DIARY OF AN ACTOR. EP#18. CAROLINE KINSOLVING

DIARY OF AN ACTOR by John Pirkis and Cécile Delepière.

EP#18. ACTORS' NOTES. CAROLINE KINSOLVING

Our second guest in our ACTORS' NOTES series has had a love affair with the spoken word from her infancy. Caroline Kinsolving grew up on a farm in New England and is the daughter of two writers. She attended Milton Academy, The Mountain School, Vassar College, Harbin and Beijing Universities in China, Stella Adler, Yale, and RADA in London. Since graduating she works consistently in theatre, television, and film.

Her heart very firmly belongs to theatre, where amongst her many roles, she has portrayed most of Shakespeare's comedic, romantic heroines. Nor is she a stranger to Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde. She recently received a Best Actress Nomination for her portrayal of 'Vanda' in the American classic, penned by David Ives, VENUS IN FUR for San Diego Rep.

Her latest project, FOEMS (Film & Poems), brings poetry to the next generation through a strong following on YouTube.

When not pursuing her dreams and making them a reality, Caroline is very active in helping others to realise their dreams through the many charities she supports and actively works with. These include StarPaws, BookPals, KCRW, MuchLove, JDRF and CyanGray Foundation.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF AN ACTOR.

Directed by Cécile Delepière

DOLLKILLERFILMS©June2015

CAROLINE KINSOLVING

Caroline Kinsolving grew up on a farm in New England and is the daughter of two writers. She attended Milton Academy, The Mountain School, Vassar College, Harbin and Beijing Universities in China, Stella Adler, Yale, and RADA in London. Since graduating she works consistently in theatre, television, and film.

Caroline Kinsolving began her acting career as Peter Pan. Since then, she has studied at RADA in London, Stella Adler, Yale, Vassar, and Steppenwolf with Jeff Perry, and in New York with Kristin Linklater, Gerald Shoenfeld, and the late, great Mike Nichols. She recently earned a Best Actress nomination for her work as Vanda in Venus in Fur (San Diego Rep); Jennie in Chapter Two (Laguna Playhouse); Olivia in Twelfth Night (The Old Globe); Amanda in Private Lives (ICT); Jo in Little Women (North Coast Rep); Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Viola in Twelfth Night, Rosalind in As You Like It (Kingsmen); John Cariani's Almost, Maine (The Colony Theatre); Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, All In the Timing (Harold Clurman Rep); Coriolanus (Shaw Theatre). Television: “Medium,” “Criminal Minds” (with Tim Curry),“Cold Case,” “Satisfaction,” “My Crazy Ex,” “Sam Has 7 Friends,” “Headhunters” (Pilot). Film: “Krankenhaus,” “The Pink Conspiracy,” “Break,” “The Adventures of Umbweki,” “Noobz,” “Puppy Love,” “The Collaboration.” Her new project, FOEMS (Film+Poems), brings poetry to the next generation through a strong following on YouTube.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2349537/

http://carolinekinsolving.com/

https://www.facebook.com/caroline.kinsolving

https://twitter.com/foemsbyck/

https://instagram.com/carolinekinsolving/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2Al6uv3GFubWWEIMJ1j1A

CHARITIES and COMMUNITIES:

http://www.starpawsnyc.com/

http://sagfoundation.org/childrens-literacy/about/

http://www.kcrw.com/

http://www.muchlove.org/

http://jdrf.org/

https://www.facebook.com/CyanGrayHope

DIARY OF AN ACTOR. Ep#17 ELITISM.

DIARY OF AN ACTOR by John Pirkis and Cécile Delepière.

Ep#17 ELITISM.

In January of this year the Shadow Arts Minister, Chris Bryant, wrote an open letter to The Guardian newspaper (UK), in which he expressed his frustration that the acting profession is top heavy with 'Posh Kids', and that 'working class' kids are not getting the same opportunities to pursue a career in acting. He specifically singled out, Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne and James Blunt, as being amongst a 'legion' of privileged talent currently dominating our screens, stages and airwaves.

