Russell Made Me Do It - A photographic blog by Samantha Nell

It's been eight years.

2010-08-23T09:04:00.004+02:00

It's been a long time since my last post. Since then I've moved countries, changed camera and started a whole new job. Let's hope I can start blogging regularly again. I'm in Korea at the moment teaching English. Here are some photos from life so far.

Night flights and strong lights

2009-05-04T15:11:00.005+02:00

Vappu - What a strange and wonderful evening. The whole of Helsinki, it seems, out of their beds and running from place to place. Some people while away the hours drinking, some eat with family and friends. As part of the obligatory student experience we were sitting atop a hill a park in the old part of town. Relaxing while the sun dipped lower and lower at a snail's pace I have never really had the chance to observe.

The next morning I take my camera with to survey the disaster area and find the buildings where I live looking like they've had a fairly wild party on their own. The floors are covered in sticky and streamers and as we open the elevator we see the remnants of someone's 'lift party' it smells of smoke.

It's like New Years eve in the middle of the year, I suppose that makes sense since New Years is the height of winter here. And no on can go outside. Planes seem to always leaves streaks across the sky here, like carvings, I've no idea why. I thought maybe it was something about the cold?

Momta! Concept Rap Art

2009-04-30T12:17:00.003+02:00

Momta! is a concept rap art group made up of two artists who take their shit very seriously. That is Mark Middlewick (rap name Kotkamaa) and Samantha Nell (rap name Mokola). Album is called Bossie Proppo dropping truth bombs this Summer.

Word yo.

The last one is just an awesome photo of Mark I took in the lift. I really think it's rad.

I Climbed Into The Belly Of The Great White Bear

2009-04-30T11:43:00.003+02:00

The end of week two is here, and we're off to join in the Vappu celebrations in a bit, when the whole of Helsinki is going to get as drunk as they can. These shots are from the "braai" (it was a fish braai which isn't the real deal as far as I'm concerned, but they tried) just some shots of everyone whiling away one of the warmer afternoons in Helsinki. Getting to know new people, reconnecting with old ones. This week's been about getting closer to everyone else on the programme. And we've discovered that we're actually all a tight-knit family. Sadly, Mark and I are saddled with parental responsibility, but it's okay, we've already spoken about our divorce, and letting the kids move out. So I think we'll be joining the party soon.

Missing you all

Help I'm Alive

2009-04-25T10:23:00.002+02:00

The first week in Helsinki went by at a strange kind of Finnish speed, because time here is backwards and inside out all in the same moment. It was both excruciatingly slow and way too fast in the same moment, and it's hard to look back now at where things ended and where new things began. All I know is that after only one week we've seen a bit of the city. Spent a little too much money. Been bemused by Finnish drunks. And marveled at yesterday buns. And I think I've lost my body clock somewhere along the way, sleep never seems to be around enough, and when it is I don't seem to want it.

I've been walking around a lot in this city and, like a good European, been living my life with my headphones glued to me with Metric's Fantasies blasting loudly and colouring the whole experience a different shade of cynical. But in the good way. You need a little bit of cynicism in any first world country when you come from one that isn't quite up to this scratch yet. We're so exotic here we even got interviewed for a Swedish-language radio station about the recent elections, in which we couldn't vote, but you can listen here if you want to hear us trying desperately to make people understand how much we love our home.

A Day at the Zoo with Ruthie and Sophie Paloma

2009-04-20T08:33:00.002+02:00

Some of the last South African photos I took before I came to Helsinki. Found them still on my camera when I got here. It was kind of an awesome surprise.

Friends for the Cold

2009-04-13T01:24:00.006+02:00

Recently trekked down to the Free State with some friends to my best friend Oliver's 21st. It was such a cool little excursion, even if we had a flat tyre on the way. Here are a few I'm gonna have fond memories of when I'm freezing in Helsinki on Friday.

Some moments from Central Methodist Church

2009-04-13T01:11:00.008+02:00

In the last nine or so weeks I was involved with an exchange programme between two South African film schools and a Finnish school. The aim was to make a documentary, and we chose to make a film dealing with Central Methodist Church in Downtown Johannesburg. There's not really a way to talk about the experience adequately on paper or in blog or even out loud some times. But it was definitely one of the singular moments in my life where I really had to face up to the reality of the city, country and world I live in. Over the weeks we heard many people's stories. We met many people. And we made many friends. I only hope we made a film that can make some part of that experience accessible to you guys. At least that would be something to be proud of.

Here are some stills from our second visit to the Church.

I'm not dead, I'm resting. But not really.

