The Open Road

The first step outline for my script is complete and I submitted it to my supervisor. Now I'm waiting for my next meeting and feedback session so I can start rework on it. It's exciting for sure as the movie is now taking shape. The key to writing a good story is constant rewriting and I'm loving the process.

My reading has been limited to online articles on TIME and ECONOMIST but I've just started reading 'The Open Road' by Pico Iyer. It's interesting that I picked up this particular book to read, as only yesterday I was pondering the definition of 'home' and how it has changed so much in the modern day world that it's almost an illusion. So far the book has been a pleasant revelation.

What road we chose is entirely our choice. As long as the heart and soul are open, the universe will align itself to take care of you.

Amit

The Education

It's been a while since I last wrote here. I finished work as 1st A.D on a short film titled 'The Education of Ming Ming' and it was an exciting but exhausting process because of the huge number of restrictions stacked up against us. We came through with flying colors and I loved getting back into the thick of things.



Enjoying a laugh with Cameron, who plays Ming Ming 

Trying to keep Beyond - the director, on schedule

The production team - Leah (Production Manager), Alex (producer) and me

My cameo in the short film. Getting ready for the shot

As if one kid wasn't enough to deal with. (:-)

Getting the team to get cracking

Preparing to shoot a scene

The team setting up a tricky shot

Keeping Cameron entertained while the rest of the team sets up

Beyond working with Cameron as Emily does her hair

It's hard to direct kids, as Beyond finds out

I also had some amazing meetings/ knowledge soaking sessions with some top people within the industry and it's been absolutely inspiring. The treatment for the feature film that I'm writing is shaping up nicely and it's getting closer and closer to it's true potential.

That's me for now.
Amit

Vote for me on Intrepid Travel competition

I've posted an entry on 'I am Intrepid' -check out the photo and vote for me to get me travelling along with 3 other friends.

I am Intrepid - Intrepid Travel - Competition Entries - Romantic Hoi An

Don't be shy and share the link if you like the photograph.
Amit

I dream of Istanbul

I had a vivid dream last week where I was exploring some beautiful back alleys and I woke up knowing that it was Istanbul. Since then I've been constantly bombarded by news articles about Istanbul in the most random situations and I'm now wondering - why does the universe want me to go to Istanbul and the bigger question how do I get there?

Amit

Whispering Wind

The silence of the cold night, broken by the sound of the turning wheels and the wind whispering loud and clear in your ears, is definitely something to cherish. It's those small moments in the present that really make you feel alive. It's in that moment that I realized that I do love cycling around the city.

Amit

Zoooooom!!!!

It's been a month since I last wrote and all I can say is that the month simply disappeared with different things demanding on my time.

First and foremost task that's been taking up my time has been writing a 10 page treatment for the script that i'll be working on for rest of the year as part of my Masters degree. I'm now onto the third official draft of the treatment (and maybe the 5th unofficial draft) and depending on how my next meeting goes with Dr. Shuchi, my supervisor - there might be a few more drafts of the treatment to come, before I start working on the script itself. But overall I'm loving the writing process.

Second thing that I've been involved in has been editing trailers for Documentary Edge Festival and thankfully that task will finally be complete with the delivery of the hi-res files this week. A special thanks to Marshall Smith, who was absolutely amazing with music side of things for the trailer.

The third thing that was (is and will be for another month) a short film that I am 1st A.D'ing for. The short film is called 'The Education of Ming Ming' and it's written and directed by one of my colleagues from the Masters class. It's a cute little story but an incredibly challenging shoot because of child actors and the rules we need to follow around that. So till now it's been location recee, production meetings, script breakdowns etc.

I do need to thank Alex Lee for giving me the opportunity for working on tasks-2 and 3 that's been taking up my time. Both are unique opportunities and I am really grateful for both - I hope it'll convert into something more substantial on a wider industry scale later on.

Added to the mix a couple of script meetings for 'In Between' with Andy and Leela  & my usual freelance work to make a living - it gives you a sense on why trying to update the blog was the least of my priorities.

On the upside I managed to take some time for myself yesterday and visited French Markets that happen over the weekends in Parnell and I loved it. The food is amazing and it has a real nice atmosphere. I'll definitely pay them a visit again to try on some more wonderful food.

Food, Wine & Cheese

Flying Chairs

Whitebait Fritters 

Crowd clamoring for the french food

More french food

Lonely Chicken

That spinach/potato/pork belly slice is AMAZING

After the french markets, I biked back to central city and as usual got to a meeting early, so went exploring a bit on K'Road and came across a nook of the street that I hadn't seen before and it turned out to be an awesome experience photographing it.

Closed for business

Arcadia 

Cross Street

The Jigsaw Escape

Reflections and Illusions

Some alone time

Colorful solitude

I don't know when I'll have the chance to write on here next but I hope to still have perspective on things and keep chugging along nicely.

