Back in Melburn

It is smokey and hot and weird, I am back.
Merry ho ho! Have a safe and peaceful Christmas
:)

Photography film

This weekend Henrik and I have been shooting a new film. It is something different for me, a film made up of photographs. I have been recording sound with strangers on the streets of Malmö and Ystad in Sweden. I really love taking photos! It is great how many people want to stop and talk, if you take the first step to make it happen. It suprised us, but I wish it didn't. People should talk more. No wonder there is so much misunderstanding in the world. People should talk/listen more. I miss John Anderson and the way he talks to strangers so much. The language thing here makes it a little bit harder but Henrik helps a lot, obviously!







What do you think of these images? I am excited about this film. The answers to my questions are honest, colourful and insightful and the images are too, I reckon anyhow! Ha! A fine review, by its own director, before it is even finished! he he he. I have nerve!

Oh! I bought a new dress today at a fleamarket. The man who sold it to me looked about 100 years old and he was VERY cute. The tag says "Made in Sweden" and he read it out loud when I put it on the counter. I pointed at myself and said "Made in Australia". He laughed. "Thank you, you are welcome and come again!" SOOOO cute. I should have snapped him.


These are the cute streets of Ystad.
I just played 6 Take That songs in a row and Henrik did't even flinch, let alone tell me to turn it off, now that is love. I am clearly among friends here (halllo are you out there? I know Kimmy is) so I can admit that I also played a Guy Sebastian song, a lot of Hampdens and Bob Marley. Perhaps there is something in the water here. I often wake up with Sunset Vines in my head too, listen to it, gorgeous. I can't wait to see J Hawk and the Rumours play when I get home. "Make you want to move, your dancing feet. To the rescue here I am, want you to know y'all where I stand... Here I am!" ha ha ha.

Alice Sings Nancy

The Alice Sings video shoot went really well in Denmark over the weekend. We have been flat chat, an expression that sounds odd to me the more I say it. I have loads of footage to edit considering the song is 1.47 mins! Very radio friendly length. The actor was awesome, Steen was a pleasure to work with, so focussed yet relaxed, so poker faced yet Little Miss Sunshine like.... mmm, you'll see... Alice and Mikkel are lovely. Very talented musicians.



Check out this little video I made of them mucking around. I didn't have a mic plugged in so the audio is rough...Alice reminds me of a young version of my Mum. Beautiful voice, gorgeous looking and a little bit nuts! A wonderful combination to be pointing a camera at. Copenhagen is very cute.

In other news... the sun starts to go down around 3pm here! Nuts! I will get so much daylight when I get home. Home... ah yes, I am looking for one, again. Oh the joy... They are booting us out of Rathdowne st to rebuild it... I knew that room was too good to be true.

I have been editing a teaser for ELEVEN and Henrik has helped me make www.iameleven.com

We have a few more shoots to complete here in Sweden before I leave. The clock is ticking, and so is my brain...
Oh yes, a HUGE thanks again to everyone who voted in NOISE. I won and it is a big help... TACK! :)

4 Today

My Baby turns 4 today. I miss him. I ran head first at a French Bulldog today, but he-she didnt give me any love. Clearly not for long enough anyhow.. as I couldnt determine its gender and I hate calling dogs "it".

Not just a pretty face, he can run too!

NOISE

This is my cute friend Ash who starred in Webster Say (2005)

He is encouraging :)

Arms and The Boy -Prague cont'd

Boy oh boy I love shooting Prague. Especially this day here at the Metronom, best views, best company. This is where a lovely local at the time took me site seeing the first day we ever hung out. Very fun to be back there one year later. :)


Mucking about at the Praha carnival we frequented last year. It was closed, it is all run down and there are carivans scattered around where the dudes who operate the rides live. There were camels who we interrupted also... A hem... Words cant quite describe this place, it is eerie but wonderful. The Feist Mushaboom clip is shot here.


During our visit to Prague early November we shot a music video for Prague based US band Arms and The Boy. This surprising narrative based clip features actors from Russia, Slovakia, USA, Sweden, France, Australia, Ireland, UK and Norway! I love casting! :)

Here are some shots from the crazy day... and some of dear Pikey aka Aindrias who flew from Ireland via Paris to arrive with a cool 24 hours to spend with Hen and Gen! Well worth it!



This is Grace who I met last year when I interviewed her as part of my doco about 11 year olds around the world. She is 12 now, and looked fantastic in the music video! Her parents John and Jane and lil bro Stan also make appearances... I was thrilled to see them again! Such a cute family!Moody.



The happy ones!

Prague was also a treat coz I got to see Susie and Kate my high school buddies who live in London. We took full advantage of having them in Prague and threw them in a scene in the music video. Wait til you see em!



We ate and drank a lot (and often) at Radost which is heaven for the tummy. Katie and Susie got hooked too! Prague is still very cheap.
These kids reminded me of John. They were having a ball. Well, a serious ball.


Aindrias! The star of Malarkey the Shootout film we made this year. Best Actor for him and Best Director awarded to Joe Loh. Best leaf thrower was Henrik Nordstrom. I shot it. I also drank a milkshake that day and went loco. see www.genbailey.com for more info

We visited little Liam who is now 3. I stayed with him last year. He is still stuffing grapes down Phillip's mouth and holding his jaw closed... He is a good ol' dog.

I was a guest speaker in a couple of Czech English classes. I talked about filmmaking and Australia... I drew Australia on the whiteboard then pondered.. umm where do I go from here!

