++
UPDATE
Stuart has re-launched his Kickstarter campaign, click here to lend your support.
++
So it's 2012. How did that happen?
Last year I was a little light on posts, mostly because I got busy with TEDxNewy which took place in November. (If you would like to view the talks go here).
One of the big themes that emerged from the day was SERENDIPITY. Truly, so many elements of organising TEDxNewy occurred purely by chance. One example was one Saturday in July when I was at the Ukrainian Church in Adamstown covering a series of cooking demos for Cooking From The Heart. I was talking with a person afterwards and mentioned how I was working on TEDxNewy and that I was looking for a way to have the talks filmed....without paying. This person just happened to work at TAFE and told me they'd set up a meeting with the right people to discuss their film students taking it on as a project. Sure enough TAFE came on board and did an incredible job of it.
It's true when they say that Newcastle is just like a big country town. Coming from outside I can't tell you how much easier it's made everything I want to do. From visiting the beach to organising events. Everything seems within reach here. If you need something to happen it's often the case of just putting the idea out there and somehow it will fall into place. SERENDIPITY.
I mentioned this story to the audience at TEDxNewy and at the next break a couple came to ask me about the Ukrainian cooking classes (they love varenyky as much as I do). Turns out Stuart McBratney and Julia Nalivaiko had just returned from the Ukraine and Russia filming Julia's return to the country she was born, but left to emigrate to Australia with her family when she was four years old. Sounded interesting, given my grandparents-in-law emigrated from the Ukraine to a migrant camp in Greta as a newly wedded couple after WWII. They've made a new life for themselves in Newcastle but miss their homeland no less than they did when they first arrived in Greta all those years ago.
It brought a tear to my eye to watch the teaser that Stuart has put together to promote this project which he hopes to turn into a TV series. Could you imagine what it might feel like to return to a place you were born, that you have very little memory of? To have a sense of a place, but not know where you fit in?
Just like me looking for a film crew, Stuart is looking for support to enable him to cut the series together. There's a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds needed, and with only a couple of days left, there's a way to go to make sure this series has a chance to be.
Let's see how far serendipity can take this.
Stuart McBratney
Condensed CV:
Filmmaker. Musician. Not necessarily in that order.
Film: Has written and directed hundreds of tv commercials, many short films, several music videos, one tv show pilot, one feature film, and one tv series (currently in post-production).
Music: has written, produced and composed 2 albums, 1 EP, several short film soundtracks, a feature film soundtrack, and a few musical pieces for tv commercials.
What has been your most memorable project?
Shooting my first feature film Spudmonkey was memorable, but not enjoyable. All of my previous films had been made with a tiny crew, just myself and one or two other people. Suddenly I was surrounded by 20 technicians and assistants, and everything felt completely cumbersome. So while it was eventually completed and released theatrically, I really didn't enjoy the shoot one bit. On the other hand, the shoot I just finished in Russia and Ukraine was a dream. It's a tv series called Back in the Soviet Bloc, and was shot on location in Russia and Ukraine. We're trying to raise finishing funds through Kickstarter here.
What would be your dream project?
I've in various stages of a few projects right now, all of which are pretty dreamy. I'm now in post-production of Back in the Soviet Bloc , and it'd be a dream for it to be successful enough to warrant production another series or two, or three. The former USSR is so massive, you could spend a lifetime traversing it without seeing it all. I'd also love to play my concept album Soul Delay live. The guys in The Mischief Engine are all in different parts of the world, so a few have never even met, let alone played together. So I plan to launch another Kickstarter campaign to fund a live show. We'll probably make a film about it too, a la Buena Vista Social Club. The third dreamy project I have on the go right now is in pre-production. It's my second feature film, and is called Pop-Up. Again, I plan to raise funds through Kickstarter, and hope to go into production in the 2nd half of 2012. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Filming an entire tv series in Russia and Ukraine with a crew of two (including host Julia Nalivaiko), and shooting on a Canon 5Dm2 without a focus puller was pretty cool. It was always going to be a huge challenge, as there's nothing automatic about these cameras, but if you can pull it off, the results are stunning. I'm now pumped to shoot my next feature using this method, as I know I can do it.
Russian Kitchen - teaser trailer from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.
What is your most treasured possession?