James Blunt and Benedict Cumberbatch rose to what they perceived as personal attacks, and denounced Chris Bryant as being 'Classist'. This generated a raft of subsequent articles in the paper with actors both 'posh' and 'working class' weighing in, and the heads of the leading British drama schools, refuting the claim that 'working class' kids are not getting a look in.

When you strip it away to the bare bones, what it basically comes down to is lack of care, foresight and funding from the government at the grass roots, in ensuring that State schools have a sound arts and drama curriculum to support those less fortunate kids in nurturing their interest and assisting their desire to realise their dreams of being active participants in the acting profession.

So what is the solution? As this week's Vlog reveals, nothing is quite what it seems, but nevertheless immediate action is required to redress the increasing hemorrhaging of talent due to the growing deficit in funding of the Arts across the board, from State school, to drama school, to performance.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF AN ACTOR.

Directed By Cécile Delepière

DOLLKILLERFILMS@June2015

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DIARY OF AN ACTOR. Ep#16.Yvonne Wandera

DIARY OF AN ACTOR by John Pirkis and Cécile Delepière.

Ep#16. ACTORS' NOTES: Yvonne Wandera

Yvonne was our very first guest on the original series. Since we decided to re-brand the DIARIES, we wanted to 'bring' Yvonne with us and reinstate her where she firmly belongs in, DIARY OF AN ACTOR. ACTORS' NOTES.

So we are delighted to welcome back, Yvonne Wandera as our very first guest of the relaunched series. Yvonne is not only a very talented actress, but she is also a playwright and screenwriter. Trained at R.A.D.A., and before that as a young teenager at the famous Sylvia Young School in London, Yvonne is steadily climbing the ladder to international acclaim as an actress since moving to New York, and naturally has plenty to impart from her experiences at drama school, and since coming over to New York to juggle a career on both sides of the Atlantic.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF AN ACTOR

Directed by Cecile DELEPIERE

DOLLKILLERFILMS©June2015

http://www.yvonnewandera.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3342069/

https://twitter.com/yvonnewandera

https://instagram.com/miss_wand/

https://www.facebook.com/YWandera

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DIARY OF AN ACTOR.Ep#15. RENAISSANCE.

DIARY OF AN ACTOR by John Pirkis and Cécile Delepière.

Ep#15. RENAISSANCE.

Welcome to the relaunch of what was, Diary Of A 'failed' Actor!

Since we launched the, DIARY series 5 months ago we have had an amazing response. Our numbers of viewers and subscribers steadily growing, accompanied by some wonderful comments of praise and appreciation for what we are seeking to achieve, stating how valuable the episodes are to those seeking to pursue a career in the acting profession, and beyond.

Throughout however, we have had a continuous stream of requests to change the title. Not everyone necessarily sees the first episode, and so understandably perhaps, don't get the irony or humour behind it. Even if they do, they still ask, "But, you are not a failed actor! So, why the title?"

We have debated the title change for quite a while, and we have come to the conclusion that you, our viewers and subscribers, have a very valid point. Unintentionally, subliminally, the title is giving off a negative vibe, and could even lead some people to veer away from clicking the view button on the episodes.

So, this episode: RENAISSANCE, sees the relaunching and re-branding of our DIARY. We will be taking you all the way with my career challenges, the latest topics in the business put under the microscope, and a line up of some more exciting guests to tell us of their experiences, and help to point you in the right direction.

Here we go then! Welcome to, DIARY OF AN ACTOR!

John Pirkis

DIARY OF AN ACTOR

Directed by Cécile Delepière

DOLLKILLERFILMS©June2015

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR. Ep.14# Diversity.

One of our followers, Haruka Kuroda, asked us to examine the subject of Diversity, to discover whether the U.S. or the UK were leading the way in breaking down walls and pushing forward in rendering articles such as this irrelevant. Haruka herself is a Japanese actress, presenter, fight and movement choreographer, and children's theatre devisor living in London, so is experiencing first hand what is or isn't being done to correct the imbalance in the UK.

