About Me

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Welcome to my page! Thank you so much for reading! I'm in my twenties, and this is my little blog about my acting and working experiences! Please enjoy, follow and leave a comment if it interests you! Thanks again for reading!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Vikings!

So as you know I got cast as a minor role, and it was on the history channel television series called Vikings!




And as you will obviously know, I can't say anything about what we shot or the characters or any plot give aways! However, I will tell you that is was possibly the greatest day and a half of my career!

On tuesday, I got picked up for my costume fitting and then I got brought down to the set to see the hair and make up teams to assess what they were going to do for Wednesday's shoot! x

And it was amazing! I was just visiting the set, but it was soooo beautiful! It was really gorgeous and so surreal after watching the first season and now to be on the set! It was just crazy!



I got to meet all the lovely mains and I got on extremely well I think. Everyone on set was so so nice, and when we were shooting on Wednesday everyone was superb! The cast and crew were so lovely to work with! I can tell you honestly, that I think Nathan, who plays Bjorn, is going to have an amazing career ahead of him! And that Jessalyn, who plays Siggy, is possibly one the nicest and most talented people I have ever met! Katheryn, Clive, Jefferson and Travis were all really lovely too! And I am so grateful that I had the pleasure of meeting them and working with them.





It was an amazing day, and so funny really, as we were all in heavy clothing on the hottest days of the year! (as we were supposed to be in Scandinavia in winter).

It was truly remarkable and I loved every single second of it! I didn't want it to end!!!  A long day, as I was collected at 6am and we finished at 6pm approx... but I was dreading the call of 'thats a wrap'...

Hopefully somewhere along the line I could get called back!

Thank you for reading!

Peach out!
xx


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

I got Cast!!... as Another One liner!!

Woohoo!! Lets hear it for ME! ok no seriously though, since my one line ("Message for you sir") on Titanic Blood and Steel, I have not had a day to top that experience on a professional set. There is something so amazing about being on set and being a minor cast member! (sooo looking forward to the day where I'll become a primary cast member but hey-ho! one step at a time!)

So today I got news from my agent that an offer of a one-line part has been made to me for a tv series that will air on the history channel!! So friggin excited! and I'll take some pics (if i can) and then put them up here once the series has aired and everything is no longer a big copy-right issue.

So excited! How did I get this you ask? Through my agent! A while ago, I was asked to submit an online audition for two minor roles in the series and I hadn't heard back from them in a while! Ah! So naturally I was sad and doubted myself, but overall got over it and realised it wasn't for me!

This is exactly the same as what happened for Titanic Blood and Steel, I auditioned for a role, didn't get it and then some time later got called on for a one-line part!

So now I know that I can at least be trusted to deliver a line! woohoo!! so excited!

Believe in yourself, and always do your best! Because the casting directors will remember you! xxx

Peach out! x


Thursday, June 13, 2013

'Godbod'... insanity!

So I decided, in order to get to where I want to get to in this industry i would have to start earning the 'Godbod'....



So what do I mean by "godbod", well, this industry is incredibly shallow. It's all about how you look, and I have definitely learned this! That is why it is soooo hard to be positive in this business, because when you're not cast in something, it is more often than not down to your look and not your acting ability.

I read somewhere that 80% of your audition is simply walking into the room. So I know I want to look my very best, and currently, I don't. I need a few things done before I can ever venture into a room, confident that my body is in tip-top condition! So.. I need to achieve the 'Godbod', so that I know that whenever I am not cast, that it won't be because I wasn't skinny enough..

Now 'skinny' is a term that i very rarely use, and actually what I mean to say is 'healthy' enough. I really don't think this industry should be promoting those very skinny actresses, that look like dolls that would just shatter and break if you touched them.


I would much rather achieve the 'godbod's of Jessica Biel, Candice Swanepoel and Beyonce! Healthy, slim and attractive!



I think more and more of the people out there trying to break into this industry is falling into the trap of trying to be extremely skinny, and taking drastic measures to get there, like surgery or extreme dieting.


Well, thats not me! I absolutely love me food and although I know I should put down the carbs and pick up some veg, I just can't! I'm not a veggie eater, and much prefer fruit and carbs way more. I'm extremely picky when it comes to food, so eating a very healthy strict diet, is definitely something that doesn't really appeal to me (even though one day I know I will have to force feed myself a salad!)

So how to achieve the 'Godbod'?...


well I started looking at some fitness programmes online, and a friend had recommended Insanity Workout Series. He's in the army and gave me a lend of his copy and told me this would be intense!!! Ah!! And he was very very very correct!

Even though I love Casey @ Blogilates, and I definitely saw results working her calendar, i wanted more. And I got it through Insanity! I am now on day 23, and I am definitely seeing results! So if anyone is in doubt, don't be! the results will surely start coming!!

