My 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle' Blog

It’s about time I should blog about ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ which played to about 400 people between Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th May 2009 at The Tower Street Theatre in Belfast Metropolitan College. For me blogging is good therapy, so let the therapy session begin.

At the start most of us (including me) were disappointed about the news of a large cast of 27 people, made up of students from the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma 2nd years to create a Final Major Project production which ended up being Frank McGinness version of ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’.

The reason I think most of us were precious about the FMP is because of each of our classes. For us we have been through so much hell for a long amount of time, which finally ended in the early rehearsals for this production. It’s fair to say it feels like were survivors from an awful horror movie and that experience has made us a close group. It took time but our two groups united without too much trouble going on once scenes were finally learnt and blocked.

About the show, it features post-war arguments from rival factions of civilians; a romance of a servant girl and a soldier; cleaver uses of bamboo sticks from creating a bridge, carrying a deceased governor, making a terrifying drumbeat, forming a river that I never got exactly correct; fantastic masks that define characters personalities and some pretty nifty tunes you can’t get out of your head once you hear them.

It was an Ensemble piece and you’re given a fair amount of characters, lines and movements to create, perform and define in your opinion of Brecht’s style. At times you could grumble at the amount you were given, but it’s up to you as an actor to stand out from the crowd. It’s up to the audience to judge if myself or the rest of the cast achieve this goal who attended the four performances, but I hope we did a fantastic job.

For everyone ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ was a once in a lifetime chance to work with a huge cast. A couple of us might be lucky enough to work for The Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre or whenever the new Lyric Theatre decides to open its gates again to experience the chance of a huge cast again. Who knows if any of us will work with each other in another performance after this but as Northern Ireland is still a small industry, the chance is pretty high.

I’m proud of our cast and being a member of this production. We all have bright futures whatever paths we decide to follow and it would be an honour to work with anyone of this talented bunch. If I’m ever given the chance to make that happen one day, I know several actors you can trust with any production whether it’s theatre, film or TV. But right now it’s just a dream destined to be reality.

For the show after parties, we went to the Limelight on Thursday and the Student Union on Friday. Everyone had a good time (from what I remember) and the experience of those nights is a story in itself. Didn’t realize it was a school disco night at the Limelight but I haven’t been much of a fan since Halloween when the bouncers weren’t the nicest people in the world and got scared off.

When you think about it that’s pretty stupid to not go to a place because of people thinking their God and can do whatever they want. But the school disco was pretty fun even if I wasn’t in costume. By pretty fun what i really mean is ‘fun in dizzy town’. Keeping balance several times, forgetting who turn up later on that night and drinking plenty of water. A bit curious to see what the pictures that were took that night look like, but I regret nothing and I had a good time

We all had to take down the set, fix the curtains, paint the theatre floor, tidy up the dressing rooms, clean costumes and return props the next morning and I believe I did pretty alright with what I needed to complete. After making a bit of a complaint in town which I hope gets sorted soon, it was on to Friday night or what shall be called ‘After Party 2 – Crawling Back to the Drink’.

One thing I realize before we heading to the Student Union (was meant to be The Parlour but plans do change) is that while not mentioning names, it’s pretty well clear that the secret is out and any concerns I had about people knowing this secret about liking this person shouldn’t keep me back, but it’s still going to be tough to say it before time runs out, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

My honest thoughts about the Union are what’s the big deal about it, but I guess it’s a good night out when it's a different night of the week. It would have been great to go to The Parlour again (was there for my Birthday last year... June 5th, mark the date in your calenders) but I liked the people I was hanging out with and liked a couple of people when they weren’t so loud for a few brief moments during the night. This night did felt like the time for secrets to be confessed and I’ll admit I wish certain people could’ve made Friday Night but the night was a true experience.

We then had a nice relaxing chat at Liam’s house that lasted most of the night. The highlights of the talking were we agreed it would be a good idea to buy Michaela CD’s for her birthday and that the words ‘When You’re Gone’ goes fantastic with any song. How that lasted the whole night i have no idea as I slowly walked back home to Elms at 9am, though walking over sleeping people on the floor did felt like I was in an episode of Skins, but again a good time had by all.

It’s left me with some grown-up decisions to make. I’m a child at heart but that’s simply who I am as I’m looking into my future with wonder. As I know what I want to become and how to achieve it but the question is who I want to be there by my side.