Whilst in communication via Tweet with Haruka on pursuing this topic, we were joined on the thread by someone who pointed out that even positive discrimination is discrimination. Very true! I long for the day when these discussions and debates on Diversity, are a thing of the past. But, it is currently in everyone's thoughts. Erica Whyman, an Associate Director at the RSC recently chaired a debate at The Swan titled, MALE, PALE AND STALE, and this from a company who was one of the first to champion Diversity on it's stages. The Washington Post, and The Stage ran articles, and Equity is currently pushing the Diversity argument to the fore with meetings across Britain, and at the House of Commons.

One of our greatest imports to the U.S., actor, writer, director, Kwame Kwei-Armah is currently Artistic Director of Centre Stage in Baltimore, a theatre whose programme of predominantly black works he inherited from his predecessor, Irene Lewis, finds himself under pressure for everything being, 'black, black, black.....'. Kwame in a recent online article commented that the programme hasn't changed since he took over from Irene in 2011, and that Irene Lewis's programming, herself being white, was at the time considered philanthropy, but on taking over, with Kwame being black, it is now considered an agenda.

The year Kwame took over the building, he inherited the pre-programmed Bruce Norris racially charged piece, CLYBORNE PARK based on Lorraine Hansbury's, A RAISIN' IN THE SUN. Kwame recognised Norris's work as in fact being racist in content, but was denied the choice of programming it out, so he wrote his own play, BENEATHA'S PLACE as an answering piece to run in conjunction with, CLYBORNE PARK. This caught the eye of PBS who created a documentary following the creation and development of this charged season. The outcome of all of this is that Kwame Kwei-Armah's tenure at Central Stage has been unanimously extended to 2018.

The fact that he is here at all, follows the lack of credible postings for black directors in the UK. Kwame had his eye on the National, but recognised that at least a decade would have to pass before that could become a reality. I was shocked when at Theatre 503 we won the Olivier for Best Play with, MOUNTAIN TOP by Katori Hall, thereby creating Katori the first black female writer to ever win an Olivier. But, I was even more alarmed to learn that when director Paulette Randall staged, FENCES in the West End in 2013 that she was the first black director to bring a production to the West End. How can that be? As a footnote, there are now encouraging noises that, Kwame Kwei-Armah is being considered as a potential candidate as future Artistic Director for the Royal National Theatre.

Then, there's Hollywood and of course British TV and Film. Where to begin?

Well, a very good place to start is with British actress, playwright, screenwriter and producer, Yvonne Wandera, who from her training at RADA to entering the profession in the UK realised that the odds were stacked against her, it therefore made sense to her to move to the U.S. in pursuit of the work and roles she wanted. But, how far ahead of the UK is the U.S. in bursting the Diversity bubble? This is what we discuss in Episode 14. of, DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR, and I am extremely grateful to have had Yvonne alongside me to tackle the subject.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF 'failed' ACTOR.

Directed by Cécile DELEPIÈRE

DOLLKILLERFILMS©May2015

WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE BY Alyssa Rosenberg

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/05/14/how-hollywood-stays-white-and-male/

THE STAGE ARTICLE by Matthew Hemley

https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2015/paulette-randall-diversity-dirty-word/

Haruka KURODA

http://www.harukakuroda.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1527951/

https://twitter.com/kurodaharuka

https://www.youtube.com/user/harukakurodaTV

Yvonne WANDERA

http://www.yvonnewandera.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3342069/

https://twitter.com/yvonnewandera

https://instagram.com/miss_wand/

https://www.facebook.com/YWandera

This is where you subscribe to the VLOG!

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR. Ep#13. Bullying.

