Count to 30 - #17. TIFF

Here's #17 in my set of 30 lists.

My best moments at TIFF!
(In case you aren't aware, I recently worked at the Toronto International Film Festival, which was awesome.)

 1.  The truly best thing was getting to work with such great people.  I spent a LOT of time with my coworkers in 12 days, and thankfully they were fabulous.  We had a great time.

 

2.  I went to Tim Hortons one morning, and while I was in line, was standing behind a man who looked very familiar.  It took a second to sink in, then we made eye contact and smiled,  I knew he was an actor.  The problem was that I couldn't place him or think of his name.  (Or I would have asked for a pic)  Blame it on my 530 am wake-up.
I got back to work and told my coworker we had a game to play - "Name the actor whose name I don't know and can't think of his films either.  He looks a little bit like Kevin Spacey but is more handsome and clean cut."
Thankfully the IMDB is the greatest website on the internet.  It helped me to find out that I ordered breakfast alongside Clark Gregg - I would best know him from 500 days of summer, having not watched the Avengers until this week.

3.  Getting to read Variety magazine and the Hollywood Reporter every day for free and while at work.

4.  Watching people get so excited over seeing stars on the red carpets.

5.  Seeing stars on the red carpets.  ;)
I saw Billy Bob Thornton, Robert Duvall, Gwenyth Paltrow, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, and really wanted to see Joseph Gordon Levitt but did not.

 6. I got to see a lot of great films, including: Argo, Ausgustine, Arthur Newman, The Brass Teapot, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Sessions, Love Marilyn, The Deep, Hannah Arendt, Tower, and Jump.

7.  L'oreal was a sponsor and had a promo building set up for the festival.  If you went and gave your name and email, you got to choose a free full size product.   My coworker and I didn't find out until the last day that we were allowed in once a day.  We had gone a few times, but were changing hairstyles and coats and feeling guilty about it! Lol.  In the end I got nail polishes, mascara, hairspray, BB cream and a lipstick for free.  Pretty good.

8.  On one of the first days of the festival I was walking along John street on a break and a VIP shuttle was driving beside me.  There were also people chasing the car in the middle of traffic.  In the backseat I saw the the long locks and more handsome than expected face of Mr Johnny Depp.  I reached into my purse for my cell phone, raced to get to the camera app and tried to snap a pic of him in the car.  This is what I got. Lol.

Apparently Mr Depp has the ability to erase all of my photography skills.  But in the end I think this is a lot more funny and a better memory.  Lol, the power of celebrity.

9.  Speaking of celebrity, my co-worker Nicole Fairbairn is an actress and had a film playing at TIFF!  It was a lot of fun to get the behind the scenes scoop from her as well as going to see her up on the big screen.   She's super talented.

10.  Taking my good friends Katy, Elizabeth and Amanda to see films with the tickets I booked.  It was a highlight to have such lovely company to see and discuss great movies.

11.  Talking to random film-lovers in the lines for TIFF.  There was some time spent in line when rushing films, or waiting to be seated in the theatres, and the film crowd of Toronto is very diverse and interesting.  It was genuinely nice to chat with random strangers about which films they'd seen, what they'd recommend and how many years they've been going to TIFF.   Faith in humanity and its good taste restored.

12.  I also have a rekindled love with Toronto.   It's a huge city of millions of people, and sometimes can feel like you're just a speck.  But during the festival I saw a lot of community, of cultural appreciation, and general excitement to be living in such a vibrant place.  Toronto has a lot to offer, and I need to soak it up while I can and am here.

13.  The premiere of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  I hadn't read the book and didn't have any expectations for this movie, but booked 2 tickets to it because it was the world premiere.  I have to tell you, it blew me away.  The cast and crew were at the screening and Emma Watson sat 6 seats over from me.  It was directed by the author of the book, which is really rare and clearly was a wise choice, as the film was truly as great as it deserved to be.  The audience was in tears and gave a standing ovation, and then got to ask questions after it finished.  I am so happy that I was able to be there.  I really need to read this book.