The guitar I bought myself to celebrate 21 years of playing is pretty nice. It's an Almansa, hand-made in Spain, with gold-plated tuning knobs. Pretty useless I know, but that's as close to bling as I get. Generally speaking I'm not big on "stuff". I do love my book collection though, but could happily trade them in for a fully-loaded Kindle.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
The reality of running your own business is that it's mostly writing. Lots of writing, such as emails, press releases, and applications for funding programs. A more ideal situation would be to have someone employed to take care of the day-to-day business stuff, so I could concentrate on doing things I can't delegate, such as actual filmmaking and making music. Hopefully such a situation is within reach.
What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
I'm still in the early days, having spent the last 7 years working full-time for tv networks as a commercial director. So ask me again once I've been successfully running my own business for 10 years. But should an aspiring filmmaker ask me for advice, I'd suggest they just use whatever camera they have at their disposal, and go make as many films as they can, without worrying about financial returns, pixel ratio or Youtube hits. Get ready to make heaps of mistakes, because that's how you learn. And most importantly, do it because you love it. If it isn't fun, stop doing it now, because it's an extremely arduous profession, which requires every ounce of tenacity you can muster.
Where do you derive creative inspiration?
I love reading, I love listening to music, and I love movies. When I read, hear or watch a good one, I get really fired up to create something great of my own. The challenge is not to be disheartened by someone else's success, but to be inspired by it. When I watch an amazing film, there's usually a moment where I think, "Maybe I should make a film more like that one." But then I remind myself to be inspired to make something original, not to imitate something already in existence.
Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Books: I'm going through a bit of a Murakami binge at the moment. Currently I'm reading A Wild Sheep Chase, one of his earlier works. Music: I'm listening to Mozart's Requiem as I type this. Also been listening to The Shins heaps. Chutes Too Narrow is genius, and reminds me of my year living in Berlin. Design: fellow Novocastrian Heath Killen is a brilliant designer. His "rebooted" classic movie posters are extremely cool. Film: Can't wait for the new PT Anderson film The Master. Til then, I'm keen to watch Hitchcock's The Birds again, as I recently stayed in Bodega Bay, the Californian town in which it was set.
What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
For info about the latest filmmaking gear I visit www.philipbloom.net . For pop culture goodies I love www.lostateminor.com , also the work of fellow Novocastrians. For good reviews and interviews with filmmakers etc I love www.avclub.com For chuckles I love www.theonion.com and www.cracked.com
Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Fortunately my favourite things are filmmaking and music making, so that keeps me pretty busy. But I also love playing football (aka soccer), and doing martial arts (I'm a 1st Dan in Yun Jung Do). And since I live in Newcastle, it's great to pop down to the beach or the ocean baths for a swim.
Honda commercial from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.
Honda ad filmed by Stuart in King Edward park :)
How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Almost 3 years now.
Newcastle in a word?
Inconceivable! (NOTE: requires the exclamation point for maximum effect)
What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I love living near the beach, being part of a creative community on the cusp of worldwide recognition, and the fact you can drive pretty much anywhere within 10 minutes. I try not hate. Life's too short to harbour ill will. But I do miss my friends and family in Brisbane, and I do miss living in Europe.
How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
There's an amazing amour of creative energy in this town, considering its population. I know so many people here involved in amazing projects, it reminds me a little bit of Iceland. Iceland has a similar population to Newy, and yet there is an incredible number of highly respected musicians emerging from its frosty shores. So, Newcastle's like Iceland, but with beautiful beaches instead of snow-covered volcanic mountains.
Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat Ritual Restaurant 2 Austral St Nelson Bay (4981 5514)
+ drink Ice cold bear on the beach
+ shop N/A. I don't enjoy shopping. It's purely a necessity like visiting the dentist.
+ play In my studio.
+ relax The ocean.
What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret? I was recently in Napa Valley, and they charge a least $15/person for wine tasting, sometimes twice that. Most wine tasting in The Hunter Valley is free, or $5 max. Bargain!
Website: www.mcbrat.tv
Facebook: facebook.com/sovietbloc
UPDATE
Stuart has re-launched his Kickstarter campaign, click here to lend your support.
++
So it's 2012. How did that happen?
Last year I was a little light on posts, mostly because I got busy with TEDxNewy which took place in November. (If you would like to view the talks go here).
