What Scares You?

What scares you? It's a question of some concern to the writer of horror fiction, the maker of horror films, the creator of horror art. The really scary thing is that there's no easy answer. Ask the question of a hundred different people and you'll get a hundred different responses. Spiders. The dark. Vampires. Enclosed … Continue reading What Scares You?

“Excalibur” – Drayton Manor Park

I've worked on a few theme park projects over the years, including white knuckle rides, science centre attractions and scary dark walkthroughs. One of the most enjoyable was a rather sedate family boat ride at the UK's Drayton Manor Park called Excalibur - A Dragon's Tale. The brief was to revamp the rather tired Jungle … Continue reading “Excalibur” – Drayton Manor Park

Revisiting Cinefex (9): Blade Runner

The glowing lights of a police spinner illuminate the cover of Cinefex issue #9. The still is from Blade Runner, Ridley Scott's seminal adaptation of Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? Two years into its life, the Cinefex cover design retains the classic simplicity established in issue #1, although the price has … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (9): Blade Runner

Is Creativity a Black Art?

"Where do you get your ideas?" It's the question every writer dreads. The most common answer is, 'I don't know.' I prefer to take it one step further. In truth, I don't want to know. I've often wondered if it's possible to teach creativity. The longer I live, the more convinced I am that it … Continue reading Is Creativity a Black Art?

Revisiting Cinefex (8): Tron and Silent Running

The cover of Cinefex issue #8 features a striking image of Bruce Boxleitner as Tron in the 1982 Disney movie of the same name. Inside the cover is a still from Douglas Trumbull's 1972 science fiction film Silent Running, featuring one of those funky robots (I could never tell them apart so you'll have to … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (8): Tron and Silent Running

Ssh, It’s a Plot!

Many writers sneer at plot. Others embrace it. Just as many don’t know the difference between plot and story and, when challenged, take themselves into a corner and mumble. The way I see it is this: Story is a sequence of events Plot is the structure behind that sequence of events It’s perfectly possible to … Continue reading Ssh, It’s a Plot!

“Basil’s Trump” – Stop-Motion Animated Film

Basil's Trump has nothing to do with trapped wind. It's the name of a short stop-motion animated film I made as a student with my good friend Roger Smith. It's just made its debut on YouTube, but if you scroll down just a little you can watch it right here on this blog. First, a little … Continue reading “Basil’s Trump” – Stop-Motion Animated Film

Revisiting Cinefex (7): Willis O’Brien

In one of the most iconic dramatic encounters of the 20th century, the giant ape King Kong looms over the helpless Ann Darrow. This is the cover of Cinefex #7, an issue devoted entirely to Willis O'Brien, the man who brought Kong to life. Inside is a generous introduction from animator and film-maker Ray Harryhausen, … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (7): Willis O’Brien

Goodbye Shuttle

One of my earliest memories is of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. I was four years old. I vividly recall watching grainy black-and-white pictures of Neil Armstrong exiting the Eagle lander through the stair bannisters. At even that young age, I understood something amazing was happening. I've wanted to go into space ever … Continue reading Goodbye Shuttle

Revisiting Cinefex (6): Early CGI, Dragonslayer and Raiders

One of the great movie dragons is Vermithrax Pejorative from Dragonslayer. And guess what? She's right there on the cover of Cinefex #6 in the form of ILM's go-motion puppet. Inside the cover is a still of actor Peter MacNicol astride the full-size dragon head built for the film's live-action shoot. This issue's 80 pages contain … Continue reading Revisiting Cinefex (6): Early CGI, Dragonslayer and Raiders