Every life has its points of reflection, places where we can look back at the things that were and the things that might have been. Once in a while we are able to identify the moments that brought us true happiness, and if we are lucky, they can help to propel us in a new more rewarding direction.

For me those points were the memories of a young boy so entwined in the fantasy world of film that it consumed his every waking moment and pushed his dreams along at 24 frames per second, in Technicolour.

As a boy I would shoot endless rolls of film of stop motion animation on my father's super 8mm camera and and later amaze my friends with the all singing, all dancing salt & pepper shaker show.

I used to sneak into the local cinema and steal movie posters while nobody was around. Fortunately my criminal career ended soon after the cinema manager, caught me in the act and gave me the option, face the music or work to feed your obsession. Thank you for giving me the choice, David.

Within weeks I was hand lacing film through the old 35mm carbon-rod-burner-projectors, splicing film and finding the cigarette burns like a seasoned pro. I virtually ran the projection booth for the next three years, and never tired of it.

One of my fondest memories, and probably the defining moment in my life, was when Bill, sadly I do not remember his last name; He was the cinema chains area manager in the Northern Territory, Australia, gave me a special gift.

For my fourteenth birthday, Bill gave me two books. Both books were frame by frame photo-plays of The Maltese Falcon & Psycho. Annotated in the front cover of each was "Follow your dreams" signed, Uncle Bill.

Bill died of cancer over ten years ago. It was his passion for film and his willingness to share it that inspired me, and to this day, still does.

There are some lights that burn so brightly they seemingly burn themselves out in a short period of time, but so bright is their light that they leave their image permanently scorched into the retina.

Kev Smith was such a light, extinguished well before his time. He was and always will be a mate. His humility and wicked sense of humour were infectious. His energy boundless. His capacity to love, endless.

Kev passed away on the 16/02/2002.

To quote Kev "Set the controls for the heart of the Sun" That I will my friend.

I hope the Jet-Plane packets in heaven are bottomless and your metabolism super fast.

There's an old saying - You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family, and it is so true, but I thank God every day for the father he bestowed on me. I could not have picked a better one, had I been given the choice. He believed in me no matter what and loved me unconditionally, as I do him.

My father, Barry Duffield Snr, passed away on the 9th July 2001.

I will miss him until the day I die.

I live in Auckland, New Zealand and consider myself blessed for that. It is the crown of the South Pacific and the bearer of boundless treasures.

I am married to the most beautiful, incredible and understanding woman God saw fit to breathe life into, my Suzie. We share the affection of our very cool cat, Taz-man. Life is good.

I have a good looking son, Arron, 18, from my 1st marriage. He's a 6 footer and much more handsome than his father. He lives in Australia with his loving mother, Jennifer.

I write because I love to share my visions.

I Direct because I see my visions so clearly.

I act because I feel the need to be in the vision.

"Let your dreams give you the wings to fly"

Barry Duffield, 2003