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Category: Life

Mar92012

Carefully Casual

He was in the process of finishing his latest film when he attended the film party. The press was there, but he knew they would be. The party was high-profile, the attendees a who’s who of the industry, all dressed to stand-out from each other – a mosaic of artsy, funky, formal and just plain black clothes.

But he was surprisingly casual for such a party: jeans, sweatshirt, jean jacket and a baseball cap. Instead of not fitting in, he appeared down-to-earth, approachable… and he stood out from the crowd. How radical. How counter-promotion.

Or was it?

When the press camera was trained on him, it became clear: his company’s logo was on the sweatshirt; his latest film’s logo was on the baseball cap; and the logo of the biggest financier of his latest movie was on the jean jacket. So, in one interview frame – no matter what he said, no matter if he were the focus of the interview – he’d be advertising three logos at the same time.

Now that is carefully casual. Very clever.

Cheers & a good shoot to you,
Deb

Jan132012

How Many Parkas?

I have an industrial-strength parka that’s so big and thick that it stands up by itself. It’s perfect for standing around on set amid the depths of a Canadian winter. I’ve tried various combination of gloves and mitts over the years and found a combo of liner and mitt that actually warms my hands during those frigid outside days that never appear to end. On the feet… liners, sub-zero socks and heavy-duty Sorel winter boots, of course. I can be ready for the worst of outside winter weather.

Or so I thought…

After a trip to the Yukon in January and taking a dog sled ride I was rightfully humbled. The host – barely regarding me as he organized to prepare our trip – handed me a parka. I protested, saying that I had brought my own “real” parka, and started to explain its sub-zero features. He looked at me plainly and said: “You’ll need this one too.”

I was speechless.

I’ve filmed outside in minus 30, wearing but 1 parka. I’ve filmed dog sledding – albeit in Ontario – and wore only 1 parka. I’ve seen “Snowbuddies” and other films featuring dog sledding. No matter how bad the weather, I swear they were each only wearing 1 parka.

But sometimes film does not reflect life.

My host was so right. Layered parkas were essential. A human parka blimp, my body could take the cold and windchill as we sped across the frozen Yukon River. And what a ride it was!

Remember a time when your preconceived notions (from film life) surprised you in real life? Sure it’s great to watch it (on film) but it sure is awesome to live it, no?

Cheers & a warm shoot to you,
Deb

Dec92011

Ciné-surfer: Choosing A Charity… by Cause or Celebrity!

Charity giving comes to mind more so around this time of year than at other times. With so many worthy charities needing funds, how do you choose? Well… how about:

  • by Charity name
  • by Cause
  • by Celebrity supporter

At Looktothestars.org there is a list of 1761 charities listed in all 3 ways!

And while you’re surfing and choosing, swing by Charity Navigator too; they have lots more information on each charity, plus a great page of advice on how to be a saavy donor.

Happy, thoughtful choosing… and good on ya!
Deb

Oct282011

TED Talks: Nigel Marsh & Work-Life Balance

“The small things matter.”

TED Talks are great for feeding the mind and soul.

Nigel’s 10-minute talk about Work-Life Balance reminds us that it doesn’t take radical changes in order to create a radical effect on your life: small things matter. And that thought is both hopeful and doable. We can take control of our the work-life balance in our lives through a shift in thought – and subsequently in action.

Nigel does acknowledge that some job and career choices are fundamentally incompatible with balancing work life and engaging with a young family, but once you acknowledge what situation you’re in, there are still small changes you can make to improve the life-side of work-life balance.

Take a pause of 10 minutes to listen to him in person. It’ll be worth it:
http://www.ted.com/talks/nigel_marsh_how_to_make_work_life_balance_work.html

And start those small changes today!

Cheers & a good balance to you,
Deb

Sep302011

Dressed For the Opera… But Don’t Ask Me The Time

I had tickets to the opera after set one day. Timing with the shoot day meant I’d have to dress for the event at work. Once dressed, however, I happened past the Wardrobe department, and apparently didn’t pass muster. My biggest gaff was to wear a large-face (practical) watch which clashed horribly with my outfit.

I offered to remove the offending watch, but no, they’d find me the perfect accessory; my outfit would not be complete without the right watch, you see.

They sifted through their inventory to find a watch that matched seamlessly with my outfit. Indeed, they found one that was a perfect match. The only problem with the new watch was that it didn’t work. No battery. No ability to wind it. But then again, on screen why would you need a watch whose hands move? So we set the time to ten minutes before two (an aesthetically pleasing placement of the hands), and after a few happily imposed touch ups from the Hair and Makeup departments too, I was now ready to go to the opera.

The next problem… I had no idea what time it was anymore. Yet somehow I made it to the theatre on time and found that without knowing the exact time – as I usually do – it was a very relaxing, stress-free evening.

So it truly was the right watch for that outfit!

Cheers & good work-life balance to you,
Deb

Sep22011

3 of the Best Treasures about the Wardrobe & Set Sale

Oh,the treasures you can find at the wardrobe and set sale! Here are 3 of my favourites:

1. Unique wardrobe choices
Discover unique and incredible clothes that somehow only the wardrobe department is adept enough to find when walking through a store… althought you’ll have to sift past the intentionally torn and (fake) blood stained clothing to find them!

2. Truly evergreen greenery
Find fake plants for the house… because you love plants but – because of your work schedule – never water them as you should.

3. Cinematic history
Own a piece of clothing, prop or set dressing with a cinematic history… the item that was part of the film you helped make come to life is now a part of your life ever after.

What treasures do you find?

Cheers & happy hunting to you,
Deb