I am very much aware of the fact that I haven't posted blog for a while and this was due to the absence of my macbook.
(£65 for a MagSafe charger, can you believe it?)
I got my new charger and I got straight back to work. In under a week, whilst fighting illness and Hard Drive space, I have managed to bang out two completed tracks and learned to use yet more software on my Mac, enabling me to edit and process videos.
Unfortunately, I didn't have much in the way of material to edit so ended up using old clips that I've had on my drive for years.
Creating what I like to call my unofficial video!
Junior WKBP - Do It (Like Cudder) [Unofficial Video]
Making this video has taught me a lot about the software - and the next move is getting specific HD shots and making the Official Video for the #WKBP tune of the winter!
As cheesy as it sounds, some performances can have such an impact on your life that you can class them as career changing. Performing at Jamaica in the Square this year was one of those performances, and I am very grateful for being given that opportunity.
DrizzyDrewWKBP and JuniorWKBP
With limited preparation for the actual performance due to the nature of the event, it felt very spontaneous - that only added to the thrill of performing my own material to so many people.
Ten seconds into my set and radio Sandwell's DJ G Man wheels the beat of my opening song 'Just one of those days' - Sizzla.. The crowd were immediately hyped and the made it so much easier to perform through utilising the crowds responses.
At the start of this project, I had no idea that I would be performing to so many people - It has given me a taste for bigger venues and consequently improved my stage presence.
I have to thank Daniella Genas for the opportunity - and the exciting news of future possibilities!
One of the real highlights of this year has took me nearly a week to fully process in my head.
I am very grateful for the experience that has come from working on the Palace Youth Theatre (@pytredditch) production of Annie.
Joining the team for this show halfway through the process meant I had to catch up quick with the way the cast worked as ensemble and individuals. Luckily I had the privilege of working with Liz Sifford (@lizsifford), the director of the company - who I have worked with before previously.
Me, Lizzi, and Eve (Annie) - excited about hoodies
My job was to assist in the remainder of the rehearsal process - focusing on characterisation and . As the musical is set in 1933 New York, some of the cast found it difficult to deliver lines in the accent and style of its period.
Using phonetics I assisted some members in the cast on how to pronounce certain words in their lines - which the majority responded well to.
The Cast of Annie, Palace Youth Theatre Redditch
Working with varying age groups has given me the opportunity to use different styles of drama accessible to the whole cast using evocative warm-up activities, including an energy seance (relevant to Derek Acorah's visit to the Palace Theatre), and the use of group voice work which has given the cast a different approach to the warm up session and relating it back to the script at as many opportunities as possible, reinforces the work being done later on in the session.
Part of my role was giving detail and characterisation to one of the main numbers "Tomorrow", which proved to be quite interesting as it was dependent on the behaviour of Bertie the Dog -who turned out to be quite the actor! and our Annies response to detailed direction.
Eve and Bertie the Dog (Annie and Sandy)
It was interesting to see have a go at ways to build a lovable relationship between the two of them, and quickly - as we know most characterisations is musicals are established quickly in the actors opening scenes and developed further in song. Eve responded well to direction and managed to keep Bertie intrigued long enough for her to perform her song to an audience sitting way up in the Palace circle.
They say never work with animals or children but these guys are good examples of breaking a trend!
And I'd like to draw attention to choreographing the Waltz sequence with Liz! Ed and Eve did so well in the show after waltzing for the first time 3 weeks before! Proud moment!
Bessie, Craig and Zoe
as Rooster and Aggie Hannigan and Lily St Regis
Some of the older memebers of the company proved to be great role models to the rest of the cast, as successful performers with exciting future prospects, they committed well to their characters.
Sadly it was Bessie and Zoe's last show, but they made sure it was a good one - the audience reactions in the curtain call was a indication of your impact. Good Luck at LCM Zoe!!
Check out Matt Bridge-Wilkinson's two minute video of the whole show - genius guy!
Just a quick thank you to all the people that have showed support in the past week!
There have been a couple of times that I've felt discouraged, especially after last Saturdays show, and it really means a lot to have so many people behind me!