One of the big themes that emerged from the day was SERENDIPITY. Truly, so many elements of organising TEDxNewy occurred purely by chance. One example was one Saturday in July when I was at the Ukrainian Church in Adamstown covering a series of cooking demos for Cooking From The Heart. I was talking with a person afterwards and mentioned how I was working on TEDxNewy and that I was looking for a way to have the talks filmed....without paying. This person just happened to work at TAFE and told me they'd set up a meeting with the right people to discuss their film students taking it on as a project. Sure enough TAFE came on board and did an incredible job of it.
It's true when they say that Newcastle is just like a big country town. Coming from outside I can't tell you how much easier it's made everything I want to do. From visiting the beach to organising events. Everything seems within reach here. If you need something to happen it's often the case of just putting the idea out there and somehow it will fall into place. SERENDIPITY.
I mentioned this story to the audience at TEDxNewy and at the next break a couple came to ask me about the Ukrainian cooking classes (they love varenyky as much as I do). Turns out Stuart McBratney and Julia Nalivaiko had just returned from the Ukraine and Russia filming Julia's return to the country she was born, but left to emigrate to Australia with her family when she was four years old. Sounded interesting, given my grandparents-in-law emigrated from the Ukraine to a migrant camp in Greta as a newly wedded couple after WWII. They've made a new life for themselves in Newcastle but miss their homeland no less than they did when they first arrived in Greta all those years ago.
It brought a tear to my eye to watch the teaser that Stuart has put together to promote this project which he hopes to turn into a TV series. Could you imagine what it might feel like to return to a place you were born, that you have very little memory of? To have a sense of a place, but not know where you fit in?
Just like me looking for a film crew, Stuart is looking for support to enable him to cut the series together. There's a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds needed, and with only a couple of days left, there's a way to go to make sure this series has a chance to be.
Let's see how far serendipity can take this.
Stuart McBratney
Condensed CV:
Filmmaker. Musician. Not necessarily in that order.
Film: Has written and directed hundreds of tv commercials, many short films, several music videos, one tv show pilot, one feature film, and one tv series (currently in post-production).
Music: has written, produced and composed 2 albums, 1 EP, several short film soundtracks, a feature film soundtrack, and a few musical pieces for tv commercials.
What has been your most memorable project?
Shooting my first feature film Spudmonkey was memorable, but not enjoyable. All of my previous films had been made with a tiny crew, just myself and one or two other people. Suddenly I was surrounded by 20 technicians and assistants, and everything felt completely cumbersome. So while it was eventually completed and released theatrically, I really didn't enjoy the shoot one bit. On the other hand, the shoot I just finished in Russia and Ukraine was a dream. It's a tv series called Back in the Soviet Bloc, and was shot on location in Russia and Ukraine. We're trying to raise finishing funds through Kickstarter here.
What would be your dream project?
I've in various stages of a few projects right now, all of which are pretty dreamy. I'm now in post-production of Back in the Soviet Bloc , and it'd be a dream for it to be successful enough to warrant production another series or two, or three. The former USSR is so massive, you could spend a lifetime traversing it without seeing it all. I'd also love to play my concept album Soul Delay live. The guys in The Mischief Engine are all in different parts of the world, so a few have never even met, let alone played together. So I plan to launch another Kickstarter campaign to fund a live show. We'll probably make a film about it too, a la Buena Vista Social Club. The third dreamy project I have on the go right now is in pre-production. It's my second feature film, and is called Pop-Up. Again, I plan to raise funds through Kickstarter, and hope to go into production in the 2nd half of 2012. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Filming an entire tv series in Russia and Ukraine with a crew of two (including host Julia Nalivaiko), and shooting on a Canon 5Dm2 without a focus puller was pretty cool. It was always going to be a huge challenge, as there's nothing automatic about these cameras, but if you can pull it off, the results are stunning. I'm now pumped to shoot my next feature using this method, as I know I can do it.
Russian Kitchen - teaser trailer from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.
What is your most treasured possession?