My biggest result has been around my stomach and love-handle area! I'm much slimmer now and can wear a bikini without thinking about any unattractive folds or love-handle muffin-top disasters! I have noticed a little bit of a difference in my arms and backside too, however I do feel that with Casey's blogilates calendar i noticed far better results in my booty than i do with insanity! But hey, my 60 day series is not over just yet!!

I have not lost weight on Insanity, I've stayed roughly the same at 54kg (which is correct for my 5'4" height), but I don't judge by the scale anymore! It really is just a number, because even though 23 days ago I was still 54kg, I can definitely see how then and now differ completely by just looking at my stomach!

I'm so proud to be on this workout series! And no, I don't stick to their diet plan, which is probably something I should be doing, and I'd probably see more extreme results. But I just can't force myself to eat leaves, and tomatoes or anything just yet. So I try to stick to 1200 calories most days, but try never exceed 1800 cals. I eat cereal every morning, I also try eat at least two pieces of fruit a day, I eat peanut butter on wholegrain toast and bananas, and my dinner is usually harder to control as I live with my parents. So basically, whatever they have made or prepared is what I eat, but just less of it. I try to make lunch my biggest meal of the day and just have something small for dinner. And I always try and have a dessert of a low fat, low cal mouse or yogurt! Because life is just no fun without dessert!

Anyway, I hope this helps any of you who are thinking about doing this workout series! I do also recommend Blogilates workout Calendar which you can find through her website here!

http://www.blogilates.com

Also I am not taking any kind of protein supplement with my training... should I be? I've heard different answers everywhere but if anyone here wants to offer some advice I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks again for reading!


Peach out!
xx

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Movie set extra! Not fair city... thank goodness!

So this week I had two days as a movie extra, one on a film called "Love, Rosie" and then on tuesday was another day on Fair City.

Now you know the deal by now on Fair City so I won't bore you with that! But on monday I got to spend the day in beautiful Enniskerry in Wicklow on the set of Lily Collins' new movie "Love, Rosie", based on a book by Cecelia Ahern.

Turns out, I've actually read that book! I hadn't known that until a friend I met on set started talking about the plot, and then it all slowly started coming back to me! So anyway, even though I did not sign any NDA form, I'm not really supposed to tell you what happened or what we shot on Monday... so sadly, I won't!

But I can tell you I had to wear all black for one seen and very summery formal outfit for another scene! It was a lovely day with a bit of wind and as the evening drew on it just got colder and colder. Sadly for the actors, the scenes were set during spring and so that's not good news when you're in a dress and freezing cold on the side of a hill in Wicklow! Luckily the wonderful crew provided blankets and I know the mains had some water bottles and heavy jackets available too.

Although I never met any of the mains personally, they were all extremely wonderful on set. Christian Cooke was very chatty with some extras, and Sam Clafin was quite humorous, practically falling around the place. Lily looks beautiful in real life, petit, pale, perfect, like a doll! and Jaime Winestone looked fantastic in her character hair and make up!

Overall this looks to be a very cute little film and it was such a pleasure working with everyone on set. I recognised a few people in costume and hair from Titanic Blood and Steel, as well as the Jimi Hendrix film too! It's always nice to see familiar faces and of course I'm very happy to see them all working hard!

I think I definitely want to do some work experience behind the scenes too! I would love to be an AD or an assistant producer! I'll definitely have to look into that one! any advice!? or do any of your readers have similar desires?!

Thanks for reading!

Peach out!
x



Friday, May 31, 2013

Positivity

As much of a positive person as I am, it's extremely hard to be positive in this business... because of the pure and simple fact that it is hard not to take rejection personally... but the truth is, it isn't. 

Rejection isn't personal! And I know that, and yet even as I know that, I do often find myself wondering if I am not suited for this business? Perhaps I'm just one of those sad, sad acts on XFactor who think that they could have the potential to do well in the industry, but really they can't, because they are utterly talentless..

Hopefully that isn't the case... 

It's also quite hard to see your friends do well, even if you're happy for them, because you can't just stop yourself from feeling a bit 'left out'.... 

All I want is to be on a professional set again, to feel the atmosphere, to take it all in... and I know that it's not going to just magically happen but I'm sincerely hoping that with all my hard work, that it would happen soon. 

Thing is, Simon Pegg is right. 'Don't give up'. And I won't. Yes it's true that I would have occasional moments of doubt, but I think that's all part of being an actor. I just have to pull through, go to auditions and workshops and work very hard to be successful in this career. 

So if you have any moments of doubt, then buck up.. it's a long road of rejection and we all have to go through it, but we must continue on! GRIT! 

 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Acting Obsession!

So I always tend to obsess over specific actors who I think are phenomenal! And the list is soooo long, including Judi Dench, James McAvoy, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Ryan Gosling, Tom Hardy....

And what happens in these little obsessions of mine is, that i tend to try and find all of their films and watch them. Now I actually haven't watched all of their work but I watch as much as I can because I enjoy watching them on screen and being inspired by their talent... do you ever feel this way??

