Posts by Ken Sparks
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I've just got back - well two weeks ago - from Christchurch where I joined the small team making 'When A City Falls' for two months to help finish the edit which had actually begun soon after the September quake. To echo Gerard's words, no one was counting on the February quake so the film changed course dramatically at that time. This has been one of the most challenging documentaries I've worked on but also one of the most rewarding. The sheer amount of raw footage was daunting enough (thankfully editor Richard Lord had picked through most of it and cut some of the stories really well already) but then there was the emotional tight-rope we all teetered on at various stages. Many discussions were had about the use of the rescue and recovery footage in terms of respecting the feelings of family and friends of the victims - it becomes a very fine line obviously and I hope we tread it carefully enough. I totally understand that some Cantabrians won't want to see the film - it has some fairly harrowing sequences - but appreciate the comments that people think it was an important film to make. I have had a particular fondness for Christchurch for many years and have often stopped off there on my way to and from numerous forays into the Southern Alps so after February 22nd I really wanted to do something to help. Work commitments kept me away during the immediate aftermath but then I got a call from Gerard and have hopefully made some small contribution. I have seen for myself the toll this has taken on many people there but I have also been exposed to a wonderful wave of positivity and innovation that is taking place - the recent Arts Festival being one example. My heart goes out to those who are struggling to keep it together in that broken city - the mending will take many years. Thanks Russell for a great Media 7 and for promoting the film.
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Nothing's working?
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Legal Beagle: Asking the next question, in reply to Islander,
Swamp? - luxury!
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Oh - and irrelevant?
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Dear Dr Brash - why are you so annoying?
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Hard News: Mercury Special, in reply to Russell Brown,
We had our car locked in overnight at that carpark whilst at the Fat Freddy's Drop show (excellent I thought but couldn't they do with a drummer?). There were a few other disgruntled punters around but it was a fine night and we just walked home. There was a $9 fee to pay to get out the next morning - but it seems to be a very user unfriendly operation.
I loved being back in the Mercury Theatre again - it's such a great venue but could obviously do with some sensitive refurbishment. Didn't think the seats were a problem - mind you we weren't sitting down for long. -
You and yours provide such a wonderful public service, it's good to be able to say thanks in a tangible way. And thanks...
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Hard News: A welcome return - and pirates!, in reply to James Francis,
And the Steenbeck. And the chinagraph pencil. And splicing.
And the white cotton glove on the left hand...
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Hard News: A welcome return - and pirates!, in reply to Russell Brown,
You can't do that with pixels! Well, you can, but it's not as much tactile fun.
The best thing about editing film was running it through your fingers and holding it up to the light...
