Another day at the office!!

Well....have just been cast in a feature film!!!! I haven't seen a whole script! I haven't met any of the other cast members! and I don't really know what it's all about! However, my role is quite funny, and I like him, and apparently they are scheduling three months of rehearsals!!!! before they begin shooting. A new independent company that obviously don't want to rush things. It is an expenses only gig, I always think it may lead to something but I have to say it never does and I am always seduced by the character and the fact that I can make it work, but hey, I can do that when I get paid too! Who knows, it may be a fantastic challenging rewarding experience........one can only hope! Watch this space.

Did anyone see the Oscars? Are you one of those people that try to see all the movies that are nominated? I only got to see two this year - Lincoln and Silver Linings Playbook, both I thought were brilliant. Poor Bradley Cooper being nominated for best actor the same year Daniel Day Lewis was in the running....ouch! Poor guy didn't stand a chance when normally I think he would have definitely won.
Oh well, as they say, it is great just to be nominated.....yeah right!

This is a newer photo of me too. Seeing I hadn't posted for 2 years thought I should update the image as well!

Well, here I am again after about 2 years. I cannot believe it has been that long!!! Had a meeting with Barry Dickins last Friday re: Frank Thring, he said it had been 2 years since we signed the contract!! Phew how time flies. For those of you who have absolutely no idea who Frank Thring is, he was a Australian actor who found himself in Hollywood in the 40's/50's and was in the movie Ben Hur with Charlton Heston. Image above. He was certainly a larger than life character and was definitely one of a kind and a Melbourne icon. When I was about 18 I got a job as an usher at St Martins Theatre in Melbourne (used to be a stunning theatre, until they "re-furbished" and wrecked it!) and the first show that I worked on was a two hander with Frank Thring and another actor, I cannot for the life of me remember the play or the other actor, but I stood there night after night mesmerised by Thring's performance. Even though he was very mannered, somehow you still believed he was the character he was playing. An extraordinary personality who unfortunately is largely forgotten today.

Had a great day yesterday (Saturday) was invited to be part of a playreading group that met at the Arts Centre. There were about 5 plays read, I read two, some good, some not so good, but a thoroughly great time was had by all.

Interesting evening!

Had to do a "singing telegram" would you believe!!!! I haven't done one of those for eons!

I was booked for a 70th birthday party, and sang made up words (about the birthday boy) to "Are you Lonesome Tonight", (because he was an Elvis fan). So, I'm looking forward to the feedback......... or maybe not.

Also, I have decided to try and do Frank Thring as a theatre piece after all at the Dog Theatre in Footscray. Apparently, the CEO is a great supporter of theatre and will help you put on your show, so I think it is worth pursuing, well, see how far we can get.

I just feel quite inspired having been part of the playreadings, I feel I'm back in the theatre world....I have woken up after been asleep for too long!!!!

Day whatever!!!!!!

I didn't get the ad. Shit!

Day 9,

Well...... audition day today, bit nervous actually as I really want it, but it will create enormous problems at work. I hate this dilemma. I can't really go back to work after 2 weeks leave and demand 5 days off to film a commercial.................oh yes I can!

Day 8.

Re-reading Frank Thring, I think it's going to work really well as a film, am really excited at the prospect & I don't think it will matter if no-one knows who he is as it is a great piece of writing. Am I "hiding behind" the camera??????

Day 7,

Well....... after much discussion with the better half who is down to co-produce and direct Frank Thring, we have decided to film it instead! In the vein of Alan Bennett's Talking heads. I feel much more comfortable with this decision and am now powering ahead and looking for a film crew.

Also, have an audition on Monday for a TV Commercial for Viagra would you believe.....am I really that old? No apparently, trying to appeal to a "younger" Market who has erection problems Hmmmm! Anyway, it is worth $14000 and a trip to Brisbane for 3 days. I could do that!!!

Day 6.

Well.....I have spent the day trying to source grants and venues for the Frank Thring Play. I don't think I am getting anywhere fast! It always comes down to money!!!!!!! Or lack of it!!!!!

Day 5. I was only thinking today of one of my worst auditions and believe me I have had a few! Like the time I auditioned for "Starlight Express" in London on roller skates and ended up rolling off the stage on top of the Director!!!! Anyway, this particular one I rocked up to audition for the Asian tour of "Phantom of the Opera" and after my audition they said could I please come back tomorrow after learning this special bit of music that they gave me and keep the role of the Theatre Manager in mind. Can't remember this character's name, but after ringing around when I got home to try and find a pianist that could put this special bit of music on tape for me (and of course paying them) so I could practise, everyone I spoke to said I would be perfect for the role. Well, after practising this music all night, and feeling fairly confident, I fronted up at the arranged time and waited to be led back into the audition room. My name was called, I was ushered up the stairs and they knocked on the door and went in to announce me, and after a very long time a member of the auditioning panel came out to tell me there had been a mistake, they did not want to see me, and to please leave! I muttered some apology like it was all my fault and left! I have since abandoned any hope of doing Musical Theatre and concentrated on straight acting!

Day 4.

Today I received a request from a director to audition for them for a film!!!!! Only trouble is it is a student film, albeit at a prestigious institution, but a week long shoot in the country for no money. Not even expenses are covered! So even if the script is fantastic, and the role could be stupendous, I would have to pay my own way there, and stay where? At friends of the directors house for a week???? Am I being unreasonable? Am I being too precious? Look, I don't mind occasionally volunteering my services but I don't really think I ought to pay for the privilege!!

Thanks but no thanks.

Day 3.

Why I am starting each blog with a number is because I am giving myself a year. A year to see if I can actually become a FULL-TIME actor, and be able to give up my day job! I have for a very long time been doing guest roles, TV Commercials, and some theatre work (which of course pays next to nothing), so, of course I have had to supplement my actor earnings with other work to be able to pay the mortgage, pay for the kid's ballet lessons, piano lessons, put food on the table, etc etc, you know! But I have never actually had an on-going role on a television show, nor a fantastic role in a film! So.....I am giving myself a year to see if I can't turn this whole thing around and get something on-going. Now, the good news is I have just been cast and filmed a pilot for a TV sitcom for channel 31. If this goes ahead I will have my first on-going role! However, even though this sounds extremely exciting, channel 31 is a community TV station, and the bad news, this is not a paying gig! So, I am hoping something (ANYTHING!!!!) will come from it. Wish me luck!

Here I am at a masterclass with Sir Ian Mckellen and Sean Mathias (I am the one in the blue and white check jacket) They were here to perform Waiting for Godot, which sadly I didn't get to see but I was really impressed with Sean and would love to work with him one day. He's a theatre director and the one just to my right.

Day 2:

I have purchased the rights to a one man show by Australian playwright Barry Dickins called "The Real Thring" about the Melbourne actor Frank Thring. I am planning to stage it in Melbourne and perhaps do a bit of a regional tour! Is this a ludicrous idea of huge proportions? I have produced a few shows mainly so as I can work, but to act in a ONE MAN show, am I insane? I love the script and have already had a reading of it with Barry, although I must admit that I haven't heard a word from him since the reading! I have done Cabaret shows on my own, and singing scares the absolute hell out of me, so at least I don't have to sing in this one! So as always, my philosophy is we will try and get as far as we can and see what happens. So.......... now all I have to do is research venues, work out a budget and get some finance. Easy huh?????

Day One: Birth of A Blog

Is there anybody out there? Can you hear me?