Is it you or is it me? Lately Ive been lost it seems I think a change is what I need, If you're looking for a chance or a dream Shortland Street...

Hey All,

Remember when Shortland Street had Tina Cross singing in the titles? I do. I've been watching that show for the majority of my life. On and off. I remember when Mckenzie burnt the hospital down, Chris and Rachel were together the first time and when Caro ran away with Greg.

It was quite surreal being where this show is made! I spent one week with the casting director Andrea Kelland. I was really keen to find out how it works, TV and film still remains a mystery to me. I've done shorts and commercial stuff but nothing like this.

This is a very very busy place. They are months ahead of themselves and film the equivalent of one episode a day. Thirty minutes of material. Just to put this in perspective I believe that Out rageous fortune did about 3-5 minutes a day. S.S is super super fast turn around T.V. I was told that other countries look to Shorty as a model. (If they can do it that fast- SO CAN WE!!).

So the biggest thing that struck me is TIME- there basically is no time for preparation. Its in and out, lines being down is even a struggle at times. Its just so fast.

It was great to see the EXTREME opposite of what I experience in theatre. The process is such a huge part of creating a theatre show and using time to dig into the text and really sink your teeth into it. The problem then becomes the ability to keep it fresh, how do we experience it anew each night? How can we discover AND not pattern (Say it the exact same way). After all if we wanted to see robots we would go see transformers not a live show.

When I see a show I love seeing the performers enjoying themselves! This is one of the hugest things I am noticing. Whether its a comedy or a tragedy if a performer is really investing in the text, enjoying the language and entire experience. This is watchable. I cant take my eyes off them!

I was away from MASSIVE COMPANY for a few days as I had a few bits and pieces to do in Wellington. Including a reshoot of scenes for a short film, we had originally done 6 months ago.
At first I thought "Oh sweet as, I did it then Im sure it will be easy". It wasnt. The difference being I hadnt immediately done the other scenes, or the text work, or reminded myself of who this character is.

CONTINUITY!!===== Another intricate part of screen acting. As Rob Hartley made me see (for those of you that saw 2010 toi research conference) with examples from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Elijah Wood was jumping from film to film, utterly out of chronological order beacuse this isnt efficient for filming and just isnt possible. So one day he may have met Gandalf and then the next he was throwing the ring into a volcano, then back to the start again. How does an actor keep up?

-What has just happened?
-What has changed?
-What do they want?

Youd have to be aware of what hasnt actually occured yet so your not pre-empting.

So in fast turn around TV there is no time, Film time is screwed round, and theatre there is loads of time- but you have to be invested in it to make it worthwhile.


PHEW!

Im back at MASSIVE COMPANY now and will be till they open on March 2nd at the Herald. Make sure you get your tickets!!!!! its honestly going to be amazing. I am really proud to be a part of it, even in the small way I am.

Its crunch time in rehearsals as the final weeks to opening are edging forward. It gets really tricky at this point! But I know it will all be good, because of these amazing peoples strength ,energy,talent and manaakitanga!!!

ALSO: Welcome to Leroy from my class who joinged last week!

MASSIVE IS THA BOMB DIGGITY!! ALL DAY ERR DAY!!


Tee Boz ox

Dont think..Just act!!

Hey All,

So the next major point that has come out has hit me on a real personal note, and has come head to head with one of my biggest habits as an actor. We talked intensely about how "talking about working" is not working. Its better to get up on the floor and work it, rather then discuss it and build it up/layer things on it.

Looking back on past projects, Im terrible at this. I spend all my time talking about what I want to do, thinking about things- leaving as little time as possible to actually making the work. I expect the magic to happen in the time I have with the audience. But I dont have a solid action plan, points to hit....Basically....The point of acting is to take the audience on a journey, but if you dont even know where you are going its just B.S. They are coming along to a sloppy thing that your too lazy to really invest time and effort into. I need to rethink my priorities and have this really change in my Solos project this year.

Ive already been thinking about characters I could play, things Im inspired by, how I could explore characters/situations. But I need to remember this is useless if I forget "the other". I'm really going to utilise the outside eye as much as possible, including my class. Once again, I usually have the " I should know how to do this" attitude and never ask for help- but thats going to change.

AT MASSIVE: I'm learning that the more feed back you get the better. Acting is a subjective thing, but if you get lots of people to feed back- then your building and getting a true reading (Especially if they are not familiar with the text/story).

All the cast of "HAVOC in the Garden" are so into getting feedback. They really want it because they know whatever they recieve will help them build on their work. It's changing my attitude too which is great.

YET another IDEA..........

Fear. So as an actor you have bad days, where it feels like nothing works and you generally feel bad about yourself. Is there a trick to seperating yourself really? In this work we become so in the work, when we are told its crap. It sucks. So what do we do...usually Id go have a sulk and get put off doing it for a while. BUT the best thing to do is keep working it. Get it in the muscles and find the play between you and "the other". Other actors AND our wonderful audience.

We are the vehicle for the story, we are inviting an audience to go on a journey and discover thing WITH us, in that moment. LIVE- being the amazing aspect of theatre. Its right there!

I want to make theatre that really involves the audience, that it would not be possible without them being present (those particular people--this relates to my current theatre project "Walk a mile in Our Shoes" which will be around a dinner table and focus on sensory moments. Its still in the works, but if any one want to talk about it, id love it.

I dont know how to do that just yet, but hey, its all good, Plenty of time!


T oxox

YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!

Week Two -Massive Company Secondment

So far I've been thinking about the 'pressures' surrounding being a performer. It's such an ephemeral thing, and so personal, that I find I start to judge myself from the work I do.

I'm just realising how much pressure I out on myself,and how much I think "You should know this, you've had two years of training"

But as I'm learning- No one has all the answers. Even the most experienced actors don't have everything 'figured out'. They test, play, try out ideas and are open to feedback ,meaning they can grow change and discover new things in the rehearsal room. Where would the fun be if you knew everything?? What would be exciting if on Day One you had decided exactly who you character is??

TO ME NOW: Drama school training plants seeds, you are introduced to some things that may not land till years later. It opens up new possibilities, introduces you to new concepts and can show you the potential you have or parts of you that maybe you cant see.

At Massive, theres a real environment that supports risk, being different and giving your all. Whether its the free dancing (One of my favorite activities this is where a song is put on, we connect with another person and dance together wholeheartedly, no rules. You get as much out of this exercise and you want to put in. )

You have the ability to let go, express yourself, show your moves and enjoy it.

ANOTHER ONE................... The Importance of Listening

I mean really listening. Being vulnerable and honestly taking in what the others are saying and letting yourself be affected. This is just as important when your speaking- How do I make sure the other person is listening? and taking in what Im saying...How do I want to affect them..Is it successful.

This is a big point I am taking with me! relating back to my research question. I can go deeper in characters/worlds, if I listen and be open to the other characters. It is between us that the world is made.

I've been working more with actors in "HAVOC in the Garden". Really getting into the text, getting an understanding of whats happening and feeding back. I'm really enjoying being this involved and discovering whats underneath this amazing text and what they can play with.

Maybe directing is something I should explore...Im getting a lot more confidence in my ability to critique! I'm going to take this back to Toi, and feel more content in knowing my ideas are valid.

(Stop thinking I SHOULD already know how to do it now-thats silly!)

Thanks for reading

T oxoxox