Mike Browne’s Blog

I met the director (called notorious by some) Uwe Boll. Shook his hand and introduced myself as his movie, Seed, was doing a tech survey at Riverview where we were shooting. He seems like a nice enough fellow. I saw him walking his two dogs on the hospital campus later on.

The head butt…

zidane – the game

What may have caused the headbutt? Check out this blurb from the Zidane entry on the WikiPedia site:

World Cup Final

Zinedine Zidane headbutting Marco Materazzi during the 2006 World Cup Final (animated image, video, alternate video, front angle video)On July 9, 2006, Zidane became one of only four footballers to achieve the feat of scoring in two different World Cup final matches (he scored twice in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final), sharing the honour with Pelé, Paul Breitner, and Vavá. He scored in the seventh minute from the penalty spot. He nearly headed in the ball during the first period of extra time but it was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

He was sent off for violent conduct after headbutting Italy’s goalscorer, Marco Materazzi, in the chest in the 110th minute. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and Italy won the championship after a penalty kick shootout.

Since both players refused to comment on the incident, there are various allegations about what led to Zidane’s violent outburst. His agent, Alain Migliaccio has claimed that a “very serious” comment by Materazzi provoked the attack.[7] Reportedly, the deaf forensic lip-reader Jessica Rees was employed to analyze the video sequences with the help of an Italian translator. According to these reports, Materazzi spoke in Italian – a language understood by Zidane due to his time spent with Juventus F.C. – and first told him: “Hold on, wait, that one’s not for a nigger like you.” As the players walked forward, Materazzi allegedly said: “We all know you are the son of a terrorist whore.” Then, just before the headbutt, he was seen saying: “So just fuck off.” [8] [9] According to Brazilian TV Rede Globo, a lip-reader claimed that Materazzi called Zidane’s sister a prostitute two times.[10] Earlier claims about Materazzi calling his opponent player himself a “dirty terrorist” have already been denied by Materazzi, who reportedly said: “It is absolutely not true, I did not call him a terrorist. I’m ignorant. I don’t even know what the word means.” [11][12]

On July 10, 2006, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball for the best player in the 2006 World Cup. The winner was selected by a poll of journalists covering the tournament; Zidane polled 2012 points, ahead of Fabio Cannavaro, who polled 1977 points. Most votes were cast during half-time of the final match; voting closed that night at midnight.[13][14]

Enron founder Ken Lay dead of heart attack | Reuters.com

Well there’s a way to avoid paying for being a thieving dirtbag. Just drop dead and pay no fines or do no prison time. They should stick his corpse in a fridge and put it in prison for ten years anyway. Let his family view the fridge through leaded glass.

I’m alive and Italy is in the final of the World Cup. What better way to congratulate the Italians on their win than with some humour. Poor taste or not these made me laugh.

First the Flintsones and Raging Fred… (beware the language)

But wait! There’s more.
[continue reading…]

The Hurricanes won the cup – shit!

Things have really been busy. I’ve been working like a dog, but loving every minute of it. I must be doing the right thing. I even happened onto a conversation with people gossiping about me at work… in a positive light. At first I didn’t know who they were talking about. They didn’t know I was there for a moment, but one person turned around saw me working away and told me smiling, “we were just talking about you”. I was rather embarrassed but flattered. It’s kind of a nice feeling to know that people like you when they don’t know you’re around.

Apparently the right folks are taking note of me as well. There’s a letter going off to the DGC on my behalf from the producer and management of the film company I’ve been working with so they can give me upgrades without all the problems. I hope it works out, but I’m willing to keep following the long way as long as I have to. It seems worth it to me either way.

Like Dad always told me, “anything worth having is worth working for”.

I’ll keep you posted.

Still trucking along. Slept on the floor in Abbotsford at the motel to be used as the next day’s set. Day two was a much more relaxed day as we just inside and outside one room all day. B Camera was off to get some drive by car stuff in Fort Langley. My back was sore as hell from my night on the floor. I regretted not taking the room at the other hotel, but I had no car and didn’t want to chance missing my call.

A six day week sure does tucker one out. Not to mention the fact that halfway through the last day the dreaded cold going through the crew like wildfire found it’s way to me – sore throat, stuffy nose and cranky. grrr!

I’m making good use of these two days recharging my batteries. We’re back at her tomorrow morning at 0630.

What a couple of days. I’m sore, but still having fun.

What have we learned over the past two days? Let’s see:

• You can never do too many dummy checks. There’s always gak (gear) left behind.
• The pry bar for straps on a flatbed aren’t always where they should be.
• Pick up a C-stand by both the base and the arm otherwise the person you’re passing it off to will crush you knuckles.
• Communication is key. Make sure you really did hear what you thought you did.
• Not everyone is cut out for every job on set. There are niches to fit into.
• People notice when you show up, do what’s in front of you to do with a good attitude.
• PA’s are generally insane but often don’t think so.
• Gum is addictive and so is pepperoni.
• A BBQ’d steak at 11:00 pm tastes just as good as one at 5:00 pm.

We’re out at Abbottsford Airport tomorrow right out on the tarmac… with faux weapons, but not when planes are landing of course. After that the crew drives to the Reo Hotel in Abbottsford to sleep and wake up and shoot there. So I won’t be home until Saturday night very late. I’ll blog more then.

Apple – Trailers – The Wicker Man – Trailer 1

Kind of cool seeing some of the days I worked on film finally. Even if it is just a trailer so far. I’m not sure how good this is going to be but I know Neil Labute’s a good writer/director and Nicolas Cage is well… Nicolas Cage. I guess we’ll see.