Accident Prone

Apologies for not blogging as frequently as I should have been. But trust my luck, I get back from the wonderful gig that was Trafalgar 200 to get knocked off my bicycle!

It was your typical – nudge the bloke, panic and flee – situation. Dashed up the inside of me, glance my front wheel as they turn right in front of me and leave me in the road.

I have to admit, I was very lucky. All I appear to have done to myself is tear a few mussels in my right arm and cut my elbow. I now am going to go out and buy myself a bicycle helmet! It was just a little too close for comfort.

Hence with the arm damage, typing has fallen off the plot!

And another thing has reared its ugly head again! A new TV programme is being made about my good friend Steve Hilder. Just when we all thought that we could start living our lives again – here come the press again, asking ever more stupid questions.

I have to get these people off my back before I can start writing and editing again seriously.

Still, given a little leave, I’m sure the muse will kick in with vengeance.

It’s hip to be Square

So, I’m back. I’ve been to London, done the job and am raring to go.

What was I doing? Well, the Royal Navy decided to have it’s finale to the Trafalgar 200 celebrations in Trafalgar Square. This was designed to highlight Nelson’s qualities and show how they are still admired today and continue to shape the Royal Navy and the country.

Indeed, I heard one historian comment that it is hard for us to realise the influence and esteem of Nelson. Imagine a leader respected as much as Churchill, but loved as much as Diana Princess of Wales. You’d be getting close, but you’d still have a way to go.

So, the Royal Navy took over the Square for the weekend. The idea was to have two shows. In part one, there would be light-hearted entertainment, but with a maritime/RN flavour (Royal Marines Band, Sea Cadets taking the Mickey out of some poor victimised Officer, Physical Training Instructors dancing the hornpipe and demonstrating the use of Cutlasses and interviews with seafarers and 2008/2012 sailing Olympians). In the second part, they moved to high drama with Royal Marines (Yes, they are part of the RN – Naval Service – not the Army) storming the square to rescue hostages, respects paid to those that lost their lives on HMS HOOD, talk about the prevention of drug smuggling – and of course, what happened to Nelson on 12 Oct 1805.

What was my part? I wrote the scripts for part one of the show; I effectively produced the first part of the show, I was the presenter/interviewer – I stood in front of 10,000 and managed to make them laugh and applaud at the times that I wanted them to.

It was one heck of an experience. It didn’t go off without problems – people were missing when I needed them to go on stage, one individual was not on top form… But at the end, the audience didn’t know anything about it. Plus I managed to complete my 30 mins on stage to the second! I was terrified about over running – or worse being far to fast and leaving a huge pause in the events… But I was to the second!

What an experience! I’ve had loads of feed back – and people were not stroking my ego: there was a lot of constructive criticism. But all of it concluded with “you were very professional” or “you put on a great show”.

I can’t believe that it’s over. But at least it means that I can get back to writing now – I can keep this blog updated.

If I can get hold of some decent photographs of the show – I’ll make sure that I post them.

Square Standing

A long absence from posting – sorry! What can I say in mitigation?

I’ve been desperately busy! And I’ve been writing – but not stageplays.

I have been asked to be the master of ceremonies in Trafalgar Square on Sunday (23 Oct 05) night for the finale to the Trafalgar 200 celebrations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/listings/programme.shtml?day=sunday&service_id=4224&filename=20051023/20051023_2000_4224_41179_60

As such, I have been writing the scripts, arranging interviews, talking with producers, debating with Admirals… It’s a bit entertaining.

But I will be back after the weekend and blogging properly then.

If at first you don’t succeed…

…get a different rulebook!

So, The Play’s The Thing didn’t work out for me… It’s not the first rejection I’ve had. But strangely enough, this rejection didn’t faze me that much.

For some reason, I really thought it would. I had dreamed about making the final, how the filming would have gone – and what it would have been like attending the West End premier – so it was sure to hit me right in the vulnerable parts, right?

What did I do that night? I logged into my chatroom, had a chat with a few other contestants… And started working on an anthology of shorts I’m going to publish!

It’s the fastest I’ve ever picked myself up!

I instantly started thinking about what to do next – and the ideas were flooding, albeit none of them new…

So what is the new game plan? Well this time, I’m taking control! I’ve played with competitions and submitting to agents – and that hasn’t worked.

Now that doesn’t mean that I’m not going to keep on doing it – but they are not going to be my principle route anymore. Now, I’m going for producers first! I’ve already got an in with an artistic director – and she’ll be receiving my scripts by the end of the week (he says looking at the neatly printed manuscript before him).

But moreover – I’m going to sell my plays myself! I’ve Rambled about how hard it is to deal with agents in this country. Well, now I’m going to be one! Although the plan is just past its embryonic stage – the online agency is ready to move forward. I will be my own agent, and will agent other like-minded and capable playwrights.

I’ll gain my published credit in the next four weeks! I’m currently editing an anthology of comic shorts, including 2 of mine (and I’m toying with the idea of entering a third!).

My re-design of the website is going great guns – so, I’m going to ensure my professional image!

Plus, I have at least two play ideas that I’m working on.

Like I’ve said before – I’ve had rejections that I can live with… But if they make me this motivated, I’ll take a few more.

The Play’s The Thing may have rejected me… But all I can think of is the faces on the audiences that have seen my works. That proves to me that Channel 4 as missed out!

I will make it as a professional playwright – It’s just up to me to make it happen now – not rely on someone else!