest grossing Canadian film. If it's because the director is American, wouldn't that make all of Jewison, Cameron and Cronenberg's films Canadian? I guess, if the Canadian government were serious about funding Canadian film, they could start by not giving millions to Paul Gross to produce a stale "typically" Dudley Do Rightish Canadian film which is Road to Avonlea meets Galipoli. I know Anne of Green Gables was a big hit back in the mid 80s, but it's time to move forward. I don't mean to offend the OP who worked on the film, but I really didn't like the script and I think it is the primary reason why the film only made 4 mil. The production values and acting were quality. Still, I'll go out to see Gunless because I do want to support these endeavours even if I'm frustrated by Canada not having their own "All Quiet On The Western Front". I suppose nobody is stopping me. :D Richard, I'm glad your film was picked up for distribution. It looks like a movie my niece will really enjoy so I will look out for it. I'm in the Ottawa area, any hope a theatre or two might screen it? If not, when can I look for the DVD at Rogers?

Canadian films can do well in the States. I'm sure many Americans have heard of and seen "Porky's" and "A Christmas Story". Both from the same (American) director (Bob Clark) as well as his contributions to "Tundra Terror" in the 70s, such as "Black Christmas" which inspired the teen slasher genre. The director was American, but he choose to go to Canada to make his movies using Canadian crew and resources. As already suggested. Just sell the movie and nevermind the politics. Let 'em know it's from Canada later.

Thanks vey much, Robbie. I've been meaning to purchase Helen Hill's (RIP) book.

I have a morse g-3 developer. I've always been told black and white only and colour was too difficult and toxic for home developing. Do you have a link to where I can review the procedure and chemistry? That would be much appreciated. Thank you. I'm keen to try this new stock and if I can develop it at home, even better.