2009-02-28T22:23:00.002+02:00

Ah yes... Keen followers I address you (all three of you). I'm sure you've noticed I've been a bit behind on the postings of late. No, I'm not dead, and actually, despite how funny it would be, I'm not resting either. I'm swamped with work. Sadly not the paying kind, just the studying. I'm participating in an exchange programme and will be off to Helsinki for three months in April. But more on that later. I'm also currently doing my thesis on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and writing a play for my final directing showcase in the second half of the year. Not to mention the enormous amount of work we are putting in to the production and design of the dear project of myself and Ruth Heyns, Go2Girl (We own the webspace now: www.go2girl.co.za - keep checking).

The good news is that I am taking photos and writing and making documentaries and watching lots of Buffy. The other good news is that Call Girl, my short film from 2008 is soon to be doing the festival rounds. And that there is work happening. I will be posting as soon as I can, until then keep it real. And I miss you all.

Kung-Fu Crazy Poster Ver 1.0

2009-01-20T17:20:00.001+02:00

A poster for a one man show by Craig Wainwright.

Constructing Ross Garrett II

2008-12-06T00:05:00.003+02:00

Some shots from our third year documentary (this version is unfinished! But soon! Soon it will be complete MWAHAHAHAHA... ahem.) on photographer Ross Garrett. Made up entirely of stills the film was a great project, and definitely one of the best films I've made at Wits.

The Title Still, made from photographs blown up and presticked to a wall

Constructing Ross Garrett I

2008-12-05T23:53:00.003+02:00

Tele Awards Poster Ver 1.0

2008-10-30T18:24:00.001+02:00

Wits end of year in-house awards poster. Fun to design.

Up & Away Production Stills III

2008-10-30T18:19:00.002+02:00

Up & Away Production Stills II

2008-10-30T18:18:00.002+02:00

Up & Away Production Stills I

2008-10-30T18:16:00.004+02:00

A fourth year research project by Roberto Pombo and Claudine Ullman.

Constructing Ross Garrett Poster Ver. 1.0

2008-10-11T22:00:00.006+02:00

A poster for our final documentary project. This was really exciting, a documentary on photographer Ross Garrett, made up entirely of stills, in a Chris Marker La Jetee reference (if you haven't seen it check it out.)

Also, check Ross out. It's worth it!

Love On Rollerskates The Bohemian IV

2008-09-19T23:03:00.018+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Bohemian III

2008-09-19T23:03:00.016+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Bohemian II

2008-09-19T23:03:00.014+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Bohemian I

2008-09-19T23:03:00.013+02:00

Crave Poster

2008-09-19T23:03:00.009+02:00

The poster for Crave written by Sarah Kane, directed by Roger Lambert.

Made with the help of Roger Lambert

Crave Production Stills II

2008-09-19T23:03:00.006+02:00

More stills for Crave

The whole company (Left to Right): Liesel Retief, Ter Holman, Lidija Marelic, Roger Lambert, Courtney Watts, Kieran James Reid.

Liesel Retief and Kieran James Reid

Ter Holman and Lidija Marelic

Liesel Retief and Kieran James Reid

The rest can be found at the Facebook event for Crave at http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=158844&id=580495213&ref=mf#/event.php?eid=25470874165&ref=ts
Check it out.

Crave Production Stills I

2008-09-19T23:03:00.003+02:00

Production stills for Crave directed by Roger Lambert, on at the Nunnery at Wits from the 23rd of September to the 27th of September.

Had so much fun shooting these.
Kieran James Reid

Lidija Marelic

Ter Holman

Kieran James Reid and Lidija Marelic

Roger Lambert (Director)

Rhinoceros 2.0

2008-09-18T09:49:00.004+02:00

The new version of the Rhinoceros poster... we went green.

Road and Rhinceros Posters Ver 1.0

2008-09-02T12:56:00.004+02:00

It's been one of those weeks, here are two posters for upcoming shows at Wits, the Road poster isn't my favourite, it was a rush job sadly. But I like the image.

With help from Ruth Heyns, Oliver Melvill and Brigette Barnett

And Rhinoceros, which I like much better.

With help from Alex-Ann Keppie and Eve Rakow

Fourth Year Directing Festival Poster Ver. 1.0

2008-08-02T23:26:00.007+02:00

With lots and lots of help from Ruth Heyns.

Dial P for Portraits

2008-06-13T16:28:00.001+02:00

Call Girl Poster v.1.0

2008-05-15T23:51:00.002+02:00

The poster for my final fiction piece for first semester television. A 10 minute short about a lonely long distance salesman finding love in an unconventional form. Don't be fooled by the title. There are no hookers.

