Life Update 30/10/12. Which is Witch, Some Girls, One on Young.

Introduction

I am currently in Belgium. Specifically, Liege. The reason is because of an assassination gone wrong (Bruges is actually only about 40minutes away so, will have to visit it soon). I am here filming a series called Which is Witch, a show about a fairy and a witch that arrive in this dimension. It’s a pretty kooky and fun show. We have just finished rehearsal as well as the press photoshoot (I did a ridiculous amount of silly poses, an example being a teddy bear roll). It’s going to get insane as soon as we start filming so, I thought I’d throw the whole update thing in now, while I can! This blog will be about Which is Witch, Some Girls and a little thing about my brand new podcast series "One on Young" (out 6th Nov).

All the photos provided about 'Which is Witch' are from the pilot by Patrick Robert.

Which is Witch

I improvised all down those stairs about my friend Kevin.

This show is the pilot I did in Paris! I’m going to be working on this till around February 2013. During that time I will be filming 26 episodes, which is a lot of anything to be honest. We have 3 studio spaces to play with so the sets are huge and awesome! It's also being shot in 3d as well which added a different dimension to when I watched the pilot (I'm here all week, and the week after, and the week after, and the..).

This is all a crazy experience as it was September 2011 that I had a casting for the show, so it’s been a long time coming. I just can’t wait to get stuck in. Especially as the scripts are fun and I have some great lines to deliver. I’ve also been given the creative licence to improvise at points, which is absolutely great and about 40% the reason why I had accepted to do the show. The producer has a very creative friendly way of going about things, which makes this whole process so much more unique for me and probably would be unique for about 55% of working actors (a lot of percentages I know but, I’m 44% sure that they are precise).

My usaul face during filming.

My character is called Gilbert. I know, pretty funky name (I would love his last name to be 'Greco'). He started off as a mainly nerdish bit role for every episode. Luckily the producer decided that what I had done with it was good enough (along with my usual contained extravagant self in castings) to develop him a lot more into episodes. He’s mega erratic and very much a genius (I invent so much crazy stuff in the episodes I’ve read so far!) but the defining quality is his motor-mouth quirky ways. He’s going to be fun to play around with over the 26 episodes, especially as I can impro!


There is a song and dance in every episode because they are in a band but, luckily for society (and my impending “dance related” lawsuit), I won’t have to do much of that at all. I’m the band manager/roadie after all (how awesome is that!). I did want to have mutton chops and a denim jacket, but they wouldn’t let me. I’ve also asked to always wear a cape in every episode, but they weren’t keen on that or the Viking helmet (I genuinely have asked).

The producer also allowed me (after I showed several hints of my keen nature towards the writing side of it) to let me sit in the writers meetings for the show. This, without going into too much information for this blog, has been invaluable. To watch writers who have been doing it for over 25 years has been a fantastic asset for a 20 year old aspiring writer like myself. I’ve learnt so much, from the writing process, the brainstorming and the necessity for group thinking and different eyes on ideas and projects. After a few weeks of doing these meetings, I have already changed loads of my older scripts which I had felt were put together eloquently (they really weren’t). I’ve also gained the title of ‘Junior Screenwriter’, which is a crazy honour!

Happy times

I never thought I would actually be in a show like this. I openly admit, I had reservations (I felt this way since I was 16). But just looking at the scripts, the fellow actors (who are fantastic) and the creative accessibilities I’ve been given, I can’t help but think “what’s not to like!” This is a perfect opportunity to hone my craft and get as much on set experience as possible (14 weeks of filming). I’ve never felt as if I’ve learnt/experienced enough so I’m going to grab this with both hands! All I need is for Josie Lawrence (a talented lady who was a big inspiration to do improvisation for myself) to be my Mum in the show and it’ll be perfect!

I probably will find living here for such long periods (9 weeks in Liege, 2 weeks back for Christmas and new year then 6 weeks out again) quite difficult. Especially as I have such a great family and set of friends back home. I’ve only been gone for two weeks (from the time I wrote this) and I’m already missing them. I just wanted to say that I love you all and I can’t wait to see you when I’m back.

If any comfort for those who may miss me, I’m having a great time. I’m finally doing something that I had dreamt about for years upon years, I’m waking up and acting.

 

Much love to everyone in this photo

Some Girls

Some Girls (a show I did in February) will be out November 6^th on BBC Three! I’m in the last episode, which is a right behemoth of a series ender! But, please do watch the first episode as it is a very funny show.

The sneak peek is available here, give it a watch.

One on Young

I was recording during my last two weeks in England for my casual interview style podcast “One on
Young”. These will be released from the start of Some Girls (6^th November) and will be available to download for free from Itunes. Without giving too much away, this series has 7 1h average long episodes with my actor/creative type friends. It is filled with: Valuable actor information (an actors approach to a role, the way they think), strange/humorous talky times and the ‘2 Truths 1 Lie’ game. I’ve used the game as a way of the listener to get to know my guest and just the fact that it shows off some improvisation. It’s genuinely fun to listen to and I’m not just saying that. It was a really stressful and yet worthwhile thing to do and I can’t wait to be able to show you them all!

Cheeky Update
Just for those who do visit this blog after the 6th, the link to my podcast is here!

Conclusion

I love being this busy but, by god your gorgeous.

 

CB News Update, Plus Lion Fighting.