Honesty – My 2009 New Year’s Resolution

Been thinking about the New Year arriving in about three days time and which resolution I wanted to choose. I always pick resolutions that are basic enough, that at the end of the year you feel you have managed to achieve the rule you have set yourself. In the past couple of years by resolutions have been ‘Break Out Of Your Shell’ and something similar, which in some sense I achieved.

Some people do have a habit of breaking resolutions by the first weeks of January, but I follow my pattern so whatever surprises the New Year does bring, I can face it no matter what happens. I’m different to how I was a couple of years ago after promising to myself to break out of my shell and it’s a promise I’m still working on. I don’t like being so shy or to feel trapped by my surroundings but sometimes that’s how I feel.

Which leads me to pick Honesty as a Resolution for the New Year. Recently I’ve been in a cycle of agreeing with other people when I doubt the decisions they made were correct. Then behind close doors I would regret the decision, wasting time going over what happen in my head until I’m either tired or lose interest. Plus I never say what I want to say at the right moment in person, ask what’s happening until the last minute or don’t ask questions for situations I have trouble to understand at time and then repeat the same cycle as above.

So for people who know me or know me a little bit, I’ve picked a good resolution. It’s just up to me to make this promise to myself happen. I’ve talked in previous status (now using twitter http://twitter.com/bs10064) about how certain people have made me felt invisible in a crowded room and it’s with Honesty will give me the confidence to ask ‘What’s the Problem?’ The fact that the person I come across as and the person I actually am can be two different people and you want the latter to be true.

But it’s being scared of being honest that will bother me the most, as I’m naturally a nice person. I use to speak my mind many years ago, be cruel to be kind when it was needed. Just that part of me got lost sometime ago and would like to find that part of me again. This next year it’s so important to stand up for what I want to happen and depending on which direction I take, so many things can go right and so many can go wrong. But whatever happens in 2009, being Honest is the best step to take.

I was Honest with admitting my feelings in a previous blog post, I just need to be Honest in person and God knows it’s hard for me, but it’s something that needs to be done.

Why blogs are easy and logs are tough

There are different types of writing and when you take the ‘B’ from the latter of these two it does mess with your mind. You fall into bad habits by not setting aside time each week to get something wrote down but like always you fit everything in within a few nights without much sleep to get the work finish in time.

So you ask what is the experience of going a few nights without much sleep like? Wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who couldn’t cope with it. You are focusing on the computer screen typing down the words, trying to make sure everything makes perfect sense and hope for the best that your hard work pays off. Even know the whole point of putting in all-nighters is that you didn’t put in the hard work by just writing everything down on the day it happened.

Writing down what you’re thinking in a blog is so easy for me. It’s a way of getting out the words you find so difficult to speak in person, with the feeling of regret you are only writing it down and never allowed yourself the chance to speak it in person. You could say your blog is like a safety net. That whatever may happen, whatever words maybe spoken, you will never be hurt by the outside world.

But then where’s the fun of living a life where there’s no trouble. You need to be a little bit hurt, whether it’s physically or mentally to know life is worth living. Got one more lifeline to make sure I can be perfect with my log writing in the new year as my blog writing is already there which I’m happy about.

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]

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]

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]

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]

Character Description of Mr Basford

Mr Basford is a character who is in his early forties and is one of the main teachers at Whitewall High School. He is in charge of the timetable at the school and arranges that he only teach the more clever students at Whitewall leaving other teachers with the slow, dumb and trouble-making children to teach. The subject he teachers is never made clear but when he says, Thats why I get the best maths results in the School we are led to believe he mainly teaches maths at the school.

My seems to have a strict discipline with his teaching job at Whitewall and to other teachers seem angry (when he bursts into the Drama Class after there Grease performance), mean (when he yells at Miss Parry at the beginning) and has a huge ego (claiming Im a Genius to Dont talk to me like that) but these reasons are some of the main reasons that make a fun character to play.

Other characters are scared of him like stop talking when he shouts Quiet to them, to pulling away from him when he shouts Hush Down in Mr Basfords classroom. I doubt my character would consider moving to another school as in his many years there hes created an easy teaching life for himself.