Anyway, my point is: My recent obsession is Benedict Cumberbatch! Now I loved Benedict ever since I watched him in Atonement.. and then with Sherlock he stole my heart away! I'm just soooo in awe of his talent! He and Martin Freeman make an amazing combination! (Please, if you have yet to see BBC Sherlock, then I suggest you do it now... you may thank me later!)





     So, recently I saw Benedict in the new Star Trek film, which by the way, is a vast improvement on the first film and quite a good entertaining movie. There were definitely a lot of 'gasp' moments for me, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat! So basically after seeing this film, and Benedict on the Big Screen, I felt so much energy! He's phenomenal in it, so stern and cold at times, but yet so changeable! He's wonderful in it anyway, and I found myself coming home and trying to watch everything he's ever been in... which would probably take a while.

I had already seen Atonement and Starter for 10 (this occurred during my James McAvoy addiction) and decided to look up some interviews of Benedict online to see how he felt about making Star Trek and other films... and this lead to an interview with him and Tom Hardy.. now in my Tom Hardy obsession I had yet to find this film which starred the two, so next thing you know I find the film and watch it...



And it is possibly one of the most touching, funny and intelligent movies I have ever seen! It's spectacular! So, after you've watched Sherlock, please please please watch this movie! It's wonderful!

So I thought I might just put that little bit of thought out there for you all to read. Are there any films that you think are phenomenal? Do you ever get into these obsessions?! Let me know!!

Thanks for reading!!

Peach out!
x

Friday, May 17, 2013

59 views today! new record! and a new promo...

Hey guys I just want to shout out and say thanks for checking out my page! It means a lot!

I hope to write a new post soon on headshots and working out and more to come!! but first here's a little something!

So 'Romantic Hideaway' is a short film I did a while ago and I just wanted to share with you that while we are still awaiting full confirmation that we are in the feature film, there has been a promo released for 50 kisses! As part of the London Screenwriter's Festival and we are in the trailer so I hope sincerely that we are in the feature!

here is a link to the promo and the website where you can find out more information!!

http://player.vimeo.com/video/65914231

http://www.50kissesfilm.com/#/



Thanks for all your support!

Peach out! x




Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Hubbard workshop and another day as an extra!

Hey everyone!


So I said that I would get back to you on how the Hubbard workshop went, and here I am, writing to tell you! Basically it is a full day, 10-5 and it costs 30euro, and is part of the Cinemagic 'festival' (if thats what you call a week of workshops and Q&A's....). Cinemagic.co.uk are a Northern Irish company I believe and set up a week full of workshops, Q&A's with directors, writers and actors, for the benefit of those who are looking to gain a little more insight into the industry.

The workshop for the Hubbards, was basically a group of probably 30 people, who would perform a monologue for Ros and John Hubbard, who would then give critical feedback! It was extremely insightful to listen to everything they had to say about some pieces and their feedback was extremely helpful. At the end of the day, there was a question and answer session and then we all packed up and went home!

I know it doesn't sound like much, but just to hear what they had to say about auditions and how they audition young actors and what their take on their industry is, was really so helpful, and I would really recommend that anyone interested should definitely take part next year! The do this workshop in Dublin, in the Burlington Hotel every year in collaboration with cinemagic, so please google Cinemagic and keep up to date with their workshops! Of course, with the Hubbards workshop, you can only do this workshop once, as they don't need to see you perform twice. They are hugely influential and just to get them to see you perform a piece, that ideally shows the best of your capabilities is a huge opportunity not to be missed!

And yes, some people will get auditions from the workshop, specifically the young females of 15-17, just purely because they are casting for someone of that age  right now, I believe. And who knows, next year they might be casting a character that may suit you! So go!! And also their memory is incredible! I met Ros Hubbard in London for a quick hello, literally two minutes and she remembered me! That was two years ago! So this is definitely an opportunity not to miss out on!

The following day, Fair City called again and asked if I'd be an extra for the day. So I did!! Up at 6.30 to be at the studios for 8am!! I was there until 3 and was used in one scene for approximately 5 minutes! Now I know thats an awful long time to sit around, but I can do whatever work or watch whatever movies or read whatever book I want, in the green room until I'm called! And as far as I'm concerned, that is way better than doing a minimum wage job for 6 or 7 hours to get the same amount of money! So it's all good for me!!

I don't think I'll be writing again about the Fair City extra work, as it is usually always the same. You sit with someone on set and you mime a conversation, or you drink/eat the food given, or you sit and read or search on your phone. Basically, you will be in the background, keeping occupied! And thats the life of an extra! Ha!

Any experiences you have had? Anyone else been to a great workshop recently? any feedback on this blog what-so-ever? Don't be afraid to contact me or tweet me @appeleyes2 with any comments or questions!!

Thanks so much for reading!

