Archive for September, 2007

A look at Concordia University

So it’s already been two weeks, huh? Well, I guess by now you’ve realized that my postings won’t be completely regular. It’s not ‘cuasee I’m lazy, well a bit of that too, but mostly I’m just really busy.

I had my first presentation in school today, for a unit called Art, Ideas and Practices. Basically my group and I had to present some viewpoints on two readings, one by Hélène Cixous and one by Virginia Woolf, and then ask open questions in class that would lead to a discussion around the works.

Other than that, I’m still sorting out all the boring stuff. I got a bank account yesterday with Banque de Montréal, I sorted out dental insurance, and on Tuesday I paid my tuition fees (ouch). But most things are falling into place now, the only thing missing is getting the perfect bike (for which I’ve been looking since I came).

Tonight at 00:00 I’m going to Toronto and Niagara Fall for the whole weekend, so I’m really looking forward to that. It’ll be nice to see a bit more of this huge country, and I’m bringing a photo and a video camera, so I will post images from that trip.

For now though, I thought you might like to have a look at what Concordia University looks like:

EV building

The EV building, where I’m currently editing my latest short film (on the 5th floor), and where all the really cool equipment is (on the two top floors).

EV building lobby

The lobby of the EV building.

EV building workspace

A place to sit, relax, or work, in the EV building.

EV editing room

This is where I’m editing my last short film. The tiny image on the computer screen is now officially the first published image from the film.

EV editing room

The view from my editing suite… sweet :-)

Faubourg Tower

The Faubourg Tower, where the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema is situated. This is where we have production class, and where I might also be spending some time editing.

VA building

This is the VA building, where all the Fine Arts students at Concordia come to do their art… or whatever it is that arts students do. Sometimes that’s just hanging out, looking cool and acting all suave. But the film students are always hard at work ;-)

VA building

Another view of the VA building. There’s a nice little lawn in front for hanging out, looking cool and acting all suave. Or discussing really important things, like art and politics, art and society, art and meta art, or none of the above.

So there you have it, a look at my university. If you’re a bit disorientated by all the different buildings; don’t worry. So was I for the first two weeks. To put it simply, all these buildings are located in the downtown area of Montréal, some right next to each other, none more than a couple of minutes walk away. So it’s pretty cool, really. I like it anyway.

There’s another campus called Loyola, about 20 minutes outside of the downtown area. I usually don’t go there, but about a week ago, I went up there to see the opening game for our football team - The Concordia Stingers. That’s American football, by the way. I’ll post images from that next week, and tell you how it went…

A taste of my work

I realize a fair few of the people who know me have seen this film before. But for anyone else, this is a small taste of what I do.

I made this film four years ago with fellow students at the BA Film Production course I did at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth in England. I make better films now, but it has a good atmosphere this film, I think. Hope you enjoy it to some extent.

A slight beginning

So I finally decided to do a blog…

I moved to Montréal, Canada exactly two weeks ago. A big change from Oslo, Norway, where I recently resided. What am I doing over here? First and foremost, I’m doing an MFA in Film Production at Concordia University here in Montréal. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, I’m here on an adventure.

I’d never been across the Atlantic Ocean before. I’ve seen many other places in the world. Thailand. Malaysia. Singapore. New Zealand. Fiji. Most of Europe. Oceania. Europe. But I’d never seen the Americas.

During my first three days here, I managed to come to Canada, and even go for a daytrip to Burlington, VT in the United States of America. After having to declare that I’m not a Nazi with affiliations to any World War II era Nazis, amongst other things. I think they’re a tiny bit paranoid. But still, it’s a great country, and I’ll go there again first chance I get. I’ve already planned trips to New York and Boston.

School starts tomorrow, and then I’ll start making films here as well. Which of course I will post for your viewing pleasure. Life is pretty good. I tell you, if you get the chance to go live in another country sometime… take it. Until next time, take care.