Just a quick one to say you should be scared..

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!

..That's why you should be scared ;)

Jamaica in the Square 2012

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!

Palace Youth Theatre production of Annie

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!

Thanks for the Support

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!

Especially:

@LorettaHope

@AmyMarieTolster

@Valisthegal

@lucylovesharry1

@Grace_Monty

@Charelle_brown

@Holly_Jamess

@limelight_itch

and of course, The Whole #WKBP Family

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All of this music hype

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.

So what's new?

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.

Who Killed Black Phil?

I've neglected this blog for far too long
I think its time it has a revamp 
What's happened since I left college?

I've found I have learnt more than when I was there..
If that counts.

Twitter can actually create opportunities and networking is key.

Im working on my ability to sense a chance to showcase what I can do

If this blog were a child..

..I would have most certainly been arrested under the child protection act for neglect!
Sad really but I just haven't had the time.

Touring at college, another BBC role in The Fades, and turning eighteen definitely took up a lot of time clubbing and such.

But now I guess I should get back to blogging as I don't keep a diary so its good to look back :)

So I finished filming The Fades a month and a half ago and it was fun to say the least..

Working with some already established actors made me feel like I've achieved a lot in this year, which is exactly what I intended to do :)

Since then, I've been thinking its time to get myself a day job I enjoy as much as my acting job, which of course will be difficult because of the nature of my performing job; not much can compare to being paid for something you enjoy doing!
But a nice job in a bar would do me nicely.. I think I'd suit that kind of occupation hahaa

So, I guess its onwards and upwards from now, which is exciting in itself..

Lets see what happens from now until the next time I blog ;)

Simon Jr.

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You think I'm being cocky, but I'm only being honest..

And thats exactly what it is. Honesty. In its rawist form.
Even if it does show me and a less than modest light..

I know that I'm different to many people. And not in a cliché way, as in "Everyone is different and special in their own unique way" but in a "Wow, there aren't a lot of people that are like this".

I work hard at what I do and what many call ARROGANCE I simply call PRIDE.
Its this pride that brings confidence which in turn enables me to the things I can do today, and I know it makes me personality distictively rememeberable, which of course is essential in this "bussiness".

Im not going to change it. I love it.
So I guess I'm just gonnaa ride its back all the way into success :)

Simon Jr.
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Est-ce que c'est la fin?

This actually might be the end.

And not at all the way I intended.. It such a shame considering the way we were and the way we both thought we we're indestructable.
Was we really as childish as we thought we never were?
Should all this been done a long time ago?

"Everytime I try to leave something keeps pulling me back"

Nobody can answer these questions but I really do wish someone actually could.

She says shes cried out.
Apart of me wants her to cry. Not in a sadistic way, but that way I defiantly know that she still cares..
Because one of my biggest fears when it comes to our relationship is the fact that one day she is going to fall out of love with me.

I know one day I'm going to look back at these posts and think "Simon, what were you doing with your life?!" and I hope the Simon of the future has better luck than what I do now..
Est-ce que c'est la fin?
J'espère pas.

Simon Jr
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If the whole world thought like me..

Being the egotistical guy that I am, the worst thing that could possibly happen to me has happened.
I have become victim to the very aspects that I critisised in an earlier blog.

By this I mean the one about messy break ups where adults turn into complete children again..

Well, this has happened to me now.. and rather than being a spectator and using my acute skills of clinical observation, I have become a first hand sufferer of this concept.

I won't bore you with the details but all I will say is that Im very much confundled with the whole situation..
This may be because to me everything is so simple and I can't see why there are so many problems that arise solely because of the things I do..
Surely, If the whole world thought like me then there wouldn't be a problem at all..
But then if this is the case it poses the question, "Who is at fault, Me or the world?"

Now, I know which one I'd like to blame but I guess sometimes you have to closer to home to find the source of a big problem..

Its crazy because if this person knew what I wanted.. Simple thought it may be.. They could have what they wanted..in turn, granting me what I want..
Which is essentially to be with her.

Sometimes she reads my blogs..

So If your reading this Wyldie..
I love you and I will do for 400 Christmases.

Simon Jr.
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Aujourd'hui? J'ai fait rien :/

Yes. That's right. Absolutely nothing productive apart from practising singing with some impressive trills if I may say so myself ;)) There I go on my own trumpet again!

