I had my official induction day at Channel 4 today. They showed us this video:
10
Jan 11
Wife beaters
Today is the launch of the 8th series of Shameless. To mark this monumental occasion, everyone at 4Creative has come to work in wife beater vests, and they were handing out free cans of Sella in the canteen. I love this job.
Migs.
09
Jan 11
Here comes trouble …
So the weekend began with a bang. I’m not talking about the copious amounts of lager beers we drank on the way down to The Lakeside, or Stephens superb rendition of Wonderwall (in a scauser accent) on the coach’s karaoke machine, or even Molly laughing so much that she wet herself (for real!). No i”m not talking about that kind of a Bang. We actually had a crash. Lets just say that trying to snog the driver whilst he was actually driving probably wasn’t the greatest idea Al.
But we didn’t just crash into anyone. We actually crashed into Segal. (Yes, ‘the’ Segal). Those of you in the know, will know that Segal is actually the dude behind the theme tunes to Skins. (Check out his dope interview here) Fortunately for us, we had Neil Gorringe (creative director for E4) on the bus with us. And fortunately for us they are mates. And fortunately for us there was very little damage to our coach. Unfortunately for Segal, the same could not be said of his vehicle. But, as lady luck would have it, he was heading to The Lakeside too. (Apparently he too is a mega darts fan!?!) So before you know it, we were 4Creative+1.
The rest of the weekend was a blur. But poor lakeside. They really weren’t prepared for such a rawkus bunch of professional alcoholics. And they certainly weren’t prepared for Tom Powell (digital producer, i think?) streaking during the Semi finals on Saturday night. Play was disrupted, and the whole debacle was caught on camera, but i’ve traweled the internet and can’t find the footage anywhere. That cost us the finals. (Adams won by the way) We got thrown out, bailed Tom out of the local constabulary on Sunday morning, and headed back to London with one mother of a hangover. Heavy shit.
Miguel.
07
Jan 11
And we’re off …
OK, my mistake. There are more people at 4Creative. About 50 of them. And they are all Darts fans (what the fuck?). And they are all sat in a big-ass bus outside the main building waiting for me. Lakeside here we come!
Migs.
05
Jan 11
Beware of Riggers
Man, shooting smoke is fucking boring (”complete free reign” – see my first post, you suckers). It all looks the same to me, but Joseph and Julian and Sean (retoucher) seemed really excited with the whole thing. They must of taken thousands of shots. Everyone at the shoot seemed super busy, so i sat around all morning watching them, bored off my skull. And then Tabby and Brian showed up to save the day.
Who would have thought a simple darts board could provide so many hours of amusement. There were about 25 people there today, and everyone had a go – even Ed (he’s crap). But one of the riggers got thrashed by a girl from Artem, and completely lost his rag. He actually tried to punch her (no shit), but luckily Jack (production assistant at 4creative) managed to pull him back just in time, thus saving Artem girl from angry rigger – but not saving angry rigger from Artem girl’s steel toe cap boot. Her aim was perfect, and he went down shouting. Ed fired him on the spot, which was fair enough, but i was very impressed by this riggers extensive knowledge of expletives.
Suddenly this shoot wasn’t looking so boring at all. Smoke, explosions, a sacking, a fight, and darts. Speaking of which, there’s a 4Creative night out this Friday. They’re going to The Lakeside to watch the Semis (apparently Tom Tagholm, the boss, is also a big fan). And i have been invited. Fuckin’ A.
Miguel.
04
Jan 11
The Black Island
Day 2 at 4Creative. There were a few more people at the office today. At least 12 of them. Where the fuck is everyone? Ed was saying they are all shooting stuff, but he sounded cagey about it.
Went down to the set of The Promise today with Ed at a place called Black Island Studios. I met Tabby (producer), Joseph (creative), and Brian (director) who work at 4Creative. Maybe people do work there?!?
The talk of the day was Darts, obviously. Tabby is a die hard darts fan (who would have guessed?) and she’s just come back from a 3 day bender at the Lakeside. Tabby and Brian are rooting for Martin Adams. But can Wolfie really win the world championship again? I’m not so sure. I think Dekker is looking strong. Prima!