Peach Out!! xx

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Oh Canada!! and tidbits...

Hi there!

So I know I haven't posted in a while, and the reason is, well, a lot of things. Basically I had to write an essay, then go to Canada!

I went to Canada for 3 days to represent my university in a Student forum for Universitas 21! It was amazing fun and I had such a great time! Canada is sooo beautiful, specifically Vancouver which was were the Student Summit was held.

I, along with 42 other delegates from 13 different countries, sat together in workshops and discussed how we could better the education and college experience. It was an extremely productive three days, but unfortunately on my lsat day, as I was flying back to London I felt extremely ill. And am now sick in bed over the weekend!! Boohoo!!

But on the up-side, I'm participating in a Hubbard Casting Workshop tomorrow so I hope to let you all know about that soon!!! So Keep checking back!! :)

For those of you who aren't aware, The Hubbards are possibly the largest Casting Company in the UK and have cast some of the most amazing films I have ever seen! Such as The Lord of The Rings, Tomb Raider, The Hobbit, The Bourne Ultimatum.. basically, A LOT! And if you google them I'm sure they'd have info about them and what they have cast! They're a family business, Ros and John are the Parents and creators, then followed by Dan and Amy their children. All are still casting today and I'm so excited to meet them again!

(I met them all once before very briefly in London, and I've also auditioned for John twice.) I'm so excited to participate but I'm also very nervous! I hope that I can really pull off my monologue and just sincerely act with confidence because I feel that is possibly my weakest point!!

Oh well! Perhaps I'll get some feedback tomorrow so I'll let you all know!

Stay Tuned!

Peach Out!


(oh and while you wait, here are some lovely shots of the Stunning Vancouver and UBC campus!)






Sunday, April 28, 2013

Nominations!

So recently two of the projects I have been involved in have been nominated for two different awards!

"Cuckoo", originally created for RTE storyland competition is nominated for a Webby award! Squeeeeeeee! How Exciting!! Isn't that great!  and we were nominated in the Best Online Drama category. The Judges (including David Bowie, and internet inventor Vint Cerf!!) will choose a winner and the public also had the opportunity to vote for who they felt deserved the award.

Voting has closed but the winners will be announced on Tuesday! Woohoo! So fingers crossed as the ceremony takes place in New York. I can't attend sadly because I'm broke! But thats exciting! We are in the same category as an online web series starring Tom Hanks, and also The Walking Dead's web series.






Also a short I'm in called Romantic Hideaway is currently up for 'film of the month' and you can still vote! You can vote easily through facebook so please please, if you have a second I'd really appreciate if you could help me out! x
here is the link!

http://www.facebook.com/MyFirstJobInFilm?sk=app_162850930432266

Please vote from a computer as the site doesn't recognize a mobile device just yet!!

I hope you guys are doing well and of course I'd love to hear some of your stories so feel free to comment and let me know what you're up to!

Please vote if you have a chance! x

Thanks as always for reading!

Peach Out!
x


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Extra work again

Hey guys, 

So I was offered extra work again yesterday for Fair City and of course as you know with any filming, I can't tell you what it was about. My I can share my experience all the same. 

Firstly, everyone I met was lovely on set, including the 'stars' of the show. The crew were all really nice, which is great when you're an extra but they don't make you feel like you're just furniture. It's always nice when they remember that you're actually human! 

We even got thanked by the director at the end of the scene, which was the first time I think I've been thanked as an extra. Could be wrong... possibly the first time thanked as an extra by a director.. yeah maybe that's more accurate. 

anyway, how did I get this? Easy! Just sign up to movieextras.ie and upload a few photos and they will send you for work! This is also how I go work on the Jimi Hendrix film. So It's always worth a try, and every time I've signed up to movie extras I've always made my money back, from filming. 

However, it is VERY BORING! I was brought in at 12 and wasn't used until 3.30, so I, along with many others, had to wait in the green room to be called, so my best advice is to bring a book or bring some work that you can do in that time. They do have a tv on normally which is nice, and of course people get chatting anyway which is also lovely. But there is a lot of waiting so do always bring a book or ipod or something to keep you occupied. 

Also, after every scene you've done, if they change scene, that means you must change clothes if you're going to be in the next scene. (They usually tell you to change anyway so don't worry about if you're uncertain whether you have to change or not)

What I normally do is bring several different tops that make up a totally new look. Or two pairs of pants and two tops and a jacket so that I can look different in very many ways! Also the whole, hair up and hair down thing is a great way to 'switch it up' too! Ha! 

Make-up, I've always gone with a more natural look but there is no specification on the make up as far as I'm aware. You can always bring make up with you and judge by looking at the others in the room. 

Anyway thanks for reading this quick lil post!

I'm on twitter, for any of those who want to follow me or ask me any questions, I'll definitely do my best to answer them or find the answers for you, by contacting casting directors or my agent!  @appeleyes2 

Have you guys done any extra work? What has been your worst/best experience? Feel free to tweet me the answers or comment below!! Thanks pals! 

