Friday, May 28, 2010
The Lone Star State...
On Sunday, I’m flying to Texas for two weeks to visit my friends Jill and Andrew! Getting very excited now – I can’t wait to see my friends and it’s also my first time going to America. All I know about Texas is based on the TV show ‘Dallas’ so it’ll be interesting to see how different/similar it actually is! I hope to keep a half-decent account of my time while I'm over there. Let the adventure begin!
At Play...
And so on Sunday, we performed our play. As mentioned in an earlier post, it was an adaptation of a Raymond Carver story ‘What We Talk About When We Talk About Love’. We were performing it as part of the One Act Festival organized by the Galway Youth Theatre. The story centres on 2 couples – Herb and Terri, and Nick and Laura – who are sitting around drinking gin and talking about love. Donnacha was playing Herb, the main character of the piece and he immediately inhabited the character of the slightly sozzled doctor, who tells one story after another irritating his poor wife, played brilliantly by Marie, along the way. Nick and Laura are the slightly more idealistic couple, still very much in love, not quite as battered down as their counterparts. John played Nick, with an amazing Southern accent, and great comic timing, while I ambled along as Laura as best I could!
We’d put an awful amount of work into the play – hours of rehearsal, over countless evenings. We had one minor heart attack a week before the play was due to performed when we realized we actually maybe didn’t know the lines as well as we should, so we set about rectifying this quickly. We worked out our movements, our reactions, John and I worked on a little dance routine (including a practice session in the Róisín Dubh one Saturday night) and we felt by the end we’d put together a good play, and we were confident that the story was strong enough to keep the interest of the audience.
The weekend came along and we crammed in the last few practice sessions. The nerves were slowly building as was the realization that we were actually going to have to perform this thing! In front of people! And more specifically, in front of our friends who might decide it best to shun us forever if the performance was a disaster. Sunday came along, as it is wont to do, and we had our technical rehearsal – which was actually very exciting! It was pretty amazing to have it sink in that this was actually happening and there was no going back! That evening, we all gathered at Nun’s Island and prepared to hit the stage.
We found out we were going to be 5th. This was not a fun prospect, as we had to sit in the front row of the audience and watch 4 other performances, and keep a hold of our nerves at the same time. The first act started and immediately I wanted to run out of the building – they were brilliant! As were the ones that followed – we had some job to follow them! After the 4th act, I felt strangely calm as we got out of our seats and began to prepare the stage. Luckily the lights prevented me from seeing the crowd too clearly, so in a way we could pretend they weren’t there. And so we began!
We started well, no-one froze and forgot their lines, our accents were ok and the audience laughed – a lot! Lines we didn’t realize were funny got big laughs, while bits we thought were funny maybe didn’t get quite as big a reaction. That was great, but in a way I found it hard to stay in the moment and not laugh along with the audience. About halfway through, I think we lost it a little – the second half wasn’t as good as it had been in rehearsals, but we were still happy with it. We’d a bit of a blip where a section towards the end got skipped over, but the audience didn’t notice. And then we were done!
Twenty minutes on the stage felt like maybe 5! It was incredible. I felt really strange immediately afterwards – I couldn’t believe we’d just done what we’d done and we’d survived! We didn’t make a massive mess of it, sure it wasn’t the best we’d done but still – we did it and it was a great achievement! The rest of the night felt like a dream as we watched the rest of the acts, and then quickly debunked to the nearest pub for a well-earned pint or two, along with the other groups who’d performed! There was a lovely atmosphere, everyone complimented everyone else and there was a great sense of camaraderie. We then finished off the night with a dance in the Róisín (it seemed only right) and then our adventures in theatre-land were well and truly over!
The day after was amazing, I was really filled with a sense of achievement and pride in what we’d done. I can really see how people love being on stage – it’s quite an amazing feeling! Would I do it again? Sure, but only on a small scale! I can’t see myself auditioning for any big shows – but maybe I’d like to get involved in the organization of one in the future. All I know for sure is, it was an amazing thrill and now I’m looking for my next project!
