I am still groggy as hell

Last Updated on Tuesday, 9 September 2008 02:34 Written by Martin Tuesday, 9 September 2008 02:34

It’s nearly a week since I went in for the operation (nasal polypectomy Simon, not a vasectomy you cheeky ****) and I am still not feeling great. I guess a general anaesthetic just knocks the stuffing out of me, as well as the blood loss.

I have spent my time mainly sleeping but as I have mentioned before, catching up on some old and unwatched DVDs. I have an “Alien” boxset from, I think, 2003 which has new special editions of all four of the films as well as behind the scenes interviews with most of the cast and crew and all of the directors. Well almost all of the directors…

David Fincher (Se7en, The Game, Fight Club, Panic Room, Zodiac) directed Alien 3 but does not appear in any of the behind the scenes material. Does anyone know why? I can see from the interviews that a hard time was had by all but especially Mr Fincher. He came in as a second choice director at a time when there was no completed final script still as Fox (20th Century) did not like where the first director and his script were going. But I would love to hear his viewpoint on the whole affair too. If anyone knows where I can find an interview with him about it I woud be most grateful!

It is interesting to see how all of the films tie together in their make up though. All were made by Fox but all directed by completely different directors. However, a lot of the “back room” staff actually remain constant, or at least overlap. Especially on the production side and some of the model making teams, and randomly the chief make up supervisor.

Is funny seeing the american guys struggling to work in the “english” conditions at Pinewood studios. With it being “so cold” and such “terrible weather conditions” to work in. But I find the funniest how James Cameron (Aliens (ie Alien 2)) was not happy at all with the english tradition of a tea break in the morning and another in the afternoon. This involved a tea lady walking on set for 15 minutes at a time and all the (english) crew stopping what they were doing to make sure they got what they wanted before she had left.

Was also interesting to note that Ridley Scott commented how, after “Alien” and subsequently “Bladerunner”, he will not make another science fiction film as he feels he has defined what these are now and cannot surpass his own work. Conversely he did also say that this was a good thing, as it would have to be a great story to make him want to do it now. Maybe I should put my story under his nose when it is completed, anyone have his contact details?

I’m off to watch “Alien: Resurrection” (Alien 4) now, catch you later…

ps I have a second interview tomorrow afternoon, have I mentioned that yet?

I am home and recovering nicely, thanks

Last Updated on Saturday, 6 September 2008 05:51 Written by Martin Saturday, 6 September 2008 05:51

Thanks for all your get well posts and messages. They are greatly appreciated, I can assure you. I did try to Twitter from the hospital but it appears to have failed unfortunately.

Operation was a success, but I was warned that I may need the same procedure again in the future. Not exactly what I wanted to hear after having the same one performed on me three times now…

So I came out Thursday morning, not even twenty four hours after the operation, was driven home and went straight in to spare bed. I have since been passing in and out of consciousness for only a few hours at a time.

I have been catching up on some old DVDs and boxed sets in my waking hours: Collateral (a brilliant Michael Mann film with him at his directorial best), Chinatown (the Roman Planski classic which I had never seen until this week, but I can now see why it is held up with such high regard!) and the Alien Quadrilogy (watched Alien for the umpteenth time but was more interested in all the behind the scenes stuff offered in this 2003 boxed set, including a ‘new’ director’s cut and interviews with Ridley Scott and other production members)

I did do some writing whilst in hospital; it’s amazing what effect those drugs can have on your brain you know. Came up with a few key plot points for Dark Star which I shall discuss elsewhere. Also had a weird dream the other night about fairy princesses and family trees…

I am constantly tired at the moment is my main problem, so I cannot plan ahead of time what I want to do. That aside though, I do have a second interview lined up with a firm of architects for next Wednesday…bandages and all…