The contrast between doing alot of stuff at college and getting ready for a busy but rewarding year and not doing anything todat has sent me into a bit of a ʞɔnɟpɐǝɥ tbh..
OMG.. Here's one for you. How's this for harsh?! My Stepdad thinks I'm gay because I like musical theatre!
I have a girlfriend!


Anyway, I can't wait for ballet.. It's going to be FABULOUS!!

Simon Jr.
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So we're back...

Welcome to a new college year, Simon!
The people are better than ever, the timetable is fantastic and everything seems to be going finee :D
I'm getting my new tap shoes next week, my Jazz shoes should shortly follow and my ballet shoes should follow that..
You see I ordered them in the order I would need them :)

I actuallyy can't wait to get back into my musical theatre vibee.. Im definatly concentrating more on my dance this year.. and try and get to some extra classes while im not working..
It's quite hard trying to juggle lots of things likee college, work and dance but I suppose if I can maintain a good balance of all three (but a prioritised balance; college be the most dominant) then I think I could really end up doing well this year :)
We'll see.

Simon Jr.
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My name is : Simon... Im here to help.

London photoshoot was everything I thought it would be and more. Fantastic.
Getting treated like you are the most important thing on the planet, (and most desirable, as photographers do absolutely nothing for inducing subtlty into my attitude!) but that sort of treatment sits with me quite well..

I must say there are some fabulous shots that I will be sure to upload as soon as I get the finished product!
I recall one lady comparing me to Will Smith ;))

Anyway, if you are wondering about the relevance of the title to this blog..
As you know for the shoot I had to travel 110 miles to Islington, London.. but to get there I had to go to travel to Victoria underground station, and in the queue to purchase my ticket.. I was stood behind three french people looking a bit confundled with the ticket machine..
I waited to hear them speak (just to confirm they were french) and jumped in to help.
They were grateful for my help as the grumpy, old tube guy seemed to have no time for them..
and with the competent use of "Attendez!", "Ca suffit!" and "Oui, Je vais aller au Piccadilly aussi, alors si vous voulez, vous pouvez venir avec moi!" I helped those friendly guys out!

So monday sees the start of another college year studying Musical Theatre quite practically! I believe there is no better way ;))
But for now there will be no song and dance for me cos it be time for bed!

Bonne nuit tout le monde!
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Say Cheese!

Thursday will be one of my well deserved days off from the store =D
Which is why I am going to London to get my agency photos taken :))
It will be very exciting as its my first professional photo shoot!

For a while this year, I've felt like i've been waiting for stuff to happen a lot..
A lot of stuff couldn't be done because other stuff had to be done! loll
But now I feel like all of that has been resolved and I am really looking forward to.. well, the rest of my life (as cringy as that might sound!)

So there we go :)
Good times all round Ahaa..
Fingers crossed for me on Thursday and fingers crossed for a certain teacher across the pond for Tuesday ;)

Simon Jr.
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There is no better feeling than..

being on stage.
To me, it is an unnegotiable factor of life that cannot be compared.

I adore the thrill of live theatre. I thi nk theres are real energy that could only be generated from live action.
I find it so hard to become emotional involved with a film, I find there is more sencerity in watching a piece of evoking theatre.

Lights - Music - Movement - Emotions - Magnetism = Theatre.
There is nothing better.

Simon Jr.
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The amazing female mind

I am constantly baffled, confused, confundled, bemused, bewildered and conbefixiated with the female mind! Okay I made that last word up but the point is, I just don't get women..
I like to think I know what they like.. romantic wise.. but they have to be the most complicated creatures on the earths surface.

They have a tendancy to bitch about other womens attitudes and appearances, while also moan about themselves and their appearances :S
This is something I could probably place on every man.. Women with no curves aren't as attractive as they are made out to be..

Personallyy, I prefer a real women with curves and voluptuousness..
Much more attractive than skin and bones :D


I have a question. Is there any such thing as a mature break up?
I have this friend whos recently broken up with his girlfriend and his words to her were "that's it and I never want to see you again!".. Aren't those words that you use in nusery school when you fall out with your best friend and then make up five minutes later?!
Its like you become a child again and all sence and maturity goes out the window!
No matter how old you are, emotional pain turns you temperarily back into a baby ;)

Simon Jr.
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Head in the clouds.

