s h ! n d ! d

Very short personality quiz based on colours lifted from Jessie’s site.

Jo took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!“Preoccupied with things of an intensely exciting n…” Click here to read the rest of the results.

I’m sort of over my Emo phase now, but I just had to post about this fantastic new podcast by the Askaninja people, called: Hope is Emo.

It’s the video diary of a young American Emo girl, and her deep-seated feelings for everything. Starting with chalk dust… Must see!

I’m seeking escape.
I’m sick…
I’m seeing how long I can leave study and assignments to the last minute; still do well at them; and know that although I’ve not achieved a personal best academically, I’ve proven to myself and my peers the farce that is the University system and it’s standards. Now if only none of my markers could read this. That aside, even if I wanted to complain to anyone about the University course structure or system – I have no head of school to complain to. Digital Media has been without since about April, and it’s not looking any better with two of my fave lecturers possibly leaving next session. Which means nobody marks my portfolio as it stands! Brilliant, do I get an automatic HD or a refund on my HECS?

Currently canvasing the internet for inspirational photographers.

Mostly my faves are: Storm Thorgerson, some Isabel Snyder* and the previously mentioned Floria Sigismondi and Andy Glass. All great photographers of the surreal or fantastic who’ve crossed over to successful commercial careers. I’m not really much of a photographer as I am a Photoshop manipulator. But these dudes are great.
*I put Isabel Snyder in the surreal/fantastic category cos she mostly specialises in celebrity portraiture – hence the fantasy part.

In other news, Brian De Palmer (Scarface and The Untouchables) is directing my favourite crime novel “The Black Dalilah” by James Ellroy. Possibly the only saving grace in the filmic adaptation of the craziest ending to a crime noir set in 1940s-50s California I’ve ever come across. (I’ve just found out Hilary Swank is also in the film as Madeline – the sexually ambiguous other woman – might be cool considering her previous role as Brandon Teena.) It’s going to make a great film, but the cast is a complete let down. For one, it stars three of my least liked “actors” in them.
1. Scarlett Johanson is Kay Lake. I never really liked Kay in the book, bust she has potential cos she has a past and is quite playful and strong at the same time (except in the second half). Scarlett is the perfect model of the passive female in film. Gorgeous girl with no voice, her gaping mouth and an vacant look on her face all the time. I also thought Kay would be uber petite for some reason.

2. Josh Hartnett is the lead, Buck Bleichart. Bucky is supposed to be blonde and a boxer… I just don’t like him.

3. Mia Kirshner play the Black Dalilah. I guess it’s not bad cos she starts out already dead… but I guess if you sign Mia on for a De Palmer feature at this stage of her career it means she’s getting quite a few scenes. I don’t like Mia cos she seems to have simialr roles – mostly she’s some wile “seductress” usually with a school girl routine. I can’t beleive she’s still getting those roles!

I’m very fucking bitter. And it’s not just about the film. I’m gonna change this template, its sux.

Grrr… I hate it when I become that which I despise.

I’m embracing my Emo playlist atm.
Stars Hide Fire
Early Kisschassy
Alkaline Trio
Taking Back Sunday
My Chemical Romance

Humph.

I’ve actually been doing some work today. Well… from the hours of 1pm to 5pm anyway… I’ve found that listening to all the Coldplay albums help me buckle down; but then I’m not sure if it’s cos I like it, or cos find it hard to sing along to, therefore harder to get distracted by. I put the CD on pause at about 5pm and have yet to do anymore work. Instead, now I’d like to talk about some new music videos out at the moment.

Since when did popular music videos get so serious?

I watched the new Fort Minor “Where’d you go” directed by Philip Andelman today – I was a little shocked at first because it took itself so seriously. Muted tones of the colours, slow distanced shots, people looking placid and singing. Then you have the children talking about their broken relationships with and between their parents – really, why so blue? Isn’t Video Hits supposed to be uplifting on a Saturday morning?

Most impressive video of the day: “Supermassive Black Hole” Muse, Directed by Floria Sigismondi. She’s also done a bunch of other videos for people like Marilyn Manson and White Stripes – including the recent “Blue Orchid”. One of my faves of the last 12 months. I like the macabre beautiful decay mixture in her work – coupled with some simple cool whizz-bang post-prod effects that make up for a strange dream-like scenario scenarios. Such is the Muse video in question – dudes in hoods with tv screen faces and people in strange body suits, layer after layer. I dig it.
Check out her photos too – extra trippy and a little disturbing, just the way I like.

Man who should be stopped from wearing make up of the day: Lead singer of AFI (”Miss Murder“).
Marilyn Manson and Brian Molko have both made careers by wearing make up, and they look good – they’ve achieved the look they wanted. But the dude from AFI looks a little incomplete, not enough punk, too much caberet or something… Check it out.

Funnest video of the day: “The Game” by End of Fashion. Crazy good looking lead singer. I take it back, I like these guys. The song’s catchy too.
Biennale is next week!

Holidays start next week!

Sydney Film Festival opens next week!

The FIFA World Cup kicks of next week!

I can’t wait!