The Production Team grows

Uhu... It is very true indeed!
Now that I've decided to concentrate fully on the production itself rather than on producing evidence of figures for the sake of a grant, things feel as they're really moving and flowing, and I've even found a local amateur photographer who is keen to help develop the film that closes the play - and it's an amazing feeling!

Her name is Daphne, she loves photography and children, being a mum herself, although with grown-up children, and is very excited about the project - what more can I ask for?

:)

Big decision!

After months of preparation of a decent business plan, second to talking extensively (2012) to the former Arts Council's rep for Bedfordshire, UK, and an exhaustive budget to support the plan, several emails to engage venues, postcards and letters to potential sponsors, I have spoken recently to the new Beds rep (after many changes and cuts in the Council itself) and, I must admit, it's been a very inspiring telephone call!

I found myself jotting down more and more tips on how to meet the criteria to be eligible for a grant, with the feeling that all my work of the previous months was just "not good enough"!  While this woman talked about demonstrating, I had an epiphany, like I was struck by a lightening bolt...

I don't care about demonstrating anything to anyone, with all this demonstrating I lost track of the real vibe of the whole project: this is not about quantifying how good the plan is, it's all about QUALITY!

It's the effort put into the project to convey a message to the audience through diverse means of performance, it's about having fun, creating and maintaining a network of artists in a town, it's about employing the Performing Arts to engage a community, it's about being creative... Duh!  I almost forgot all about this...

To summarise, I'm very, very happy to say that I'm dropping the application for a grant for the time being (even invited the representative to see the performance we have scheduled in summer, but she'll be on maternity leaves!) and, before I told the World, I have informed all my fellow artists who, believing in this project, are happy to support it to the end - which makes me happier!  So, I'm confident in writing that this journey starts... NOW!

I know, You're all worried about the money... Well, don't be, I can assure You that there is no reason to worry about money anymore! I do have a story to tell You but my time's up right now, so I have to go (as it is in my [writing] style), so You'll have to wait until next time...

Bye!

LifeSigns new al...booooooom and Francesca's voice!

This is just to keep You all updated about what's going on in the lives of the other artists involved in my play: this is John Young's new band released album.  Just take a look at what it sounds like here: http://youtu.be/c3cL2bVMA1k

Meanwhile, Francesca Bindi started her own blog sharing how the Performing Arts are changing her and the direction she's taking in life. You can hear her voice here: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYemPBZEh6U

I had a chat with the Bedfordshire rep for the Arts Council about applying for funding to bring this play around the County in a few venues: mind opening, but I shall write about this later!

I am not scared!

Blessings

Great feeling!

So exciting to go and view one of the venues in which the play will be performed in September: a state-of-the-art high school in Luton.  Absolutely amazing space!

The theatre hall can seat up to 200 people, has a collapsible stage, spacious back stage, and changing rooms at the back - and we can have a room for the girls and one for the boys. The sound system is grand, and there is a projector, which will be very useful since the use of various media is important to deliver parts of this play, and the screen is quite large, too.

There's also a digital piano that could come in handy because one of the songs should be played live (fingers crossed for this one!)

I ought to publicly thank Mr Richards for waiting for me, for I got lost and I was a bit late to our appointment.

Please go and see the school's website on: http://www.lealands.luton.sch.uk/page/default.asp?title=Home&pid=1

Really great feeling!

:)

Pushing forward

I didn't get lost in the midst of these cold weeks, but still working hard to make this  project happen!  I've had many offers of help and bless them all, including people who want to help without asking anything in return - and our Graphic Designer is one of them!

One more addition to the Production Team sees Miss Victoria Harvey the newly appointed Visual/Light/Sound Technician so... that's sorted too! :)

A bit about her:

Victoria has been a freelance lighting technician/ designer in theatre, conference and music shows since 1991.  She worked on the lighting and technical aspects of many shows at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, London, and the English National Opera, London, and many other companies such as Essential Lighting, Fisher Lighting, and Spot Co.  She managed the lighting for the Lee Evans tour ”Same world, Different Planet” and  designed and toured the marriage of Figaro for Pimlico Opera.  She also did the lighting design for many theatre shows mainly in London, such as the Man in the Moon, the Old Red Lion, the Lilian Baylis, the Riverside Studios, as well  as working with Pimlico Opera at Winchester prison.

It is also worth mentioning that, Sally Luff, a member of the Dramaturg's Network has taken an interest on my script and asked me to view it, and that Emma Betts, the Bridge Project Manager of the Royal Opera House, is currently helping with the business plan.

Time is running out and my personal deadline to submit a grant application to fund a tour for the play is almost upon me: keep Your fingers [and toes] crossed, please!  ^_^

Meanwhile, I went to Stantonbury Campus, MK, to see two plays by Cate Hibbert commemorating Holocaust week, based on "I Never Saw Another Butterfly", the poems of the children of Theresienstadt, and on "Man's Search for Meaning" by survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. 

Needless to say it was a very inspiring evening, and a great occasion to catch up with some artists I'm quite fond of!