Got someone working on the theme tune.  I had composed something myself then I realised it sounded suspiciously like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata:

Dog Fight

THERE'S GONNA BE A FIGHT

Basically I had too many home videos on my laptop, taking up too much space.  I couldn't delete them all so I started editing them into short clips and I realised it's also really good practice of my 'film making'  skills.   

The title is taking from a line from Laurel and Hardy film called Block Heads.  Why?  Because the dogs are also called Laurel and Hardy.

Hoping to attend a book launch this Thursday.  Should be fun!

...and as it's my day off on Friday, I can come home when I want to...

Filming Practice/Home Videos

Have posted this edited home video.  I discuss it’s technical issues in the production notes tab.

Hoping to attend a book launch this Thursday (paste picture of invite).  Should be fun!

Time flies when you're working hard

News Presenting is taking over my life.  The head of news, Alice Mutema said there are 'no hours in broadcasting' and I'm coming to realise the truth of that statement.  The month of July has gone by with no blog post.  I feel slightly bad about that but I was also accumulating lots of information which will probably mean that August is choc block with stuff.  You wait around for ages then two.......

Tired

Working full time at the radio station and struggling to find/make time to keep in touch with this project.  Have finished interviews with 3 legends in Zim arts industry.  Will upload these soon in interviews tab.

Filmmakers Guild

I don’t like the word Guild.  It sounds a bit free masonry.  Anyway, went to the Film maker’s Guild meeting on Saturday.  Initially a lot of discussion about this new initiative they’re doing which I unfortunately wont have time to be part of.  I perked up when the co ordinator, Nocks Chatiza used me an example of a film maker recruiting crew from the Guild.  I hadn’t even considered doing this as I’m still waiting to hear from ZIFTESSA.  Left a note for the secretary btw.

The next meeting is on last Saturday of July.  By then I should have finished all my scripts and have a better idea of what my requirements are.  Then, and only then (return and kill Pilias) will I advertise in the Guild.

Met Sylvia at the meeting and later asked her to do some Producing/Research work for me.  She agreed but I need to be much much much much more specific about exactly what my requirements are.  Which brings me back to those scripts which for some reason will not write themselves....

Also met a stand up comedian at the guild who goes by the name of Toropito.  Didn’t hear any of his jokes but he did tell me he can also act.  It’s possible that may have been one of them.  Time will tell.  To be fair, this man had that weird black person with hazel-ish eyes going on like that guy from CSI so I can def. see myself using his contact come audition time.

Unfortunately he didn’t have a showreel or anything like that but nearer the time (completion of scripts), I’ll try to get him to upload stuff on this blog.

Also met a renowned Zim filmmaker at the meeting, Mr Norbert Ferro.  He agreed to do an interview which when I’ve done it, I’ll post in the interviews tab, along with all the other interviews I haven’t yet found time to do.  Mr Ferro also used to be the commissioning editor at the ZBC and he understood where I was coming from regarding trying to get my work broadcast by the national broadcaster.  Too many people have written off the ZBC but it remains the state broadcaster and is still watched by millions.  The math seems simple to me.

Another Meeting

I was introduced to Tawanda Gunda (film maker) when I went to the Chamber of Commerce.  Had a stimulating discussion about the state of Zim film industry.  Tawanda wrote and directed Manje So, a popular series on Zim tv a few months ago.  We raked over issues like;

End of community film viewing
This had been a good way for film makers to get their stuff seen as not everyone can get into town for the main cinema.

Circumventing piracy

Production and distribution of DVD’s

Challenges of working in partnership with broadcaster – ownership issues and differences in working practices.

Use of sound/music

Meetings Meetings

Met with BuyZim today.  Can't say much about the details but clear if can make a good pilot then this will be a very fruitful partnership.  They weren't keen about advertising potential on the internet due to the very good point that most Zimbos are accessing the net from their phones.   Hmmn, net advertising is something I will def. look into from the diaspora point of view and if/when I can improve this blog site.  Still early days.

Next step, I need to speak to ZIFTESSA about getting student(s) participation in this project.
Also need to meet up with friend who promised help with my article of association.

Requests

Query to CFI (Canal France International) was responded to swiftly which was really good.  Unfortunately the Programme Policy Coordinator informs me that they wont have anything to do with religious programmes.  Felt like protesting that the show is more moralistic in tone rather than being overtly religious programming but then again the title, Deadly Sins.  I left it at that but he said he would be happy to see my other projects upon completion with a view to buying for their partners.  Not quite the assistance I was angling for but got me thinking about the future in a positive way.

Also, really pleased because I got a time travelling element to one of the episodes which is based on 'A lying tongue'.  Should be fun, just need to finish writing it first.

Some Background

I was feeling despondent during a long period off sick from work and just as the enforced absence was about to completely numb my brain I got an idea for a television show.

Duke William was a Norman who defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

Kevin Moran was the first player to be sent off in an FA cup final. 

Brian Adams, Everything I Do etc was number one for donkey’s years.

These and other facts constantly reverberate in my brain and so long as they’re complete nuggets of information, all is right with the world. Computer was a childhood nickname. Darling or Goddess would’ve sufficed but better than being ignored I suppose.

On this day in question however, something must have short circuited.  Maybe it was the numbing of the brain described earlier or possibly even lethargy from extra helpings of sadza.  I could not recall all the seven deadly sins. The term popped into my head unbidden following an equally unwished for memory of the film Se7en and its cardboard box ending. I think I was in my parent’s storeroom at the time.  

It was a frustrating day.  I remember that the sun was shining.  A rather insignificant detail as this seems to be a permanent feature of the Zimbabwe weather – not that I’m complaining especially not after more than my fair share of grey days in the UK.

Anyway, as the sun shone I managed to retrieve;

Pride, Envy, Lust, Greed, Gluttony and Wrath from my internal hard drive but I could not remember the final seventh deadly sin and I had no access to the net or anyone who knew what I was talking about.  Family members, who I’ve since forgiven, kept asking if I was talking about the ten commandments.  Although in retrospect, probably they were covering up that they too could not remember all seven deadly sins.

Following two sleepless nights, relief came at an internet cafe.  Googling seven deadly sins also brought up other information like this I found in Wiki;

In the Book of Proverbs (Mishlai), King Solomon stated that the Lord specifically regards "six things the Lord hateth, and the seventh His soul detesteth." namely:

1. A proud look.
2. A lying tongue.
3. Hands that shed innocent blood.
4. A heart that devises wicked plots.
5. Feet that are swift to run into mischief.
6. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies.
7. Him that soweth discord among brethren.

Comparing both lists, I like the ‘original’ sins in the bible.  More specifity and one only has to look at world politics today to consider the meaning of Hands that shed innocent blood or wicked plots.

Soapbox aside, I considered something like an anthology show in the mould of previous fare like The Twilight Zone or Tales of the Unexpected.

But am I the right person to do this?  I’m a nurse for goodness sake?  Well I did study Media Production and like other latchkey kids television was a babysitter but for some reason I could never apply myself properly.  A teacher once accused me of hiding my light under a bushel but this was years before I knew what the phrase meant so I stared at her blankly in response.

A combination of fear and lack of confidence held me back.  As well as a slightly over developed regard for sleep. I see that clearly now.

Oh and the final sin I couldn’t remember.  It was sloth.