Introduction

Hello all! It’s been a good few weeks since I last blogged. What I left you with on the last blog was an update about the three projects I was/am involved in. This blog will be used to give minor updates about two projects, as well as a major update on “Celebrity Bitchslap News”. Hope ya enjoy, if not, I’ll punch this Lion till you do

Also, just as a warning to those who like to look at pictures, their will be a lot of pictures in this blog. I guess warning is a bit of a strong word, but I have been working out (yes, I just used wordage to allow me to show my pride in working out. Without showing photos of course, my hands are too greasy from the chips to use the camera).

Minor Update About the Untitled Pilot and Some Girls

Some Girls

Some Girls will be coming out September/October time on the lovely channel of BBC 3. I went to the screening of the 1^st and 6^th episode (6^th episode being the one I’m in). Their is always nerves when watching a show that you’re in, but this s*it was gooood. It’s not something I’d show the older members of my family, but it’s funny!

Also, for the last year and a half I have been compared to Simon Amstell, looks wise and when I do my high voice. I have now finally noticed it after seeing my massive face on a massive screen during the screening (which was a massive mouthful to say out loud). I may of missed the rest of the episode thinking about it, but at least I've noticed it now. Even one of the editors after (watching both episodes) asked if I was related to him… The ****. But I actually really don’t mind (and no, that’s not the same "I actually really don't mind" when a guy finds out his ex has a new bf “No I’m fine, I really don’t mind, I really don't care anymore” *burns photos and cries in corner of bus*). Despite myself, it’s an incredibly lovely and talented cast who will no doubt make you fall in love with them like I have!

Untitled Pilot

I went to Paris (Oooo va doo) to film this and I had a really good time (minus when I thought I lost my ticket to get home on the last day, thank Maoam for spares). It’s always great fun when you do anything with really funny friends, so filming was a blasty blast. I did start to lose my mind from the incapability to talk to most of the extras/crew because of a language barrier, so I created a character called Clarissa. Clarissa is a 52 year old, 4ft 9 lady with a degree in mathematics but has been forced to become my assistant/carer (“I will trip him up for you master, anything for you master”). As well as Kevin, a creepy dopey man with the voice of The Moon from The Mighty Boosh. I can’t imagine how I’ll do from 13 weeks on set (probably lose my mind further and start licking palms), but I am looking forward to it. I got to improvise loads and button up scenes quite a lot. More on that and the incredibly sweet French fans on another blog! (On the ticket story, turns out I had put it in my suitcase and didn’t think to check there. I know.)

Celebrity Bitchslap News

Well, what can I say about this crazy programme. It’s a 20 minute spoof gossip show by BAFTA winning Alison Jackson. I was lucky to be chosen as a co-host alongside ze gorgeous Pips Taylor and Minnie Stephenson. It came out alongside 6 other shows for the Feed Me Funny Exclusives for BBC
Comedy Online.

It’s cool to be doing pilots alongside Rich Fulcher (who is in WTF), Boy with Tape on his Face and the Dawson Brothers. Along with Marek Larwood and Carl Donnelly who are in Impractical Jokers. Not that I'm saying the others that I haven't mentioned aren't talented, it's just those are the people that I know of and like. If you got a problem with that, get in line with the metaphorical Lion I may or may not fight (or train to become my transportation).

Here’s a clip from Celebrity Bitchslap News to wet your appetite. And yes, it may contain bums.

It was good fun to do and the response has been fantastic from family, friends as well as the media. Here are just a few by the Daily Mail, The Sun and Gay Star News.

I may of mentioned it before (I sure have to my friends and family in a moment of uncontrollable pride). But this picture has been a goal of mine for a while.

The goal of course was for me to say the line "Sean to improvise something"

I have replied to most of the twitter comments with nice replies, as I’m a peace keeper! And they replied back with nice things as well, as they are humans with thoughts and opinions to which they are entitled to. The Daily Mail comments (god bless them) are quite funny as well. Gandalf, that's all I'm saying!

-------->Anyway, here’s the show, hope you enjoy it!!<---------

Also, something I never actually thought would happen for at least a few years happened, I as well as Pipsie were on the BBC Iplayer homepage!

How crazy is that! And yes, every photo has me in midsentence

If you want to say "nice one" or "good work" or "anything". It really should go to Alison, who was the creator and much deserveth of many nice things said to her as possible. As well as the crew that worked on it, they were hilarious and professional, I’m incredibly happy to of worked with them!

You can also say give praise to Pips and Minnie, but say I sent you (for brownie points purposes). OK you can say them to me as well, you don’t have to be so insistent! I don’t know if we are going to series yet, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Final Bits and Bobs Worth Mentioning

Trust Us With Your Life
New Impro show by Mark Leveson and Dan Patterson featuring most of the old gang from Whose Line is it Anyway US. It's worth checking out!

Web Series Idea
I'm currently negotiating the idea of doing a tiny web series made up of small 2-6 minute episodes. Will need an actress with comedy capabilities (playing age of 18-23). If you know anyone who can do such a thing, get them in contact with me or direct their CV and Headshot to allseeinghorse@gmail.com.

Sound Cloud Brown Mound
I have been thinking about doing this idea since I did the 30 day project blog. This idea, is to record myself reading the blogs in a kind of, podcast format. I understand that people either don't have time or just can't be asked to read a huge quantity of writing. I myself am guilty to writing a lot and then slowly losing the will to read it myself! So in doing this, I can maximize the information put out to you while also lessening the demands put to you.

Anyway, thank you very much for reading and supporting me. I do love you so! I hope you have a good week, no matter what week you're reading this on! If you need me, find me on Twitter!

P.S I’d highly recommend the other shows that are available (after watching Celebrity Bitchslap News of course). They are genius! All available on the Feed Me Funny link and here!