Was my film a school project?

The answer is no. I wrote a few songs as part of my post-graduate year of composition, but the uni didn’t contribute any money to Portrait of a Knight.

We appreciated their help, particularly Paul and Bernard from the Film department, but I’d rather go it alone with my new ideas.

While Portrait of a Knight wasn’t really a film that was likely to offend anyone, I’d prefer to leave all the blame at my feet if people find my new ideas more confronting.

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And I’d rather make a film that provokes people than play it safe, which is why I published the earlier draft of Weeded Out.

I don’t like the whole vibe of people trying to buy me off with offers of producing that idea because Shipwrecked On Islands really scares the shit out of people; I mean, it’s a total fantasy, so it’s not like They Are Us or anything in that vein, and I don’t have to clear anything regarding my ferry terrorist attack.

I think that it’s classy political satire, and the future setting is the perfect disguise to let me moan about today.

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If it’s animation, I think people will find it easier to grasp than if it were live-action. The Shipwrecked characters are supposed to be broad strokes, rather than highly nuanced people like Tina or Jade.

Plus it’d be more cost-effective than a VFX-heavy live-action movie. I’m seriously keen to film dolls or something to get a Thunderbirds vibe.

Or a radio play/concept album. Those are my main ideas to realise the musical.

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Weeded Out sketch ideas:

Something romantic. I think that’s what the fans want. But I’d rather build a new idea than repurpose the script.

Chloefilm 2…

I’m scrapping the two ideas that drove me mental, even though they were good ideas.

Parliament Grounds doodle… Gary and Dakta had a Valentine’s Day idea (a card for Jacinda), so maybe that.

Oriental Bay - I’ve never filmed the boat houses, so that’s a bucket list thing.