Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

And Action! The Making of Prose & Cons.

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So we finished with the first location for Prose & Cons. We have 53 scenes in the bag. 53 scenes. That’s 50% of our movie. Almost. The most surprising thing was how easy it was. Not that it wasn’t hard, it was. It just took me so long to make a film that I guess I thought it would be nearly impossible. It was hard work, but if you work hard it’s no biggie.

Steve McAleavy and Catherine Balavage direct Prose & Cons

Steve was amazing. We are filming on a Canon 60D and Steve is operating it. Steve is the producer/editor/co-director and all-round great guy. Steve and I both have equipment but we mostly used his. He has a lot of Phillip Bloom stuff, and a Fig rig. I haven’t asked how much it all costs and I don’t think he wants me to; adding all of that up will only be painful.

The first actor to turn up is Lynn Howes. Lynn is not only talented but very professional. She knows the script inside out, is good with continuity and thinks of the little things that no-one else does. Jack Bowman plays her boyfriend in the film. Jack is perfect as Jamie. He is very talented and Jack is also fun.

Next up is Bo Wilson. Bo plays her part beautifully. She has a day job as an editor at the Evening Standard, gets up at 5am but still manages to get to Kingston in the evening and give a brilliant performance.

We filmed in Kingston, a beautiful area. We didn’t do too many takes and the actors were professional. Although I feel that because I cast some of my friends they don’t show the proper amount of respect for me as the director. I try to be firm and tell myself; hey, at least they turned up.

Clea Myers came and played my aunt. Clea is in a poignant scene in the film and she is an incredibly giving actress. In acting it matters to act opposite someone else who is talented. The better the actor the better you will be. Clea is obviously a film actress of note. She is one of the most talented people I have ever worked with. Acting on film is thinking, but thinking hard. I read that in Mel Churcher’s book, and it is spot on.

Before we start filming I realise that our of all of the scenes we are filming I am in about 90% of them. That is a lot of lines. Directing and acting is not necessarily hard. As long as you watch the footage back and change if it is not working.

One of the actors drop out at the last minute and we have to deal with the stress of casting while we are dealing with the stress of filming. Fun. Luckily, after a few calls the wonderful Monty Burgess stepped into the breach. He gave a wonderful performance and I cannot imagine anyone else doing the part.

Steve doesn’t have any crew but still manages to do brilliant shots. Steve says that the next time he wants crew and at one point says he doesn’t know why he indulged me: “We should have made a short”. he says. He’s joking. I think.

We had a brilliant time. When you make a film you become like a family. Few things went wrong apart from a broken lens cover (not the lens, thank god), a broken HDMI cable and a parking ticket.

I am very excited about filming the rest of Prose & Cons. I will keep you all updated and get Steve to write something to.

John Lewis: The Best of British?

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Never knowingly undersold. That’s the motto, but is it true? Well, that is the point of the article. In a world were people are quick to complain, tweet and generally point out the bad, I wanted to say; yes, it is. In fact, I think that John Lewis is one of the best thing’s about Britain. It is quite high praise and here is why;

They care about their customers. If something is faulty and you need to take it back, you will get a refund. They care about their customers and want to keep them. They are smart enough to know that if you sell quality stuff and have excellent costumer service people will keep coming back. The first John Lewis store was opened in 1864 in Oxford Street, London. They have lasted the distance and for good reason. Buying something from John Lewis is a guarantee that you will not be screwed over, something that many other companies could learn from.

This is why I vote John Lewis as one of the best British things. Congratulations John Lewis and long may you continue.

Russell Brand Jokes About Katy Perry Divorce.

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Russell Brand joked that he was looking for a new wife at the MTV Movie Awards last night.

The British comedian hosted the award ceremony at the Gibson Amphitheatre.

“Last time I did an MTV show I ended up marrying someone,” he said. “Tonight I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for my next wife.”

He also joked about Kim Kardashian and her 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries.

“Kim took a lot of pressure off with her world record marriage – thanks, Kim.”

The audience included Charlie Sheen, Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron,

Prometheus | Film Review

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This film is clearly a prequel, although Ridley Scott at one point denied it. Long awaited and much discussed, when the trailer was released a while back the internet went mad. The film is visually stunning and has brilliant performances by Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace. Rapace plays a driven and intense scientist who’s longing for a child is used against her and twisted in a horrific way. Fassbender is an android made to look like a humanoid so he doesn’t scare the crew.

This film comes 33 years after the first Alien movie and has some elements of the previous movies; a crew on a ship called Prometheus with an android, a scene like the alien coming out of John Hurt but much more icky.

There has been some complaints that the film is slightly predictable, but what monster movie isn’t? It is a monster movie for god’s sake. Prometheus is beautifully made, well acted, thrilling and entertaining. Is also has excellent production design and incredible visual effects. It is an ambitious and impressive film. Definitely worth a watch.

10 Facts About The Queen

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1) Prince Phillip calls her ‘Lilibet’.
2) She swears, but only uses words that begins with ‘B’.
3) She is a brilliant impersonator. She impersonates world leaders and public figures.
4) The Queen has never worn a pair of Jeans.
5) She doesn’t have a driving licence or a passport.
6) She hates gardening.
7) She loves racing, but has never placed a bet.
8 She has very soft skin.
9) She hates lateness, and tells people off when they keep her waiting.
10) She has sturdy sea legs.

Myleene Klass’s Husband Leaves her on her Birthday.

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The Presenter is ‘devastated’ after her husband walked out on her on her 34th birthday, leaving her and her two children alone.

The couple have been together for 11 years and married for 6 months. The couple had been engaged for five years. The couple met when Graham was Myleene’s bodyguard when she was in pop group Hear’Say.

According to The Sun, Graham dumped Klass on April 6 this year – her 34th birthday. “Myleene had no idea that Graham was going to leave her.

“They only got married a few months ago and she thought everything between them was great. It came as a massive shock to Myleene and she’s heartbroken.”

Her friends are angry with him, especially as she has been left holding the babies. It’s an awful situation.”

Drew Barrymore Marries.

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Drew Barrymore has married third husband Will Kopelman.

The couple got engaged in February after a year of dating. Barrymore wed the art consultant in a garden ceremony in Montecito in California yesterday.

E! Online reports that 200 guests attended the nuptials, including Cameron Diaz, comedian Jimmy Fallon, and Reese Witherspoon.

The 37-year-old is rumoured to be pregnant with her first child. A source told Life & Style: “Drew didn’t know she was pregnant when Will proposed,” whilst another told Star magazine: “Drew is over the moon about the baby, but she wants a husband too.”

Frost Magazine wish the happy couple a long and happy life.

Desperate Housewives Actor Dies.

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Kathryn Joosten, who played Karen McCluskey in Desperate Housewives, has died aged 72.

In an art-imitating-life twist Kathryn died after a battle with cancer, just like her character.

Publicist Nadine Jolson said Kathryn, who had lung cancer, died on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Kathryn also appeared in The West Wing and won an Emmy.

Desperate Housewives co-star Marcia Cross tweeted a tribute to her close friend:

“Thank you Kathryn. For your courage, your humor, your fight and your talent. We were so lucky to have you.”