Peach out! 

x

Monday, April 22, 2013

"I couldn't cry"

So when reviewing some of my older posts I came across the post entitled "Shite", and basically described how I felt my performance was rubbish because 'I couldn't cry'...

Ok so I've come a long way since then! and I have learned a great little piece of advice that will stay with me forever and I actually remember that is was George Clooney who said it, on his Inside the Actors Studio interview. And the advice was, in my words, not Clooney's, It's not about being able to cry. That isn't what defines a good performance. Because, if you think about it, most people, being self-conscious human beings, try NOT TO CRY.

So if you go back and watch the very sad scene in The Descendants, where George's character is beside is wife's bedside, he is actually trying his hardest, NOT TO CRY, which makes him well up. YOU see?

Crazy right? So That is definitely something I will always try. If I don't feel the emotion to cry in the scene, then I will play it as if i'm trying not to cry which will probably make me cry.

Also a great piece of advice, comes from a great book called "The Actor and The Target" by Declan Donnellan, and it goes something like this 'trying to make yourself feel something is like trying to shit from your ear'..

this is gold where I'm concerned now. whenever I am acting now, and I don't feel something, then I'm going to play what I feel, rather than 'trying to cry' or trying to 'be angry', because I'm sure the text will convey whatever the emotion of my character is, without me trying to over-do it by over acting and trying to force myself to feel something on stage.

Hmm... so I'm definitely not going to worry about 'trying to cry' anymore and I'm sure as hell not gonna try and force myself to feel and emotion on stage, because lets face it, it'll probably just look really fake and horrible anyway!

So are there any golden pieces of advice you guys follow?

Are there any questions you want answered or would like me to research?!

Thanks for reading!

Peach Out! x




Thursday, April 18, 2013

Do it!! Blogilates!

If you guys aren't already doing it, then YOU SHOULD BE!!

Make sure you actors are eating healthy and staying fit, because this industry is cut throat and you don't want someone else to claim the part you were made for simply because they looked after their body more than you do! Which is likely the case in this business!!

So, what I've been doing recently is POP Pilates with Casey Ho on youtube!! Her blog is blogilates.com and you can youtube search 'blogilates' to get her workouts!! She is so energetic and fun and she really makes me love working out!

I'd suggest you sign up for her news letter on her blog, it's free and you get access to her workout calendar, where she composes about an hour's worth of pilates videos for you to do! I'm only a week and half into her calendar as I started late, but honestly I've never felt so good! And I can already see the results!

Make sure you partner her videos with healthy eating and lots of cardio for the quickest and best results!!

Stay focussed and keep up the amazing work!!!

Peach out!!
x




(I don't own that photo, but gee doesn't she look great!)

The Call-back

OK so the callback was just like a regular audition, except this time it was with the director.

I was asked to perform my scenes twice each, once how I had prepared it and the second with some direction...

and well...

I kinda panicked... It didn't go well which is kinda shite since I really really wanted that part! I've heard nothing since then, and it's been a week. A friend of mine was short-listed so perhaps she'll have better luck and get the part!! x


I think what I've learned is, in this industry, 2mins is all you have. It's your one shot to impress and if you fuck up slightly, it's not gonna get you the part. But I've also learned that with mistakes comes a lesson and I have learned from my experience and I feel I will grow from it. It can only go up from here right?!

Anyway, always hold your head high, not getting a part isn't the end of the world, it's just setting you on another path!!

Stay happy, healthy and focused! Because you can do anything!

Peach out!

X

Monday, April 8, 2013

Can you be an actor with no experience?

In short yes! Of Course you can! If you're in the right place at the right time and a casting director wants you, then that could be you set for life! There are so many success stories out there such as Charlize Theron (fellow South Africa), who raged and roared at a bank teller in LA and a talent agent spotted her! And look where she is today!

Now I'm not saying you should go shouting at every bank teller in the hopes of being spotted by a talent agent, but strange things happen, if you're in the right place at the right time, that could be your break if you are just what they are looking for! (Hopefully that 'right place' is a casting)

But also ask yourself this, what are you doing?! Honestly, why don't you have experience when there are so many opportunities to learn? Get in contact with your local drama group or society and see if they or any near-by theaters hold any workshops? There are plenty of freelance trainers and casting directors who host workshops and some for a very reasonable price. It's not paid experience but it's definitely a start!

Also try find some small theatre courses or acting courses that might interest you and that are available at a decent fee. There are also plenty of student films in production that need actors who will work for free!! There are plenty of websites out there for you to make contact with these people and where they can advertise: such as here in Ireland we have the filmmakersnetwork.ie and crooked house theatre have a forum for advertisements. Also it might bode well for you guys out there with no experience to go and join things like Fishpond here in Ireland, run by a casting director and is viewed by many production companies that need irish actors (so why not see if there is an equivalent in your country?). Also Movieextras.ie is a great company, that charge about 60 euro for 6 months, and like 99 for the full year, and they will make your profile available to casting directors who need extras for filming in Ireland. The pay is rubbish but you learn all about what it is like to be on a film set and how everything works!

