Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Talking About Recent Auditions

As everyone who reads my blog know, I'm an upcoming actor. Currently in a gap year before going to a drama school in September 2007, I've been going along to 'The Grove Theatre Group' in Derry and have appeared in 'Ghost Bus Tours' (will talk about that soon on the blog) and the upcoming pantomime 'Beauty and the Beast' as one of the henchmen.

I don't have much to say in the Panto because my performance is mostly physical comedy and I'm really enjoying this part and how its all coming together and it's about one month until the show starts.

But the point of this blog entry is to talk about two of the most recent auditions i've been on which I've got different successes from each of these plus as no pictures were taking, I thought I would draw the scene for you.

Spring Town Camp

This audition was held on a Tuesday and became the start of my twice weekly visits to Derry (stop calling the town Londonderry after this point because the only people who called the town by this name were people who don't live there) and actually met up with my new friends just minutes after I got off the bus. Pretty nice we all meet up because it allows me to get to know them a lot better.

After getting dinner, we went over to The Forum and found out we arrived a bit early. We all have to fill out a form with basic information (i.e. Name, Address, E-mail etc…) and also state previous drama experience with I've had a lot and my friends were impressed by this as I haven't told them much about what I've done by this point.

Most of the people who came to audition was around are age, some people were older and others were people we haven't seen since Summer School back in July. We waited about after our audition just chatting and hanging out with friends, as my group were the first people to be called to audition.

The audition room was a lot like the picture I've drawn, the two people who wrote the script made jokes that this isn't like The X Factor (Well I'm done Pop Idol 2 which is similar but nothing like this audition). As this production is in co-produce with The Grove Theatre Group, we all would have a good chance in getting parts whatever happens. After a nice chat we all read parts of the script and taking turns to read different parts

On that Thursday we found out who got what part and I ended up with being the play's "Understudy" while likely playing a minor non-speaking part in the play.


Calamity Jane

Now auditioning for a musical is a whole different ball game. Kind of have to admit I failed this one for one reason… No Piano Music. I only heard of this audition about one month before hand from my new good friend Gemma and didn't know much about what to do. I had a monologue learnt but didn't know if I had to learn it off by heart on read of a page, so I choose the latter and kind of not felt great with that.

Then we no Piano music, I had to sing without a backing track and if the above picture can speak, you might not like what you hear.

Now I learnt some lessons like getting there early to be nice and friendly to the people running the auditions, which will help in the future if I do an audition with them again but the main lesson I learnt is to remember piano music.

So this has been the auditions I've done so far and hopefully there will be more success in the near future.

BRIAN

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 13th February 2006]

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

My Blog on History Matters Website

so i'm now apart of history and hopefully when i make it, people will reflect on this and see the start of my acting



I really like Thursdays now

It's the one-day of the week that before you would never admit to looking forward to but here I am aiming this is what I'm looking forward to

Largely because this is the day i go now to Derry and meet up with friends and go The Grove Theatre Group in Derry. I know to other people its not a big deal but this group is the only good group nearest to me as Ballywillian hardly lets the public know when they are going to audition people.

The show the group is performing by Christmas is 'Beauty and the Beast' at the Waterside Theatre. I have no idea what part I'm going to play or what performances of the 12 day run I will do but I'm hopeful I can win a part in the main cast whatever the role maybe.

So my day on a Thursday would start around 10am, then I would get wash, shave, have breakfast and then lunch before i head out to catch the bus into Coleraine at the top of the road at about 2pm. Of course i do other things which would only count as 'Not Much' when people talk about how your day has been but to be frank, four hours simply flies by in a moment.

I really like Thursdays but hopefully in the next few weeks when I've talk to agents, for my acting sake I'll start to really looked forward to other days in the week

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 14th September 2006]

Alarms bells at 25

This is what i would feel if i'm chosing to study at a drama school which would take me another three years to do as i already had three years with FD and ND of Performing Arts at the Causeway Ballymoney Tech which i got three A at.

But if i have to then that's okay but to get a place in a course which would only take me one year to two years and possibly one of the drama school's summer school course they do would be better for me in the long run.

I am a good enough actor now after the last three years and i feel i only need a little bit more training to feel i am complete as a actor with my training.

But i hope i don't hear any alarm bells.

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 13th September 2006]

Updated Profile Bio

The old one needed updating so here's the new one about my acting.

I'm an actor and youth leader from Coleraine, Northern Ireland. After my academic success with my First and National Diploma of Performing Arts course, I'm currently acting full time looking for an agent to get me work in either Northern Ireland or the UK and going along to The Grove with my recent new mates at Derry. I'm planning on going to a good Acting School next year possibly in London and I'll get advice on the best place to study from people who know really soon. I've got a strong drive, and determination to have a life in acting and work hard to achieve this. I've taken part in various productions at different levels. From the amazing time I had with "Five Fantastic Days in July" and In Your Space's "Victorian Painting" to the Festive Parades for the "Coleraine Christmas Lights Switch On", Mr Basford in "Teechers" and Eugene in "Grease". These activities have developed my communication skills as well.

Highlights of My Performance from Teechers

This is worth watching to see how good of an actor you think i am and please do tell me in the comments

Highlights of My Performance from 'Teechers'

Part 01

Teechers - Brian Swann Highlights Part 1

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Part 02

Teechers - Brian Swann Highlights - Part 02

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[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 10th September 2006]

10 questions GOD won't ask you when you get to HEAVEN!

