Cannes/London 2013: Bon Voyage, See You in June!

Related Posts: I’m Going To Cannes!!! and Cannes/London 2013: Pre-Travel Planning.

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Dear friends/fans/followers:

I just wanted to tell everyone that I’m leaving for my Cannes/London trip!

I will be away from later today Saturday, May 11th through Friday, May 31st (plus most likely a few days of recovery, etc.).

During my trip, I plan on taking copious notes/photographs in order to share my adventure here with you when I get back.

Unfortunately, I’ll have only sporadic Internet connection while abroad. But please feel free to leave me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

Best,

G. E.

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Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Planning for Blake’s London: Final(ish) Plan!

Related Posts: Planning for London!, Planning for Blake’s London!, and Trying to Figure Out London!

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Monday

1. Arrive Heathrow at 5:05 p.m.
2. Take the Heathrow Express, and then taxi to hotel.
3. I think I may get to my hotel around 8 p.m. Hotel is near Russell Square. Check into hotel and get situated.
4. Ask the concierge for a dinner recommendation near the hotel. Or…
5. Simon of shipscooksstuff.wordpress.com has kindly offered to “show [me] some of Soho’s pubs and give [me] some background on [his] home city.” So sweet! Hopefully, we’ll meet up either Monday or Thursday.

Tuesday: Special Event Day!

1. Before 10 a.m., explore Russell Square and surrounding neighborhood.
2. 10 a.m.: David Bowie is at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Afterwards, explore the V&A. Ask information desk about the “…four of Blake’s ‘fresco’ paintings on display permanently” as well as Arts & Crafts/William Morris and other must-sees.
3. Lunch: The Queen’s Arms and/or the V&A Cafe.
4. After V&A, Tate Britain: The new Blake room will open on May 6th. Ask information desk about the Pre-Raphaelites. Perhaps take a 45-minutes free collection highlights tour at 11, 12, or 3. 
5. Leave some time to relax and possibly nap in the late afternoon.
6. 7:30 p.m.: G. E. Gallas Invited to Speak to The Blake Society! at 17 South Molton Street.

Wednesday: Touring Around!

1. If exhausted from Tuesday, sleep in a little bit.
2. 10 a.m.: National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, or return to a museum from the previous day.
3. Lunch: Eat somewhere near/in museums.
4.  1 p.m.: Harrods Vintage Bus Tour of London with Champagne Tea at Harrods – Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament, The Royal Albert Hall, a cruise on the River Thames, and tea/scones at Harrods (until 6 p.m.).
   
5. 7/7:30 p.m.: Jack the Ripper Tour (option #1, option #2, or option #3).

Thursday: Blake’s London!

1. My friend Elena may come up from Barcelona for the day to see me! 
2. 10 a.m.: British Museum –  Department of Prints and Drawings, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, etc.
3. Lunch: Tea and Tattle (41 Great Russell Street) or London Review Cake Shop (14 Bury Place).
4. Blake historical sites: (a) St. James’s Church, (b) Royal Academy New Somerset House, (c) St. Mary’s Battersea, and (d) Bunhill Fields.
5. Either National Portrait Gallery (open to 9 p.m.) or  pubs with Simon.

Friday

• Depart: Back to San Francisco!

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***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Trying to Figure Out London!

Related Posts: Planning for London! and Planning for Blake’s London!

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Firstly, I just wanted to thank all the awesome bloggers who have given me very helpful advice for this trip!

• illostrophy.com
• revessurpapier.wordpress.com
• shipscooksstuff.wordpress.com
• hawkgreenfelts.wordpress.com
• betweentheshadowsandthesoul.wordpress.com
• akaconceptart.wordpress.com
• starrybird.wordpress.com, starrybirdsartdiary.wordpress.com
• daltonsart.wordpress.com
• Mike B
• Asha

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Note: This post is really just for me to try to jot down and organize all the information/recommendations/advice I’ve received about London so far. AND MORE ADVICE IS MORE THAN WELCOMED!

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Here, I’ve narrowed down the Blake historical sites to only the ones I want to see most:

1. St. James’s Church: (10) Where Blake was baptized. The font still survives.
2. Westminster Abbey: (10) Where Blake practiced drawing. Monument to Blake in the Abbey’s Poet’s Corner.Will probably end up here on a bus tour!
3. Royal Academy, New Somerset House: (9) Where Blake studied and occasionally exhibited his work. Original building.
4. 13 Hercules Buildings: (7) Where Blake produced the Songs of Experience. House demolished in 1918.
5. 17 South Moulton Street: (10) Will be here on Tuesday!
6. St. Mary’s, Battersea: (10) Where Blake married Kate. Original building.
7. Bunhill Fields: (9) Where Blake is buried.