Till later,
Amit

Flying week

Scripts read in the past week:

• Gattaca - The movie is a pretty faithful adaptation of the script. Advantages of being a writer-director I suppose. Loved reading it.
• Lonely Hearts - Film Noir!!! Damned dark and kept surprising me. The movie itself didn't do too well. 

Movies watched in the past week:

• John Carter - Ambitious, has some good bits and the world creation is fantastic but the middle of the movie pretty much grinds the forward motion to a halt. 
• Headhunters - Real crowd pleaser, grabs you by the throat and never lets go till the end. There are some plot holes that come out towards the end but you don't think about it till after the movie is over. 
• Brother Number One - Amazing documentary. It is poetic, sad, tragic, human and cathartic. A real piece of history told through New Zealand eyes.

It's been a busy week with work on treatment for the script I'lm working on at university. Besides that my physio treatment is coming along nicely and looks like the sprained tendon is on a mend. It's been almost 5 weeks since being in a gym and the withdrawal symptoms are starting to kick in. There are a couple of other projects on the go but can't talk about it right now - maybe in a week or so.

That's me for now.

Amit

Scripts, Movies, Books

Scripts read in the past week:

• The Postman Always Rings Twice  (2nd Draft) - Slow start turning into an escalating page-turner
• The Shawshank Redemption (2nd Draft) - AMAZING read!!!!

Books read in the past 2 weeks:

• 'Movies and Money' by David Puttnam - Very informative and very insightful on how both have been tied together right from the start of the medium. A must read to understand film industry.

Movies watched in the past week:

• Warrior - Cracker of a movie with solid performances from everyone especially Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte.
• 50/50 - Interesting movie - works in parts and doesn't in others. Strong points - performances by Joseph-Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick
• The Artist - Nice movie, pulls you in with its charm and keeps you there.

That's me for now.

Amit 

Victories and Beginnings

The soccer season has come to an end and our team won our last 5 games and it's an amazing feeling. We moved up from being bottom of the table to middle of the table. The team just clicked together over the new year and we had an amazing run - we even beat 2 teams who were at top of the table at one of the stages, after losing to some of the teams who are now at bottom of the table. Winning is a sweet sensation. Well done 'Deathstar Allstars'.

First class of uni year has started and it is definitely an exciting time frame. Lots of work to do in getting completely immersed into the creative flow.

Last saturday, a bunch of us went to Matakana markets for a day trip and it was a great road trip.  The markets were alive despite being cloudy with a good chance of rain. The atmosphere is nice, the food is amazing and even though it is small in size - it's big in character. Here are a few photos from the trip.

Lazy saturday breakfast

Feeding the ducks

Market time

Goodies

Cheese

Local products

Fresh Produce

Tradesman plying his wares

So close yet so far

Benji, Shuzhen, Tai and Lance

Letterboxes

Elvis and bumblebee

Art in the Barnyard

Rustic NZ

After the markets we went to a nearby beach but didn't really spend that much time as it was pretty damn windy and being an impromptu side trip none of us had taken any towels or togs, so didn't get into the water either.

Trying to get a better view

Learning to surf

Vacant beach as weather forecast was bad

End of summer

So summer is officially over and have to say it has been a miserable summer for holiday makers while it's been great for farmers, so I guess atleast someone is happy about the wet and cloudy summer. Hopefully the winter is not as miserable as the summer.

Amit

Mt. Taranaki Climb

The first view I had of Mt. Taranaki (also known as Mt.Egmont) left me stunned, nervous and spellbound. The peak looming in the distance, rising from the skies and the sea, was magical. Here was a trip that I'd planned a couple of times this summer but had to cancel because of bad weather forecast and when the forecast said it'd be good this Monday and Tuesday - I decided to drive down and climb the mountain. It was on the drive to New Plymouth that I first saw the mountain.

Magical Mt. Taranaki

A brief stop-over in New Plymouth for dinner and I carried onto The Camphouse - situated right by the North Egmont Visitor Centre. It was pitch black by the time I got to the camphouse and by the looks of it I was the only one staying there for the night. In my rush to lock the main door behind me, I managed to get the key stuck in the lock and I hadn't opened the room door allocated to me. I rang the proprietor and he said there were 2 other people staying at the lodge and to knock on their door - I did but there was no one else there. And after that I tried texting him but didn't hear a word, so I unrolled my sleeping bag and  went to sleep on the couch.

I woke up before the alarm at 5A.M and the first thing I did was give the key a few more yanks and voila, the key came free. With the 'key' issue sorted I started getting ready for the climb. The intention was to start the climb at 6A.M so I had a good chunk of the day for climb and enough time to then drive back to Auckland the same day but looking outside into pitch black, I postponed the climb by an hour.

Mt. Taranaki looming over The Camphouse 

Its amazing how you form quick friendships on the walk. I became friends with John. a visitor from Seattle and we started the walk together, after writing down the intentions at North Egmont Visitor Centre (there is a book outside the main office - which everyone has to sign, so that if you go missing or don't return people know to look for you). John is 65 and works in Law and is in incredible shape for his age.

