Reader(s) Win

If there is 1 organisation that renews my faith in the benefits the arts actually have on young people, it is the mindblowing charity, Scene and Heard.

A few readers already volunteer and some I know are considering it.

So I wanted to briefly touch on what makes them special.

This is what the charity do in their own words:

The kids write the play. No human characters. And then directors and actors are tasked with performing them truthfully as possible.

The plays are equal parts touching, hilarious, devastating, and double bonkers.

And the young people who write them really are something special.

We're currently in rehearsals for this season's plays - and whilst I cannot reveal any details about it, on pain of death...

Here is an extract from the first play I was part of called "The Ice Crystal" in which I played Stormzy - a rainstorm (alongside Mika - a Chinchilla). It was written by an amazing kiddo, who was just incredible.

© 2021 Scene & Heard

If you would like to volunteer - please do it. It is one of the most joyous things to be a part of. Not only do the young people get a huge amount out of it (below)...

But you do too. You get a ringside seat to the power the arts can have on young people, you leave feeling energised and hopeful + you get to muck about with some amazing other performers you would never have met otherwise.

It really is something special.

The first step to volunteering is watching a show.

And you're in luck, the one we're rehearsing's up next week on 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th Nov.

​Here is the link for tickets. They are free.

Do let me know if/when you are coming (reply to this email) and we will get a drinky drinko after.

You can find out more about Volunteering for S&H here.

Shit

Longtime readers of the letter will know that every few months or so I bang on about the Creative Process:

The timing generally corresponds to when I am in the I am shit phase, and it's no different today.

This phase is what an acting teacher of yore lovingly referred to as the "Sainsbury's Dip".

I think that's a bit unfair on Sainsbury's.

I'd prefer to call it the

"Children's-Entertainer-At-A-Kids-Party-With-Paying-Parents-Watching-As-He-Desperately-Tries-To-Make-Their-5-Year-Olds-Laugh-Dressed-As-A-Cheap-Postman-Pat Dip"

I bang on about the Creative Process constantly because it helps.

It helps because once you become aware that you are in the I Am Shit phase, you remember something important that you've almost certainly forgotten:

This is not forever.

You are not permanently broken.

You are where you are supposed to be-

Knee deep in the process.

What you are working on wouldn't be worthwhile if you didn't go through this phase.

In fact, I would argue that if you don't find yourself going through the I am Shit phase, something might be wrong with what you are working on.

Or you're using too much Ai.

If you do find yourself wanting to give up, or thinking that you don't deserve to be where you are, or that you are shit, know that you are categorically not.

You are exactly where you're supposed to be.

You are in the process

Things get better.

They always do.

just

keep

going.

Casting of the Week

This is a new segment I'm trying out. If you like it, reply and let me know.

There's a cool casting on Spotlight right now - a commercial directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Bugonia, Poor Things, The Favourite). Multiple roles, shoots 10th/11th December in London, with usage fees between £7,500-£10,000.

But I can't tell you any more about it.

Why?

Because Spotlight's terms of service say casting breakdowns are "strictly private and confidential" and sharing them publicly "is a breach of copyright." If I post the details here, they'll kick me off the platform.

Unfortunately i need them more than they need me.

​Last week I wrote about how Spotlight claims they're not a job platform - but just a "marketing tool." If that's true, why do they treat job postings like classified information? Why the copyright protection? Why the threat of suspension?

Well it's probably because they're a job platform. They just don't want to be regulated like one.

What you can do about the casting:

• If you're on Spotlight, check your paid jobs feed.
• If you're not, the casting director (Lara Manwaring) is accepting submissions at assistant@laramanwaring.com - but you'll need to find the full breakdown to see what roles they're casting. And I don't know how you do that without Spotlight.

​

What can you do about a rigged system

• Stay up to date about Equity's current appeal against Spotlight's Tax on Hope. Follow the fight. Keep an eye on what's going on. And participate when it's time.
• ​Join Equity - The only way to protect ourselves from extortionate fees, our likeness being stolen for Ai, piss poor contracts, and feeling alone in a system that's out to get you, is collective action. You really are not alone at all.)
• I can't emphasise the following point enough:

The only way to make our Union stronger is for more people who want things to change to fight together

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Shortly before going to press, i received some amazing news from a pal of mine. Life really has it's moments.

I hope you have an amazing week.

I'll see you next Monday!

As always do let me know if you hated it/liked it/resented the ai comment etc. Just reply to this email. And if you have anything that you made that you want me to shout out about - I'd love to put it in the letter! Just hit reply.

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A x

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P.s. the competition to win a Selftape Tripod still continues! If you send this on to just 1 person who might enjoy this letter it really makes my day. Forward it to a few or send them this link to join the family (and let me know) and I'll put you up on the leaderboard to win a Tripod (Uk p+p included).

The competition closes next Sunday.