We’d put an awful amount of work into the play – hours of rehearsal, over countless evenings. We had one minor heart attack a week before the play was due to performed when we realized we actually maybe didn’t know the lines as well as we should, so we set about rectifying this quickly. We worked out our movements, our reactions, John and I worked on a little dance routine (including a practice session in the Róisín Dubh one Saturday night) and we felt by the end we’d put together a good play, and we were confident that the story was strong enough to keep the interest of the audience.
The weekend came along and we crammed in the last few practice sessions. The nerves were slowly building as was the realization that we were actually going to have to perform this thing! In front of people! And more specifically, in front of our friends who might decide it best to shun us forever if the performance was a disaster. Sunday came along, as it is wont to do, and we had our technical rehearsal – which was actually very exciting! It was pretty amazing to have it sink in that this was actually happening and there was no going back! That evening, we all gathered at Nun’s Island and prepared to hit the stage.
We found out we were going to be 5th. This was not a fun prospect, as we had to sit in the front row of the audience and watch 4 other performances, and keep a hold of our nerves at the same time. The first act started and immediately I wanted to run out of the building – they were brilliant! As were the ones that followed – we had some job to follow them! After the 4th act, I felt strangely calm as we got out of our seats and began to prepare the stage. Luckily the lights prevented me from seeing the crowd too clearly, so in a way we could pretend they weren’t there. And so we began!
We started well, no-one froze and forgot their lines, our accents were ok and the audience laughed – a lot! Lines we didn’t realize were funny got big laughs, while bits we thought were funny maybe didn’t get quite as big a reaction. That was great, but in a way I found it hard to stay in the moment and not laugh along with the audience. About halfway through, I think we lost it a little – the second half wasn’t as good as it had been in rehearsals, but we were still happy with it. We’d a bit of a blip where a section towards the end got skipped over, but the audience didn’t notice. And then we were done!
Twenty minutes on the stage felt like maybe 5! It was incredible. I felt really strange immediately afterwards – I couldn’t believe we’d just done what we’d done and we’d survived! We didn’t make a massive mess of it, sure it wasn’t the best we’d done but still – we did it and it was a great achievement! The rest of the night felt like a dream as we watched the rest of the acts, and then quickly debunked to the nearest pub for a well-earned pint or two, along with the other groups who’d performed! There was a lovely atmosphere, everyone complimented everyone else and there was a great sense of camaraderie. We then finished off the night with a dance in the Róisín (it seemed only right) and then our adventures in theatre-land were well and truly over!
The day after was amazing, I was really filled with a sense of achievement and pride in what we’d done. I can really see how people love being on stage – it’s quite an amazing feeling! Would I do it again? Sure, but only on a small scale! I can’t see myself auditioning for any big shows – but maybe I’d like to get involved in the organization of one in the future. All I know for sure is, it was an amazing thrill and now I’m looking for my next project!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Swings and Roundabouts...
'Swing', one of the short films made by the GMIT film and TV class of 2009. I was an extra in it - the end product isn't maybe the greatest thing ever made, but it was a fun experience!
Morning Rising...
The view of the sun rising from the docks, one chilly morning (photo taken by me).
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Our Spring Was Wonderful, But The Summer Is Over…
Currently working my way through ‘Paris, Je T’aime’ – a collection of short films set in Paris. This is one I was familiar with already, ‘True’ starring Natalie Portman and directed and written by Tom Tykwer. It’s rather moving and wonderful to watch.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
You Really Got Me...
Sigh.
Cillian Murphy.
I LOVE Cillian Murphy, I just think he’s such an amazing actor and he’s just ridiculously attractive – those blue eyes are killer! I was lucky enough to get to meet him in person last Saturday night – I was in Nimmo’s restaurant here in Galway, having dinner with some friends to celebrate a birthday. A friend of ours was attending a party being held above the restaurant, and she popped down to us shortly after midnight to say Cillian Murphy had joined the party! I started having palpitations at the thought of being in the same building as the man! She suggested popping up to the party, and I decided to go for it so I went upstairs with her, and began to zealously look about for him – we spotted him and I started to have palpitations…again! I was sent to fetch my camera and once I returned to the party, I was promptly brought over to him and my photograph taken with him - excuse me for sounding like a total fanatic here, but it was ridiculously exciting! He put his arm around me and I nearly collapsed! We took a couple photos – I think I’d completely forgotten how to breathe at this point – and I just said ‘thanks very much, sorry for bothering you!’ and he was all ‘that’s fine, not a bother!’ and rubbed my back and oh my god, I just nearly died and went to heaven! I was just ridiculously excited after the event, and I still am to be honest! I think the fact that he was really nice and everything has probably helped – if he’d turned out to be an asshole, I think it might have killed me.