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Important: Buy an Oyster card!

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Harrods Vintage Bus Tour of London with Champagne Tea at Harrods

Okay, this might be really silly/crazy/touristy, but a tour in a vintage bus plus tea time? That just sounds so ridiculous (in a good way, I think)!

Won’t have time for this on Monday or Tuesday, so will have to do either Wednesday or Thursday.

Location: Starts at Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge.

Time: Starts at 1 p.m, for 5 hours.

Price: £49

Includes: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, The London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Nelson’s Column, Hyde Park, the Houses of Parliament, The Royal Albert Hall, a cruise on the River Thames, and tea/scones at Harrods. 

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Jack the Ripper Tour

Might have time for this on Monday, or otherwise on Wednesday.

Option #1: Every night at 7 p.m. Outside exit 4 of Aldgate East Station. £9. 2 hours.

Option #2: Every night at 7 p.m. Outside exit 4 of Aldgate East Station. £9. 2 hours.

Option #3: Every night at 7:30 p.m. Outside exit 3 of Aldgate East Station. £9. 1 hour, 45 minutes.

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Tate Britain

At the very top of my list!!!

Tentatively, I think I might go to the Tate and V&A on Tuesday, the bus tour and possibly Jack the Ripper on Wednesday, and then the British Museum and Blake historic sites on Thursday.

Location: Millbank.

Time: Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Price: Free (except for special exhibitions).

Taking photos not allowed.

• Need to find out more about the renovated Blake rooms!
• Need to figure out what else I’d like to see at the Tate!

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Victoria and Albert Museum

Location: Cromwell Road.

Time: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Price: Free (except for special exhibitions).

May take photos, unless otherwise noted.

• Ask information desk about the “…four of Blake’s ‘fresco’ paintings on display permanently.”
• David Bowie is: £14.00 (+£1.40 booking fee per ticket). Already bought my ticket!!

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British Museum

Location: Great Russell Street.

Time: Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Price: Free.

Photography permitted in most galleries.

•  Department of Prints and Drawings, Room 90, upper floor. 10 to 1 p.m. and 2:15 to 4 p.m.
• Briefly run through Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece.

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National Gallery

Not sure if I’ll have time for this.

Location: Trafalgar Square.

Time: Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Price: Free.

Taking photos not allowed.

• 30 Highlight Paintings, such as the Arnolfini Portrait, Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
  
• Vermeer and Music: The Art of Love and Leisure.

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National Portrait Gallery

Not sure if I’ll have time for this. May go if nothing else to do on Thursday evening.

Location: St.Martin’s Place.

Time: Open Sat.-Wed. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thurs.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Price: Free (except for special exhibitions).

Taking photos not allowed.

• Hidden: Unseen Paintings Beneath Tudor Portraits. 
• Victorian Masquerade.
  

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The Princess Louise

A restored Victorian pub. Recommended pint: Timothy Landlord’s.

Location: 208 High Holborn, Holborn. Between Covent Garden and the British Museum.

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

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Tea and Tattle

“Fresh leaf tea in a pot and bone china, scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches and tasty cakes… could anything be more British than afternoon tea in London.”

Location: 41 Great Russell Street (opposite the British Museum).

Time: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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The London Review Cake Shop

“…the traditional with a twist.”

Location: 14 Bury Place  Bloomsbury (near the British Museum).

Time: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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Coach and Horses, Soho

Very shabby, but landmark.

Location: 29 Greek Street, Soho

Time: 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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French House

Location: 49 Dean Street

Time: 12 to 11 p.m. (Food served until 4 p.m.)

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Seven Stars

Something quieter.

Location: 53-54 Carey Street (behind the Royal Courts of Justice, near some of the Blake sites around the Strand/Fleet Street).

Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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The Angel

Something quieter.

Location: 61-62 St Giles High Street (a bit of a no-man’s-land between Covent Garden and Bloomsbury that’s central yet tourist-free).

Time: 12 to 11 p.m.

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The Queen’s Arms

Location: 30 Queen’s Gate Mews (near the V&A).

Time: 12 to 11 p.m.

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The Sherlock Holmes

Has a very authentic English feel. Fish & chips.