14.  I had a lot of early mornings during the festival.   Early as in waking up before the sun.  But the nice part about this was that I saw some stunning sunrises on those days.

15.  I was able to attend the closing night party for the film A Song for Marion.  It was themed around the British movie, with mini parcels of fish & chips,  shepherds pie served in a pie crust spoon, and tiny servings of strawberry shortcake.  So cute!
I had fun with Maggie, enjoying music from a choir and a dj, and of course the free cocktails and champagne.

16.  Working with the many many volunteers.  There are over 2000 volunteers that help make TIFF happen every year.  I met only a fraction of them, but they were a lot of fun to hang out with and get to know a little bit.  My friend Barbara was one of them, so it worked out nicely too :)

17.  The Staff and Volunteer Party.
There are so many people involved that they held the party at the Phoenix.   Massive amounts of people in a giant dance party, celebrating a successful fest!

Overall working at TIFF was one of the best jobs I've ever had in my live.  Great people, amazing films and such perks!  I miss it.

At least I have loads to scrapbook :)

Count to 30 - #11.

I'm turning 30 soon, so I'm writing 30 lists.  Here's #11.

Top Movies.

1.  Amelie. 
This one is the absolute favourite, hands down, I can watch it over & over.

2.  The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
Maybe it's the boat, or the Portuguese David Bowie songs. 

3.  Forrest Gump.
This film blew me away when I watched it for the first time.  The historical footage, the characters, the amazing soundtrack!

4.  Life is Beautiful.
Makes me bawl my eyes out every single time.  Also, Roberto still has the best Oscar acceptance ever.

5.  500 Days of Summer.
A recent addition, it's cute and Joseph Gordon Levitt is priceless.  So sweet.

6.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 
ONLY the animated original from the 60's.  I watch it every year.

7. Once.
The best musical film I've ever seen.  Another stunning soundtrack too.

8.  Inception. 
In a world full of sequels, original and exciting films have a place in my heart.

9.  The Dark Knight trilogy.
Sequels that are an exception.  Christopher Nolan is a movie genius.

10.  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. 
If you haven't seen this film, watch it this weekend.  And let me know if you'd ever erase memories.  I could never do it. 

11.  The Little Mermaid. 
Best children's movie.  And another great soundtrack.  I am noticing a pattern here...


What's your favourite movie?
Anything you think I should see?

Working on Music Videos

This weekend is a busy one. 
My friend, classmate from film school and favourite music video director Derek will be directing another 2 videos this weekend. 
The videos are both for an up and coming Toronto artist Dirty Radio.
I'm excited.  It's been a while since I've worked on a crew.

Here are the videos we've worked on before.
I was the assistant director for each of these and they were all shot in Thunder Bay, ON.

The first video doesn't exist online!  It was made in 2004, and my younger sister and her friends were dancers.   It was fun but maybe just too embarrassing for everyone involved now.

The second was for the young punk band Amelia.  No idea if these guys are even still together.  It was 2005.



Then we did Alright Okay for Webster Death.   This video is my favourite.  


And the last one, in 2008, was also for Webster Death. This is The Script.


Both of the videos that we made with Webster Death went on to win awards at Cravefest in Toronto. 
The shoots are always a ton of work, but in the end it's so worth it. 

This is dedication - the director, hiding behind the wrapper and holding moose antlers that weigh a ton.   It's all about getting the shot.