The guitar I bought myself to celebrate 21 years of playing is pretty nice. It's an Almansa, hand-made in Spain, with gold-plated tuning knobs. Pretty useless I know, but that's as close to bling as I get. Generally speaking I'm not big on "stuff". I do love my book collection though, but could happily trade them in for a fully-loaded Kindle.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
The reality of running your own business is that it's mostly writing. Lots of writing, such as emails, press releases, and applications for funding programs. A more ideal situation would be to have someone employed to take care of the day-to-day business stuff, so I could concentrate on doing things I can't delegate, such as actual filmmaking and making music. Hopefully such a situation is within reach.
What is your most valuable pearl of wisdom gained since starting your business?
I'm still in the early days, having spent the last 7 years working full-time for tv networks as a commercial director. So ask me again once I've been successfully running my own business for 10 years. But should an aspiring filmmaker ask me for advice, I'd suggest they just use whatever camera they have at their disposal, and go make as many films as they can, without worrying about financial returns, pixel ratio or Youtube hits. Get ready to make heaps of mistakes, because that's how you learn. And most importantly, do it because you love it. If it isn't fun, stop doing it now, because it's an extremely arduous profession, which requires every ounce of tenacity you can muster.
Where do you derive creative inspiration?
I love reading, I love listening to music, and I love movies. When I read, hear or watch a good one, I get really fired up to create something great of my own. The challenge is not to be disheartened by someone else's success, but to be inspired by it. When I watch an amazing film, there's usually a moment where I think, "Maybe I should make a film more like that one." But then I remind myself to be inspired to make something original, not to imitate something already in existence.
Which other designers, artists or creative people are you most inspired by at the moment?
Books: I'm going through a bit of a Murakami binge at the moment. Currently I'm reading A Wild Sheep Chase, one of his earlier works. Music: I'm listening to Mozart's Requiem as I type this. Also been listening to The Shins heaps. Chutes Too Narrow is genius, and reminds me of my year living in Berlin. Design: fellow Novocastrian Heath Killen is a brilliant designer. His "rebooted" classic movie posters are extremely cool. Film: Can't wait for the new PT Anderson film The Master. Til then, I'm keen to watch Hitchcock's The Birds again, as I recently stayed in Bodega Bay, the Californian town in which it was set.
What are some of your favourite websites or blogs?
For info about the latest filmmaking gear I visit www.philipbloom.net . For pop culture goodies I love www.lostateminor.com , also the work of fellow Novocastrians. For good reviews and interviews with filmmakers etc I love www.avclub.com For chuckles I love www.theonion.com and www.cracked.com
Apart from your work, what other interests, passions, hobbies do you have?
Fortunately my favourite things are filmmaking and music making, so that keeps me pretty busy. But I also love playing football (aka soccer), and doing martial arts (I'm a 1st Dan in Yun Jung Do). And since I live in Newcastle, it's great to pop down to the beach or the ocean baths for a swim.
Honda commercial from Stuart McBratney on Vimeo.
Honda ad filmed by Stuart in King Edward park :)
How long have you been a Novocastrian?
Almost 3 years now.
Newcastle in a word?
Inconceivable! (NOTE: requires the exclamation point for maximum effect)
What do you love and hate about living in Newcastle?
I love living near the beach, being part of a creative community on the cusp of worldwide recognition, and the fact you can drive pretty much anywhere within 10 minutes. I try not hate. Life's too short to harbour ill will. But I do miss my friends and family in Brisbane, and I do miss living in Europe.
How is Newcastle different to anywhere else?
There's an amazing amour of creative energy in this town, considering its population. I know so many people here involved in amazing projects, it reminds me a little bit of Iceland. Iceland has a similar population to Newy, and yet there is an incredible number of highly respected musicians emerging from its frosty shores. So, Newcastle's like Iceland, but with beautiful beaches instead of snow-covered volcanic mountains.
Where are your favourite places in Newcastle / Hunter to:
+ eat Ritual Restaurant 2 Austral St Nelson Bay (4981 5514)
+ drink Ice cold bear on the beach
+ shop N/A. I don't enjoy shopping. It's purely a necessity like visiting the dentist.
+ play In my studio.
+ relax The ocean.
What is Newcastle / Hunter’s best-kept secret? I was recently in Napa Valley, and they charge a least $15/person for wine tasting, sometimes twice that. Most wine tasting in The Hunter Valley is free, or $5 max. Bargain!
Website: www.mcbrat.tv
Facebook: facebook.com/sovietbloc
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