Location: 10-11 Northumberland Street

Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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The Old Shades

Great fish & chips.

Location: 37 Whitehall (Trafalgar Square).

Time: 10/11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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Lighthouse Fish Bar

Fish & chips of mammoth proportions.

Location: 8 Tooting Bec Road (1/2 block from Tooting Bec Tube Station).

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

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Curry/Indian: Any suggestions?

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The Gay Hussar

Fabulous Hungarian food and a very interesting past illustrated by the political cartoons on its walls.

Location: 2 Greek Street, Soho.

Time: 12:15 to 2:30 p.m., 5:30 to 10:45 p.m.

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***

Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Package from The Blake Society

Related Posts: Correspondence with The Blake Society and G. E. Gallas Invited to Speak to The Blake Society!

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At the beginning of March, the chair of the Blake Society Tim Heath confirmed my invitation to speak to the society as well as asked that I put together a title, description, and bio for this year’s programme of events.

To give me a better idea of what to write, Tim offered to send me a copy of last year’s brochure. And, late last week, this beautiful printed booklet arrived (see photos below)!

I can’t wait to see how this year’s programme will turn out!

P.S. I only just realized that Philip Pullman is the president of the Blake Society. What!? I mean, it makes complete and total sense, but I’m still trying to wrap my brain around that fact.

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Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

Planning for Blake’s London!

Related Posts: Planning for London!

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Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

As you may know, for the past couple months, I’ve been busy planning for my trip to Cannes and London. I’ll only have 3 full days in London, so I’m trying to figure out the best schedule that will allow me to fit everything in. For my British followers/readers, any advice would be incredibly appreciated.

Monday

1. Arrive: Hello London!!!
2. Take public transportation from Heathrow to hotel; check into hotel and get situated.
3. Since I’ll be exhausted from the film festival (and if I don’t get in too late), I think I might take a bus tour of London. That way, I  can relax and cover all the basics in a short amount of time and hopefully won’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything. If I don’t have time to do a bus tour Monday, then I’ll do one Tuesday morning/afternoon and maybe do a Jack the Ripper tour instead.

Tuesday: Special Event Day!

1. I’m not exactly sure how I’ll spend a good chunk of this day yet. Like I said, I might take a bus tour of London. Or perhaps check out the London Eye, Covent Garden, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens, etc. on my own. I have to look into the different types of bus tours and schedules!
2. Leave some time to relax and possibly nap in the late afternoon.
3. Special Event: G. E. Gallas Invited to Speak to The Blake Society!

Wednesday: Museums Galore!

1.  ★Tate: I recently contacted the Tate about their William Blake collection and was absolutely delighted to hear that the renovated Blake rooms are scheduled to open May 14th and will very likely include The Ghost of a Flea — talk about perfect timing!
2. British Museum: I would like to visit the British Museum’s Print Room (Department of Prints and Drawings), where one can access Blake works without an appointment. According to the Chair of the Blake Society, Tim Heath: “…you are able to hold in your own hands some of Blake’s original (and now priceless) illuminated books. It is one of the secrets of the city.”
3. Victoria & Albert Museum: According to Naomi, the V&A has “…four of Blake’s ‘fresco’ paintings on display permanently, as well as a good collection of watercolours which you can see in their Print Room (no appointment needed).” Would also love to see upcoming exhibit called  David Bowie is (March – July)!!

Thursday: Blake’s London!

Thursday, I plan on adventuring through London to visit all the Blake historical sites. Naomi recommended this tremendously helpful resource on the Tate’s website: http://www2.tate.org.uk/williamblake/lambeth/london_intro.html.

I need to figure out the easiest way to walk and which sites I would most like to see (on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 meaning “I absolutely must see this!”).

