Busy weekend...
http://www.leightonbuzzard.towntalk.co.uk/news/d/34042/a-new-exciting-theatre-experience-for-leightonlinslade-thespians/
Sunday 26 May 2013
Friday 24 May 2013
Why I decided to fly by night!
I am ready to share how I'm financing this production, even if I still don't have a full cast yet, but I feel it's the right time after been discharged by Stoke Mandeville Hospital's Ophthalmology department yesterday for my right eye is stable and needs no more medical attention... What has this got to do with the play? This is very personal stuff, so if You'd rather not mind my business, close this page right now, otherwise read on... ;)
I'm short-sighted - no wonder, I've always been reading, writing and drawing all my life. I've been short-sighted since the age of 6, and developed a sort of "allergy" to spectacles by the time I turned 32. I no longer wanted to depend on glasses so I decided to go for laser correction but my myopia was still increasing, so a private optometrist suggested to monitor it for the next four years and see what happened. It actually took eight years for it to stabilise but, by that time, the [lazy] right eye had hit -14 degrees which, in the UK, cannot be corrected by laser (at least that's what I was told at this private clinic!) Moreover, the left eye was stable at -9.50 so the difference between the two eyes was too uncomfortable and very much tangible when using glasses. Contact lenses were too expensive, another reason to opt for the operation - spend the money I had saved for eight long years once and for all. At this point, though, another procedure was discussed, also approved by an Italian eye surgeon as the best one for my case. This was changed at the last minute by the private surgeon in London, so in the end he performed a completely different one, resulting in a secondary glaucoma with permanent damage of the right pupil. I know: all surgery carry risks - I learnt that on my own skin, but it would be nice to know which ones beforehand and be able to make the choice to opt out if too risky. Well, this didn't happen to me: they all make it appear as if it's one of the easiest things to do, surgically open an eye! Look at their adverts on TV... a load of rubbish!
I'm not here to discuss four years of consequences and responsibilities of this operation, the hows, whens and ifs, but only the whys... There's a moment in which you ask yourself "Why?": Why did that happen to me? Why now? There must be a reason, and I found it in a previous and similar anecdote, happened 10 months before.
I had a freaky infection on the right middle fingertip caused by continuously stabbing it with a needle... Yes, a needle prick got infected! The bacterium that feasted on my fingertip pulp was a rare one, as rare were the reactions to all antibiotics used to try and get rid of the infection. My body wasn't responding to none of them and, in one week, I ended up having the finger opened three times (including the palm of the hand just below the finger itself, through which they finally managed to flush the infection away) and taking 15 different medicines, from tablets against high body temperature and strong pain relief that made me puke, to anti-emetic tablets to try and stop me from puking!
A nightmare! One of those situations that happen so quickly without giving You the chance to even know what's going on. I was dying, they didn't have a clue of what was happening to me, until I decided that I had too many things to do in my life that I hadn't done yet, including two precious daughters waiting for me at home.
After these two weird experiences, one has to stop and consider life from a different perspective! So I did: if any of You has knowledge of Reflexology, You will know that the right middle finger's base is connected to the heart. This small portion of the upper palm had been open, therefore exposing the heart. Moreover, the right hand is my dominant hand - I write with it!
So I started wondering whether this could have something to do with my innermost passions, those dreams closer to my Heart, and I couldn't lie any longer: as soon as I recovered from the scars and completed the rehabilitation gaining full mobility of the right hand, I started putting in writing all the ideas for the play!
In Hand Palm Reflexology, the right middle finger is also connected to the right eye... How creepy is that? So in my pursuing a legal action against the private surgeon who operated the right eye, I realised that I would have lost the case - no doubt, but at least I managed to get all my money refunded.
Part of that money will be used to stage my play!
Thank You and Goodnight ;)
I'm short-sighted - no wonder, I've always been reading, writing and drawing all my life. I've been short-sighted since the age of 6, and developed a sort of "allergy" to spectacles by the time I turned 32. I no longer wanted to depend on glasses so I decided to go for laser correction but my myopia was still increasing, so a private optometrist suggested to monitor it for the next four years and see what happened. It actually took eight years for it to stabilise but, by that time, the [lazy] right eye had hit -14 degrees which, in the UK, cannot be corrected by laser (at least that's what I was told at this private clinic!) Moreover, the left eye was stable at -9.50 so the difference between the two eyes was too uncomfortable and very much tangible when using glasses. Contact lenses were too expensive, another reason to opt for the operation - spend the money I had saved for eight long years once and for all. At this point, though, another procedure was discussed, also approved by an Italian eye surgeon as the best one for my case. This was changed at the last minute by the private surgeon in London, so in the end he performed a completely different one, resulting in a secondary glaucoma with permanent damage of the right pupil. I know: all surgery carry risks - I learnt that on my own skin, but it would be nice to know which ones beforehand and be able to make the choice to opt out if too risky. Well, this didn't happen to me: they all make it appear as if it's one of the easiest things to do, surgically open an eye! Look at their adverts on TV... a load of rubbish!
