' Film making is 2% shooting and 98% diplomacy '

I'm supposed to be writing a Thesis right now, its part of the reason why additions to the site have been few and far between of late, I've got plenty in the oven but nothing much to show, things are good but compared to where I was a year ago - things have gotten fuzzy.

Not the hair - that's been cut - I just mean clarity wise, a year ago I was showing Swasticow to a packed out audience in college, I had a very clear Idea what I wanted out of 2008 year, develop my grad film and write a related thesis of interest.

Things are different now.

I'm don't like being steered towards the generic, the tested, the tried and true. It reflects an attitude I'm wearily opposing in college. I've conceded that the film I wished to make is now best left until I'm finished here, I'm now developing a new graduate film, but doing the same on my Thesis is getting trying...

That said, like everything in this world, there is a ying and yang, a good and a bad to every situation. Looking back over the last year I think about all I've experienced and I think, damn, that was a intense twelve months, yet I feel a terrible guilt that I haven't completed and exibited a follow up project to topple Swasticow. Last spring I thought Patrick would be done... Was I mad?

I used to look at people like Tarintino and think how come he hasn't been making films? This was pre Kill Bill, and I just thought he was awfully lazy, he hadn't directed anything for 6 years... I thought - I never stop, so certainly someone in his postion should never stop...

Maybe I've matured?

A year ago I was riding high from Swasticow and sketched out 2008, but like every first pass - it was in for quiet a rewrite.

Christmas was as its been for the last 3 years, cozy, warm and intimate, just us, no extended family. Just mum and dad and Leah sitting down to Dinner in Edinburgh, so for New Years I had friends Faye and Barrie over to Scotland for the 6 Day Hogmoney street party and festival, we had a blast, that and the Fringe Festival are the two best times to visit Edinburgh.

Florida came out of left field and was an amazing experience, Dad wrangled a fantastic combination together, he had business in Texas, his company just won a Thea award in LA. Aunt Millys discovered she's a writer, and her first film "Miss Conception" was premiering in Miami, Aunt Wendyl (who we barely see) lives in Fort Myers, Aunt Antonia, cousin Lola, Auntie Sammy, Dad and I flew over so the Leslie's would take up the whole red carpet, we didn't think we literally would.

It was my first time to Florida, visiting family there was brilliant, Wenyl's home on the river was beautiful, like something out of a postcard. I got to know Erin by cousin, Uncle Bill, and just chill out, relax and make merriment, I visited Nasa (a childhood dream of mine) and I've promised I'll return with friends in toe, Wendyl's home is like a miniature music festival.

I stress this sort of thing doesn't normally happen, all the family in one place, all my dads siblings, the first and last time was when grandpa died in 2001.

Early spring was the Celtic Media Festival, a intense 3 days in Galway following on from last year in Skye Scotland. Guest speakers included a rake of international Producers including Arthor Lappin, Mark Herbert, Shannon Gardener ( their work includes My Left Foot, This is England, Napoleon Dynamite) I learnt a great deal about pitching and it was a great festival for connecting young filmmakers to established industry decision makers, a huge improvement on CMF 07. Aside from pitching projects and making British TV connections discussing Agnes as a Channel 4 piece, it was by and large a social experience and I made some great friends partying in Galway Pubs to the wee hours of the morning.

During the CMF, Hannah an astute Scottish las challenged my main filmmking ethos 'Its the product not the process' her point was with a worth while experience, such as working for a cause sometimes the process is more important, thats certainly worth a thought.

Back in Dublin, I sat down to edit the 10 minute college cut of my 'Agnes Documentary' for college, found myself so ill I was unable to think, let alone work, a doctors appointment was followed by the best part a month on antibiotics and the most intense bout of Flu I've had since I was a kid. My thoat was so swollen I couldn't swollow, dad took care of me round at his place for a time, and I came closer to understanding how frustrating my fathers illness must have been for him this last year. Being so ill you are unable to function is infuriating, I lost a anorexic girl worth in weight and cut together the 10 minute cut with a temperature and the shivers, but I got it in on time.

The National Student film festival took place in UCD, full house, great reaction, got interviewed by some UCD ppl, both Tin Man and Swasticow tied for the Audience Award. I think I prefer that to a panel personally. Awards are nice, but knowing you can get a reaction from an audience is better I think.

David Lester DLM had at this stage built up quite a business shooting Pro Drift Podcasts, and his classmates reaped the benefits, he shot the best part of 10 events, Portugal, Sweeden, New Castle and all over Ireland, by the time I got involved the whole production had gotten very proficient, fast and economical. Narayan Van Maele and Dave had worked out a whole routine for the shoot, each event essentially followed a script, so that was a little earner for everyone, shooting cars driving fast, hot models, and high pay (for Students atleast) was very nice. Better then Four Star Pizza and youtube anyway.

