As I walked off the platform, bags hung around me like the new decades jewelry, the appearance of a vast assortment of classic stone and castlework, lit by subtle street lights and seasoned by the smells of burning fire places that floated on a chilly fall wind, my first impression of Stirling was next to magical. Exposed to over 48 hours of sleepless work and travelling, Im not sure if my standards had been changed muich, but it does seem that my usual fistidious self has been completley relaxed by the rather subtle nature of the locale.
Though the people seem of few words, they typically mean well, leaving a decent first impression. The hostel is colorful, but sleeping in a room thats purple and mauve and surrounded by 10 other people leaves an interesting impression of some near-dream like state thato ccurs once youve travelled as long as I have.

Now that I sit here in my sombre, jet-lagged state, I can only guess that hthe next few days, like the next few minutes, will be much the same as the past day has been. One of intersting, ''anything-is-possible'' like qualities that likely will follow my wife and I through several months of european intrigue and immerssion.

Stay posted,

Woodruff

Alaska is quite the arrangement of breath-taking scenery. For the past three years, I've worked among its mountains, its towns and its people. I've seen some very incredible pieces of scenery, and sometimes, perhaps to my own selfish delight, the idea of a camera never seemed appropriate when personally witnessing such natural wonders. As if I preferred to keep such things to myself, retaining the memory rather than the photograph or the video tape.

Soon though, I will be leaving for a year to Scotland. What will it be like? Im not sure. Europe is one of those places that you hear about, read about, research and fantasize of all the possibilities, all the art and all the culture. But, to actually go and even to live there, now THAT is truly a stroke of a different chord. What will it be like? I wonder. So much subject matter, bolstering beyond the usual breathtaking scenery and colorful characters that Alaska always retains. How will it all pan out for me as an Artist there?

Well, as some of you know, I dont really post much on this website of mine. And, when I do post, they are usually few and far between. So, I've decided to keep a sort of journal, mapping my experiences through the year I will be abroad. From photo work, to video, to just plane thoughts on paper. I will have my trusty XL1s with me, so anything is possible in such a multicultural setting.

Im not sure what to call this project yet, so I suppose well see what I roll with. Right now, Im just waiting for the plane ride out of the Alaskan rainy season, and off to the "sunny" weather of Highland Scotland.

Talk to you all soon.

-WL

well,

Lately, lets just account for lately, Ive been having trouble coming up with anything even remotely creative. its not that I don't want to, or even that im not trying. I sit at the computer and stare. I pick up the camera and...well....there's just nothing. I don't know why, but its really eating away at me, making me less and less tolerant and more and more irritable. everything I jot down at random I end up never pursuing, and feel like Ive just hit some random brick wall that just doesn't move.

I don't understand, but if anyone has any advice, id be willing to listen.

thanks,

Zombies on the Spot.

I think Zombie movies are something of a "coming of age" ritual for filmmakers. Especially, guys like me. Ive had a taste for about as bloody and dark shadowed of a zombie flick as I can get for quite sometime. I was recently looking over my schedule, and in a sort of quick outburst of creativity came up with a zombie short that, after good ol' guerrilla-style consideration, I'm going to shoot most of this weekend.

Im holding auditions for zombies this Friday, and plan on shooting my "feasting" scenes that same evening. Call it an experiment, if you will. Im trying to take the project seriously, but you should really enjoy making up your own zombie horde. So, I plan on being as playful with it as possible. Hand-held camera action comes to mind. Well see. One thought is a need for about as much blood as possible, even though it certainly is going to be about 20 degrees or less outside. But hey, provided the camera doesn't flake out and my actors are comfortable, we should be good to go.

Ill keep you updated.

W

After a good time waiting...

I recently purchased a Canon XL1s camera, and have, at the same time, been quite packed with school work. Despite this, however, I have been breaking out now and then and started working on a little improv series, titled, "the Quarterlies". Really, the name means very little. Initially we were trying to do one practice every week (4 quarters in a month, haha), but with classes the way they are, its seems more difficult to make the time. Now, were just trying to get together.

This is sort of my fun time with the new camera, allowing me to experiment and get used to it before I start production on the new "Wendigo" project. Im still writing the script for it, but sooner than later ill be out in the snow (give away) shooting, and I would kind of like to know my camera better than I already do before I get out there.

This is really sort of a random blog, but hey, why not be a little random sometimes. Ive also been studying classic literature and communications law to where I dont know up or down, only Willa Cather and Clear-and-Present-danger (beware).

All the best,

Woodruff