jblum's Journal

Oh, where to start, where to start...

Since getting back from the NZ con, we've been various degrees of wiped-out; Kate's been up and down the rollercoaster of energy levels so many times she's almost seasick. But we had a lovely time with my parents in Sydney, ate far too much good food, and are only now getting the house back into some kind of tidy shape.

Much to my surprise, I've found myself writing the first couple of scenes of Angel Express, a novel proposal which has been hanging around in hazy form for about three years. I still don't have a proper outline. Plus there's that whole spec-script thing I should really be finishing first... but this is the first bit of writing in ages that's moved me, that's come from the gut. I've got to run with this while I can, I think.

I've also, for the first time ever, burnt DVDs of Time Rift. Yep, fifteen years on, my old college film project is now about 95% restored, and almost ready for a proper DVD release -- these copies are for the cast members I'm bringing in to dub various stray lines. If there's anyone who really wants to give feedback on the film before it's completely locked down, let me know!

Other random cool stuff: they're actually making the pilot for Caprica, the long-delayed Battlestar Galactica spin-off! And Spooks is doing their own Torchwood -- a BBC3 spin-off called Spooks: Code 9, set in the near future after London has been evacuated from a nuclear attack, with a bunch of young, hip MI5 agents all living together. Ah well, any market's a good one. A year or two ago I would have been over the moon about Caprica in particular; maybe my enthusiasm will perk up once the latest season of BSG begins! The bigger perk-up was that, by freak chance, I found a box set of UFO for $50... I've been meaning to get this show for literally years, and seeing it for less than half-price was basically a Message From God. Expect lots of '70s moonbase flashbacks and string-vest submarine action here shortly...

Oh, and Bill Baggs has finally released Zygon, apparently with all his extra added bits on view. I haven't seen a copy of the finished product, but I've been assured my name is not on the credits or the box. (I'm hoping to find it on a check soon, though... we'll see.) Now the first reviews are turning up on the net. "Kopyion" over on Outpost Gallifrey gave it perhaps the best review I can imagine, in part:

It didn’t need to have been gratuitous, but the impression is given that whenever anyone behind the camera saw any naked flesh they started giggling like naughty schoolboys and lingering on it as long as possible. However, beneath all the naked frolicking, there’s a real good, but badly mauled, script that Jonathan Blum was quite right to defend.

Oh, and:

But if you’re thinking of buying this purely because it looks pornographic then don’t: buy some actual porn instead, because it’s usually better shot.