"What do you think about Aboroginal" one guy asked...

I am always intrigued to get an idea of what they think and know about Australia ... Bugs and insects, Irwin, Kangaroos to school?

They were pretty quiet and careful about answering that. I think I talked too fast! But they seemed to like my films so that was good.


I highly recommend Prague! If you are going write us first for tips... you really have to scratch the surface... dont scratch the Old Town Square tourists though they won't like it.
A full on eventful and productive week!

3 cheers for Cadillac...

3 Cheers for Cadillac for being so wise and choosing one of Henrik's songs for their new 2007 AD CAMPAIGN! Man they are smart! Yep they have bought worldwide rights for one of Hanky boys tracks so if you are in the US keep your eyes on the telly. It is the Tiki Barber Escalade ad with him driving around in a Cadillac (funny that)... And for everyone else you can view it here

Cadillac AD click here

http://www.cadillac.com/cadillacjsp/model/gallery.jsp?model=escalade&primary=5&secondary=1&media=video&year=2007

" Opportunities are seldom perfect, but I have learnt that if you are not ready for them they may not come again" -Tiki Barber (from the ad)

This song is his solo project called Melikka. Anyhow, I really mean 3 cheers for HENRIK....and 3 cheers to all the others who make music in their homes, their bedrooms and sheds. We like! Keep doing it. You never know when some lucrative advertising company will ring and ask "how much?"

I know for a fact that many of YOU reading this make gorgeous music so keep getting it out there!

We actually found a site full of people writing on a post - What is the name of the new Cadillac commerical song - we love it- etc etc which is pretty fun!
See below. I am proud, can you tell?

:)

Wondering if anyone knows the song from the new Cadillac commercial with Tiki Barber, talking about seizing the moment. Here's a link to it if you haven't seen it.

It was just on again during the Cowboys/Eagles game. All instrumental.
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I've been looking for this song, too!! I posted something on Yahoo! questions, and I haven't received any responses yet. Hopefully someone will pull through.
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It sounds like something by Aphex Twin. Off the ambient works CD. But I'm not sure.
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I check the Ambient Works cd and surprisingly it does sound similar and I wouldn't be surprised if it was one of his tracks. I like Aphex Twin and obviously Richard D. James was heavily influential with electronic music. He's a genius.
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None the less, I called up Cadillac customer relations and couldn't get an answer, but the lady was helpful but didn't really know what was going on I think. Here's the number if anyone else wants to give it a try: 1-800-458-8006. My mistake was I went to Customer Service instead of marketting. But I'll try it again later. It sounds like they have this information but she couldn't pull it up. She said people call all the time about the commercials and that they used to have the information so maybe she just didn't know what I was looking for.

Let's figure this thing out,
dookieman
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registered just so i could stay on top of this thread.

sounds aphex twin inspired but most likely not our boy Richard James. doesn't really sound like his drum sounds to me.

PLEASE someone figure this out.

that's all - j
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Hi all.

Sorry.. No Aphex Twin... or Arovane.. I have all their stuff.

It's a tough one..

It's Melikka. He's distributed my Simballrec.. but I think you might find him on iTunes.

Anyway.. the songs called "Ocio".. by Melikka.
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Enjoy.. It is a good song and a pretty recent one.

Seriously, thanks alot! I've been waiting for a while to find someone that finally knew the answer. You are elite.

One last request RE NOISE. Please cast a vote my way if you like my films.
http://www.noise.net/vote_for_art.asp
I know most of my friends have voted and thanks heaps to each of you I really appreciate your support. There are 4 days left... I am in place No 9 which is lovely really.

Sweden pt 3 - Home Haircuts and "myspace" syndrome

This photo in our bathroom is cute. Nobody ever thinks of toothbrushes as being in love, but I guess some are. Many 13 year olds (and 30 year olds) have inspired the shooting of these "myspace bathroom poses". LOOK SERIOUS.


I have been tossing up whether or not to go to one of the Turkish barbers near our apartment. I am hell bent on shooting them before I leave. Each little shop has its own charms. For example 1kg tubs of gel that look like they have been sitting there on display since 1989 when John and I used to use gel), interesting colour schemes, cool chairs, ugly couches, big price boards.. I just love them.


Anyhow, I haven't had my hair coloured in nearly 2 years, and I haven't cut it in like 9 months. Julia warned me DO NOT go to a barber as they only know how to do buzz cuts for men... Point taken I took to the bathroom with a pair of paper scissors ... People spend a lot of money on hair really, when it is quite fun doing it at home... but I guess my hair is easy coz the cut has looked the same since Grade 1... pretty much.


Sahin and his Mum post watching Kompis in their loungeroom which is filled with plants and hot pastries and happy tummies (me and Henrik). The verdict.. "IT IS GOOD" Sahin turned and nodded after the introduction... Watching him watch himself in my film is the best bit, nodding in agreeance with what he says, what he raps, and miming the words to Osamas rap too. Too cute, too cool. Love it.
Bunny Joy loves Smörgasbord the party cake. Henrik's auntie knits cute mittens for couples who walk in the cold together! They are attached in the middle! (Alf's birthday party)


My boys Sahin and Osama. Tonight Sahin asked if I have kids... Henrik told him I have dogs... and now I guess after a year working on it, this film is my kid. I love it.

I miss the kids. Looking forward to doggie beach time with them.