There are tonnes of ways for you to get experience, so go out and get some!! You can get paid acting work off the back of non-paid acting jobs!! Go and audition for the student films and learn the process of auditioning, get some work and make a showreel!

you can alternatively find some good scenes from films, tv shows or plays and film yourself and make a vimeo page, and upload all of those clips and send that link on to every casting director and director that you can get in contact with!! The work is out there, but if they don't know who you are they can't hire you can they?! (feel free to also write your own material! You never know, it could be your hidden talent and you could end up like Lena Dunham who wrote "Tiny Furniture", and "Girls"!)

So yes you can be an actor with no experience, and in my opinion it's not absolutely necessary to have training either, in schools and what not. It is a massive help of course, and you get to explore and learn so many different things, but it is not absolutely ESSENTIAL in landing you a job!!!

Best of luck! Get Experiencing!!

Peach Out!

xxxx

Sunday, April 7, 2013

filming!

So I said I would post about my filming experience for a local college in Dublin!

Well, I was filming for two days and the idea of my character, Beth, was that she was a patient at the Bethlam Asylum, but there is something very strange and disturbed about her character when it comes to the new Doctor....

But most importantly.. is she real?!

Anyway, enough mind boggling! Here's what went down! x

As it was a student film there was nothing fancy as everyone was kinda learning on the spot!  (not from scratch or anything but in general, problems would arise and they would need to be dealt with, and so forth!..)
I arrived at 11am at Hatch Hall in Dublin, which was once, I believe, a school, but it is now used as a refugee for Asylum seekers. It's a beautiful building with great corridors and hard wood floors, just a wonderful space. My scenes were with one other actor, and they took place in a very dark large room, which was brilliant! Although the room was in fact 80% windows which all had to be laboriously blacked out with cardboard and bin bags! I changed into my costume and sat while I got my make up done (the make-up would gradually intensify as my scenes progressed and my character became more violent)

We shot from about 12 until 4 and then I was set free until the following day when my call time was a nice 10am! The second day was more intense, as there was a lot of physical action in the two scenes that we were filming, and at this stage my hair and make up were extremely intense, and crazy! (no pun intended), it was amazing fun working with the crew and the other actor, as i hurled myself at him, more than enough times and collapsed on the floor in a 'mauling' fit, ready to rip his skin off! ha!

I had amazing fun! and I think every little helps! So the experience was definitely worth it, and to meet such a lovely team of students who may well become the future of this industry is just fantastic! x


So thanks for reading! Here are some photographs from the set!


          Day 1! Level 1 crazy, make up gets more intense later!




  The director, Ellie and I have some fun on set!





 Sean was the actor I was working opposite, playing Doctor Monroe.. and of course theres me looking bat-shit crazy and like i've just gone and rolled myself in some mud!



What you looking at!?

The crew on set! 


my lovely bedroom is transformed from a dark solitude into a new room! Woohoo! 


Oh and finally, 'suffer for your art'... I finally learned the true meaning of that phrase! 
(from scampering around on my knees in the physical scene! Sigh.. no dresses for me for a while then!)

I promise to post  a link or upload a link to youtube when I get the final result of the filming! 


Thanks for reading!!

Peach out!

Friday, April 5, 2013

my tweet got shown on E! news!

Ha ha! so E! news were doing a segment on Tilda Swinton who is currently sleeping in a glass box in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and they kicked of a 'meme' segment about 'sleeping in weird places'...

And so I tweeted them and BAM! There it is on E! news! Hilarious! Can't believe it made it! This is the cast of the play 'Breathing Corpses' by the way, the show that went to the ISDA festival in Cork! Woohoo!!!


ISDA and auditions!

So I believe I wanted to keep you up to date with ISDA and how all that went down..

Well!... we arrived and set up on the monday evening and then performed our show "Breathing Corpses" on the Tuesday morning at 11am. The judges liked our performance and complemented the acting, the set design and the stage management, but overall kinda hated the text!! Oh well! Not much you can do about that then eh?

I was supposed to stay on in Cork and go to the ISDA award ceremony on Wednesday night when I was notified by my agent that I had an audition on Wednesday morning, and then another audition on Tuesday morning!

Well, I nearly fell over! WTF? I haven't had an audition in absolute ages and now all of a sudden TWO? in the space of TWO DAYS? WTF? ... well hey! I'm not complaining! Just a bit of a shock to the ole system! So I printed the sides and read and learned them, as usual.

