As an experienced filmmaker and somewhat less-experienced author and photographer, I have always been fascinated by the places, things and people around me. The world is full of possibility and this website is an exploration of that thinking.

I believe in learning through doing. In class I was a terrible student, often day dreaming at what was outside the school grounds, the only way I seemed to have learnt anything is by giving it a go. So now, in this Covid struck year of 2021, I’m again dabbling in some selfish creative pursuits long neglected but never forgotten. Is there such a thing as a selfish website…?

I currently live in Sydney with my wife, three children and two cats. My daughter named the rescue cats Everest (girl) and Sebastian (boy) and they are from the same litter. Even though I am allergic, I am now a welcome guest in their house – after all, if you are a cat, you win.

In the early 2000’s I started seeing dark shapes across my vision and was eventually diagnosed with Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR). It was a scary moment, contemplating slowly going blind when my whole career and creative energy was focussed (pun intended) on the visual. Not enough is known about this condition and I intend to write more about my experience. Hopefully, having the gallery and cinema rooms on here will show there is a way to live with it. Nobody’s perfect.

Enjoy your stay.

Rolling into Cracow there is really only one place to go and that's the pub. Cracow Hotel would have to be one of the most "rough as guts" country pubs I have been to - let alone stayed the night in. I think Mr Squiggle (showing my age) was the Production Designer and he must have been sniffing his chalk as he worked. Every bit of wall has a name or two and a story to go with it.

Cracow Hotel was also home to Fred Brophy boxing tent troupe and many of the fighters have left their mark on the walls and their blood on the floorboards. A few fading black and white pics remind us of the 1980's fights when pretty much anything goes in Queensland (and some will say still does). The rest of the town is quieter than squashed Cane Toad. May as well have a XXXX and order the kangaroo burger. Despite the rough edges, the Cracow Hotel offered a decent sleep with only a few ghosts dancing along the floorboards that night. We met the new owners and a serious bit of spring cleaning was planned - seems a shame but understandable if reading Mr Squiggle everyday!

View it here: Cracow Hotel

The best cinema is Sydney is The Ritz at Randwick. Not exactly around the corner from me unfortunately but hanging out at the bar after a screening is worth the trip alone. We had a great time with the premiere of Bloodshot Heart there, during that brief period between Sydney lockdowns (so lucky in hindsight).

Now with lockdown still going and who knows when cinemas will admit one, The Ritz (and Lido, Cameo, Classic in Melbourne) are streaming Bloodshot Heart from today as part of their 'at Home' club. They have a cool eclectic range of films and worth checking out.

More info: Bloodshot Heart RITZ at home

Earlier this year I did a film 'recce' in central Queensland. I love going on road trips, either with friends or alone, and Australia is an amazingly huge big sky of a country. - perfect for cruising along and wondering what's around the next bend. Mind you, when you get out west, the next bend could be 10 minutes straight at 110kmh.

Cracow itself is now a ghost town, nestled in picturesque hills being mined to their core. There is one pub (more on that soon) and a few classic wooden shacks. Great location for a western. The township at it's height did have a hospital, complete with an outback morgue and a rotunda operating theatre. It's now very quiet and creepy. A few nights earlier a ghost tour had just camped the night there - they were never seen again (haha).

View it here: Abandoned Hospital

I have dipped my toe in the virtual bathtub and tossed in the very short story - The Quote. (some would call it a vignette) Not my first bit of creative writing but a good tester. I think the water feels fine.
The Quote was originally a short film script and I have a number of screenplays to adapt. There seems to be less and less time everyday and none to make short films anymore. But why let an idea go to waste? Is it a good idea? You be judge and I hope you enjoy the read. More to come...

The Quote

Please contact me to be sent a copy for free!