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He'll ask
how many people you drove who didn't have
transportation.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house,
He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your
closet, He'll ask how many you helped clothe.

4. God won't ask what your highest salary was, He'll
ask if you gave some to help others.

5. God won't ask what your job title was, He'll ask if
you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won't ask how many friends you had, He'll ask
how many people to whom you were a friend.

7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll
ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll
ask about the content of your character.

9. God won't ask why it took you so long to seek
Salvation, He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in
heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10. God won't have to ask how many people you
forwarded this to, He already knows whether or not you
are ashamed to share this information to whom you
love.


[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 10th September 2006]

Top Achievers at Causeway Institute


Top Achievers at Causeway Institute

PRESS RELEASE
23 August 2006

It has been another excellent year of results for students at the Causeway Institute. Congratulations to BTEC National Diploma Engineering students, Matthew Boyle, Malachy Mc Kay, Joanne Donaghy, Ciaran Steger-Hoey and Stephen Coyle all received the highest award of straight distinctions, the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level. Congratulations to all the students on the following courses who also received the same top grades.

BTEC National Diploma in Land Administration (Construction)
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Judith Campbell
Jonathan Neeson
Joanne Norton
Jason Spratt
Rachael Campbell
Laura Mc Nally

BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Maria Kearney
Elaine Mc Kendry
Zara Mc Kendry
Loreena Mc Master
Trudy Mc Naughton
Kirstine Mogey
Stacey Moore

BTEC National Diploma in Media (Games Development)
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Andrew Anderson

BTEC National Diploma in Media (e-Media)
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Stuart Campbell
Richard Craig
Hugh OBoyle
Trevor Sharpe

BTEC National Diploma in Media (Moving Image)
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Robin Harman
Mark Henry
Richard Tweed

BTEC National Diploma in Care
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Kelly Bartlett
Lisa Connor
Alexandra Hartley
Victoria Hourican
Kiara Neill
Tracey Pollock
Colin Taylor
Ashley Thompson
Kelly Walker
Bronagh Young

BTEC National Diploma in Sports Development and Fitness
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Steven Callaghan
Alana Mc Killop
Victoria Wharry

BTEC National Diploma in Sport & Exercise Sciences
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Gary Devenney
Martin Law
Stephen Logan

BTEC National Diploma in Early Years
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Louise Brogan

BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts
Students who received the equivalent of 3 A grades at A level
Kathryn Mc Cullagh
Kirstie Philpot
Ruth Smallwoods
Brian Swann

The Director and staff of the Causeway Institute congratulate all the students on their results and wish them every success as they continue their education at University and beyond.


[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 3rd September 2006]

Plan A or Plan B

This is where i am at right now, chosing between two outcomes which will both lead me there in the long run but am not sure what path will feel right.

One Plan will lead me too more training into becoming an actor but will cost quite alot of money and take quite some time to pay off. But it's only more training to improve on the great actor i already am and i don't really need it that much but it would be helpful and if i don't get it it's not the end of the world and i can still get this somehow. Plus get an agent too.

The Other Plan will see me finding a Northern Ireland based Agent to get me work within the acting sector. Anything small will help and would be get to do some extra work, commericals and some theatre plays if i really lucky and improve on all this and get work around UK. Plus it means i need to get some sort of part time job to pay for all this travel, food and wherever i could say and might cost alot of money but not as much as The first plan i really hope.

Both plans will take some hard work and whatever is the plan i believe in God to show me the right way with this and after years of not knowing what i want to do with the rest of my life, i've decided acting is what i want to do with the rest of my life

[Edit: Since i wrote this about a year ago its mostly Plan A which i'm happy about and a little bit of Plan B for those who want to know]

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 7th August 2006]

My Article in Northern Constitution

As an actor this is my first ever interview article for everyone to see.
I pray for many more in the future and its very kind of the Northern Constitution to feature me.
I am ready for Millenium Forum's Summer Scheme and its five days and hope for the best outcome that will help me from September onwards.
I'm on hoilday from tomorrow so i will enjoy myself before things get really tough.



[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 1st July 2006]

This is my Swan Song

How many times would i be able to use this and it means something.
I really will miss my time at National Diploma of Performing Arts and i really hope i keep in contact with all the friends i made and hope they use the info on the cards i handed out today.



Save Tonight

Go on and close the curtains
All we need is candlelight
You and me and a bottle of wine
Going to hold you tonight

We know I'm going away
How I wish....wish it weren't so
Take this wine & drink with me
Let's delay our misery

Save tonight
And fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone

There's a log on the fire
And it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
To take me away....it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
Darling please don't start cry
'Cause girl you know I've got to go
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Save tonight
And fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone

Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I......that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Save tonight
And fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone....

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 20th June 2006]

You try holding a coffee mug in one place for two hours

The picture i was apart of is now being used on the front page of the Causeway Institute website.


[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 18th June 2006]

Two days until the end of three years of FD and ND in Performing Arts at Ballymoney

I've got two more days and this it? a Music performance of 'Save Tonight' and that really is it, after three years at the Causeway Institute is over.

I hope i will move peacefully to BIFHE in September with my audition next wednesday and everything will be okay. Plus i hope to keep in contact with most of the friends i have made there.

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 18th June 2006]

Proud Member of The Grove Theatre Group