But this time I went into the audition room with confidence, wanting to 'play', excited to show them what i can do! And I had fun!! It was the best fun! The first audition was for a comedy series on RTE and I had many lines, and got to play 'a character' which is always craic! So I thoroughly enjoyed my audition, and came out happy that at least I enjoyed myself.

I didn't get the part or a call back for that audition but thats understandable. I'm not gonna get everything, because sometimes its your look that is just unsuitable. No bother! At least I has fun trying!

The next audition was waaaaay harder.... because it was one line! Only one! jeepers how the hell do you audition for a one line part? Well, I soon found out! The casting director had the whole day to audition tonnes of girls for this part. Wow! and I thought my work was cut out for me! I really felt for them because they were gonna have to hear this line over and over! Gees! Anyways, I went in and said the line and found that they added in another line for me to say, i think that was a good call because at least then I could display my accent. (there was a required accent for this particular part, but with one line, that had very little inflection and no words longer than two syllables it was hard to show it!)... but that was it! 5 mins in and out! i performed the scene once and then again with direction....

AND..... I got a callback! Woohoo! I've never had a call back before so I will definitley write a post about that when i get the chance!!

so there you go! thats what has been going on with me lately! Oh yes, and I've just completed filming a short film for Dublin Institute of Technology students! That was soooo much fun! and I will post about that soon with many pictures!!! xxx

Thanks for reading! I will post soon!

Peach Out! x

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Breathing Corpses By Laura Wade

So I'm currently in an ISDA (Irish Student Drama Association) play called Breathing Corpses, written by Laura Wade. For those of you who don't know, ISDA is a national competition for all student drama societies. They each choose two or three plays to go to the host university to represent their college. At the end of the little festival, there are awards for all sorts of categories from Best Actor to Best set design to Best Prostups.

So It's been a very long two weeks in preperation for our show. We have performed it for 5 nights about 3 or 4 weeks ago to the UCD campus audience, then we got chosen to represent UCD in ISDA... so now it was all hands on deck in order to construct the set in a much neater, cleaner way, to rework scenes so that everything is specific and intentional. It's been amazing, but it been VERY exhausting....

We've spent three days painting the entire set white, right after the two weeks it took to rebuild it! So now we are off to University College Cork tomorrow for our get in at 3! and then we're on first thing in the morning at 10am in the Firkin Crane in Cork! This is going to be so fun! It's been hard work but it will all pay off, and if we win an award then that would just be a bonus!!

It's been so interesting to do this play and work with a dear friend of mine, Lisa Carroll, who is directing. She's been amazing and everything she says in terms of directing our acting, is so clear and precise, she just wants us to be natural, to be an extension of ourselves. It's been brilliant and later on I'll post about an amazing book for everyone to read... but more on that in a later post!

I will keep you all posted on how ISDA goes and how it feels to perform in a 'competition'... because I have definitely never been in that kind of an atmosphere!

Pics to come!! GO 'BREATHING CORPSES'!

https://vimeo.com/59905438

Peach Out!





Tuesday, March 12, 2013

John Dawson Acting Workshop

So I spent Saturday and Sunday in an Acting For Camera and Audition workshop with John Dawson and I thought I'd go through a little bit of what happened for anyone who is thinking of doing it.

www.facebook.com/DawsonDramaWorks
www.dawsondramaworks.com

We were asked to prepare a 2 min max monologue from a play, film or tv script, but that was not shakespearean. It had to be contemporary and suitable for camera. I know some casting directors disapprove of using anything from a play because they normally don't transition well.
   So before I even got to the workshop, i had my work cut out for me. Because all the auditions I have been to have been for film or tv, I was always given SIDES to work from and never had to prepare a monologue. So I was now faced with the job of finding one, and here are some of the monologues I came up with:

Vesper from Casino Royal, the scene where she meets Bond on the train and surmises his history by the clothing he is wearing. (this is on youtube)

Olive Pendergast from Easy A, has a monologue at the very beginning of the movie to camera.

Erica Albright from The Social Network, I'll post the link for the text here: http://www.monologuedb.com/dramatic-female-monologues/the-social-network-erica-albright/

and that was it really. It had to be a monologue suited for my age, and it had to be a role that I would love to play. So I was wrecking my head for ages trying to think what role I would love to play, and then finally on Friday (the day before the workshop) I realized, by simply looking at my desktop screen, there was a collage of photos of Rooney Mara as Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.... DUH!!!

So I chose to do a monologue from the original film script, in the revenge scene! Yay! So now I had a monologue for a part I would have killed to play!!!! (obviously I didn't do it as much justice as Rooney, but hey ho!)

So on Saturday morning, I arrived at his studio in the Stoneybatter Area, and we were all introduced to John and each other before we were all thrown right in at the deep-end to perform our monologues straight away. We would then end up performing them again, with some direction at the end of the course! And the improvement was remarkable! We were all given a DVD of all our work that occurred in front of the camera so that we could see our progress and practice!!!

