Just Shoot Me!!!

No life is not THAT bad....yet! I am actually referring to film. SO I have explored the theatre and teaching others to enjoy the creative arts, so why not have a go at film acting huh? 

I have actually been interested in film and TV acting but never really found an opportunity. From doing these workshops in Dundee through JAM Collective, I have picked up great tips and tricks and I am much more confident to do the real thing and get more experience. Acting for camera is very different from stage acting. You can sometimes feel very artificial in your blocking and especially when walking to a mark, but mostly it's knowing that there is a huge camera filming up close catching your every move and twitch of the face. You need to find the right balance not too much and not too little in what i call acting effort. 

I have been going on and on about how desperately I need a show-reel and they can be hard to make. Just my luck as I have been approached by friends who are directing short films and would like me to play a role, one with lines and all!! It's really great to be working on other projects and learning a new skill which is film acting! It's very exciting. Even though these are unpaid projects, I am more than happy as I get that experience and footage for my show-reel at the end of it. 

It is very true what they tell you in training, "Everyone you meet in this school is a contact, they can be your friends or not but in time they could be you future employer, so think about that, keep in touch, at some point someone will need their back scratched just as much as you needed yours" Wise words I tell you! 

So keep creative people, I love my job even though I don't get a lot of work right now I am certainly trying, and I know I will be rewarded in time. What ever your passion don't give up on people or most importantly yourself!

When ever I feel low about what ever really, I try and learn something new, maybe a song, or speech, even a new skill altogether. Challenge yourself, pick up a different instrument and learn a chord or scale. Turn the negativity in to something productive and fun. Also It's good for a performer to be around people with the same interests, for me there is not that many where I live so joining groups and volunteering for events means I get to meet like minded artists and from spending some time with others I am completely inspired and I have made more contacts, Yay! Also if I see any kind of performance I am determined that is going to be me, so yeah, stay inspired, and keep creative! 

This month I have also started a healthy way of living, a good diet and back to Ballet classes absolutely love it! I felt I needed a boost, and really needed to get in shape and this way I am strengthening my body as well as improving posture and core. Will be prancing about the place in no time! I have done Ballet for years but haven't done a class for a few years now, very happy to still have a good turnout and excellent point :-) 

So that's me for now, new classes are coming soon, so I'll keep everyone posted about all that really soon! 

Mid Summer Day Dreamer

Hello All, 

It has been a while since my last post. At the start of the Summer time I was busy with Cool School and our final performance which went superbly. 

For the Drama Classes we have been devising away and playing really great games! On the the last week before the kids broke for the holidays we introduced Jennifer Shearer to the group, who is voluntarily with us to cover classes and join in the fun. We all look forward to her classes in drama and dance. Classes will restart at the start of September and hopefully we might even see a few more new faces join us! In the Autumn term we will be working towards a performance for family and friends to enjoy! Can't wait to see my wee pals again :-) 

I have been super busy at all my other part time jobs trying to save up as much as I can, hoping to maybe do another course and get new headshots and a showreel done, it all adds up. Especially traveling to auditions. 

*Tip of the week - As a performer keep enough cash in your savings to cover costs of traveling to auditions, buying equipment, head shots and reels to help showcase your self, renewing spotlight and equity too! ALWAYS KEEP RECEIPTS for Tax returns! 

I have been so busy working I kind of fell of the grid and now feel like I've lost my way a bit. Whilst being busy with other jobs I have had lots of time to day dream about life and ideas etc... so now working on getting myself back out there and gradually with a lot of hard work, patience, and positivity I will get there! 

I was hoping to do a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year as I absolutely loved last years experience, however did not have any luck. But instead I will be taking full advantage of Spotlights symposiums and getting their advice and will definitely be catching as many shows as I and my wallet possibly can! 

This month I joined the JAM Collective (page on facebook) - Film Workshops delivered from Dylan Drummond in Dundee.
In the first session we focused on blocking for camera. Learned loads already, found it so inspiring can't wait to go back again next week and carry on working with the team! To meet other actors and directors and simply devise and work together straight away and learn new skills together was such a great experience. Everyone is at different levels and so help each other when needed. After what seems an extremely long time since hanging out with my actor pals or cast members I feel very gratified after being able to meet other actors and have a nice chat and do a bit of acting! Finally! and hopefully in time I may get myself some footage to use on a show-reel! Finally!  

