Archive for April, 2015

The last couple of hours have been spent enjoying my favorite songs playlist on YouTube (and more) and adding them to my Pinterest board called ‘Ear Pieces’.

Previously it was favorite ‘Tummy Treats‘ (must be something to do with lunchtime) and before that updating my ‘Poetic People’ and ‘Children’s Book Writing’ boards.

It’s very seductive!

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #Pinterest #PoeticPeople #TummyTreats #EarPieces #Children’sBookWriting #MusicMemories

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1968 Notebook: Never

Posted in 1968 Notebook, Poetry, tagged 1968Notebook:Never, poetry on April 13, 2015| 2 Comments »

Never

What can you say when a dear friend passes away?

That they were good and kind and loved by many?

That they were respected and stood by their beliefs

And are sadly mourned by the ones who weep?

Though we realise this must come to us all

Inevitably ~ how hard to accept when death

is so final ~ when someone you’ve talked to and

done things for has suddenly stopped replying…

The face that grew so familiar will never again

express thoughts. The eyes – so wise, though

getting faded now ~ are closed forever…

Never…. never… never and forever…

Never to see… or feel… or touch again…

Never to walk through fields or hear the rain…

Never to watch the seasons change each year…

They have gone forever and just left us here!

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #1968Notebook:Never #Poetry

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1968 Notebook: Mamba

Posted in 1968 Notebook, Animals, Poetry, tagged 1968Notebook:Mamba, poetry, Snakes on April 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Another from my teenage notebook:

Mamba

A snake that wraps

it’s slimy body

around your

good intentions.

It has a bite

that transmits itself

into the other person.

How to ward off

it’s terrible grip?

Best to stand still

heart, bite your lip.

Best not to move

or show when you’re

in it’s grasp,

though your eyes

are green and all

around…

and it’s eating up your heart!

Frances Macaulay Forde @ 1969

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #1968Notebook:Mamba #Snakes #Poetry

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Sphinx Productions, 1985

Posted in Film Friends, MOVIES, Perth City, Scripts, Sounds, Writing, tagged FilmTVInstitute, Mid-WesternTV, PeterAquilina, VIDEO:ShatteredWindos on April 9, 2015| 2 Comments »

In 1985, I met Peter Aquilina through production & direction courses at FTI and set up Sphinx Productions to gain professional experience in our chosen careers of film and video.

We worked well, Pete was technically amazing I had loads of admin experience but both of us wanted the freedom to direct and produce our own stuff. On our ‘zero’ budget, we knew we had to start small.

As Functions Manager of the Riverton and Kelmscott Hotels and High Road Tavern in the early 80’s, I ran a talent quest ‘Best in the West’ to attract patrons into the venues. On top of the $1000 cash prize, I offered the winning talent a promotional video – a big deal in those days.

So, the first music video I wrote, produced and directed was named for the song called ‘Shattered Windows’ – remember, this was 1985 and music videos were all the rage.

The song was written and performed by two excellent (and very cute according to my 8 year old daughter) Break-Dancers. But they didn’t want a dance video, they wanted to showcase their music.

I wrote a script, weaving a visual story but also to work professionally with a blueprint. Over about 5 or 6 weekends spent with friends and borrowed equipment, we got it all shot and edited just in time to enter the FTI Film Awards.

While shooting the zero-budget video, we used four locations; a street in North Perth, The Old Perth Railway Station, the burnt-out Swan Brewery (with permission) and the Mid-West TV studio where Pete worked at the time.

Although it’s not a perfect copy I’m still pretty proud, all these years later. I’d love to know what happened to the talented Break Dancers.

My film-partner, 18 year old Peter Aquilina won the FTI Young Filmakers Cinematography Award in 1985.

He’s producing amazing screen work all over the world but with much bigger budgets, now…

@FrancesMForde ##FrancesMacForde #PeterAquilina #VIDEO:ShatteredWindows #FilmTVInstitute #Mid-WesternTV

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Film work – Vikings

Posted in COMMUNITY, Ireland, MOVIES, tagged FilmedInIreland, TheVikingsEXTRAS on April 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Any of my Irish friends interested or available as Viking Extras ?

Just a thought…

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #TheVikingsEXTRAS #FilmedInIreland

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Monday-itis.

Posted in Africa, Love, Poetry, Writing, tagged EasterMonday, KitweNorthernRhodesia, POEM:Unconditional on April 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia, 1963.

Feeling melancholy today.

I haven’t organised the usual Easter Egg Hunt, my daughter did it instead while I was working.

Haven’t in fact, seen my children or grandchildren this long weekend because they’re all away – perhaps that’s it.

It’s Easter Monday and for us, the only distinguishing event over the long weekend was bacon for brekky yesterday – a real treat! Oh, and the chocolates on Friday.

I’m also missing my parents.

Unconditional

You always helped me move

on to new adventures,

strengthened by your love.

That moment

when I realized

you weren’t asleep,

I couldn’t cry.

I wanted to,

thought I should,

but I couldn’t shed tears