Multi-talented film-maker Peter Salmon has captured a slice of New York in his latest venture.
He directs, he draws, and he loves tunnels and caves. Peter Salmon is an Auckland based film-maker who has directed episodes of Go Girls and Outrageous Fortune, and has most recently worked on TV One's new show This is Not My Life. He has also produced a limited edition book,
a collaboration with a friend based in the US. Called The New York Snippets, the 55-page book features Salmon's illustrations depicting comments overheard in NYC like, "Apparently my chakras are out of alignment". Salmon describes the book as "quirky, weird and perfect for anyone who has been to and loves New York City". It's available online at floatingboy.co.nz, for $25.
10 FAVOURITE THINGS
1. Blender light
I once found an old retro blender on the side of the road. I immediately fell in love with its chrome base and pale blue glass top. I couldn't bear to see it thrown away. It was my clever dad who came up with the idea to convert it into a light. He tinkered away in his workshop for a while and produced this great lamp. The blender now has a new lease of light, casting a beautiful blue light around my living room.
2. The Dardenne brothers
The Dardenne brothers are my favourite film-makers. When I first saw their cinema verite-styled film Rosetta, I kinda hated it. But after a few days I couldn't shake the film from my head. Now in my own film-making when I'm stuck with making a decision, I ask myself, "what would the Dardenne brothers do?"
3. Cantilevers
I have loved cantilevers in architecture ever since being introduced to Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater" building many years ago. I love the feeling cantilevers give of a structure floating in space.
4. Tunnels and caves
'Cos they're cool.
5. Black Inky Uniball pen
The perfect pen. I'm lost without it. It means I can draw anything and everything.
6. Miyazaki
I am absolutely in love with Hayao Miyazaki's brain. He's the famous, crazy, brilliant Japanese animation film-maker who made Spirited Away, and Poyno, among many others. His spectacular appreciation and need to show the magic of imagination in the world is totally inspiring ... Also, I want him to be my friend in the hope he knows someone who can get me a ride in their hot air balloon.
7. Backgammon
I'm obsessed with this classic old game, it's deceivingly fun. I play with it with my girlfriend until she starts sulking.
8. Joker collection
For the past few years I have "collected" hundreds of jokers from packs of cards. Part of the project is to actually steal them from the pack without the owner knowing ... I now have more than 100 cards. Does this make me a bad person?
9. People who think about things
People who make changes and sacrifices in their lives to make a statement and/or support a cause they believe in, like being aware (and doing something) about the world's endangered fish stocks. (Scientists predict that if we continue commercial fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048.)
10. Flying ducks
These kitsch ceramic ducks belonged to my nana. They now take pride of place on my bedroom wall and I really like how one of them is flying upside down.