Bit busy making a film
Is this just a photo of a messy room with some people in it not looking at the camera? You be the judge.
I’ve been making a documentary film about my father. When I say ‘I’ have been ‘making’ a ‘film’, it should be noted that there is room for extrapolation on each of those points. Richard Keddie, clubhouse leader when it comes to making Australian documentary films about significant or interesting humans, is my mentor on the project. My job is technically known as ‘director’. This means that I am very bossy and tell everybody what to do. Richard’s job is known as ‘producer’. Trouble with the term producer is a bit like the trouble a good cop might have with the term police officer. There’s one bad apple, or there are ten bad apples, or, there’s a tree full of grenades, and suddenly everyone’s running for cover. So be careful using the term producer around Richard, because words can be hurtful. The film is out later this year. Writing that sentence was character-building. I really must be off. Apparently there’s a film coming out later in the year that I’m loosely involved with.
There’s an audiobook!
I read this personally in your actual ears.
Since the launch of my memoir, Would That Be Funny: Growing Up With John Clarke, it has been reviewed by a few people in a few places and purchased by some others. If you fit into either of these categories, sincerely: thank you.
It has also now been made into an audiobook by the cool cats in at Bolinda audio. Read by me, out on Audible and available in lots of libraries if you’re one of the nine trillion people who listen to audiobooks through library catalogues, and why wouldn’t you be.
“Now Lorin, the elder of John’s two daughters, has her say, and shows that she has arrived as a writer. Her metier is the fragment, its supply responsive to local movements of thought and emotion. The remarkable thing is how deftly she deals with sentiment without becoming sentimental, how amusing she can be without becoming (unduly) competitive. The story she has to tell is one of an ensemble, not the more common tale of a towering genius who draws those around him into his vortex.”
Grieving a loss? Know someone who is?
This is me talking with Marieke Hardy on her death and grief podcast, Marieke Hardy is Going To Die. The universe finally nudged us into each other’s orbit for a discussion of the experience of grieving (my father, but also others) and if it’s something you or someone you love is going through, you might find it helpful to hear other people talk about it.
Oh look my book exists!
If you wish to know more about the book, here is a review in Inside Story and one in The Conversation. Here is a review in ArtsHub. If you’re a comedy nerd, you might know about Tumbleweeds, which also reviewed the book.
My book, existing.
Phillip Adams Chat
I had a chat on Phillip Adams’s Little Wireless Program about my book, and about my Dad. Thanks to Phillip and his team.
Me, existing with Phillip Adams.
Mia’s Tender Heart
I was invited to write about Mia Dyson’s new album and it was a wonderful experience to do so. I like writing about music, it turns out, I’ve done a bit of it in recent years. This album would be fascinating without the story behind it but goodness, what a story. Thanks to Mia and Charlotte for inviting me into this world and trusting me to tell the story.
Fitzroy Diaries peeps!
I get asked a lot whether The Fitzroy Diaries is going to have another season. I wish I could say yes, but the fact is, my partner in crime, Sophie Townsend, is busy with her own projects, and I’m busy with a bunch of other things too. Meanwhile, do go and have a listen to me reading my audiobook. There’s even an extract or two from Fitzroy Diaries in there,,,
If you haven’t heard the Fitzroy Diaries, you can listen to it wherever you find your podcasts. Written and narrated by yours truly and produced by ABC Radio National by the incredible Sophie Townsend.
Big Issue Peeps!
Hello! Bless your cotton socks for being Big Issue peeps. Some of you have pointed out that I have been very lax at posting my column on the website lately. I am going to attempt to get in the habit again. But I’m in every edition so you can’t miss it in real life: support your local vendor. I do sometimes post them here.
Kids’ TV shows…
Aussie rules legend Eddie Betts is behind this show, set in an urban neighbourhood where a mob of kids have the run of the place and sometimes break out into a rap. The kids love it and it’s exactly what should be on Australian TV. I wrote a few episodes.
These lovely creatures are Beep and Mort, from a TV show for small people called Beep and Mort. Don’t you wish you could visit them? They are designed by Jonathon Oxlade. You can find them on the ABC.