I'm not here to discuss four years of consequences and responsibilities of this operation, the hows, whens and ifs, but only the whys... There's a moment in which you ask yourself "Why?": Why did that happen to me? Why now? There must be a reason, and I found it in a previous and similar anecdote, happened 10 months before.
I had a freaky infection on the right middle fingertip caused by continuously stabbing it with a needle... Yes, a needle prick got infected! The bacterium that feasted on my fingertip pulp was a rare one, as rare were the reactions to all antibiotics used to try and get rid of the infection. My body wasn't responding to none of them and, in one week, I ended up having the finger opened three times (including the palm of the hand just below the finger itself, through which they finally managed to flush the infection away) and taking 15 different medicines, from tablets against high body temperature and strong pain relief that made me puke, to anti-emetic tablets to try and stop me from puking!
A nightmare! One of those situations that happen so quickly without giving You the chance to even know what's going on. I was dying, they didn't have a clue of what was happening to me, until I decided that I had too many things to do in my life that I hadn't done yet, including two precious daughters waiting for me at home.
After these two weird experiences, one has to stop and consider life from a different perspective! So I did: if any of You has knowledge of Reflexology, You will know that the right middle finger's base is connected to the heart. This small portion of the upper palm had been open, therefore exposing the heart. Moreover, the right hand is my dominant hand - I write with it!
So I started wondering whether this could have something to do with my innermost passions, those dreams closer to my Heart, and I couldn't lie any longer: as soon as I recovered from the scars and completed the rehabilitation gaining full mobility of the right hand, I started putting in writing all the ideas for the play!
In Hand Palm Reflexology, the right middle finger is also connected to the right eye... How creepy is that? So in my pursuing a legal action against the private surgeon who operated the right eye, I realised that I would have lost the case - no doubt, but at least I managed to get all my money refunded.
Part of that money will be used to stage my play!
Thank You and Goodnight ;)
Friday 17 May 2013
To the script!
After Wednesday night, it is quite clear that these young Thespians of mine (!) are extremely keen and talented and it wouldn't be wise not to allow them to view the whole script. Up to now, we've only worked with excerpts from the script, especially those parts in which young actors are encouraged to work on improvisation, as well as group scenes.
To support this, I've also prepared plenty of activities to improve improvisation skills but these guys are honestly so good, and it's great fun, too - they come up with formidable ideas! Moreover, some of them are already getting acquainted to some of the characters, I guess those characters with who they recognise themselves the most.
Nevertheless, Chris and I felt it's time to show the entire story. It's very exciting and daunting - I never expected the children to move forward so fast! This also means that I'll have to work hard over the weekend on the script, which I'm constantly reviewing and changing.
Not sure if this happens to all those involved in writing, whether it's a book or a screenplay: are we ever happy with a finished piece?
By the way, the group is growing...
:)
To support this, I've also prepared plenty of activities to improve improvisation skills but these guys are honestly so good, and it's great fun, too - they come up with formidable ideas! Moreover, some of them are already getting acquainted to some of the characters, I guess those characters with who they recognise themselves the most.
Nevertheless, Chris and I felt it's time to show the entire story. It's very exciting and daunting - I never expected the children to move forward so fast! This also means that I'll have to work hard over the weekend on the script, which I'm constantly reviewing and changing.
Not sure if this happens to all those involved in writing, whether it's a book or a screenplay: are we ever happy with a finished piece?
By the way, the group is growing...
:)
Friday 10 May 2013
A Teenage Tantrum
Actually, before I fall asleep, I wish to share something more: today one of the girls in the school where I work inspired the following poem (giving the title to this post):
I am cool, I am smart
And you, Miss, are an old fart
You think I don’t understand
Ask me to put up my hand
If I’ve got something to say
But you never give me praise
You don’t know that I am living
Something that feels like bereaving
To your eyes I’m not a child
But some kind of creature wild
That is here to destroy
Or just simply to annoy
You forgot that at my age
There’s a sudden surge in rage
No one knows how to deal
With this type of ordeal
You would think it’s all just hormones
That I do produce pheromones
But it is much more than that:
I am growing
And transforming
I am losing sight of me
And of what I used to be
All my world’s falling apart
Though I’m cool and still smart
While you remain an old fart!
There has been a long period of my life, between the age of 15 and 25, during which I have written extensively, including poems (but I'm quite new to rhyming). The end of those manuscripts will remain personal for a little longer, but it's liberating having to admit that I've started it all over again, and there's no way to stop the flow! :)
Good night!
A little note...
While I'm having some healthy creative fun, I've also been going to the theatre and, to my astonishment, some performances I watched also implemented music, movement and visuals... I swear since I started this blog, I've realised that people's view of stage performance has changed dramatically, incorporating movement and visual art into drama - and I'm not talking about musical theatre, but proper intellectual drama!
About time! ... Makes me chuckle... ^_^
Now I'm ready for some rest: night night!