Since buying a macbook back in July 2011, I have been more into music than ever before - anyone that has known me for long enough will know that music plays a huge part in my life and personality. Having the freedom to record and produce my own music has given me a feeling I can only describe as liberation - as I explore the wonders of LogicPro and GarageBand myself through trial and error methods, a system which I feel works best for my learning style.
I began exploring ways to promote my music with the use of Twitter, Facebook and soundcloud - this gave me an online presence which is very important in todays industry and made it possible for me to approach people about my work.
One of the people I have had the privilege to work with this year is a part of Birmingham's finest talents, working in the areas of graphic design and video directing. Lewis R Dixon (@LewisRDixon) directs music videos for his youtube channel P110 Media, which is one of the biggest channels in the midlands and is widely recognised throughout the UK.
The lyrics I used for my Bar for Bar were simply to make an impact as it was my first video and it would be the first time I had showcased my lyrical abilities to a 'grime' audience. The feedback I got was pretty good and it's had quite a few views since December, not as many as most videos out there - but still a number to be proud of for a first video.
Just to clarify, I do wish Madeline a safe return home, honest. Its just lyrics.
A lot of things to be honest - the way this whole journey is going.
Since leaving college I feel as though I have learnt an awful lot and experienced some great things. Stratford Upon Avon college taught me to realise the effects of "knowing the right people" means in this industry and I am very grateful to them, for that.
Love to my Musical Theatre class 09/11
I have met some truly wonderful and exciting people in my time there and I know that there will be many good things to come from the work all of these guys put into their art!
Prom with these guys was a memorable occasion - I managed to pull off them Young #Obama look pretty well I think! Shout out to the hot cookie that is Shannon Martin!
Young Obama's, Stratford upon Avon
Then I guess you can say my journey started here (If you can forgive the cheese)
Macbook Air (My Baby)
Learning to produce my own music is the most liberating feeling in the world - I know that practice makes perfect, and there is nothing like practising hard with good equipment (AKAI 25 key MIDI keyboard)
11/11/11 saw @Frank_Ocean take the humble stage at the London #XOYO - and I was lucky enough to have been bought a ticket by the awesome @lorettahope - To say Frank was amazing would be an understatement as I class him as one of my most prominent influences next to Jay-Z. It was his first live performance in England, and to my knowledge the first time he had visited - so the hour long set sat nicely with the London crowd.
We made him feel welcome by helping him out a little with the harmonies a little bit, not that he needed it but the atmosphere was immense.
If that wasn't enough, during his most notable song "Novacane", Frank actually reached out his hand and touched fists with me! That's a cool connection to have with an artist you hold in such high regards.. check out the video - Click the picture - 09:49
Frank Ocean at London XOYO
After the gig had finished, @TimWestwood jumps out of the back ready to spin some of the fire - I managed to have a little chat with him about some of the work he does with 1Xtra and the freestyle with @wizardcud - and he now follows my on Twitter - What's up, Tim?! let's get on some work!
The Big Dawg, Tim Westwood
Connections are the most important things to make in this industry, the way you make them is always a very crucial part too. Being able to distinguish professionalism and friendship and the differences between the two, will set you for success and help a performer become stronger individual entity.
One of the most valuable connections I have made in the last three years has to be Loretta Hope Griffin (@lorettahope), as she has introduced me to many new people and many new aspects of performing arts. I have also had the privilege of working with her on numerous occasions this year Secret Garden, Modelling for SWPP training days- One of the people I have been introduced to has been Matt Bridge-Wilkinson (@MattBW), and after our third time shooting together, along with the creative body painting skills of @LizziSifford, we managed to come up with a fantastic Mayan inspired concept that I was very impressed with.
Photography Matt Bridge-Wilkinson - Make-up Lizzi Sifford
I was also grateful for the opportunity to model for @TheSocieties training days with Michael Turner (@MT_phototrainer) down in Kent - Fantastic response from the trainees and a brilliant experience for a performers perpective. I feel like I learn a lot when involved in Michaels seminars, and although the information he teaches is intended for photographers, a model knowing the information becomes much more efficient to work with. Some of the results are great! Here's a shot from southern photographer Ernie Savarese (@erniesavarese)
SWPP Couple training shoot with Michael Turner, Sevenoaks Photo by Ernie Savarese
Such a brief overview of the year to bring myself back up to date - the journey continues further.. Im excited.
