Sigourney Weaver as The Gatekeeper in Ghostbusters. Ghosts, Blaine Manor, everything links here, see?
I hope you're all well, it's been over two months since my last update, a few life issues to deal with since then. So, what's been happening apart from these life or death issues? Lots of painting from me and not much else, though not for lack of trying.
Gatekeepers are becoming a tougher breed. In spite of the success of The Haunting of Blaine Manor, it has been an exercise in frustration trying to get the show to other venues in the region; particularly the well known and established theatres. Begging for studio space for a play that should be gracing the main stage is a humiliating, frustrating and fruitless experience. Studios are now predominantly producing rather than receiving venues, they prefer to have a hand in the development of the shows in their spaces, mentoring writers and guiding new projects - there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, if you have your own show and it has been performed elsewhere, no matter how short the run and no matter how well received, your show won't play the venue. Disheartening.
Gatekeepers are becoming a tougher breed. In spite of the success of The Haunting of Blaine Manor, it has been an exercise in frustration trying to get the show to other venues in the region; particularly the well known and established theatres. Begging for studio space for a play that should be gracing the main stage is a humiliating, frustrating and fruitless experience. Studios are now predominantly producing rather than receiving venues, they prefer to have a hand in the development of the shows in their spaces, mentoring writers and guiding new projects - there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, if you have your own show and it has been performed elsewhere, no matter how short the run and no matter how well received, your show won't play the venue. Disheartening.
Yes, I know, Gandalf was not a Gatekeeper...but you see what I'm saying, right?
To my fellow creatives then, keep batting, keep creating, stave off the negativity. Just a scroll through social media feeds at almost any time really shows just how creative this region is, how brimming with talent, invention, inspiration. Even if it seems it's never been harder for creatives to be seen out there and to get past those gatekeepers; Where there's a will, there's a way. And of course there is always the Fringe, the Fringe will never let you down. This is why I LOVE the fringe, the exciting characterful venues and the festivals; the Fabulous Fringe who actually let our voices be heard. Long live the Fringe.
To 24/7 Manchester Theatre Festival, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, Manchester International Festival of Fringe and Not Part of Festival, you've supported us all down the years, long may you live, long may you reign...and no this is not a slight on the established theatres, long may you reign too...but I'd rather be a creative than a gatekeeper...or maybe a Balrog? Yeah...I'd be a Balrog. But wait, a Balrog tussled with Gandalf, right?
Not that I would EVER tussle with Sir Ian McKellan, hell I'd lose, even if I had to deliberately lose (unlikely) he's brilliant. He's a Wizard. You don't fuck with Wizards man, or indeed Mutants that can do extraordinary things with metal. That would worry me, I have a will of iron you see.
To 24/7 Manchester Theatre Festival, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, Manchester International Festival of Fringe and Not Part of Festival, you've supported us all down the years, long may you live, long may you reign...and no this is not a slight on the established theatres, long may you reign too...but I'd rather be a creative than a gatekeeper...or maybe a Balrog? Yeah...I'd be a Balrog. But wait, a Balrog tussled with Gandalf, right?
Not that I would EVER tussle with Sir Ian McKellan, hell I'd lose, even if I had to deliberately lose (unlikely) he's brilliant. He's a Wizard. You don't fuck with Wizards man, or indeed Mutants that can do extraordinary things with metal. That would worry me, I have a will of iron you see.
And almost finally...
Sometimes as a creative you can think you are deluded, a dreamer or even worse, a fool. One reason I've posted the review cards below from all of my previous work in the region is as a reminder to myself that I am not deluded. The opinions shared below are the opinions of other people, of respected reviewers who tell it like it is. Like audiences they see the wider picture. I needed to post them, to use them as a way of kicking myself up the arse. They are a reminder to myself that I do have something to say, and it's worth listening to.
Another reason is I will be contacting people in an effort to get The Haunting of Blaine Manor further, and to garner fresh interest in the other productions here, so it's nice to have all the review cards in one place for visitors to the site, they can have a quick look then check out further details on each production on its corresponding page on the site. They're all below, after The Last Drop...that's next.
Each one is a bit like a thumb nail, a big thumb nail, an Incredible Hulk thumb nail maybe...or best of all, a Brother Lee Love Thumb Nail.
God Bless Kenny Everett...
Sometimes as a creative you can think you are deluded, a dreamer or even worse, a fool. One reason I've posted the review cards below from all of my previous work in the region is as a reminder to myself that I am not deluded. The opinions shared below are the opinions of other people, of respected reviewers who tell it like it is. Like audiences they see the wider picture. I needed to post them, to use them as a way of kicking myself up the arse. They are a reminder to myself that I do have something to say, and it's worth listening to.
Another reason is I will be contacting people in an effort to get The Haunting of Blaine Manor further, and to garner fresh interest in the other productions here, so it's nice to have all the review cards in one place for visitors to the site, they can have a quick look then check out further details on each production on its corresponding page on the site. They're all below, after The Last Drop...that's next.
Each one is a bit like a thumb nail, a big thumb nail, an Incredible Hulk thumb nail maybe...or best of all, a Brother Lee Love Thumb Nail.
God Bless Kenny Everett...
And definitely finally...
THE LAST DROP: A Tale from Paradise Heights
The Last Drop is the next Tale from Paradise Heights, it's a script I wrote over two years ago and it's just been sat there, crying in the chamber of unused scripts, a lonely, desolate place as I use most of my scripts. I've decided this spooky crying at night is a bit too much to deal with, so I'm shooting it this Winter, tis a winter's tale after all - well, winter will be as big a character as anyone else in the film.
I've never cast a season before, decent audition...chilling monologue, blew me away. you can see why I don't write comedy...often. Anyhow I'm crewing up so if you're interested leave me a message here and I'll be in touch.
Be well, have fun - well at least for a little while, it's the American Election next week...over to you Frankie Goes to Hollywood...
Joe x
THE LAST DROP: A Tale from Paradise Heights
The Last Drop is the next Tale from Paradise Heights, it's a script I wrote over two years ago and it's just been sat there, crying in the chamber of unused scripts, a lonely, desolate place as I use most of my scripts. I've decided this spooky crying at night is a bit too much to deal with, so I'm shooting it this Winter, tis a winter's tale after all - well, winter will be as big a character as anyone else in the film.
I've never cast a season before, decent audition...chilling monologue, blew me away. you can see why I don't write comedy...often. Anyhow I'm crewing up so if you're interested leave me a message here and I'll be in touch.
Be well, have fun - well at least for a little while, it's the American Election next week...over to you Frankie Goes to Hollywood...
Joe x
The final card above is of course for the Novel, The Bench, available at this link:
www.amazon.co.uk/Bench-Tale-Paradise-Heights-Tales-ebook/dp/B013VNYZOY
The novel is a further extension of the characters and situations encountered in the play, the best £3.49 you will spend today.
www.amazon.co.uk/Bench-Tale-Paradise-Heights-Tales-ebook/dp/B013VNYZOY
The novel is a further extension of the characters and situations encountered in the play, the best £3.49 you will spend today.
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