January Update - Back in Bergen

I recently got inspired to make a "January Update" after watching one of Kalel's videos on Youtube (WonderlandWardrobe). You should totally check her out! I took the liberty of stealing her questions and added some of my own, so here we go...


Did you do anything exciting? 

Well... I'm back in Bergen for my second term at the University. Even though it was a little sad to leave my family and friends after having spent an entire month in Stavanger, it was also kind of refreshing to come back and start all over. For those of you that didn't know, my first semester as a student actually failed miserably .. But I'm definitely both stronger and wiser this time around, so my hopes are up and I'm thinking positive thoughts!

I also feel obliged to mention I recently celebrated my 19th birthday! It was the day before I had to leave Stavanger, so I managed to gather a bunch of my best friends. The result: I had an awesome day!

Funniest thing that happened? 

I share kitchen with no less than seven other people, so when I make dinner I tend to meet one of them at some point. The only problem about this is that I'm terrible at multitasking! It's like my brain can only keep enough information to complete one task at the time. With this in mind I'm sure you can picture what happened when I met some of my flat-mates while making dinner my first couple of days after returning after the holidays? Trying to catch up and keep a conversation while cooking was just an impossibility... So there I was, small-talking to the best of my abilities, and all I did in the meantime was finding knifes and bowls and frying pans and move them around a lot to nurse the illusion of being seemingly busy. It must have looked *so* awkward! 

Best movies you’ve seen?
I actually haven't seen a lot of movies this month... There are quite a couple currently playing at the cinemas I wish I'd seen (such as Silver Linings Playbook, Life of Pi and Les Miserables) but I've seen some older dvd's. The first I have to mention is an old film noir in black and white named "Double Indemnity". A friend recommended it for me, and I'm glad he did! Even though it was from 1944 it was really exciting and had brilliant actors. Totally worth watching for movie-lovers!

Yesterday I finally got around watching "Braveheart". It's been on my list for quite a while, and when I got it for Christmas it was only a matter of making time for a three-hour-movie. I knew I'd like it, as some of my all-time favorites include "The Gladiator", "Robin Hood" and "Troy", but I was quite surprised by how good it actually turned out to be! When it managed to bring me to tears only ten minutes in, I knew I was up for a rare treat...

Favorite edible thing?
Asian food. I'm obsessed. And we're *not* talking about fast-food or something... Homemade all the way! With good guidance from my cook-books I have managed to conjure dish after dish using stuff like soy-souce, rice, chicken, beef, sherry and rice-wine. Hungry anyone?

Which songs have you listened to the most?
I actually bought a lot of albums these past couple of weeks. However, the one I was most excited about was no doubt "Night Visions", Imagine Dragons' first album. I'll write a separate blog-post for that little piece of wonder. All I'll say for now is that it did *not* disappoint!

Top tracks:

"Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons

"Siste Dans" - Kaizers Orchestra

"Burn It Down" - Linkin Park

"Hall of Fame" - The Script

"Miss Atomic Bomb" - The Killers

Favorite material things? 

I got new headphones for Christmas... enough said!

Something that made you proud?
I have successfully managed to set up a budget for the entire spring! I've also accounted for all the money I've spent in January so far. I hate math, so this was quite a feat for me!

What did you learn?
To cook! And also not to "steal" money from my food-budget to buy other stuff. I tended to do that a little too often in the past...

What are you looking forward to?

A lot! My best friend and I actually booked our summer-vacation recently, so in a couple of months I'm officially headed to London for the first time! But I won't have to wait until then to do something fun, 'couse the Oscars are soon upon us and I'll of course be watching the entire broadcast live together with my sister! I'm actually so pathetic/awesome I'll throw myself on a plane to Stavanger to be able to keep our Oscar-night-tradition <3 I was also very happy to find out she'll be visiting me here in Bergen right after that. 

But before all of this comes an event I've been awiting for half a year... In less than two weeks I'm going to Stavanger to see Kaizers Orchestra live in the new concert-hall! They'll be joined by Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, so I'm not overestimating when I say this will be epic!

The Eleven Best Movies Coming Our Way

Another Pirates of the Caribbean-movie! Seriously? Can't they pleas stop before they ruin everything...

I LOVE the three original Pirates movies. Shares the top shelve for trilogies together with Nolan's Batman movies. But the fourth Pirates movie was a disappointment... Without Gore Verbinski and more than half of the original cast it's simply impossible to top their game. Stop while you can so you don't ruin Pirates' reputation more that you've already done.

That being said, there are quite a lot of films I'm really looking forward to!

There has actually not been that many films that has sparked my interrest, but that's about to change... Some of these movies I've waited for for years (like The Hobbit) and some I simply discovered while writing this blog post. To keep the list from being never-ending, I managed to narrow the list down to only eleven...

