Today work was just as it has been for the last few days; very quiet with nothing needing done and annoyances making serving the occasional customers difficult. The day was made all the more bearable by the fun we had; a challenge in which someone was offered a tenner if they could throw an HDMI Cable so that it hooked over the struts in the ceiling (he failed); winding up Matt at lunchtime as usual; listening to pagan folk metal on the shop sound system; winding up Ian; and an incredible story that Allan told me which I shall recount because I was in fits of laughter for a few minutes after hearing it.
When he was 12, politicians were visiting his school, including who was at the time the Chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown. Unsurprisingly the staff of the school were all in full panic mode, ensuring all the children were model pupils in preparation for the VIPs. The motivation speech / battle plan outlined to them was simple yet concise; "Get a book, read it, talk about it if they ask". It just so happens by some beautiful moment of fate that young Allan was one of the few children Gordon Brown approached; "What are you reading there, son?"
"Nu'hin, I was just told to pick a book." came the straight reply, over the book that was being held upside down in further protest.
I love this story, and posted it here mainly so that I would be reminded of it whenever I look back at these for whatever reason.
On the bus home, I met Jamie, Goth Tom and Andrew. We spent the journey which always feels like an eternity playing cards. It was without doubt the most banterific journey I have had outside of school trips.
My main thought for today was brought about by listening to the Phenomena soundtrack; it is a moderately obscure cult horror from the 80's. Italian-made, but in English, it is directed by the cult master Dario Argento. The film is one of the strangest I have seen, with a heavy metal soundtrack featuring Iron Maiden and such, and a score written entirely by Claudio Simonetti of Goblin, the cult progressive rock band. The film would raise questions from most viewers, such as why a number of scenes are like a music video, why there is a very important sub-plot featuring a monkey, why this happens, why that happens. I realised that it all happens and is all shot like it is because Dario Argento wanted it to be so. It rekindled my interest in movies, not that I lost interest, but it certaintly made me more passionate about making them. I think it's a shame that so many films have lost all artistic aspect about them; instead of a director being the main brain of the movie, making artistic decision to achieve the film (s)he wants, inspiring the crew to be passionate about his movie, so many modern movies use the director as just another crew member; the person who co-ordinates the shoots and keeps everything running; more of a manager than an artistic leader. While I appreciate that studios are necessary for so many of the movies I love, they can often be too over-bearing with demographics and target markets that the movies, while perhaps featuring a business-like wide appeal, are lifeless and dull, offering no lasting impact after leaving the cinema. Although this sounds like a downbeat, cynical revelation, I don't see it as such; I think that realising this is necessary to give me the kick to try and be myself with films; rather than trying to make the next big hit I should focus on making the films I want to make.
All in all it has been an enjoyable day, if very frustrating at times. I am finishing it in epic style, listening to Rhapsody of Fire's amazing new album over a glass of mead, looking forward to two days off work.
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