
Updates on what I'm up to.
New Video Release - finally - Canterbury's Coal Line is ready. This
production took two trips to Christchurch - one in 2003/4 the other more
recently in 2006/7.
The editing was a real task as fine weather brought the famous Canterbury
Nor-west wind which played havoc with the sound track.
Also, a fine day on the plains means rain in the Alps - and vice versa. The
weather, as you've probably figured by now, was frustrating to say the least.
The three year gap also sees some changes - the most notable being the change in
corporate identity on the locomotives.
My distributor is marketing this production under the NZ Rail Documentary Series
and is Volume 8.
Another new video release - Auckland City Rails 3 is up and running. The shots from
this one were obtained between 2002 and 2005.
I've been sitting on this one
for a while so I'm glad to finally see it completed.
Each video introduction is being uploaded to Youtube. See the Links page for more info.
Great News !!! Well I think it is. Back in 2004
when I was filming ACR3 at Newmarket in Auckland, I did something only seen on
TV commercials - I left my very expensive external stereo microphone and fluffy
windjammer sitting on top of the car. I was half way down the Northwestern
Motorway when I realised. Their combined value was over $350.
I purchased, and still use, a new Audio Technica microphone. This came with a
felt windjammer which didn't really do a very good job at cancelling out wind
noise. The cats soon got a hold of this and ruined it anyway. My search for a
replacement windjammer thus far had been fruitless. They are very expensive to
buy.
Last weekend I decided to make my own, and thanks to one of the ladies at
Spotlight Palmerston North, we found just the material I needed. Initial tests
have been an outstanding success. It'll be interesting to see what wind speed it
is effective up to. The material cost me $16.00 and it took all of 5 minutes to
make with scissors and superglue. No longer will the Manawatu winds keep me from
filming trains.
The last time I updated this page was on Monday, 07. January 2008