I’m still here! While I haven’t been “in anything” per se in the last few months, that shouldn’t be a reason to be quiet, right? Thanks Ziggy Luz for saying she missed my blogs and encouraging me to start them up again. Speaking of Ziggy: this week I went to Working Title in Marylebone to witness three short films that she and director Bradley Porter have been working. The setting of course was perfect, with an intimate theatre with big chairs to relax into, and the feeling that Tom Hooper had probably been there a few times (call me!). The shorts were truly excellent, with so much talent in the acting, cinematography, editing, writing and directing departments. I’m sure everyone involved was very proud to see them with a larger group of people.
As for me, I can proudly say that my creativity has been newly stretched thanks to time spent in the kitchen. I’ve enjoyed discovering spices and making as much as I can from scratch thanks to vegan recipes (such as Occasionally Eggs and Lazy Cat Kitchen) which, because of the absence of meat, focus even more on nutrients. They say you should have a hobby outside of acting that brings you joy and you can practice, and this is surely it right now.
A few weeks ago, I reunited with wonderfully talented cinematographer Tansy Simpson, member of Illuminatrix Rising DOPs, which showcases emerging and developing talent on a monthly basis. She was asked to collaborate with Kodak to create a video for International Women’s Day on March 8th. We met in the park, along with a few other cast and crew, and had a lot of fun on a sunny day in Kensington. The result, alongside the other talent, is gorgeous (see on the right). Tansy Simpson is currently creating another longer cut of her work on this project. I can definitely recommend Tansy for her intelligence, problem-solving skills and great taste, in life and work. Thanks for the black tank top!
I reunited with fellow “Curious Voyage” friends Magdalena and Nikos to read scripts during a scriptwriting workshop. It was great to collaborate, and be back in a room with creatives wanting to be the best they can be. I also met writer Tony Sands (who wrote and acted in Echoes of the Passed) and Elena Mazzon, who is soon to go to Iceland on her journey to present her one-woman show Clara to the world!
I’ve also been attending a few readings of Shakespeare plays organised by the talented actor Jonathan Le Billon. He has been organising weekly readings of the Bard’s plays. I joined the group late in the run, but am glad I could discover some of the plays along with other Shakespeare fans. Shoutout to actress Ali Shinall.
With regards to short film Dear Mum that I worked on with Donovan Swart last year, it is in the editing phase. Once that is complete, I will need to do a voiceover to include in the film. It will be worth the wait!
Finally, I want to mention a film I’ve enjoyed this month: The Kindergarten Teacher, directed by Sara Colangelo and starring the fabulous Maggie Gyllenhaal. She plays a kindergarten teacher who one day hears one of her kids speaking poetry. She makes the decision to nurture him and his talent, which makes her cross inappropriate lines with regards to his parents and the detachment she should have in her job, and creates tension inside her own family too. The character is warm, messy, brave, sad, all at the same time. It’s a beautiful portrait, one that will make you uncomfortable but you’ll like why that is.
Until next time!