The Ballad of Mike Clark...

I first met Mike Clark in 1984 at the PCLSU building on Bolsover Street - central London. Myself and Gerry Cox had been working on McGarel - the Student Union magazine - for its then sabbatical editor Thom Dibden. Somebody told me and Gerry there was a party on the second floor - so we went down stairs to see what the scoop was. In the midst of the rather meagre festivities was a guy with a pudding-bowl haircut and black motorcycle jacket. The jacket was emblazoned with a logo that was somewhere between a white cross and serpent's tail... Gerry introduced this man as "Mad Klaag." Initially, from his strange accent, I believed Mr. Klaag to be of dutch origin, or the like. Later I would find out that he was from Scotland and was in fact MIKE CLARK.

Mike had been many things - Writer, activist, and even a male hustler. He was a unique individual who would veer from the sartori of homeless man to cotton suited dandy. He had a council flat in Chalk Farm and kept a pet tarantula. To this day, I have never met anybody quite like him. He flunked his degree for political differences - so I thought. The following year I would find out that Mike left college because he was very sick - and indeed was awarded his degree posthumously.

It was Nick Coote who told me of Mike's death. Nick mentioned a very sad hospital visit, where Mike was terminally ill, yet still trying to convince a Priest that God did not exist. Ironically enough Mike was remembered at a High Mass and Church memorial service.

I only wish that Mike was still around to read the following story, which was in the Hollywood Reporter, earlier this week. A long time 'upsetter,' one of Mike's masterplans was to broadcast an alternative version of the news, where the newscaster would sing the headlines... Yes, Mike - wherever you are - even this will come to pass....

:FROM THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER - Feb 22. 07

....Yahoo! is hoping a quirky take on the news will strike a chord as its next original programming effort.

The Web giant confirmed Wednesday that it will launch a new initiative before the end of this quarter that will feature a journalist-cum-crooner who will sing the news.

While a Yahoo! spokesman declined to elaborate on the video project, which will be titled "Odd News Underground," he did issue a statement from Scott Moore, head of news and information.

"This project will create an entirely new kind of news beat, so stay tuned," Moore said. "All I can say for now is that this reporter will leave you tapping your feet."

Well there you have it. A mad man's dreams have become reality. Or, as I prefer to think of it - A sadly missed visionary has become vindicated. His dreams are now a reality.

To my friend MIKE CLARK - I raise a toast. You are often missed - and the world is not quite as bright without you...

READ the whole story in 'The Hollywood Reporter'

Vuelo wins Silver Medal...

In 2005 I teamed-up with James Gartner and Don Block to write a short film for the Sony Dreams Series... the result was called 'Vuelo' and it's still making the headlines several years later... Yesterday it was named as a Silver Medal Winner at The 2007 New York Film and Video Festival...

I found this press release on-line...
NEW YORK CITY, February 14, 2007 - "Vuelo," the short film from director James Gartner, has been awarded the Silver World Medal in this year's New York Festivals Film and Video competition.

Set in an inner city diner, "Vuelo" was Gartner's short film contribution to the distinguished Sony Dreams project. The film is wrought with fear, judgement, confusion, and frustration, spanning the emotional spectrum of cultural and ethnic tension. Its conclusion surprises, inspiring even deeper reflection on the part of the viewer.

New York Festivals (NYF) is an international awards company founded in 1957. Recognizing The World's Best WorkTM in advertising, programming, design, and marketing, NYF and its three other advertising brands, honor creativity and effectiveness in global communications through seven annual competitions. NYF honors winners with parties, UN-traditional gala awards ceremonies, and gallery-style showcases. Black-tie awards ceremonies for Film & Video and TV Programming & Promotion winners and are held the last week in January.

VIEW 'Vuelo' here...