1. 28 Broad Street: (7) Where Blake was born. Original building no longer survives. Tate: “Old houses that survive… give a good idea of what Blake’s house looked like.” 
2. St. James’s Church: (10) Recommended by Tim. Where Blake was baptized. The font still survives.
3. Mr. Pars’ Drawing School in the Strand: (5) Where Blake was sent to study at age 10. Demolished in Regency times.
4. 31 Queen Street, Lincoln’s Inn: (8) Where Blake at age 14 became apprentice to an engraver. Original building demolished in late 19th century. Tate: “…but the next-door houses (of brick rather than stone) give an idea of its original appearance).
5. Westminster Abbey: (10) Where Blake as an apprentice practiced drawing ancient tombs (such as King Edward I) and monuments. Monument to William Blake in the Abbey’s Poet’s Corner.
6. Royal Society of Arts: (5) Where Blake admired James Barry’s murals The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture. Original building.
7. Royal Academy, New Somerset House: (9) Where Blake studied and exhibited his work on several occasions. Also important location for the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, if I’m not mistaken. Original building.
8. Green Street, Leicester Square: (5) Where Blake moved after his marriage. Original building no longer exists.
9. 28 Poland Street: (6) Where Blake moved after dissolving his partnership with James Parker. House rebuilt in the late 19th century.
10. 13 Hercules Buildings: (7) Where Blake lived during his most productive years and produced the Songs of Experience. House demolished in 1918.
11. 17 South Moulton Street: (10) Where Blake “…suffer[ed] his bitterest disappointments. Fame and financial success continued to elude him, and he sank into poverty and paranoia.” Will be here on Tuesday!
12. Fountain Court, Strand: (7) Where Blake lived until his death and produced his illustration to Dante’s Divine Comedy. Original building no longer exists.
13. St. Mary’s, Battersea: (10) Recommended by Tim. Where Blake married Kate. Original building.
14. Bunhill Fields: (9) Recommended by Tim. Where Blake is buried (in an unmarked grave). Tate: “A small monument now stands at the approximate site where Blake was buried.”
15. Paolozzi Newton: (6) Where a statue based on Blake’s Newton stands.

Friday

• Depart: Back to San Francisco!

Now that I’ve laid everything out, the next step is to narrow everything down into a manageable plan!

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Copyright 2013 by G. E. Gallas

I’m Going To Cannes!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own this image!!

I first heard about The American Pavilion Cannes Film Program during my freshman year of college. The program was mentioned by the professor of an “Adaptation” course I was taking (we would read a short story or novel, then watch the movie adaptation of it). Over the years, I’ve thought of applying to the program and this year I finally did.

I really didn’t know my chances of getting into this program. But, as my motto has been for the past year or so, you never know until you apply.

Wednesday (December 19th), I had a phone interview with The American Pavilion. After the phone call, I really wasn’t sure how it went. I just tried my best to answer every question as honestly and enthusiastically as possible. I especially wasn’t sure since my answer for “the most recent film you’ve watched” was the 2009 British dark comedy In The Loop. Furthermore, I was shocked to hear that I would be notified by Friday the same week whether I got in or not!

Well, today is Friday and I received the e-mail… I’ve been accepted into The American Pavilion 2013 Cannes Film Program!!!!!!!!!

The program begins on May 12 and ends of May 27. I have no idea what to expect, but I hope I’m not too star-struck. According to the interviewer, the program is what you make of it, so that means I’m packing all my business cards, postcards, and copies of my screenplays.

After filling out a bunch of forms for The Pavilion, I guess I need to figure out what to pack as well as brush up on some French?

Wish me luck! Or “bonne chance”?

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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Brief Update

Here is a brief update on my current creative projects and endeavors…!

★ “The Poet and the Flea 100 Day Countdown to the Premiere” is underway!! Join us on Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook!

Wednesday, October 24th

1. Uploaded portfolio to this blog.
2. Requested invite from DreamUp.com (not at all sure how this will turn out…).
3. Did some online research about zines, printers, etc.

Thursday, October 25th

1. Working on submission to Fantagraphics.
2. Continuing to work on some upcoming blog posts and project ideas.

Friday, October 26th

1. Meeting with Gabe went very well as always. Gabe took the time to cut and paste his entire story, Elias & The City of Cats, into a children’s book format to give me a better idea of what I need to illustrate. From this prototype, I’ll start working on a rough sketch storyboard!
2. Applied to the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival Screenwriters Competition. Information updated on “Applications” post, here.
3. Completed submissions package for Fantagraphics. Now, I just have to put in the mail!
4. Scanned character preliminary design for Elias and Ignis of Elias & The City of Cats. With this design, I was just experimenting with some Commedia dell’Arte (Pierrot & Harlequin) costumes which most likely won’t appear in the final children’s book. But Gabe seems to really like this image and wants to make some t-shirts. Any interest?

Saturday, October 27th

1. Last night and today, working on rough sketch storyboard for Elias & The City of Cats.
2. Did some experimenting with animation app on iPad.