Artem are working through the night to get things ready for The Promise. It looks money. I met the photographer, Julian Walkenstein, and tomorrow they are shooting explosions and smoke and things. I begged Ed to let me come tomorrow to see it all. I won’t tell you what he made me do (boy does he have a dirty mind), but in the end the man, he say yes.
Miguel.
03
Jan 11
WHERE IS EVERYBODY? …
Today was my first day as an intern at 4Creative. Which is pretty awesome. Or it would be, had they bothered to show up. Apparently today was a Bankers Holiday, so only the hardcore were in. You know who you are (Ed, Zung). Anyways, it seems this blog has been neglected, so it’s been given to me to flex my fingers with. I have been given “complete free reign” by Ed. I can write anything i like. Shit, i can even swear if i want to. (Mega!)
After cleaning out the stationary cupboard (you have never seen such a well stocked stationary cupboard in all your life – its more like a small room – i was sent down to a place called Artem to see the preparations for a shoot that’s happening this week for a new drama called The Promise (can i say this? – Fuck it, i have “complete free reign”)
Artem is a top special effects place. Unlike 4Creative, it was crawling with people, working away on a massive model they are shooting later this week. I will keep you posted. Literally.
Miguel.
19
Jan 10
LA SHOTS
Sorry for the lack of posts. I knocked myself out sledging.
Anyway, here are some shots from LA and the Glee shoot. Notice Art and the guys weaving their magic everywhere.
Did you spot me also in the Indian Winter Poster?? Some of them are still up around town and my mum is very impressed.
She circled my face in the one near her house with a marker pen.
The Intern
11
Jan 10
4creative 2010
I just got back to town. It freezing. There wasn’t snow in LA, in fact there was mainly sunshine. The team all went home for Christmas but I stayed as there were some things to sort out with Art and his crew. Got back about a week ago – maybe you saw the Glee ads in the papers. I was pleased and it was worth missing the family Christmas for.
Back now and all is good. Some cool things going on here this week – pitches and poly board for a bit.
The Intern
P.S. How about that snow.
16
Dec 09
I love LA and Rich Martin and Glee
as if the run up to the festive period hadn’t been weird enough already…
The confusion about the lorry crash/my “lomo” photography sorted itself out. In the end the driver of the lorry admitted he had been reading a novel at the wheel while driving. Lunatic. I got my passport back and headed for the airport, after a truly amazing meal with Birju and the boys. Birju’s father is 102 and has 8 sisters.
So I’m on my way to CSIA and expecting to board a flight back home to the UK and 4Creative and all my delayed Christmas shopping when a call comes through. In LA a stills shoot is happening for Glee – big new US show – and Brett and the team want me out there. Why me? I don’t know. It was one of those ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!??? moments. They were serious. Flights changed. Airport staff annoyed. Bags very nearly lost in mayhem.
I met the actor from Hornblower (quite a nice bloke) then got a free upgrade because the lady at check in thought I looked like her brother.
Anyhow, to cut a long story a bit shorter, many hours later I get off the plane at LAX and am greeted by Alice and Olivia and photographer Art Streiber. They have come in Art’s Chevvy Impala low rider and I am briefed on shoot on way to studio.
I will post shots when I can. The weather is a bit average here. Met a guy called Rich Martin who is a sound designer, composer, musician who Alice has used before and has brought out here so that the “shoot can inspire a musical interpretation of the visuals, or EAR-CON”. Rich is mainly spending most of the time riding a BMX around set but he’s also been noodling about on an old ukulele – some super interesting stuff. This morning we sang Extreme’s More Than Words as the sun came up over the lot and it was a cool moment. Alice and Olivia had their hands full with managing the Glee cast and writers/producers so sadly couldn’t be involved but I am told they have excellent singing voices.
We ate dinner last night at Myagi’s, which local fixer Rob tells us is one of the most exclusive joints in Hollywood.
Hello all who are reading. Thank you to everyone who helped me in India and Mum and Dad I will be back soon I promise!!
More soon.
The lucky-as-hell Intern.