(Note: all release dates are for Norway)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (November 9th)

Why: I've heard about the book, and when I learned Emma Watson was going to starr I had to check out the trailer. It blew me away, an I know I just have to see it! Such an adorable and honest story of misfit and misunderstood teenagers.

Who: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller

Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 (November 16th)

Why: Well... I have read all the books, so I sort of have to se the conclution to it all. However, the movies are not as good as the books. For this last one I even know they changed the ending quite drastically. But I think I'll se it anyway, just because it's the last and because Robert and Kirsten are great actors.

Who: Robert Pattinson, Kirsten Steward, Taylor Lautner, Dakota Fanning and Stephenie Meyer.

The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey (December 12th)

Why: Lord of the Rings are epic! Everybody knows that, even if they have neither seen or read it. Unfortunately I was only seven years old when the movies came to cinemas all over the world. Now it's about to happen again. We get to see how it all started. The Hobbit is a lot more funny story, and I can't wait to actually be able to be a part of it this time! Me and my sister has got tickets to the midnight premiere, so bring on December, pleas :)

Who: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Peter Jackson, Howard Shore, Benedict Cumberbatch, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lee, and a whole lot more!

Life of Pi (December 25th)

Why: I heard it on audiobook many years ago. All I remember was that it was totally wired and absurd, but it was also quite amazing. Such a special story I actually don't know how they will manage to tell on screen... But I hope they do. I hope its great!

Who: Ang Lee and Suraj Sharma

Silver Linings Playbook (January 4th 2013)

Why: Seriously? Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in the same movie? I loved it before I even read the title! And when I saw the trailer I instantly knew this is going to be one of my movie highlights... If you, like me, loved the 1993 Benny and Joon, you just have to see this.

Who: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro

Rust And Bone (January 11th 2013)

Why: I have no idea. I literally discovered this while writhing this post. It's even french! I normally can't stand french movies. But this trailer... It just drew me in, and now I just know that I'll have to see the movie. It actually looks great.

Who: Jacques Audiard, Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts

Les Misérables (January 18th 2013)

Why: Epic. That's what this is. The story, the actors, the music... everything. The trailer is one of the most breathtaking things I've seen, and I just know that this is going to be big.

Who: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen and Tom Hooper

Anna Karenina (February 22nd 2013)

Why: I've always wondered what it is about this Tolstoy-guy that has fazcinated generations... Finally I'll get an opportunity to find out.

Who: Keira Knightly, Jude Law, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Joe Wright

The Great Gatsby (June 7th 2013)

Why: I've seen the old one. I didn't understand a thing... That's the thing about this story, it's not really about what it seems to be all about. That much I understood. I hope I get it this time. This is the 21st centurie's Gatsby... An old tale in a new dress (or suit).

Who: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Baz Luhrmann

Man of Steel (June 14th 2013)

Why: One reason - Christopher Nolan. Anything that man touches literally becomes gold. He's my favorite director/writher/producer of all time, and I just have to see what he's done with this one. I'm not a fan of Superman, but the trailer looks promising...

Who: Christopher Nolan, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Russel Crowe

The Lone Ranger (July 3rd 2013)

Why: With a cast and crew like this one, the film could be rubbish and I'd still watch it! Mr Blockbuster himself (Bruckheimer) managed to unite the world's best actor (Depp), two brilliant scriptwriters (Elliott and Rossio), a fantastic director (Verbinski) and the ever-present Depp-sidekick (Bonham-Carter). This just has to be good!

Who: Johnny Depp, Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Armie Hammer


Anything tempting? :)

Choosing A Profession Part Two - How To Get There?

(To read part one of this mini-series about choosing a profession, head over here...)

Part two: How to get there?

So. I want to direct movies.
Or at least work in the industry somehow.

How?

Frankly, I've got no idea. There are no schools that can guarantee you work as a director. There's nothing you have to do, or not do for that matter. Some of the world's best directors are not even trained professionals... (Christopher Nolan - Batman and Inception) Others have truly worked themselves up from a nobody to become a respected director. A lot of them are schooled in the art of filmmaking, yes, but some say that the practical work experience was more important to them than anything else. With absolutely no right way to do it, where to start then?

I considered the Norwegian national film academy in Lillehammer, but gave up that thought learning the grades you had to have to even get in. Besides, most of the people there look like know-it-alls that either make serious documentaries or even more serious television programs. I feel like I'd be kind of stuck there.

Naturally I moved on to consider schools like UCLA and other schools in the Hollywood area. Then I'd be at the heart of it, right? It'd be perfect! Then I hit a big obstacle that suddenly materialized between me and the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. I must admit I had to cancel my brilliant plans when I learned how much money they'd all require. I'm a regular mortal! I'd like to avoid living waist deep in depth for the rest of my life.

It's got to be Norway, then.

