LOOKING BACK: TIM
Tim McLachlan here!
As my whole Your Big Break adventure comes to an end, several things have solidified in my mind:
(1) Having money and a professional crew to make a film is freakin’ awesome!
(2) Low-budget, do-it-yourself filmmaking translates unbelievably well into the professional world.
(3) Larger projects with more money at stake needn’t be a stress-fest – in fact they can be (and should be) just as much fun as the low-budget variety.
(4) Having great people behind the scenes and fantastic teamwork on set is essential, and even heart-warming.
(5) Never underestimate the power of sound and the time it takes to get it just right.
(6) RED cameras may putt-out on you when you’re in the process of shooting your dream shot!
(7) Filmmaking is cool!!!
(8) Park Road Post is cool!!!
(9) Bombs are cool!!!
(10) James Cameron is an evil genius! I’ve seen AVATAR three times and it just keeps getting better.
(11) It’s time to leave my low-budget roots behind me for awhile and take a few steps up the ladder.
(12) Not everyone will understand my ideas or think they are any good, but even so, I need to keep making the films that make sense and that mean something to me.
(13) Some amazing and important industry people will eventually notice you and give you a shot if you keep at it for long enough and stay true to yourself – this is a cliché for a reason, cause it’s been proven true over and over again.
(14) James Cameron really is an evil genius. Has anyone seen Avatar? It’s freakin’ ridiculous! He’s such a hard-ass (in a good way!) and yet he writes and directs projects that effortlessly combine raw adrenaline with heaps of heart – and all with such a gentle, humanistic touch.
(15) Heavy Metal is the greatest music on the planet. Truly! I dare you to give it a try. You just might like it. Oh, and Susan Boyle is awesome too – her album is still playing in my car! Her Britain’s Got Talent audition on YouTube never ceases to inspire me either – check it out if you ever feel like you’re the only one out there being ignored and having a tough time being seen or heard.
(16) I have so many ideas for feature films and I know that I may only get the chance to make a couple of them in my lifetime.
(17) Even though the odds are stacked against me (and probably you guys too), I’m going to try my damndest (is that a word?) to bring a couple of these ideas to life.
(18) More studios and rich people should invest in feature film projects with heart and with something to say. And I’m not just talking about arthouse dramas and biopics – take Avatar or District 9 or Up for example – kick-ass films with heart.
(19) Trey Parker is also an evil genius! I just finished watched the South Park movie again – the songs, the writing, the voices, the execution and yes, even the message, are nothing short of flawless. He’s the mother-freakin’ man!
(20) Writing an overly long and indulgent blog entry once in awhile can be extremely therapeutic, fun and maybe even good for one’s health! BAM!!!
So now what?
Well, first things first, I’m going to try and get myself some directing work to pay the bills … and then, most importantly, I’m going to work my butt off trying to get some of my feature films made – beginning with a supernatural thriller/horror called The Ghost!
So if anyone has access to lots of sweet moolah and wants to have some fun making an awesome, potentially critically and commercially successful film (I said potentially!) then feel free to knock on my door – I’ll be more than happy to welcome you into my interesting world! (I stole that line from the Boy trailer – that film is going to be damn cool I can tell you, so make sure you check it out!)
A big thanks once again to everyone involved in this great project, and to the other four finalists, Raj, Kristi, Aya and Andrés (and all you other filmmakers out there as well), I wish you all the very best! Keep it fun, keep it real and don’t forget to eat some ice-creams and do some bombs once in a while – it’ll do you good. 
Tim McLachlan
hyperactivefilms(AT)hotmail.com
www.youtube.com/fireandicepictures
Anyone seen Lars Von Trier’s ANTICHRIST? Phenomenal!!! (15) Heavy Metal is the greatest music on the planet! Truly! I dare you to give it a try! You just might like it! Oh, and Susan Boyle is awesome too – her album is still playing in my car! Her X-Factor audition on youtube never ceases to inspire me either – check it out if you ever feel like you’re the only one out there being ignored and having a tough time being seen or heard (16) I have so many ideas for feature films and I know that I may only get the chance to make a couple of them in my lifetime (17) And even though the odds are stacked against me (and probably you guys too) I’m going to try my damndest (is that a word???) to bring a couple of these ideas to life (18) More studios and rich people should invest in feature film projects with heart and with something to say – and I’m not just talking about arthouse dramas and biopics – take AVATAR or DISTRICT 9 or UP for example – kick-ass films with heart (19) Trey Parker is also an evil genius!!! I just finished watched the SOUTH PARK movie again! The songs, the writing, the voices, the execution and yes, even the message, are nothing short of flawless! He’s the mother-freakin man! (20) Writing an overly long and indulgent blog entry once in awhile can be extremely therapeutic, fun and maybe even good for one’s health! BAM!!!
great work Tim, I enjoyed your film, you cant help but grin at all the “bro’s and cuz’s” I don’t think you will have problems finding work after this competition. Cheers Tim, have a good one mate!
Tim, after watching your movie six times now (yup, I counted), I think it’s a very strong piece. Lots of flavour and a great little message. Brilliantly acted, actually – a great strength for it. Very nicely written too (though of course I’d change a few things as any writer would, since personal voice comes into anything). As a sample of your work, this movie is great.
As a sample of your blog writing, there’s an eloquence that borders on crazy wild fun in your words above. You sound like you came away with a battery fully charged and a place to charge towards as well. As David Vickers says above, you won’t have problems finding work. Good luck.
as they say, an average film with great sound is tolerable but a fantastic film with terrible sound is unbearable. Sound is 50% of your film
Love the Flavour of your film Tim