My character has mainly confrontational relationships with most of the teachers he appears with. Basford is in the middle of an argument with Miss Parry when we first see the character. Fighting over the fact that he is not getting the lead in The Mikado, he then storms out of her office, but when he sees Mr Nixon meeting her, he sees him as a threat and tries to make his time at the school not an easy one. But during his various meetings with Nixon, I believe he starts to respect his teaching style and in his final scene with Nixon, he shows off his pleasure at getting the lead in next years production at Whitewall High School.

My character does seem upset that he isnt taken seriously but I doubt he bursts into tears. Mr Basford does argue, debate, remain logical with the other characters in this production. This is shown in the conservation with Mr Nixon which ends arguing about Streamlining in the schools system.

From the rehearsal progress for this play I gather an impression of what my character would be like. I believe he would like to set an impression for the students and his fellow teachers by being sharply dressed with nice suits, I think he owns five suits and chooses his favourite to wear for that week. For this reason I chose a suit as my costume for the character.

His mood can be angry when he is in class with his students to being overconfident when he talks with fellow teachers. But its the mood of hidden sadness that surprises me when looking into this character. When Nixon gets the lead in the local theatre production over him, he feels that he is being snubbed and isnt considered as important by other people as he sees himself to be.

Whitewall High School is comprehensive school somewhere in England. The local landscape reminds us of a rural countryside setting, but this school is set in a town. Theres a factory, the noises from it being heard in the school, this is the most common sound you hear about the school apart from children laughing and playing.

Whitewall I believe would be dreary to look at because there has been little money spent to improve the school. The place is cold but has enough heat to keep the students and teachers happy. The colour scheme that Whitewall uses would be grey and white, which keeps to the dreary theme as it has no money to add colour to the school.

This is the twentieth century, the year is 1984, and its some date in late May, the time would be 10.30am and the season is in the spring.

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 16th June 2006]

My Rough Notes on Teechers

I do need to talk about my possible Career making performance as Mr Basford in Teechers and the notes I made about my performance in the two weeks leading up to the main night. I understand what the notes mean and I hope you can figure them out to.

2nd May 2006

LEARN CUES AND LINES

Need to be on stage for "there are only eight of us".

Been careful with chair at end of scene.

Make a chat on the phone

Everyone do "ET Phone Home".

Need to get books for table.

Make need to come from side exit

Romeo and Juliet - needs worked out

Voice slipping into American Accent?

Step towards Nixon always eye contact.

3rd May 2006

STUDY THESE NOTES AND LEARN CUES AND LINES

Quiet backstage

Don't flick the curtain when you exit and enter

Don't go behind poll

Work on "Mr Harrison and Eight of Us"

Need to hear you on the phone

Laugh and React

Don't have chat offstage.

Be careful of noise on platform

Don't look at Glenn in Scene 7

Two groups not putting effort in Fight for Scene 8 (Romeo and Juliet)

4th May 2006

• Miss Cues for Harrison, 8 of us, and cold shower.
• Make more of the look at end of scene.
• Learns where better next time
• Move tables stage right.
• Good at holding curtain
• On quicker for Scene 8 drama club
• Think of way for Scene Change
• Careful of Curtain at end of Scene 9

8^th May 2006

• More Life overall
• Paul go front
• Good understanding of lines.
• Ninjas needs work on (miss cue)
• Skip off to beat of music
• Need to keep in character.
• Act 2 Scene 5 needs worked on

9^th May 2006

• Be careful of curtains.
• Dont Block Kat

10^th May 2006

• Miss lines at certain time.
• Miss litter
• Much more volume while music and noise plays in the background.
• Pace needs quick up.
• Remember bottoms of suit tomorrow.
• Ninja scene needs worked on.
• Good reactions
• Dont step away in Act 2 Scene 5.
• Try not to block Kat.
• Remember White Shirt
• Wrong Costume Tell Kristy she needs to do that.
• Make more of first scene and for 8 of us and Mr Harrison.
• Remember bottoms and shoes for Thursday.

11^th May 2006

• Be aware Mr Nixon, Mr Basford and Miss Whitham.
• Dont come on too soon for Grease.
• GOOD COSTUME!!!!!

14^th May 2006

• Drum roll for like to thank
• Volume
• Dont knock mug over!
• Volume over music
• Get same reaction for quiet and hush down.
• Volume at last scene.

