It's been a while since I've posted....I've had an unbelievable lack of spare time due to piles of work - but I do like to stay busy so it's hard to complain. 
Been working on shows for up to three different networks in any given week so variety is good. Got offered a contract last week at one particular channel which I think I'm going to bite at - the arrangement still leaves me with lots of open time to work on other productions so it's a bit of a win-win situation...plus the station is just up the street from me so how can I lose?
Still managing to squeeze in photo shoots when I can - had one yesterday with a lovely model and some gorgeous gowns designed by the lady who once upon a time designed the outfits for Diana Rigg on the old Avengers series! Wonderful stuff. And I have another shoot tomorrow afternoon, weather permitting....right after that I have to run off to my monthly gig at Grossman's Tavern here in Toronto with the Dick Ellis Revival.........Friday is scheduled for sleeping and full recovery.
Been working on shows for up to three different networks in any given week so variety is good. Got offered a contract last week at one particular channel which I think I'm going to bite at - the arrangement still leaves me with lots of open time to work on other productions so it's a bit of a win-win situation...plus the station is just up the street from me so how can I lose?
Still managing to squeeze in photo shoots when I can - had one yesterday with a lovely model and some gorgeous gowns designed by the lady who once upon a time designed the outfits for Diana Rigg on the old Avengers series! Wonderful stuff. And I have another shoot tomorrow afternoon, weather permitting....right after that I have to run off to my monthly gig at Grossman's Tavern here in Toronto with the Dick Ellis Revival.........Friday is scheduled for sleeping and full recovery.
Funny, but this was supposed to be my week off - having already committed to working a week of overnight shifts at CBC through the holidays I was hoping to get some quality downtime first to get over this annoying cold and get my Xmas shopping done and dusted.
And then the calls started to creep in....
And then suddenly I have only sporadic days off left for me to do my thang. I have a hard time saying no when it comes to work. Ah well, there's always the new year - perhaps then I'll find a wee chunk of time to hide away and do a whole lotta nuthin'.
In the meantime, I've hooked up recently with an old friend from high school, where we both majored in film and used to collaborate on projects together......now we've decided to pick up where we left off those many moons ago and begin developing an indie project to see where it might go. Between all the connections we have in the industry (he also works in film & televison) plus a third high school chum who now runs a successful sound editing house, we figure we've got enough connections to float this boat. I reckon we'll see what comes of this in the near future.
In other creative news, I was recently in the studio laying down some bedtracks with one of my bands, the Dick Ellis Revival. Having rather modest expectations for the day and hoping to get down keepers of bass & drums for maybe three songs, we were most pleased to actually get a total of six numbers in the can. Now I can sit back for a bit while the guitarists do their bounty of overdubs. We're playing at Grossman's in Toronto this Thursday Dec. 21st if anyone's looking for an excuse to imbibe in some holiday cheer.
Also, I did a mighty fun photo shoot about ten days ago for a lingerie company based out of Calgary called Cameo Intimates with my good model friend Kelli Baker out at a pinball arcade in Mississauga. Thay had an amazing collecion of old pinball machines, the likes of which I assumed would be lost in the sands of time by now. Had to focus on the shoot at hand and not on playing the games! Anyway, the shots turned out great,what with all the colourful machines packing the room and such.
Whew. How's that for an update? I need a nap.
And then the calls started to creep in....
And then suddenly I have only sporadic days off left for me to do my thang. I have a hard time saying no when it comes to work.
Ah well, there's always the new year - perhaps then I'll find a wee chunk of time to hide away and do a whole lotta nuthin'.In the meantime, I've hooked up recently with an old friend from high school, where we both majored in film and used to collaborate on projects together......now we've decided to pick up where we left off those many moons ago and begin developing an indie project to see where it might go. Between all the connections we have in the industry (he also works in film & televison) plus a third high school chum who now runs a successful sound editing house, we figure we've got enough connections to float this boat. I reckon we'll see what comes of this in the near future.
