Damien Letter (age 11)

Mostly inspired by Vincents awesome blog, I wrote this letter as a character exercise for my film. It's an old letter, one of the first that Damien writes to NZ Post, asking for a job.

I found it hugely beneficial.

Dear New Zealand Post,

My name is Damien and I am 11 years old. I would love to work for you as a postman right away.

Ever since I was 8 I have always dreamed of being a postman/mail carrier/postie and so I know lots about the subject. However, your industry is one of secrecy and magic, and I wish to join your ranks to uncover more about your inner workings.

I love going outside, and I send letters all the time. Mail, as I am sure you would agree, is a much purer form of communication than email. My mum says that computers are made by “profiteering scum” and are the reason she is out of work (she teaches calligraphy). My dad is allowed one though, but only because he is involved with data input at work and computers are kind of the point. But I’m sure if he could he would do it all by hand.

I have always admired the skill and dedication that postmen/women show, delivering mail every day and in all weather conditions. You are all heroes. I also like how friendly you all are, and how you endeavour to know peoples name and when their birthday is. That is an impressive feat.

I do have a couple questions though.

1. Do you still drive in vans or has the movement officially been made to bikes?

2. Do you really get up at six am or even EARLIER?

3. Are you all afraid of dogs or is this a white lie?

As well as being my dream job, I am also business focussed, and your competitive rates and benefits scheme has definitely caught my eye.

Thank you for considering my application. I am ready for an immediate start.

Yours sincerely,

Damien Wickes.

ps. I am incredibly happy just knowing that this letter was delivered by the power and magic of the postal industry. I look forward to joining it soon.

TITLES

A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

Oh man oh man this is cool.

SKILLS AND ASSETS

I work at Blockbuster Video. It's considered an awesome job due to it being easy. It is. People assume I just spend all my time watching movies. I do. But it's much much more than that.

And in order to convince myself of the benefits of my job, I have compiled this list.

Skills Callum Has Gained From His Job

1. Can alphabetise super fast.
2. Knows the difference between Horror and Thriller.
3. Can balance large stacks of DVDs in one hand.
4. Small talk.
5. Can nod and smile at the same time.
6. Can leave an answering machine message without wanting to die afterwards.
7. Time management skills.
8. Has "spare time" now (which I realised using number 7).
9. Can quote most of Fantastic Mr Fox.
10. I wear a watch now.

The last ones a cop out.

My job's amazing.

TICK

I'm writing a film. It's called Tick. It's about a guy who can't sleep because of the noises in his wall, and in his muddled state has the best/worst week of his life. It's pretty cool, but it's my first one so it probably doesn't make a lot of sense yet.

Here's some concept art...




I'm now setting myself a goal to bang it out. I'm giving myself a month. I thought I'd let you know because you might hold me to it.

"Work" starts tomorrow...

Eror

I think I haven't been posting (AT ALL) lately because I really want that picture of that smokey ghost to be at the top of the page. Man. Sorry. I have actually been really productive and busy and had lots of adventures that I could talk about. It seems my selfish pride has deprived you all of whimsical stories and brilliant thought trains.

APOLOGIES.x

SMOKEY GHOST

Oli and Callum have been productive.

Introducing a track by Hans Pucket.

(artwork by me)

Smokey Ghost

Thanks Thom.

We Are House

My parents are in the process of building their dream home. It has really been a long time coming. When it was initially designed, all three of us kids were living at home. Now, Oli and I may only get a couple months in it before we move away to bigger things. But I know it's going to be the perfect place to come back home to. And I'm still getting my own room.

Anyway, we're at the stage where its finally looking like a house. It has an almost-roof and everything! It seems they really started making progress when Oli and I stopped pretending to be labourers (read "getting-in-the-way-ers) and got different jobs that we could actually do. So last Tuesday I took Paige to see it in all it's skeletal construction-site glory.

(*click on photos for a better view)


This is the view from the front driveway. To the left is the almost-garage, and to the right of that is the almost-front entrance way. Above the garage is a sweet alcove like space which will one day be utilised as a band/(wild) rumpus room.

This is a photo of Paige standing in my parents almost-bedroom.


Here, Paige is making use of the almost-roof by sticking her head through it.

This is Adrian, my ex-manager. He's up very high, isn't he? Hahaha... He knows what he's doing, don't worry. That almost-roof doesn't stand a chance!


This is a cool photo. Its Paige crouching inside my closet in my very own almost-bedroom. Yeah, I know, but Adrian assures me that when the house is finished it won't have such a draft.


And here, in all its autumnal beauty, is the view from my bedroom window. I love it. Second stories man! It is a vast improvement on my current view: a seedy overgrown tennis court through a chain-link fence.

"One day son, all this will be yours!"