Teechers Production a Great Success

Press Release Details

Teechers Production a Great Success

PRESS RELEASE

22 May 2006

Congratulations to Year 2 Performing Arts students on their production of John Godbers Teechers. An excellent evenings entertainment was had by all last Thursday evening at the Causeway Institutes Ballymoney campus.

The play was directed by Performing Arts tutor, Gemma Shannon and Barbara Cooke. Teechers vigorously evokes life at a modern Comprehensive, using the format of an end-of-term play to sketch a drama teachers progress through two terms of unruly classes, cynical colleagues and obstructive caretakers until he departs for the safer waters of a private school. The play runs an array of emotions, climaxing with the final scene which gives a poignant edge to the comedy.

In the play, Salty, Gail and Hobby played by students Mark Graham, Kirstie Philpott and Kathryn Mc Cullagh made up the leaders of the pack, Mr. Nixon played by Glenn Mc Dowell was their new teacher and Oggy Moxon, played by Nathan Hernberg was the school bully. Other members of the cast include Ruth Smallwoods, Brian Swann and Paul Black.

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 22nd May 2006]

Counting the days until Thursday

Counting the days until Thursday when our main production will take place is a good way to pass the time.

All my lines are learnt in my head and we have time the quick costume changes so no one will miss there lines.

The set changes are easy enough and i hope we have room backstage and all the tables and chairs we will be using won't be in the way.

When you think we are there first production that is worty enough to charge entry fees it does make you feel proud.

Like always you worry about what happens next and if the choices i make will go through but i shouldn't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself.

I hope this week will be the week i will never forget.

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

Performing Arts Students Present “Teechers” Press Release

Press Release Details

Performing Arts Students Present Teechers Press Release

PRESS RELEASE
08 May 2006

Second Year Performing Arts students at the Causeway Institute are busily rehearsing their production of John Godbers, Teechers which will be performed on Thursday, 18th May at Ballymoney Campus starting at 8pm. Teechers vigorously evokes life at a modern Comprehensive, using the format of an end-of-term play to sketch a drama teachers progress through two terms of unruly classes, cynical colleagues and obstructive caretakers until he departs for the safer waters of a private school. The play runs an array of emotions, climaxing with the final scene which gives a poignant edge to the comedy.

In the play, Salty, Gail and Hobby played by Mark Graham, Kirstie Philpott and Kathryn Mc Cullagh make up the leaders of the pack, Mr. Nixon played by Glenn Mc Dowell is their new teacher and Oggy Moxon, played by Daniel Sharkey is the school bully. Other members of the cast include Ruth Smallwoods, Brian Swann and Paul Black. The show is being directed by Performing Arts lecturer, Gemma Shannon. A must see show for everyone who has ever been to school!

Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children and can be purchased from reception at the Causeway Institutes Ballymoney Campus. For further information please contact Hilary or Olive on 028 2766 0401 or visit www.causeway.ac.uk

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 11th May 2006]

My Qoute about First Diploma Drama now on its website

I think this is pretty cool that they quote me about what i thought of my year in the BTEC First Diploma Course. Here is that qoute.

Brian Swann As someone who lacks confidence when performing, I found the experience of First Diploma to be a turning point for me. I enjoyed all of the practical work and have found it to be a major factor in my decision to return to the National Diploma this year.

[Originally Posted on my Myspace Blog - 8th April 2006]

http://www.causeway.ac.uk/courses/student_profile.asp?fldProfileID=21

Evaluation of Monologue Performance

When I decided on my monologue at first I didn’t understand what type of monologue we were meant to choose.

At first I choose a scene from the film ‘Jerry Maguire’ not knowing what a monologue was. Then I search the Internet to find a monologue that lasted three minutes that would be best suited to my style of acting. I found a website that was best fix for actors called ‘Actor Point.com’ which had Monologues divided into men and women, ages and more importantly length of how long the performance is meant to be.

While looking at this website I discovered the best monologue that best suited my acting style. The one I ended up choosing is ‘Grant Me Serenity’ by Shannon McDougall. I fell in love with the script as I found the character challenging to perform and wanted something different from what I would normally play.

In my rehearsal process I had to learn how to perform an American accent. While it the past I found putting on a Belfast and Austrian accent was easy to me, an American accent would become tricky for me
From reading to Monologue I understand the accent has to sound like I come from Oklahoma and live in New York recently. Looking at movies and television shows which had characters from these places in America, I was able to pick up the accent from these sources and felt good about the accent I picked up from these films. Now I can’t get the main song from the movie Oklahoma out of my head but it’s worth it for this project.