In other creative news, I was recently in the studio laying down some bedtracks with one of my bands, the Dick Ellis Revival. Having rather modest expectations for the day and hoping to get down keepers of bass & drums for maybe three songs, we were most pleased to actually get a total of six numbers in the can. Now I can sit back for a bit while the guitarists do their bounty of overdubs. We're playing at Grossman's in Toronto this Thursday Dec. 21st if anyone's looking for an excuse to imbibe in some holiday cheer.
Also, I did a mighty fun photo shoot about ten days ago for a lingerie company based out of Calgary called Cameo Intimates with my good model friend Kelli Baker out at a pinball arcade in Mississauga. Thay had an amazing collecion of old pinball machines, the likes of which I assumed would be lost in the sands of time by now. Had to focus on the shoot at hand and not on playing the games! Anyway, the shots turned out great,what with all the colourful machines packing the room and such.
Whew. How's that for an update? I need a nap.
Last night I was working on a show at the Mod Club here in Toronto shooting a live concert with television "personalities" the Sons of Butcher. The show itself was mildly entertaining if short on shelf-life but I found the audience in attendance far more interesting....it was a cross-section of young and old, suburban and city-folk, emo kids and toothless serial killers-in-the-making. Fascinating and horrifying in equal measures. Being stationed directly at the front of the stage put me knee-deep in the action, whether it was being repeatedly on the receiving end of collisions from girls with too much to drink or fending off angry skinheads looking for an excuse to come out swingin'....you could say it was a visceral experience. 
The one delightful moment of the night was running into the lovely Lisseth who was there to see the opening act Orbax.....'twas a pleasure to chat with her for a few minutes before descending into the fray.
The one delightful moment of the night was running into the lovely Lisseth who was there to see the opening act Orbax.....'twas a pleasure to chat with her for a few minutes before descending into the fray.
As much as I resent having the "holiday season" being crammed down my throat a month in advance, I am happy to have bought a pint of egg nog as it's quite tasty in the morning coffee.
My Sunday plan: catch up on several photo sets that require some editing, all the while indulging in the Godfather Trilogy.....cap the day off with a mighty dose of homemade Beef Stroganoff and it's a day well spent! Sometimes life is good.
My Sunday plan: catch up on several photo sets that require some editing, all the while indulging in the Godfather Trilogy.....cap the day off with a mighty dose of homemade Beef Stroganoff and it's a day well spent! Sometimes life is good.
Is it Friday yet...?
No, I s'pose it isn't - it just feels like it is though since I have no work tomorrow. And that's no complaint either...it's been a while since I've had a day where absolutely nothing is inked in on the ol' calendar...let's see what that's like, I say.
Today: I return to my current reality show project that I'm working on, whcih is in turns a potpourri of comedy, melodrama and horror(all unintentional). It is what it is though, and the catering is superb.
Tonight: I have my regular monthly gig at Grossman's Tavern which always presents unusual situations and alot of freeflowing draught. Note: Musn't forget the flask this time.
Tomorrow: Recover.
No, I s'pose it isn't - it just feels like it is though since I have no work tomorrow. And that's no complaint either...it's been a while since I've had a day where absolutely nothing is inked in on the ol' calendar...let's see what that's like, I say.
Today: I return to my current reality show project that I'm working on, whcih is in turns a potpourri of comedy, melodrama and horror(all unintentional). It is what it is though, and the catering is superb.
Tonight: I have my regular monthly gig at Grossman's Tavern which always presents unusual situations and alot of freeflowing draught. Note: Musn't forget the flask this time.
Tomorrow: Recover.
Looking forward to the weekend's activities.....
Tomorrow during the day I have a shoot with a model I've been trying to work with since the summer but have been foiled at every turn repeatedly due to uncontrollable and unexpected circumstances...so it'll be a pleasure to finally get down to it.
Then tomorrow night one of my bands is opening for the fabulous Bettye Lavette at Lee's Palace. I'd recommend all and sundry to run out and get tickets for this show but it's already sold out! For anyone who thinks there's no longer any real soul music out there, just pick up one of her albums and be prepared to feel it.
Sunday I'm back at work, this time at CBC working on their new Fashion File Host Search program which has the potential to be interesting....we shall see. Then Monday/Tuesday I'm working on the Giller Prize at the Four Seasons so a bit of the upper crust for a day or two, if you like.