I also had another trip to Aviemore with the talented Amy Rayner - Check out her facebook music page and soundcloud! We have also been busy recording her E.P which should be ready pretty soon! Very excited to hear it, I play percussion on it. 
 
COMING SOON: I am planning to set up some acting classes for adults and possibly a Saturday class for kids in Newburgh in September also, will keep everyone posted about that. 
 
Thank you for following me and I hope with my honest openness on my life, might help other performers in some way. I think in this day and age we need all the help we can get. I love what I do and wish I could do it every single day, there may be a point when I do, but for now I savor every moment that I have a chance to perform or teach others all about it. 

If anyone would like to contact me please feel free and I will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Best wishes 



Rosemary :-)

 This picture was taken by Photographer Chris Scott for JAM Collective. 

May 2013 - What a busy month already!

Been working every single day at all my jobs and finally feeling the strain. 

Must have a break soon! 

One day can make a big difference! One has to earn a living.

I must apologize for the lack of media footage. However this is something I am currently working on. 

I just need to find projects on like short films and music videos and get the time to record some tracks. 

This will happen but in time! I am very busy with all the part time jobs I work to get by. 

But I am getting some more interest in my singing lessons which is really great!! 

To quit the day job to do something I enjoy so much would be amazing!!!

Hopefully next blog I do, I have achieved some more of the things I have mentioned earlier!  

Will be nice to get more blogs up covering more events and gigs I do. 

May has turned into a busy month working and teaching, June will be different! 

May 2013 - Busy Bee!

I would like to express how much I wish people knew what a difference drama can make in a child’s life! 

I have had no more interest in my classes and there are over a hundred pupils that attend the local primary school. I guess I have lots of competition in other extra curricular activities and there are other more established drama/theatre arts school near by. However I would rather send my child to something that is cheaper and closer to home! No one else has even checked it out for a class. 

Not going to lie really disappointed and feel sorry for the amazing girls who turn up every week ready to have lots of fun! Last week I only have two! 

We ended up doing lots of great exercises and improvising games, things pairs can do. It is understandable that people get sick and people go away on holidays etc but because I have a small number anyway, 

I will struggle. I cannot afford to lose money. I am giving to the community the chance for children to learn about drama and express themselves creatively!

 They get drama at school, however, a child said to me why can’t drama be like this in school, it’s boring at school! I was shocked! Schools are even making drama ‘the most fun and creative thing to do’ boring!!! So this I blame for the reason children probably do not want to do drama outside of school as that is what they think it is! 

Such a shame! I wish I could change this, in fact I will change this! 

May already?!

Very start of May. Can you believe it? I can’t! 

So it has been four weeks since we officially had our first ever drama class! We have been busy devising, singing, dancing and doing lots of improvisation too. 

The kids favourite thing to do right now is improvise a scene out of a title I give them. I use song titles, they can be hilarious at times. I explained the difference of devising and improvising to them as they loved planning things too much, where as improv you need to listen and work off each other and its exciting as you don’t know what someone is going to do next, but you go along with it. 

Improv should be easy, as everyone does it every single day of their life, however people always feel pressured to be good all the time and not make mistakes, wrong! Everyone makes mistakes and in improve this sometimes can be the funny part of the scene. 

We now love Improvising and devising is no longer a rushed thing, I tell them you have time to think about the characters and what you want to happen in the scene, it's not improv! 

April 2013 - More DRAMA!

I was holding off a couple weeks to see if I could get more than five people to join. Unfortunately I didn't.  The classes have begun and I couldn't have asked for a lovelier bunch a kids. 

They are so full of life and every Friday evening I look forward to spending time being creative with them they have wonderful personalities and are a delight to teach! 

I feel bad for them thought as we all wish we had some more people joining, so we can play more games, it is always much more fun with more people. 

Three words – word of mouth! Does it really work?

April 2013 - Aviemore Road Trip

Road Trip!!! 

Amy and I played in Aviemore at the Highland Park Inn the other weekend it was a great evening! The people who were there seemed to enjoy the music and especially Amy’s own songs too! 

A woman wanted to steal my cajon!! Haha! Was entertaining for us as well! 

Thanks for having us! We will be back again!!