Morning sun illuminating the mountain

The total time for a summit walk is listed as 8-10 hours and can be easily broken down into sections - first is a steep gravelled road {also called 'the puffer'} that changes into short rocky section followed by a whole bunch of steps (which seem to go on forever) followed by steep scree slope section which gives way to rocky ridge (known as 'the lizard') - which ultimately opens up to the crater and once you are in the crater, is the final short climb to the summit. And then all of that repeated in reverse order.And boy- what a climb it turned out to be.

The first bit was fine but closer to the steps, the wind started picking up massively and the cloud started coming in which made the climb hard but my challenges started on the scree slop where I went onto the other side of the poled route to avoid the fierce wind and suddenly I was struggling to maintain a hold and keep moving upwards. It was constant slipping, struggling and despair as I was trying hard not to panic. I stopped for a breather and turned around to take a few photographs to calm my mind.

A view  from where I was slipping off the scree

I figured that to have a decent chance of making it to the top I needed to cut back across towards the poles to keep going upwards instead of giving up on the climb. As I started to cut across - my right knee started throbbing with pain - this was a recovering injury from soccer where I sprained the connecting muscle between the calf muscle and the hamstring. To avoid putting strain on it, I started shifting weight more onto my left leg and soon my muscles in the left leg were cramping up. I took a deep breather and kept telling myself 'No, i've got to get through the pain'. After a few more struggles I managed to get myself onto the used path and I took a break and charged myself up with food, electrolytes and a banana. At this point I mentioned to John that I might not be able to make the peak because of my right knee and my muscles cramping up to which he said 'Oh no, you'll make it to the top.' and he carried on his slow and steady pace upwards.

Taking his words in, I started the climb upwards. It was slow going as the air got thinner and the slopes were still steep but the good thing was that the electrolytes seemed to have done their job as I wasn't cramping up in my left leg anymore.

Onwards and upwards

Clouds covering middle of the mountain

'The Lizard' looked daunting but was a lot easier to climb, even though you are scrambling to find your way up. It's only when you get up to the Lizard that you start realizing how much you've climbed. By this time the wind had died down and the cloud was starting to burn up.

Clouds burning up

Demarcation between National Park and Human habitat is stark

There is ice in the crater round the year and the icy blast at the top had everyone scrambling for extra layer of clothes. The wind had died and the sun had burned off the clouds and it was a perfect view from the top. The adrenaline was pumping through, at the excitement of getting to the summit, so didn't really feel the pain in the knee. It's a different world up there and the feeling of satisfaction to have made it into the crater is amazing.

Onto the crater

People exploring the crater

John deciding on a route to the summit

Walking in the crater was amazing but then John insisted on pushing onto the Summit- which was another 40 meters climb. I started following him but the pain came back with a vengeance and I decided that I was going to turn back as I couldn't take it anymore. The voice in the head was shouting to me 'You can't turn back now. You've taken this much pain to come up this far, why turn back now?' and thankfully I listened to the voice in my head and trucked along upwards.

Me at the point of no return

The 4 peaks - Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Tongariro and Mt. Ngauruhoe in the distance

John looking at the summit of Mt. Taranaki

Commemoration stone at the summit

I'm grateful as I'm touching the summit of Mt. Taranaki

The ice patterns and the views are amazing up on the summit and I am so glad that I made it to the top. The climb is hard and may seem a bit much at times but once you get to the top on a clear day - it is so totally worth it.

Rocks and Ice

A view from the top

Frozen

Getting up to the summit was the easy bit and getting down was going to be hard, especially with my throbbing right knee and it was 5 hours of intensifying pain as I walked down the mountain. I slid down on my bum through half the scree slope section as I couldn't find a balance and kept falling down. Then I was hating the stairs as the knees were hurting badly at that point but I kept telling myself that all I needed to worry about was putting forward one step at a time and they'll be gone soon. Pain is only temporary, character is forever.

John and me had a great lot of conversation while walking down and it was a friendship I was thankful for. If it hadn't been John, I wouldn't have gotten to the summit and I wouldn't have completed the walk on such an amazing day. We parted ways at the car park and we'd completed the walk in 10 hours - 5 hours up and an equal amount of time down.  If you ever read this John - Thank you for the experience, the company and the gentle encouragement.

Dedicated to John who made the summit possible

After the climb down, I'd have preferred a hot shower and a deep tissue sports massage on my legs but the reality was a long and painful 5 hour drive back to Auckland. The pain is a reminder that I've achieved an amazing climb and I am relishing it right now and have booked myself a deep tissue massage for tomorrow.

Farewell Mt. Taranaki

If you want more information on how to climb Mt. Taranaki - check out Department of Conservation website. The weather on the mountain can change pretty quick, so better to go prepared {a couple of guys doing it in their trainers and sweatshirts turned back at 'The Lizard' as they couldn't deal with the ice and the cold}. Not to put a damper on things but over time about 60 people have died on the mountain, so never take the mountain easy and respect the conditions of the climb.

Happy climbing,
Amit