I'll share photos of this weekend's activities soon.  Hope your weekend is great!

how to make a newsboy cap

this may seem like a random thing to post but i can explain.

i am currently working on a historical documentary film. as half of the 2 person wardrobe department, which includes, among other things, dressing about 400 extras over 2 weeks of filming.

date range from 1910-1936. whoo hoo!

it's keeping me busy from roughly noon-2am for 3 weeks.
here's a scene they want to recreate:

and so - the newsboy caps.

cut out a pattern that looks like this - essentially a large circle with a smaller one inside.

i've got 22 inches across the big outside one, then within it drew a 16 inch one. folding the paper made it easier to cut the triangular wedges out.

for the moon shaped piece i traced the edge of a baseball cap and it's about 3 inches across at the centre of the 'moon.'

in a tweed-ish fabric, cut one of the large piece and 2 moon shapes. then cut one moon of cardboard or plastic. (i used cereal box cardboard but i'd recommend something more solid & washable if you'll be using the hat for more than a one time costume - ie part of a pop bottle. you'd also want a lining.)

p

pin the brim pieces together and pin the large piece so each triangle cut out becomes closed again.

the hat will start to take shape...

when sewing the main part of the hat, curve toward the centre as you go - it will make the hat more circular on top. put the cardboard in the brim and sew it right sides together to the main part of the hat. tada.

that was easy right? uhhh... ha ha sorry. it is more simple to do than it is to explain...

repeat as needed.

i'll see you again when the film is wrapped. so happy canada day this thursday!

Update:  While I appreciate the interest, I have been getting emails and questions about this post daily.  It has been over 4 years since I have made the hats.

Yes the pattern size was as described.  If the hat is too big, sew with larger seam allowances and remember that the floppy excess gets pulled forward and tacked to the brim. 

Adjust the pattern for hats for children. 

highlights of the cannes film festival

i still can't believe i was there to experience it.

the fact that i got the job in france, on the riviera, in one of the world's film cities.

that we lived so close we could hear screaming fans from our apartment.

that we got to act cool and say "ugh - tourists." haha.

it was a great time.

and now - i know what you really want - the pictures :P

the palais des festivals, where all the action is :)

this was my fave thing.  they screened films on the beach! for free!

the movie screen is built on a dock in the ocean.  they also gave everyone blankets.  the man walking is selling roasted nuts.  toes in the sand - best way to watch a movie ever.

the famed red carpet :)

the collection of ladders that screaming fans stand on.

waiting in line...

crazy weird and expensive cars. (this one was in Monaco on the night before the Formula 1)

and now i present:

the adventures of mel's only 'fancy' dress

"I'M ON A BOAT" ridiculousness on a yacht in Monaco.

 on the way to the VIP room club.  we got in! michelle rodriguez was the dj! it was a crazy fun night.

& the final adventure of the dress: 

i won tickets to see the closing night film at the Cannes Film Festival.  they drew less than 500 names for the whole city and i won! tux & bowtie mandatory (which i loved) steve had to borrow one.  

we got to walk the red carpet.

perfect end to a great year.

i miss you already cannes.

missing in action/having the most insane week of my life

hello bloggers. 

i'm sorry this won't be a very well prepared post.  

i am having a blast in cannes right now.  

the film festival is in full swing.  

celebrities and parties are everywhere.  (russell crowe, cate blanchette, woody allen, eva longoria!)

my friends and i will be leaving soon, and are trying to take advantage of every last second.

there are photoshoots, movie screenings on the beach, themed dinner parties, hikes, swimming in the ocean and

last night - partying at a VIP club where michelle rodrigez was the dj, p diddy the host, and cuba gooding jr and donatella versace were guests. oh and me and my girls!

we still can't believe we got in!

i only have 9 days left, and after all of this, how can i go back to real life?! haha

see you soon - loads more time to blog when this all settles.

i'm off to the beach.

more delicious stop motion

today was one of those days.  i don't know if you get them, the day when you're crabby no matter what and you just want to lie in bed and do nothing...?

yeah that's me today.

haha

but i did stumble upon another great stop animation video. these always cheer me up. 

i made one in college over the christmas break once so i know exactly how much time and meticulous planning it takes.  but they're like pure magic unfolding and so worth it in the end.

i want to make another one soon, but i've always been stumped on the script idea.  maybe i should just skip that and make one about nothing.  just to do it again.  

oh and in case you're wondering why i can't post my film in this blog entry.  it's not online and the dvd is in canada. it will have to wait for another time.  but here's this:

(what do you do to cheer up?)