In any case, it cemented for me how big a fan I am of his and I’ve begun to reflect on his films – it was only when I started looking through his credits, that I remembered just how many films he’s been in. I’ve picked out a few as particular favourites.
I’ve been a fan of his since watching Disco Pigs – the film version. I’d love to have seen him in the play version, I think he’s just electric as Pig – a dreamer, who’s volatile and caught up in a world where reality and dreams intermingle until they’re indistinguishable from the other. This world is also occupied by Runt, who is much calmer and independent, and who slowly begins to see a life beyond Pig.
Elaine Cassidy gives a great performance in this as Runt, but Cillian Murphy is just unreal. There’s something so sympathetic and pleading about his performance but also something uneasy, like you just know his character cannot carry on such an existence and something has to give. It’s incredibly intense and an unforgettable performance.
The next film he worked on was 28 Days Later – a film I just love. It’s one of the very few horror films of the last decade that is genuinely scary – most of this is down to how it is shot using DV cameras, lending the zombies a much more threatening and unnerving quality.
Cillian is as always fantastic in this and even manages to rock the half-shaved-head look! I think it was probably with this film that the world began to sit up and notice him.
What I like about him is while he has starred in many big production films, he still comes back to Ireland to star in smaller productions. One of my favourites of his Irish films is Intermission – it may not be the most fantastic film ever made, but it’s very enjoyable and I could watch it a million times! He plays the straight role in it, in comparison to the more comedic turns of Colin Farrell and Shirley Henderson for example, but as ever, he’s very compelling to watch – and he looks dreamy too!
Cillian also starred in the Ken Loach film The Wind That Shakes The Barley – a film I really must watch again. I enjoyed it when I saw it in the cinema…is enjoy the right word? I found myself putting my popcorn and coke down on the ground, as it felt inappropriate somehow, given the material, to be sitting there, munching away. It’s a powerful film and Cillian proves he can lead a production of that size and gives a great performance as the conflicted Damien O’Donovan.
I’ve just thrown this film in – mainly because Cillian looks gorgeous in it and I also love the style of the film (the film itself was not that great). The Edge of Love centres on the story of Dylan Thomas and his relationship with two women, both of whom he loves in different ways. Cillian plays a soldier caught up in this mess. The film itself fails because you just can’t believe the two women could possibly love Thomas, who lacks charm and appeal – he’s a woefully underdeveloped character in the film. Cillian’s part is smaller than the trailer would lead you to believe but it’s worth watching, just to see him in uniform!
And so ends my retrospective on Cillian Murphy’s career – I must apologise for it not being an entirely serious or credible piece, I should be focusing on his acting more than his looks, but I just can’t help myself!
Cillian Murphy.
I LOVE Cillian Murphy, I just think he’s such an amazing actor and he’s just ridiculously attractive – those blue eyes are killer! I was lucky enough to get to meet him in person last Saturday night – I was in Nimmo’s restaurant here in Galway, having dinner with some friends to celebrate a birthday. A friend of ours was attending a party being held above the restaurant, and she popped down to us shortly after midnight to say Cillian Murphy had joined the party! I started having palpitations at the thought of being in the same building as the man! She suggested popping up to the party, and I decided to go for it so I went upstairs with her, and began to zealously look about for him – we spotted him and I started to have palpitations…again! I was sent to fetch my camera and once I returned to the party, I was promptly brought over to him and my photograph taken with him - excuse me for sounding like a total fanatic here, but it was ridiculously exciting! He put his arm around me and I nearly collapsed! We took a couple photos – I think I’d completely forgotten how to breathe at this point – and I just said ‘thanks very much, sorry for bothering you!’ and he was all ‘that’s fine, not a bother!’ and rubbed my back and oh my god, I just nearly died and went to heaven! I was just ridiculously excited after the event, and I still am to be honest! I think the fact that he was really nice and everything has probably helped – if he’d turned out to be an asshole, I think it might have killed me.
