Hello all–

HAven’t been updating the blog so much lately for several reasons:

1) I don’t have INternet at home anymore, until/unless i get new service which thus restricts me to Internet cafes

2) Have been busy teaching this new video class at Royal University of Phnom Penh as well as working on my own other projects, bidding for a new NGO doc

3) Have been making most entries in the form of the hardcopy diary, HURRICANE…

Somehow, I feel like I’m pulling away from the blog since the blog isn’t tactile, and I’d prefer to print up a few hundrd pulp paperbacks out here of my experiences in the form of HURRICANE (which has been the ongoing production diary of the making of our most recent feature, SUSAN HERO, as well as other assorted “experiences”)

Also: the nature of bloggin is inherently exhibitionist, and I’m not sure I want to continue in this direction exclusively.

BUT, with this having been said, hello again from Phnom Penh, where the new introduction to video production class I’m teaching (built syllabus as well) has really been quite a success…loosly modelled after my own NYU sight and sound classes, we have about twenty students who have formed their core groups and have each produced a short video, thus 20 short videos produced thus far!

The topics they have chosen are pretty unique and have some interesting titles: GRASS CUTTING MAN, THE PHONE STICKER (about a guy who makes a living putting plastic coverings on cell phones), MEATPASTE, COCONUTS, RUBBISH COLLECTOR, SAMPLE FARMER, and more.

About seven of the videos produced thus far are strong enought o be put into some sort of collection, and I will try to submit them to the 3rd annual upcoming Cinema Cambodia festival.

So, now with two days off, I can at last unwind. Maybe work on my updated reel, do some research into bidiversity (topic of proposed NGO vid) New English class to teach as well, two hours a day in the evening, so I will try to savor these two days of nothing.

No word yet on SUSAN HERO, which we’ve already submitted to four fests. Hope, as they say, that no news is good news.

All the Best in 2006!

JR