Have you ever felt like you have your head so far up in the clouds that you really are just losing your sense of direction? Losing yourself? Losing who you are? Theres no shame in changing your personality but what about losing the very aspects of yourself that make you who you are?
Its scary.

Me and my girlfriend have been going out for nearly eleven months now and in my eyes, she hung the moon. But I think I may have freaked her out a little yesterday night by telling her that I had been having thoughts of the near future. Nothing to serious but maybe a year or so down the line. They were totally innocent thoughts but she told me that to her, life is a very long time, people are constantly changing so when people talk about stuff like that at our age, it doesn't really mean anything to her.
Well, I took that to heart because it made me think that maybe our relationship isn't as rock solid as I thought.
I mean, were not immature. If anything I think we're quite responsible young adults who know the difference between being real and being a phony teenage couple who are in love after the first week.
We take time over things and we're going strong. So her saying this was a shock to me.

Obviously I wasn't expecting her to say "YES! LETS GET MARRIED TOMMOROW!" but by the sounds of how she said it to me, it made her sound like she was saying "Simon, don't think that far ahead because I might change my mind about loving you tommorow so don't bother"

Wow.

Before Emma I was quite a self-centered person.. Not maliciously, selfishly, self-centered but most of the things I did, I did to help me prepare for my career or gain experiance for it..
But then I met her and she made me care so much about other things that I would've before like, real love. But her saying that to me has kinda made me yank my head down from the clouds and get back to concentrating on my goals.
This won't change much between me and her, I think I'll just be a little less lovey.

I don't know. I'll have to see.

BUT ANYWAY, I didn't go and get my exam results today because I have work later on so i'll have to wait for them to be sent to my house.. lol Waiting game :D

But now, Im gonnaa catch some zzz's before work.
Lot of thinking to do I think :))

Catch you on the flip side ;)
Simon Jr.
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Be Incomparable..

..An important aspect of modern life, im sure you will agree.

To be incomparable, is to be different and in this day and age, the difference between two people in competitive situations could make all the difference! Is it me or is the word "difference" sound reallyy weird?!

Anyway, this notion was inspired by B. Reardon from Boston, Massachusetts.. Quite a way away from my humble island of England! But she is a Actor/Drama Teacher who understands what the business is all about.

Her idea of "Being Incomparble" is 100% essential in the business.. For example, the auditioning process I am currently in you need to prove you are better in every way than the person before and after you. You need to stand out, and play to what the directors are looking for. Do your research and make yourself stand out.


This is going to sound realy cringey but I believe before you start pretending to be anybody else, i.e acting, playing a role, you need to understand and know yourself.

That is why I believe I've been successful in my short career so far.

I believe that understanding myself has enabled me to be a good actor, as I am able to use myself as a template to create my perception of any character I must portray (if that makes any sense at all!)..
Short Example: If I am given a character who is shy and quiet, I can look at myself, who is a relatively loud person, modify that aspect and have a play around with the outcome..

The more variables you are given the more difficult yet more fun the process becomes!

I guess what I'm trying to emulate is Socrates' golden rule "Know Thyself"..

Much harder than it sounds, but a valued life skill.

I feel sorry for the women though, I just hope they can understand themselves better than I can understand them!


Simon Jr.

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I've got a feeling that my dreams are within touching distance..

As cringey as that might sound, there is no reason for me to feel any different.
This is obviously all down to my audition last thursday, which I felt super confident about and of course the result of this audition may set me up for bigger and better things in the future.. Thus changing my dream into a reality.

Is it possible for any dream to come true if you believe in it enough?
Or are there some dreams that will never be fulfilled?

I know what the world would like me to say.. I know what the guys upstairs with there heads in the politically correct clouds would want me to say...
But in actual fact, I believe that belief is not enough.
I believe hard work, dedication and sacrifice for most..

That's why, without sounding like I'm blowing my own trumpet, I believe I deserve a chance like this..
Because I always follow a quote that one of my close relatives told me once when I was a child and it has always stuck in my head, they said, "Simon, The only way to make your dreams come true.. Is to wake up"
And I believe that that is my most powerful motivation.

I can't actually describe how it feels to know that your whole life and the dreams it created could be resting on one phone call I receive later on next week..
It's actually quite scary in a way.

I'm quite adament that this won't be my only oppurtunity if all dosen't go to plan, I will of course perservere despite the set back, and try again.

I've got a feeling that my dreams are within touching distance.. Oooh they feel good.

Simon Jr.
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