Dave and I plus friends Faye, Liza, Holl, the sis and Moe put together D4 for the college mini movie brief. After uploading the cut, there was a slight tension between Dave and I as I'd cut and uploaded the video without his sign of on the final cut, he'd been shooting cars driving fast and hot models. Lesson learnt, don't rush a project, I've questioned if this pattern has lead to much of my work being shown before it was ready...

Then came Cannes 08 - an Invite I'd accepted from Dave during the Celtic Media Fest, but thought very little of since. I'd broken the bank on Cannes 07 and spent the remainder thereafter. All we really had to show from going last year was an Irish tan. Dave had paid my way on loan, which I wanted to avoid this year, he generously offered it as a Birthday present, we worked it out. We hit the airport. Stopped in Edinburgh for a showing of Swasticow in Film House on route, it didn't go as well as UCD.

We are still in the process of collecting our thoughts, this will all be in the first episode of 'The Rookies'

But Cannes 08 was a completly new experience on 07, DLM and Buckled Cranium had come a long way since the end of 2nd year. We met up with Producer Brian Allen Levine who I'd met in Miami at the premiere for Milly's film, took part in the Film Challenge, made new friends. Plenty to tell but I'll add the video when its cut.

From what was inntially just some compositing I ended up doing the Post Production on Ged's Boy Soilder. FX, Cut, Music, and Sound, continuing what had worked on Tin Man. I'm glad he's now taking it to a sound mix with Sean but we've gone back to the edit and its really like opening a can of worms when you do that.

Back into the thick of things, with four projects on going, amid a stupid argument on bebo I wake up to a text from Dave L that read "Dad died last night".

I'd only met Michael once when I'd joined Dave and himself for the opening of the new Imperial Chinese restaurant. He was as big an influence in Dave's life, as my fathers been in mine. Everything was on hold - that meant Rookies, Patrick, Pro Drift, Eoghan Harris on Wild Bunch.

A funeral like something out of a movie, and an empty house I've always thought of like Marcus Aurelius's tent from Gladiator. A loss of a parent is something we all must go through at different times in our lives, David lost his early which is unfair, life finds balence.

At no other time had I been so acutely aware of the unpredictablity of life, you make plans, but things change...

Mum and Dad have both had health scares over the last few years, It does make you think... they won't be around forever.

July and I'd been spending my summer days planning Patrick - writing the first draft, Narayan had come on board as DOP, Brian and Barrie were Storyboarding and Designing, Sue was going to do Costume, Location in Wexford sorted, Cat and Jess for Make up, Actors reading the script, many through contacts as a result of Cannes - I realized that I was essentially producing this film, and that the road would be long if indeed I hoped to pull it off, this wasn't going to be the e200 accident called Swasticow.

A Festive Surprise

An early morning call from Narayan (which usually means shooting) instead lead to the unexpected invite to Oxegen 08. The Stranglers, MGMT, Mylo, Kaiser Chiefs, Fratelli's, Alabama 3. We met up in town, joined Ian and Anne and rocked out at Rage against the Machine. Narayan and I got a few clips on our stills cameras, which some how cut into this:

For my St.Anderews friends my 21st had been penciled in as early as 2005, I had originally hoped to have the school Debs up there, but I recall a impolite 'No we'd rather have it in Leopardstown' from the school at that time. So the excuse for a party up there finally arrived. It was a once in a lifetime event, all my friends, all my family, gathered in one place. For me It was surreal, amazing and mind blowing. But I don't need to tell you, you were most likely there with me!

Late August came a friendly invite to help mom and sis with Lila the new kitten, a week in Edinburgh, the chance to meet friends from the Celtic Media Festival and take in the Fringe was something I'd be mad to miss. I took in the best Comedians on offer, Omid Djaili, Des Bishop, David O'Doherty, Kevin Gildea, Adam Hills - saw some theatre and played with the kitten. Paul Merton's improv in the Pleasance was great fun in good company. Then came a very exciting opportunity from work-friends of mum who represent a lot of big Scottish talent, I was invited to meet and possibly pitch projects, so I raced back to Ireland with a week to assemble some level of a presentable piece, Visuals + the script for Patrick. An intense few days with David re-drafting meant frustratingly missing much of the Festival of World Cultures which happens on my doorstep each year. Back to Edinburgh over night on the Sunday - pack and script in hand. It went well.

Text message conversation with Dave - Dublin Aiport

"You better of put my name on the Script" - D

"Yeah your down as Luke Leslie" - L

With the Summer drawing to an end, and having pretty much missed the Festival of World Cultures to reach that deadline. I sourced tickets for the Electric Picnic which I'd never gone too, something about it being a boutique festival didn't appeal... But this year it had been ingeniously renamed a Music and Arts festival plus CSS and Chromeo were attending along with lots of attractive young people. At one stage I was sorting tickets for both Dave Kennedy and myself via Buy&Sell in Scotland - but they fell through, we were going - then we weren't going - then suddenly Dave sorted a pair cheaper then face value, a friend was selling having won them in a competition, they even had VIP passes to the Bacardi Bar. We went - we had an amazing weekend - VIP meant same as everyone else aparently, we even got the same price on Bacardi, Sweet, EP08 was brillaint, as was Fayes birthday in Cavan on the way home.