A bully, like a thief, has little care and no understanding of the deep sense of loss, helplessness, personal intrusion and hurt felt by their victims. However, a house burglary drifts toward frustration and annoyance before eventually life regains its daily routine once more, whereas the trauma experienced by a victim of bullying can be carried for a lifetime by some; the damage caused being far reaching and ever present.

Statistics on bullying related suicides amongst the young are shocking: 4,400 deaths per year globally by victims of bullying, 160,000 children stay home every day because of fear of bullying, and a study in Britain found that half of suicides among young people are related to bullying.

One would have thought and hoped that once you had grown out of short pants, and were away from the playground that your encounters with bullies would be remnants of your childhood, but sadly this is not always the case. You may, as I did, face them at drama school, and sometimes, later on, within a theatre company or on a film or tv set.

As an adult, one's experiences of being bullied will more likely be verbal rather than physical. Words can be even more damaging and hurtful as an adult. Adult bullies who use this type of tactic may start rumours about you, or use sarcastic or demeaning language to dominate or humiliate you. This subtle type of bullying also has the advantage - to the bully - of being difficult to document; there are no bruises or cut lips. However, the emotional and psychological impacts of verbal bullying can be far more insidiously disfiguring, and can result in a dramatic effect in curbing your creative process, and even depression.

In addition there can be secondary adult bullies: These are individuals who do not initiate the bullying, but join in so that they do not actually become a victim themselves. Secondary bullies may feel bad about what they are doing, but are more concerned about protecting themselves.

This is what I encountered as a young drama student, and on a few occasions in some theatre companies. It has played subconsciously on my confidence and abilities for almost three decades, before I finally took responsibility for their actions and my reactions, ceased playing 'the victim' and reclaimed my power.

Last year, I was invited by a friend of mine in LA, Craig Bobby Young, who had suffered as a youngster at the hands of bullies to participate in the global BOO2Bullying campaign, set up to support young victims of bullying, and to shame bullies into ceasing their pernicious practices, and not carry them forward into their later lives.

It was after reading an article in THE STAGE journal in the UK on bullying in the acting world by multi-award winning director, Phil Willmott, and meeting up with him on his last visit to New York that brought me to explore the subject further in this week's episode.

It is not acceptable at any point in someone's life that they be subjected to bullying, and there is no place for it in the drama school classroom, the rehearsal room, on stage or before the cameras. It must be nipped in the bud and stamped out immediately. Nobody has the right to treat others in such a fashion, no matter who they think they are or what position of power they hold. In such circumstances, you hold the power, and must wield it.

Say, "No!" to bullying.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR.

Directed by Cécile DELEPIÈRE

DOLLKILLERFILMS©May

boo2bullying

www.boo2bullying.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw_L-_slrd4

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR. Ep#12. Mind Set For Success.

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DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR. Ep#12. Mind Set For Success.

'Nature abhors a vacuum!' Although at moments when life is simply too hectic, we may think to ourselves, "What I would give to have absolutely nothing happening in my life right now!", the truth is that anything happening in our life right now is better than nothing. For, it is during these times of quietude that we turn in on ourselves and start to chew away at our confidence, and disturb our equanimity, shaking down our positive thoughts and feelings, and allowing negativity to creep in and undermine us. Undoing in an instant the seemingly solid foundations we had so diligently been building over time.

The acclaimed mathematician and scientist, Albert Einstein, observed through his studies of quantum physics and Relativity, how deeply rooted are the connection between man's mind and the Universe. How one is able through mindful and concentrated activity of the brain's synapses to tilt the world to one's advantage, and if we would but put our trust in the vast, and by many, unchartered mass of our brains, how easily and readily we would regularly have total control of our lives through our minds, and consistently make the seemingly impossible, possible. Often are Einstein's writings on these observations quoted piecemeal as postings on Facebook profiles, giving us glimpses of what we are missing out on.