This spring I applied to Bergen University. Originally for a Bachelor in Film- and Television-production. My grades are actually quite good, but unfortunately there are too many nerds in this country and only 20 of over 200 applicants would be offered a place in the program. I wasn't one of them.

Here I have to quote cinematographer Oliver Stapleton:

"I'm useless at everything but I'm willing to learn. Now this is much better. Modern schooling damages more people than it helps. This is because the grade system means that you are never first. And if you were, you wouldn't be reading this. [...] Many successful film people started life like this. Film People are kind of outlaws anyway: it's not a proper job."

Instead I got offered a place at the Bachelor in Media Science at Bergen University. I said yes. Basically this means I get to take all of the theoretical classes included in the other bachelor, but I don't get to actually make a film.

I was kind of disappointed, but fortunately this could also be a good thing. I will get to learn the history behind it all. The incredible power that lies within a film maker's hands. Why one film can effect millions of people all over the world. Why it connects with people watching it in their basement thousands of miles away. And by learning the secrets behind it all, I might get some sort of understanding of what it is people want to see, and why?

Conclusion: They (the guys at film- and television-production) get to learn how to make a movie, I get to learn why. I believe that's a decent way to start out. Who knows where I'll end up eventually?  I'll figure it out as I go along. That's what I usually do. That's me.

* To read Part One, head over here

The Life Long Quest Of Choosing A Profession

My excuse: been busy making my dreams come true...

Sounds cheesy, I know, but it so happens to be the truth.
How and what, you may wonder? Ok, I'll share it with you, just because you asked so nicely.

Part one: the WHAT

Growing up we're told that the world is crammed with possibilities. Later on I discovered that that fact isn't always a good fact. In fact it can be a very difficult fact indeed. You see, because of that endless ocean of opportunities stretching too far and wide for anyone to fathom, it's an nearly impossible task to choose one of them for yourself and your own life!

I've always envied those of my friends who always knew what they wanted to be. Who they wanted to be. What they wanted to do with their lives. They all seemed so calm. And most of them have managed to stay that way as well! I envy them because they have found their purpose.

Well, unfortunately this doesn't happen to everyone.

The majority wander from this to that and back again trying to make sense of their own abilities and skills, and most importantly, finding a profession that suits them. Luckily for them a lot of people eventually realice that they really like the thought of being a teacher, nurse, electrician, chef, constructor or carpenter or something just as useful. I know a lot of my friends have, and I applaud them and encourage them as best as I can. Nothing is better than wanting to become something useful and important! But here comes the matter of fact... Unfortunately, I'm not one of those lucky ones.

Growing up I, like a million other kids, went through different periodes where I wanted to be so many different things when I grew up. I was quite serious about becoming a teacher at the age of eight, and in 7th grade I taught myself to draw architectural drawings of houses and stuff and really wanted to be an architect. However, when I grew older I also became more and more unsure of what I wanted to do with my life.

When the time came that I had to pick what school I wanted to attend for my three years in what most of you would call Upper High, I had no idea. Several of my friends chose things like electrician studies, health- and social studies, and media- and communication studies. Since I had no clue at the time, I choose something called study specialization. Simply explained that's the only one of the choices that doesn't involve a specific profession. Instead it prepares you for further studies at the university. Enough about that! As it turns out, I should have chosen media and communication...

So, well through Upper High. What's next? That was indeed the big question that has been haunting

me for the last year. I felt like I was expected to have a plan. I had a plan... sort of, maybe, well, not really. I used the elimination technique. By methodically eliminating all the things I did not want to be, there honestly wasn't that much left. Throughout these past three years I've discovered that I not only have a passion for books, but also movies.

Why I love movies is another matter entirely, so that I have to answer in a separate post... But I discovered that I found the process of movie making very appealing, and that I wanted to be a part of this particular society. There was just one little problem.

I'm an 18-year-old girl from the distant country named Norway. What you need to understand is that in my entire country there are only 5 million people, so naturally the movie-industry isn't quite as extensive as one might have wanted it to... Thus, people here tend to look at the movies as an immature and foolish career to pursuit and a perfect way to waste your life.

Example: Last year a friend of mine asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I gave her the honest truth: “I want to be a movie director.” She laughed and told me that it sounded exciting. After a little while she turned quite serious and said: “So… what are you actually going to do?” Who could blame her? With only three people in the entire country living as directors, how could she know I meant what I said.

Honestly, I have questioned and doubted myself a million times. What if I'd missed out on some important skill you had to have? Who can be born to be directors? Will I be any good at it? Can I find any work? And most importantly, why do I want to do this? Like Oliver Stapleton once said: “No-one in their right mind would voluntarily go through the kind of hell that a Film Director has to go through.” Luckily I’ve been told repeatedly I’m not in my right mind, so I guess I’ll be perfect then?

* To read part two of this mini-series about choosing a profession, head over here.
** Part two is all about how to actually make my dream come true...