At this stage I was already baffled looking back with how much I'd done this year, last year was so quiet I had no excuse not to make a feature film in my spare time. This year had been so busy all I'd managed was D4 and Agnes. I couldn't wait to get back to making films, luckily my final year in film school was about to begin...

The first thing we covered was our summer brief content submissions for graduate film projects. Initial hesitation was clear, though not specifically drawn to various submissions including my own, chiefly there was a hesitation to any period or high concept film submissions, other reservations were less tangible, but seemed to revolve around the question "Who's the next Ken Wardrope?" This wasn't a question of us convincing them, it was a collision of world views. I fundemtally expect to see ideas challenged, but discouragement isn't their job. Pitching our projects would prove trying, the 1st term was off to a bad start...

Suddenly I get a call from Patrick Cooney, who's been making a doc with my great uncle Jack, and in the blink of an eye I found myself in New York shooting a documentary about artists McDemott and McGough.

That was certainly unexpected. I love New York - I'd been once before in 06. This is exactly how to experience it, be out there, everyday and just walk, take it all in. I'm such a Townie - But this was a city, Dublin really is a town when you compare it to places like New York, Paris, London or Rome...

On your feet 9am-9pm most days was tiring but everything we were doing was fascinating. Rather like all works in progress I can't say too much without spoiling the film, but trailing eccentric artistic queens, contemporaries of Warhol, aganst the backdrop of an uncertain election and the largest economic crisis since the great depression and your bound to stumble into a great documentary.

We trailed David McDermott through the New York of the 80's, the fireworks at the 200th anniversary in Pitsburgh, Metaphysics lectures to kids in the Bronx Highschool with metal detrectors, all during the Stock Market Crash and chaos at wallstreet, I'm glad I missed that college, he sailed home on the QM2. It was warm too.

The college were less enthused, In that time I missed the development of Kodak adverts - I learnt they don't do email. They weren't keen I was missing these, though this has become an accepted norm among my peers, all keen to get more then just student film experience. I also hit a wall over my request to borrow gear (my 2nd attempt in 4 years) I have my own camera usually but it was being serviced at the time. The indifference to certain film submissions, the hesitation to give a final year student gear, don't get me started on the Thesis Nightmare...

' Film School shares a great deal with tax returns, theres more forms in Film School '

So it's year 4 and I've realized that I live to work, without a project I'm malcontent, projects that require prolongued preperation are trying, months can go by with very little to show, yet I belive that sticking with them will lead to great things. I know that living in the moment is fun in the short term, but in me, it stirs up an inner frustration conjouring guilt, frustration and grumpyness. I need stuff to do, projects, films, something other, I'm wired that way.

I think 2008 is a year of Best and Worst, and like all things it balences out - highs and lows are what life is about. Though I don't think you'll get the same consensus from a Citigroup Banker right now.

' Life is more then the sum of time spent between wanks ' - a profound observation

Work aside, I think my experiences this year have given me a strong sense of perspective, chiefly about how lucky I am and what's important. I think this really is all that experience offers you, as long as you don't get too jaded you can increasingly draw from what you know. I guess thats why I love learning about new things. These are all cliches of course, but life really is too short to dwell on the negative, family is very important, good company must challenge you, short term problems come and go, never ever miss an opurtunity, wear sunscreen etc.

I just sold my first photo, a pic I took years ago of Castle Leslie. Christmas is in the Castle this year which is unprecedented, I think my birthday started a trend! I've always had a mom side and dad side for Chirstmas. Granny Aggie celebrated on Christmas Eve as was the norm in Berlin, then on Christmas Day we'd have it all over again with Granny Pam. But since Gran Aggie died I haven't celebrated Chritmas with the Leslie side of the family. Lots coming this year, uncle Rowan, auntie Marie cousins Lynn and Jane and Granny Pam are all coming which is brilliant, cousin Lola will have other kids to hang with, hopfully she won't inflict High School Musical 3 on us.

A Christmas in the Castle has never happened in my lifetime, I think the family are slowly realizing we like each other.

College is turning round, I'm out of Editing and into Producing, Developing a new Grad film I've very excited about, and the tutors see potential (which is always nice) I just need to crack that Thesis, and with the last 12 monthes in mind a 10,000 worder on something like Epic Films won't kill me, and keep plugging at my grad film.

I've also just been contacted by Alex a friend in London who is taking a crew to film a charity piece in Serre Leone, and he needs a cameraman, might be a bit much for this year but, a few injections later I could be going as soon as January. Its exciting times ahead albeit in a country that not 8 years ago endured horrific genocide, glad I got a new phone, my last one fell apart on a bus 2 weeks ago.

Not written on an iPhone by Luke 24th Nov 2008