To many, the idea that focus creates reality, and reality reveals your focus, so that by merely concentrating mindfully on what you desire you can manifest it, seems incredulous, and a load of hokum dreamed up by a bunch of airy fairy, touchy-feely hippies intent on the belief that it therefore circumnavigates hard graft through blood, sweat and tears. Whereas, it is a science, known as neuroscience, with many papers written up following a vast number of clinically controlled tests conducted the world over. It does not supplant the hard work and dedication necessary to forge a successful career as an actor, but runs in conjunction, and compliments and strengthens all your endeavours.

I studied aspects of it for over a year before being allowed to practice as a life coach, but I truly recognised and harnessed its potential through my three years study and practice with my 'wise man' and 'Master of my Bushido', Darren Eden, who incorporates it in his teachings at his, Academy of Greatness. That I am pursuing and succeeding in what I love, and now living in New York, is through the thoughtful teachings that Darren has dedicated his life to imparting, and thereby assisting others to create whatever they choose against the harshest odds. The link to his academy is listed below.

In this episode, we are looking at the importance of maintaining positive thought processes and eliminating the negative. This is an ongoing daily practice, like everything in an actor's pursuit of greatness. The only obstacles set before us to trip us up in realising our dreams are those manifested by ourselves through our delinquent thoughts and imagination, so here in this episode we touch on a few tools at our disposal to knock these unwanted thoughts on the head.

To maintain a healthy outlook, and book those jobs, it is essential to have a full and rounded life, to have more going on in our lives than just chasing auditions or worse, sitting at home, twiddling our thumbs and waiting for the phone to ring. Success in our field is a reaction to the actions we take daily to achieve our goals and remain uplifted on the journey. Everything in life requires tempering and balance.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR.

Directed by Cécile DELEPIÈRE

DOLLKILLERFILMS©May 2015

ACADEMY OF GREATNESS- Darren EDEN

www.academyofgreatness.co.uk.

CARYN'S SPACE FOR ACTORS- CARYN WEST
http://www.theauditioncoach.com/

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR. Ep#11. British Actors vs. American Actors.

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DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR. Ep.11. British Actors vs. American Actors.

I am very grateful to my friend, Sabra Williams for requesting that I look into what it is about British acting talent that is causing British actors to be in such high demand in Hollywood, whilst understandably creating not a little irritation and concern amongst the American acting community.

American actors are being very vociferous of late with regards British actors coming over to Hollywood and taking their jobs, but that is far from accurate. The fact is British and Irish actors, and Australian are booking the jobs back home before coming over to the United States to do the work.

Yes, there are undeniably droves of British actors migrating annually to Los Angeles in search of the Hollywood Dream, but for them without the support and back up that the fortunate few back home have, their struggle for recognition is as tough and challenging as for the U.S. talent.

With even closer scrutiny you then discover that the 5 top tier Talent agents and the 5 Theatrical agents in the next tier down in both the U.S. and the UK between them represent all of the world's leading acting talent, and a large chunk of its emerging talent. The job offers therefore are going out long before anyone else gets to hear of them regardless of who you are or where in the world you are residing.

"Foul!", I hear you cry. "Insider trading!". I say, " Welcome to the real world!". Now, that's Hollywood.

That said, still Americans can't understand why so many American roles are going to British actors, and the answer appears to be a very simple one, and one that could be easily remedied. Don't get mad! Get even! Raise your game to meet the demand.

In an excellent article published in the ENTERTAINMENT magazine earlier this year written by an American journalist, the findings transcribed make for very interesting reading indeed. The bottom line would appear to come down to the differences in our training, which I go into in greater detail in the Vlog.

There was a time when the training philosophies of each respective Country were very different; British drama schools focusing on the Classical style, and American training on the Method style. In the 21st Century, actors training in the UK and the U.S. now adopts both philosophies. But, it is the intensity and duration, and level of training that is the marked difference. Most British students are prepared to go the distance evidently, undertaking two year and three years' training, whilst American students largely want 'sounbites' of training or forego training altogether and get straight into the business, as stated recently by the C.E.O. of The Maggie Flanigan Studio here in New York. Though, I also believe that mindset to be prevalent amongst wannabe actors in the UK and elsewhere.