Dance Till It Hurts - Scott Scot II

2008-05-13T00:06:00.003+02:00

Dance Till It Hurts - Scott Scot I

2008-05-12T23:57:00.001+02:00

Dance Till It Hurts - Cutout Collective IV

2008-05-10T14:39:00.001+02:00

Dance Till It Hurts - Cutout Collective III

2008-05-10T14:35:00.001+02:00

Dance Till It Hurts - Cutout Collective II

2008-05-10T14:34:00.001+02:00

Dance Till It Hurts - Cutout Collective I

2008-05-10T14:29:00.001+02:00

Launching GO2GIRL

2008-05-10T14:16:00.005+02:00

Now launching a new project, called GO2GIRL. GO2GIRL is a photography, design, filmmaking, problem-solving, go-getting initiative started to give a name to the photographic work on this blog. Web space will be launching soon in association with "...And Other Stories", a collective of artists, illustrators and writers. Stay tuned. For now the logo is this, watch out for it:

Locations Scouting I

2008-04-22T09:03:00.001+02:00

Rosencrantz + Guildenstern Are Dead Pre-Show III

2008-04-13T10:06:00.003+02:00

I went backstage before the last show of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to get a couple of shots of the awesome costumes. Totally worth it. I want one of those collars!

This one was just them mucking around in between, I really like it though.

Rosencrantz + Guildenstern Are Dead Pre-Show II

2008-04-13T10:04:00.004+02:00

Masasa Lindiwe Mbangeni as one of the players and Gertrude

Rosencrantz + Guildenstern Are Dead Pre-Show I

2008-04-13T10:03:00.002+02:00

Brigette Barnett as Ophelia

Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood Poster

2008-04-04T16:34:00.002+02:00

Poster for a random short film that we made for class. I just liked the image.

Love On Rollerskates Splashy Fen V

2008-03-28T13:30:00.002+02:00

Just to prove that they were really there...

Love On Rollerskates Splashy Fen IV

2008-03-28T13:25:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates Splashy Fen III

2008-03-28T13:21:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates Splashy Fen II

2008-03-28T13:19:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates Splashy Fen I

2008-03-28T13:18:00.002+02:00

Picnic For Nerds I

2008-03-12T01:51:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Kids Who Pop Today Will Rock Tomorrow V

2008-03-11T16:30:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Kids Who Pop Today Will Rock Tomorrow IV

2008-03-11T16:26:00.002+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Kids Who Pop Today WIll Rock Tomorrow III

2008-03-11T16:23:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Kids Who Pop Today Will Rock Tomorrow II

2008-03-11T16:22:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates The Kids Who Pop Today Will Rock Tomorrow I

2008-03-11T16:19:00.001+02:00

Skin of Memory Poster Ver 3.0

2008-03-05T00:46:00.001+02:00

Skin of Memory Poster Ver 2.0

2008-03-03T00:06:00.002+02:00

This one is my favorite

This one is for Myer.

Love On Rollerskates - Canned Applause IV

2008-03-01T19:38:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates - Canned Applause III

2008-03-01T19:36:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates - Canned Applause II

2008-03-01T19:35:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates - Canned Applause I

2008-03-01T19:34:00.001+02:00

Skin of Memory Rehearsal II

2008-02-23T18:58:00.001+02:00

Skin of Memory Rehearsal I

2008-02-23T18:49:00.001+02:00

I freaking LOVE Jozi!

2008-02-23T17:15:00.001+02:00

Skin of Memory Poster Ver. 1.0

2008-02-20T22:14:00.001+02:00

When boredom strikes because your computer is slow AKA experimentation in light I

2008-02-19T01:44:00.001+02:00

Emma Queen of the Dead

2008-02-04T12:43:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates IV

2008-02-01T08:01:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates III

2008-02-01T07:59:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates II

2008-02-01T07:58:00.001+02:00

Love On Rollerskates I

2008-02-01T07:56:00.002+02:00

Tisch Program I - Apartheid Museum

2008-01-20T18:09:00.001+02:00

December Travels V

2008-01-09T11:35:00.002+02:00

the family that springs together sings together

2008-01-06T16:32:00.001+02:00

A family portrait shot for my Dad's Christmas present.

December Travels IV

2008-01-06T13:17:00.001+02:00

December Travels III

2008-01-06T13:16:00.001+02:00

December Travels II

2008-01-06T13:15:00.001+02:00

December Travels I

2008-01-06T13:14:00.001+02:00

St Francis Lighthouse II

2008-01-06T13:08:00.001+02:00

St Francis Lighthouse I

2008-01-06T13:04:00.001+02:00

Elizabeth & Amogolang

2008-01-06T11:51:00.002+02:00

Portraits for Lizzie