Kat Clay

Author

Blog

Golden Idols: Raiders of the Lost Ark Cinematography

I recently had the good fortune to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen. Not only that, in an IMAX!

As a child of the mid-80s, I never got the chance to see the original Indiana Jones in a cinema. And as a photographer and a lover of film, I know how different movies can be when you see them projected versus on the television. Although I’ve seen Raiders too many times to count, I smiled with delight watching it again. Seeing it in a cinema is like watching it for the first time. The details come out, the colours are beautiful and it is truly a radiant experience.

[Read more…] about Golden Idols: Raiders of the Lost Ark Cinematography

In Memoriam: Grandpop’s Eulogy

As some of you know my Grandpop died last week after a battle with lung cancer. Thankfully I was able to see him before he left this world and attend the funeral. When my mum asked if I would like to say something I found myself volunteering before actually thinking about what I would say. I want to share here the eulogy I finally wrote in remembrance of him. Grandpop was not a man you will find in history books or newspapers. But I will remember him. 

[Read more…] about In Memoriam: Grandpop’s Eulogy

Why Skyfall is a masterclass in cinematography

I recently had the chance to view the new James Bond film, Skyfall. And what a film it is. Spectacular performances, brilliant direction and a chilling villain. But my highest praise is reserved for the incredible cinematography by Roger Deakins. Deakins may be a household name to cinephiles, but cinematographers often lose their recognition among the more visible stars of a film. [Read more…] about Why Skyfall is a masterclass in cinematography

Publications update: Literary Traveler, Weird Fiction Review and a LOT of book editing

I just wanted to share a few things going on with my writing these days. Literary Traveler has published one of my articles called Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck and the Californian Coast. It talks about the spiritual aspects of travelling, particularly finding yourself in quiet places. I’m rather proud of it, I put a lot of work into it and the experience of driving Highway 1 meant a lot to me. Go read it now!

I have a few publications coming up on Weird Fiction Review, which is a wonderful resource of articles, stories and features on weird fiction. I’m writing a series of essays as part of their 101 Weird Writers section, based on the epic anthology The Weird . I’ve written about Charles Beaumont, an under-appreciated short story writer from the 60s, and just finished an essay on Margo Lanagan, one of my favourite Australian writers.

Finally I’ve almost finished editing my YA novel, which has been sitting around for a long time. It was one of the first long form pieces I wrote, so it needed a lot of editing, including a tense and narrator change! But it’s shaping into a better story. I’m amazed that I can now look at my work far more analytically than when I started writing. It’s encouraging for me to see how far I’ve come as a writer and to keep on doing it!

Yellow Dust

The clank of the air conditioning unit. The footfall of my steps on the marble staircase. At the glass door the local stray moggie strolls across my path, dirty with yellow dust. Across the street an old woman in a fluoro vest and visor pulls a metal shopping trolley behind her. She wears a towel over her head to protect from the sun, despite the smog on the mountains giving the sky a grey pallor.

[Read more…] about Yellow Dust