Other problems I have it rehearsal is learning the lines. As this was the first monologue I have ever learnt, finding tricks in remembering lines was one of my best ways of learning the monologue.
I started off saying each of the lines four times to get myself to remember then I read paragraphs very fast to also remember. I repeated this system for each of the lines and paragraphs and then the whole monologue. This helped my confidence in knowing my lines ready to perform my monologue on the final date.

On the date of the main performance, we had the chance to practise are pieces and I chose the stage to run through my monologue. With the teacher seeing me on the stage, I was chosen to perform first.
So I was ready to perform my monologue “Grant Me Serenity”.
After my performance was done and I pick myself from the floor, I then thought about the minor improvements I would make to my performance because I believe I performed one of my best drama pieces.

While I didn’t forget much of my lines I did pause a couple of more times than I actually planned. Another thing I did was repeated certain lines twice in a row without meaning too simply because of slight nerves I had while performing the monologue.With the tricks I learnt about remembering script gave me no trouble and judging the audience reaction, I believe my performance was really strong and well received by my fellow classmates.


THIS WAS THE MONOLOGUE I PERFORMED

Grant Me Serenity by Shannon McDougall

Character:
Adam

Gender:
Male

Age (range):
45

Style:
Drama

Length:
3 minutes

Background Info: The character, Adam discussing and contemplating suicide. His speech is directed at God.

God grant me wings to fly, so I can fly far above the heavens and reach a state of heavenly bliss. Can’t you at least give me that? I mean, I’ve been bleeding ever since I arrived on this miserable planet...... I know you aren’t listening, but hey that's fine that's fucking fine, your absence is almost comforting. I was once hopeful. I wanted to be a dancer in a world where people surrendered themselves to the music, felt the beat and lived the passion. My dreams came crashing down every time father said "Men don’t dance, I ought to belt you, you little bastard," But that never stopped me. I fell in love 20 years ago, I was so desperately in love but that didn’t last, ha nothing ever does, you should know that.

After I left her, I earned enough cash to buy a guitar. She was brand new and perfectly tuned. She was my first love. My second was a bottle of whiskey. I thought of who I might give my greatest possession to when death took me. I left suzie in Oklahoma with the promise that I would come back. I broke my promise and now the guilt has eaten me inside out. I can hardly breathe. The memory of leaving her is burnt into the back of my head and now regret consumes my soul. I never forgot about her, never, I was consumed by evil. I turned into a lost soul, wandering into the dark places.

All I needed was the courage to triumph over the evil, but it was easier not to. You gave me all the talent I needed, but I was unable to nurture it. Once upon a time, I would hear Buddy Holly’s music on the wireless and it always inspired me, reassuring me that I had reason to live. He is like a comet blazing brightly, I am a sleepy planet, a candle burnt out, desperate to reach the surface.

New York was a mistake waiting to happen. The city of dreams they say, they lie. This stinking city has brought me misfortune and from that I keep bad memories. So many people have left this city as failures, I am no exception I just never left. The very stench of failure crowds my air. New York swallowed me whole and then spat me out, numb. I would sit alone at night playing my guitar softly being careful not to wake anyone. Although my vision was hazed from so many sleepless nights I pressed on trying to reach perfection, but their was no love in my heart, it had already set to stone.

I would do anything to go back. Do you have any empathy? Any regard for your people? Do you like to watch the torment, the suffering, the pain ?! I am bleeding, I am pained, I am the walking dead! Please excuse me, for this world does not have room for people like me.

I was merely a visitor. Now I will sit amongst the stars and watch the world as it continues to spin without me. My death will end the pressure, and I will float. I will float away into the distance until I reach a state of heavenly bliss with or without your help.


BRIAN

I've picked up a strong Northern Irish Accent in Northern Ireland

The title does explain my shock about hearing my voice when we were watching our practise performance of our upcoming play "Teechers" on Video.
First of all am so please that the Speech Problem that has effected my voice for as long as i remembered is now history but by losing this life long problem, i've picked up a strong Northern Ireland accent.
I love to know where i got this from and who gave it to me. I hope that whenever i may need it i can pick up an american or british almost perfectly.