In any case, it cemented for me how big a fan I am of his and I’ve begun to reflect on his films – it was only when I started looking through his credits, that I remembered just how many films he’s been in. I’ve picked out a few as particular favourites.
I’ve been a fan of his since watching Disco Pigs – the film version. I’d love to have seen him in the play version, I think he’s just electric as Pig – a dreamer, who’s volatile and caught up in a world where reality and dreams intermingle until they’re indistinguishable from the other. This world is also occupied by Runt, who is much calmer and independent, and who slowly begins to see a life beyond Pig.
Elaine Cassidy gives a great performance in this as Runt, but Cillian Murphy is just unreal. There’s something so sympathetic and pleading about his performance but also something uneasy, like you just know his character cannot carry on such an existence and something has to give. It’s incredibly intense and an unforgettable performance.
The next film he worked on was 28 Days Later – a film I just love. It’s one of the very few horror films of the last decade that is genuinely scary – most of this is down to how it is shot using DV cameras, lending the zombies a much more threatening and unnerving quality.
Cillian is as always fantastic in this and even manages to rock the half-shaved-head look! I think it was probably with this film that the world began to sit up and notice him.
What I like about him is while he has starred in many big production films, he still comes back to Ireland to star in smaller productions. One of my favourites of his Irish films is Intermission – it may not be the most fantastic film ever made, but it’s very enjoyable and I could watch it a million times! He plays the straight role in it, in comparison to the more comedic turns of Colin Farrell and Shirley Henderson for example, but as ever, he’s very compelling to watch – and he looks dreamy too!
Cillian also starred in the Ken Loach film The Wind That Shakes The Barley – a film I really must watch again. I enjoyed it when I saw it in the cinema…is enjoy the right word? I found myself putting my popcorn and coke down on the ground, as it felt inappropriate somehow, given the material, to be sitting there, munching away. It’s a powerful film and Cillian proves he can lead a production of that size and gives a great performance as the conflicted Damien O’Donovan.
I’ve just thrown this film in – mainly because Cillian looks gorgeous in it and I also love the style of the film (the film itself was not that great). The Edge of Love centres on the story of Dylan Thomas and his relationship with two women, both of whom he loves in different ways. Cillian plays a soldier caught up in this mess. The film itself fails because you just can’t believe the two women could possibly love Thomas, who lacks charm and appeal – he’s a woefully underdeveloped character in the film. Cillian’s part is smaller than the trailer would lead you to believe but it’s worth watching, just to see him in uniform!
And so ends my retrospective on Cillian Murphy’s career – I must apologise for it not being an entirely serious or credible piece, I should be focusing on his acting more than his looks, but I just can’t help myself!
Friday, May 21, 2010
You Make My Dreams Come True...
I loved the film '500 Days of Summer' and I was particularly smitten by how Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel were styled in the movie - the clothes were fabulous and they made a very handsome pair. If I had a wardrobe like Zooey and a husband who looked like Joseph, I'd be pretty darn happy!
This was my favourite bit from the movie - I love the random dance sequence and the song is just ridiculously brilliant!
This was my favourite bit from the movie - I love the random dance sequence and the song is just ridiculously brilliant!
Virginia Plain...
Items in this set:
Knitted Bead Lace Shoulder Top, $80
Miss Real A-Line Skirt, 21 GBP
VIOLA Flower Ballet Shoes, $36
Don't Play By Rulesss, Bcs You'll Never Winnnn, 125 GBP
Gold Filigree Butterfly Ring, 6 GBP
Knitted Bead Lace Shoulder Top, $80
Miss Real A-Line Skirt, 21 GBP
VIOLA Flower Ballet Shoes, $36
Don't Play By Rulesss, Bcs You'll Never Winnnn, 125 GBP
Gold Filigree Butterfly Ring, 6 GBP
In Utero…
I’m not sure I care so much anymore who really is behind iamamiwhoami – the most recent tracks have not impressed me greatly, nor intrigued me as much as the earlier ones. This one is my favourite…
Indian Revelry...
... in Bangalore in 2008. I can't take credit for all of the photos, some are taken by my friends.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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