In the ENTERTAINMENT article, I quote; James Lipton who hosts INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO thinks it's geographical. While American actors generally have to chose between going to New York to work in theatre or settling in Los Angeles to find fame in television and the movies, the British acting community have all three mostly centrally located around London. "The English have the advantage of being able to go back and forth, from DOWNTON ABBEY to a West End production."

Also in ENTERTAINMENT, Avy Kaufman who cast, David Oyelowo in LINCOLN, and discovered, Andrew Garfield for Robert Redford's, LIONS FOR LAMBS says this: "It's not that all these actors are better than the American actors, but I think we're just opening up to more...and we're all excited to find something new and different," she says. "LINCOLN was a very American story, but I just felt like I should say, 'This guy's the best for this.' It doesn't matter that he's not American. He's got the accent down. May the best man win."

So, it's not who you are or where you are from that counts at the end of the day, it's what you bring to the table in skill-sets that matters. Surely that is the same in any profession the world over.

John Pirkis

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR

Directed by Cécile DELEPIÈRE

DOLLKILLERFILMS@ April2015

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR-Ep#10-Moving To London.

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DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR- Ep#10- Moving To London.

Right now, without a single shred of doubt, London is where it is all happening. If actors are contemplating a move to LA or New York, my advice would be, DON'T! Stay where you are! Remember what, Kathy Bates said with regards booking your flight to the U.S.A., "Wait till you're invited!"

If you are considering a drama school, London possesses the best in the world, with a formidable roll-call of alumni who are now Hollywood Greats or heading in that direction.

If you are seeking to build your portfolio and carve out a career, then London is not only the driving force and source of world class theatre, but the central hub of award winning television, both homegrown and from across the Pond, and Hollywood is beating a path to the film studios on London's outskirts to create their latest blockbusters, not to mention the amazing British movies that are attracting numerous awards' nominations and wins.

But, if you are not British, how welcoming is the UK to talent crossing over from the Atlantic or elsewhere in the world? That is what we'll be looking at in this week's Vlog.

John PIRKIS

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR.

Directed by Cecile DELEPIERE

For you UK VISA
https://www.gov.uk/

TEA and SYMPATHY

http://www.teaandsympathy.com/

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR-By John PIRKIS Ep#9- Moving To New York.

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DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR-By John PIRKIS Ep#9- Moving To New York.

Actors flock to LA because they want to get a bite of the TV cherry, and hope to get spotted and given a break in a studio feature. The bucks are bigger in TV, and allegedly so are the opportunities in LA. But, actually there is more TV drama in production in New York, a thriving independent feature film scene, and NYC has the added bonus of Broadway theatre, and excellent Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway theatre to boot.There are however fewer commercial castings, and no VO auditions for Mo-Cap or computer games.

One thing that is the same as LA is that getting in front of a manager or agent with any clout is as nigh on impossible in New York as it is in LA if you are without reciprocal representation back home.

NYC is vastly more expensive than LA, but the plus side is that a car is totally unnecessary in the Big Apple, as the city possesses a very efficient Subway and bus system.

There are equal pros and cons to weigh up, but the deciding factor, if you are set on making a move Stateside, as to whether it Is New York or Los Angeles you unpack your bags in is which city do you feel most at home in, and which areas of the profession are you most passionate about and wishing to focus on.

As with LA, you can make it work in New York if you are prepared to put in the hours. Patience and hard graft are the essential ingredients required to secure the work and career you seek wherever you are.

John PIRKIS

DIARY OF A 'failed' ACTOR

Directed by Cecile DELEPIERE

BRITS IN NY

https://www.facebook.com/groups/britsloveny/

GYPSY HOUSING

https://www.facebook.com/groups/gypsyhousing/

ST GEORGE SOCIETY NY

https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgesSocietyofNewYork/info

BRITISH EQUITY

https://www.equity.org.uk/home/

NY ID CARD