I do enjoy variety.
Tomorrow during the day I have a shoot with a model I've been trying to work with since the summer but have been foiled at every turn repeatedly due to uncontrollable and unexpected circumstances...so it'll be a pleasure to finally get down to it.
Then tomorrow night one of my bands is opening for the fabulous Bettye Lavette at Lee's Palace. I'd recommend all and sundry to run out and get tickets for this show but it's already sold out! For anyone who thinks there's no longer any real soul music out there, just pick up one of her albums and be prepared to feel it.
Sunday I'm back at work, this time at CBC working on their new Fashion File Host Search program which has the potential to be interesting....we shall see. Then Monday/Tuesday I'm working on the Giller Prize at the Four Seasons so a bit of the upper crust for a day or two, if you like.
I do enjoy variety.
Had a lovely time Wednesday night shooting over at Rhiannon's new hair salon, Blood Sweat and Shears (that's at 809 Queens St. W. for those interested in visiting). Three models and some wonderful stylists doing all the trimmings (along with some nice red wine) made for a fun project. Things went a bit later than expected but time flies when you're having fun, does it not? Soon the tattoo parlour upstairs where we shot a chunk of the images will be up and running as well and I expect the whole place will do booming business......so if you need some groovy stylin' be sure to drop in for a visit. 
Now it's time to go and finish sifting through all the images....
Now it's time to go and finish sifting through all the images....
Two scheduled shoots this weekend and one is already cancelled.......which is okay I s'pose, as it gives me a little extra time to catch up on previous shoots before tackling the next. Tomorrow's will be fun as it's a good ol' Halloweeny one so we can afford to go a little over the top with it. hehe...
And next week I get to shoot some stuff for the lovely Rhiannon's newly aquired hair salon which I expect will be a lot of fun!
Sunday night I'm playing at the Cadillac Lounge on a fairly early bill for all those that have to work the next morning. Me, I plan on getting drunk.
And next week I get to shoot some stuff for the lovely Rhiannon's newly aquired hair salon which I expect will be a lot of fun!
Sunday night I'm playing at the Cadillac Lounge on a fairly early bill for all those that have to work the next morning. Me, I plan on getting drunk.
Shoots-aplenty are what's in store for the next bit - I just put in 11 straight days of tv work so now I switch gears and have three photo sessions booked for today and tomorrow. Plus I've got some new lighting equipment from the U.S. due to arrive at my doorstep today as well so it feels like the planets are lining up.
Not only that but my tasty copies of The Hills Have Eyes and Knife in the Water arrived yesterday in the mail so I've got some quality viewing planned for the holiday weekend.
Which reminds me...I should start considering the possibility of birdin' it up for Thanksgiving. To turkey or not to turkey? That indeed is the question.
Not only that but my tasty copies of The Hills Have Eyes and Knife in the Water arrived yesterday in the mail so I've got some quality viewing planned for the holiday weekend.
Which reminds me...I should start considering the possibility of birdin' it up for Thanksgiving. To turkey or not to turkey? That indeed is the question.
Just got back tonight from a four-day stint at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton working on the broadcast of the West 49 Canadian Open. See the skateboardin' all-stars do stunts for top prizes! See the cameramen try to avoid being plowed down in assorted close calls!
I was working mainly on the floor right in the middle of all the action and a hearty vigilance was required for fear of being caught in the crossfire. Got some nice shots though! One of the cameramen I was working with even got spit on by one of the competitors today during competition, and not by accident. Right after that incident almost escalated into fisticuffs, the competitor was sent packin'. Not very nice.
I'm beat. Nothing that climbing into bed with my book and a tumbler of my favourite can't cure though!
I was working mainly on the floor right in the middle of all the action and a hearty vigilance was required for fear of being caught in the crossfire. Got some nice shots though! One of the cameramen I was working with even got spit on by one of the competitors today during competition, and not by accident. Right after that incident almost escalated into fisticuffs, the competitor was sent packin'. Not very nice.
I'm beat. Nothing that climbing into bed with my book and a tumbler of my favourite can't cure though!
