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.
x

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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