Through the course of the weekend we would be learning how to perform a monologue from a subjective view (To Camera) and an objective view (looking off camera) We were also taught how to relax in front of the camera and just feel comfortable in the room. We also learned how to do an audition successfully and how to cold read.

I have learned so many valuable things over the course of the two days, and here are some of the most valuable tricks I learned:
1. Don't cut yourself- when you're performing a monologue or scene to camera for an audition, don't freeze at the end or cut yourself, keep acting beyond the words!
2. When going into an audition, ask what Frame you are in and how much can you move.
3. When Cold reading, hold the paper up at eye level and away from your face, so off to the right for example, so the camera can pick up your face even when you're looking for your next line.

I would highly recommend this workshop if anyone is looking for a small two day workshop in order to just gain that little bit more of an insight into what auditioning is really like. You will definitely pick up great tips along the way! And the workshop is really fun and you will definitely enjoy yourself!!!

Thanks for reading! If have any questions just post below! x


Peach Out!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Can YOU be a successful actor?

The answer is very simple. But only you can answer it. How badly do you want it?

The industry in Ireland is VERY small, so if you really want to be successful here, or in fact anywhere, you just have to work hard! Thats it really!!

Do you have a headshot? Is it a good headshot? Don't tell me you have no money for a headshot when I'm sure you or someone you know has an Iphone! Go out and take a picture on a good day with good light and it will suffice until you can earn enough to get a headshot photographer or even just a portrait photographer (probably cheaper)! If you have at least an iphone 4S then you've got an 8 megapixel camera right there! which will take very decent photographs! So go out, and ask around if you or someone you knows has a good camera phone. Ask what the megapixels are and then just go out and take a few shots. Here is some solid advice for your headshot:

Be natural: that means very little make up please! If they need to make you up they will!
                  Also your hair, keep it simple, up or down it's not very relevant as they are looking at your
                  face!!

Light:   Good lighting!! Women are normally light from slightly above, which is more flattering and
             creates a nice glow in the eyes. Men are more often light from the side.

Background:   It doesn't really matter as long as your are in focus. So if it's plain white then thats fine,
                     but it can be a brick wall or greenary or anything, just as long as it's not in focus

Editing:  Do not over edit your photos! No crazy photoshopped perfect skin, they don't want you to
              look like a model! They want to see the real you, so no glam shots!

Smile or no smile? Well I prefer not to smile but I suggest you take a few pictures with it each way and see what works best for you. But if it's a smile, try think of something genuinely funny, you don't want a picture with a fake cheesy grin.

Now, moving on! Once you've got your headshot, do you have an up to date Resume?? It should have the list of past work you've done or are currently working on. And it should probably follow this type of pattern:

Date      Production       Role     Director     Company

And use these under the categories of Theatre and Film and Television.



Showreel.

TIP NO.1:
NO MONTAGE!!!!! PLEASE GOD NO FRIGGIN MONTAGE!! Directors and Castign Directors have announced countless times that they do not want to see a 30second montage of footage of you set to music at the beginning of your showreel! They'll skip it anyway! So don't put a montage in there!

TIP NO.2:
If you are making a showreel, just keep the editing simple, and start with one of your best scenes (although probably not the one where you're screaming your head off), maybe it's a good idea to ease them in.

TIP NO.3:
I know you love that monologue scene you're in, but don't forget to include dialogue scenes where you actually have less dialogue than the other actor, but obviously a lot of reaction footage time. Casting Directors want to see that you can listen to the actor you're playing opposite and see you react. You don't always have to be talking!!

TIP NO.4:
Don't send it to casting directors through email or something where they have to DOWNLOAD it. NO NO! Rather upload it to a private youtube site or Vimeo (this is my preferred choice) and send them a LINK. This is much less hassle to a director or casting director, as they just need to click and follow the link. So much easier for them!

TIP NO.5:
It's not essential to have a showreel. But it is a huge benefit to have some sort of material you can show them. If you're unrepresented and applying for a role to the casting director directly, then it actually might be a better idea for you to just upload a selection of different clips from the projects you have done. This means that if you're going for a soft character, and you have a specific scene in which you played a character which was very similar, you can just send the casting agent/director a direct link to that scene. This is more beneficial to you as they see it immediately, rather that if that scene is in the middle of your showreel and they never get to it because they only watched the first 20 seconds. So a selection of clips might be a very good idea. (this is why I like vimeo!)

And finally, once you have your headshot and resume and possibly a showreel, go out and get it! If you have an agent, send this info to your agent and make sure they are putting it to good use! If you are unrepresented, then send it to every agent, casting agent or director you can! Make sure everything is clear! Who you are, where you come from and what you are hoping to achieve ("I'd like to apply for... role", etc)

Be strong and confident in your own skin. Like you as a person and they will like you as a person. Be yourself, be natural and most importantly work hard! Fight for it! Go out and get involved in everything on camera that you can!

Good luck!

Peach out!