Sunday, October 28th

1. Worked on figuring out the crazy California ballot (so many props!) so that I can vote early tomorrow.
2. Had a wonderful time with Wes today! Ate dinner at The Corner Store — both had these amazing “Grasshoppers” (crème de menthe, absinthe, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream). Can’t wait to see him again on Halloween! （○゜ε＾○）

Monday, October 29th

1. I voted today!!
2. Dropped submissions package for Fantagraphics in the mail!
3. Applied for a part-time writing job. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, October 30th

1.  Working on rough sketch storyboard for Elias & The City of Cats.
2. Discovered that my short screenplay Death Is No Bad Friend made it to the Kaos Films British Short Screenplay Competition 2nd Round Qualifiers (announced earlier this month). I have no idea how many rounds this competition is, but does that mean that judge Sir Kenneth Branagh has read my screenplay?  (｡♥‿♥｡)
3. Responded to a film director on Craigslist looking for a short screenplay, and got an almost immediate response of interest. Hoping this will be successful!
4. Sent an e-mail to Scout Books enquiring about collaboration and their Good Ink’s literary line.

Wednesday, October 31st

1. Completed rough sketch storyboard for Elias & The City of Cats.
2. Happy Halloween!!!  I had a great time at Wes’s house’s pretty dorky party, even though I don’t think anyone recognized my Daria costume (even though Shannon Woodward and Katy Perry dressed as Daria and Jane without my prior knowledge). Plus, Wes gave me a belated birthday present — meet Charles, the British alpaca!!

Thursday, November 1st

1. Recovering from last night!
2. Ran some errands…
3. Also, my mom’s (Irene Zweig) new postcards (see below) came in the mail!

Etcetera

• The Poet and the Flea: 49 pages of written script (1 page of script = 4-6 illustrated pages), and about 36 pages (1-24, 27-30 completed, and 25-26, 31-36 in progress) of illustrated work.
• The First Reich: Began work on the first few pages…!

To Do:

• Continue adding blog content to The First Reich.
• Continue to work on The First Reich.
• Continue to work on Elias & The City of Cats.
• November 2nd: meet with Gabe at 11 a.m.
• November 7th: Scary Cow Information Session with Shannon.
• November 9th: Cinema by the Bay with Wes at 7 p.m.
• Sign up with Top Web Comics: Comic Rankings.
• Sign up with OnlineComics.net.

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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas

Note on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following images!!

“The Black Brunswicker” (1860) by John Everett Millais

“Isabella and the Pot of Basil” (1868) by William Holman Hunt

“Found” (1865–1869, unfinished) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

One of my more recent obsessions is with the artists know as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, it’s most famous members being John Everett Millais, William Holman Hunt, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Like many of my obsessions, the Pre-Raphaelites have been floating around the periphery of my awareness for some time, perhaps years. My interest was peaked only recently (this spring) by the Legion of Honor‘s stunning exhibit “The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde 1860 – 1900,” featuring works by not only the Pre-Raphaelites but also their contemporaries, students, and successors (including William Morris, James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Oscar Wilde, Aubrey Beardsley, etc.). This exhibit picked up the threads of some other interests of mine, such as Charles Dickens’s companion and fellow writer Wilkie Collins (The Moonstone, The Woman in White, etc.). The exhibit also inspired me to dig deeper into the lives of these eccentric Victorian “Renaissance” men!

An easy way to learn more about the Pre-Raphaelites is through the BBC six-part series Desperate Romantics (2009), featuring a cast of lovely men and women (Aidan Turner, Rafe Spall, and Amy Manson to name a few) and gorgeous period costumes. While at times exuding a contemporary (as in 21st century) feel in the vein of Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006), the series is very painstakingly researched yet thoroughly enjoyable to watch. It’s a series I’m just itching to re-watch and show to all my friends.

Aidan Turner as Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Another wonderful way to enjoy the Pre-Raphaelites is through the online comic Pre-Raphernalia: The Pre-Raph Sketchbook Cartoons of Raine Szramski (preraphernalia.blogspot.com). This series is another painstakingly researched yet thoroughly enjoyable journey into the bizarre history of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, with plenty of cameos by Rossetti’s pet wombat named “Top.”

My most recent encounter with the Pre-Raphaelites is surprisingly through the British footwear brand Dr. Martens. Dr. Martens has teamed up with Liberty of London to create shoes and purses featuring William Morris’s celebrated “Strawberry Thief” textile design. My birthday’s coming up, so I’m hoping to get my paws on one of these timeless purses!

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Copyright 2012 by G. E. Gallas