About time! ... Makes me chuckle... ^_^
Now I'm ready for some rest: night night!
Follow up!
Another busy week is ending and would be nice to share the outcome of our workshop: the children involved are actually only three so far, though with a few invites, some more might join in by the end of May.
Those involved are extremely talented and I'm very honoured to have found such committed and creative young actors/actresses.
Some of them already have their favourite activities, although I love varying so I brought more along with materials and props for the extracts I chose this week.
I'm extremely happy to say that all extracts work really well, although there is still room for improvement - which is brilliant for it keeps me thinking! We analysed how to make the acting close to reality and invited the children to observe their school mates through the week until we meet again on Wednesday night. The tendency is to over-act some of the parts, although in some scenes it is actually appropriate to let them act in a very anti-Stanislavski theatrical way. They came up with amazing ideas in the scene involving students with Diabetes making it even amusing and very enjoyable. I must admit I feel very proud of them!
Once a more realistic way of portraying the play's characters will be achieved, I know for sure that we'll have to work on voice: pitch, speed and projection will be key to a really powerful performance.
This is really exciting times and it also feels very natural to all involved so far. I hope that the Universe will send more young Thespians along!
Will catch up next week!
Sunday 5 May 2013
Updates on Auditions!
Audition nights have come and gone! No much affluence, I'm afraid, but with those few that turned up I managed to lead interesting auditions. These were organised in the form of informal workshops and plenty of ice breakers suitable for teenagers were used.
It was wonderful to see some extracts from the play come alive, too, and see the talent pouring from those young actresses! Many parts of the play leave space to imagination and improvisation: it was great to see them tune in to each other and to the script - I was really chuffed!
There isn't a cast as yet, and I'll probably need to cancel the date I set as performance evening, but the idea to carry on with workshops and working on the script is very tempting for now. After all, we're not talking about a play as classical as Billy Elliot or Bugsy Malone! The turn out was poor despite good publicity (posters and flyers in every school in town, oh... and this: http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/lifestyle/leisure/theatre/your-chance-for-a-day-in-the-medical-room-1-5031926)
If I had advertised for Annie or any other already established play/musical I'd have probably had the entire cast already! ;)
This only proves that when there's something NEW not many people are willing to take a risk and, in this, I feel pretty much isolated right now - although Mr Amos remains positive saying that we'll be able to stage the play with even just 10 teens (with 30 in the cast!) Bless him! Hands up who thinks I've been too ambitious...
In my feeling isolated, though, there's a force telling me to push forward, no matter what! And I want to follow it, I want to take that risk! I've decided therefore to cast the play by invitation only: to begin with, my aim was to give an opportunity to every local teenager in love with the Performing Arts; now I have no other choice than to select my cast! And I don't like being selective... The actors who read the play liked it and that's enough for me to carry on.
So workshops start this Wednesday... Bring it on!
PS. Yes, You read correctly: I secured a space for the performance before casting the play! With little experience in my new [many] roles, I have learnt that a cast might be needed before booking a theatre. However, I'm confident that a full production can still be put up in two months (The Grove in Dunstable puts up a professional production for youngsters lasting only two weeks) especially when motivated children are on board! Risky is my second name... I mean... my third name!
It was wonderful to see some extracts from the play come alive, too, and see the talent pouring from those young actresses! Many parts of the play leave space to imagination and improvisation: it was great to see them tune in to each other and to the script - I was really chuffed!
There isn't a cast as yet, and I'll probably need to cancel the date I set as performance evening, but the idea to carry on with workshops and working on the script is very tempting for now. After all, we're not talking about a play as classical as Billy Elliot or Bugsy Malone! The turn out was poor despite good publicity (posters and flyers in every school in town, oh... and this: http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/lifestyle/leisure/theatre/your-chance-for-a-day-in-the-medical-room-1-5031926)
If I had advertised for Annie or any other already established play/musical I'd have probably had the entire cast already! ;)
This only proves that when there's something NEW not many people are willing to take a risk and, in this, I feel pretty much isolated right now - although Mr Amos remains positive saying that we'll be able to stage the play with even just 10 teens (with 30 in the cast!) Bless him! Hands up who thinks I've been too ambitious...
In my feeling isolated, though, there's a force telling me to push forward, no matter what! And I want to follow it, I want to take that risk! I've decided therefore to cast the play by invitation only: to begin with, my aim was to give an opportunity to every local teenager in love with the Performing Arts; now I have no other choice than to select my cast! And I don't like being selective... The actors who read the play liked it and that's enough for me to carry on.
So workshops start this Wednesday... Bring it on!
PS. Yes, You read correctly: I secured a space for the performance before casting the play! With little experience in my new [many] roles, I have learnt that a cast might be needed before booking a theatre. However, I'm confident that a full production can still be put up in two months (The Grove in Dunstable puts up a professional production for youngsters lasting only two weeks) especially when motivated children are on board! Risky is my second name... I mean... my third name!
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