User's Blogs

<p id="u155-3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; font-size: 24px; line-height: 29px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> The debut EP, <span id="u155-2" style="font-style: italic;">Chocolate Bar</span></p> <p id="u155-5" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; font-size: 24px; line-height: 29px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> will be released on January 23rd.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.lonelysoupday.com/"><span id="u155-8" style="font-style: italic;">Lonely Soup Day</span></a> create folk-rock songs and grind them through a dream-pop machine to create a shimmering wall of sound. The band formed two years ago in Perth, Australia and all songs are co-written by Christopher Kenworthy and Molly Kerr.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p id="u155-13" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; font-size: 18px; line-height: 22px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> "Really great acoustic folk rock" - OzStrandedRadio</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"> An album, <span id="u155-16" style="font-style: italic;">Inside This Golden Café </span>will be released later in the year, with at least eleven songs.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"> Five  music videos will be created for the EP, including a new video for</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  the remixed EP version of <span id="u155-23" style="font-style: italic;">Line of Sight</span>.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"> <a class="nonblock" href="http://www.mollykerractor.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(84, 79, 77);">Molly Kerr</a> - Vocals</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;"> <a class="nonblock" href="http://www.christopherkenworthy.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(84, 79, 77);">Christopher Kenworthy</a> - Guitars, Bass, Piano, Drums</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; text-align: center;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> I'm baaaack... and as you can see from above, I'm half of an indi pop duo called Lonely Soup Day. </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> We've got two music videos out and I'd love you to watch them, share them, tell me what you think about them. </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> Thanks for your support. </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">  </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> Peace, </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; -webkit-transform-origin: 0% 0%; transform-origin: left top 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"> MK</p>

<p> Auditions are rough. Particularly if you suffer from nerves. </p> <p> I suffer from nerves. They make my voice strained and my breathing shallow. I go pale and I shake. My performance is sort of wooden and inconsistent, or consistently bad. </p> <p> I admit I am not the best judge of my own performance, ever, but I know how it feels, and I know that the auditions I am relaxed and confident are the auditions that I get the gig from. </p> <p> So how can you control something like 'nerves?' </p> <p> ATTITUDE! </p> <p> When I am nervous and performing badly, I can't really blame my nerves. Nerves can, of course, ruin even the best laid plans. However, nerves are the result of stimulus that can manifest itself as excitement or anxiety. If I'm nervous during an audition and my throat goes dry, even if Im prepared, that's going to make things difficult for me. But If I interpret my dry throat as a sign that I'm excited, I can overcome them with confidence and energy. With the right attitude, shaking, a palid complexion and a dry throat can be channeled into your performance and even into your character.</p> <p> Nerves are often a sign that I haven't prepared properly. </p> <p> PREPARATION!</p> <p> Learn the lines:</p> <p> Which casting director isn't going to be impressed or at least relieved that you learnt the lines? Even if you weren't required to. And how much better do you feel when you're acting with someone and making eye contact, putting meaning into the lines, rather than just reading off the page? No matter how good you are at cold reading, it's usually so much more dynamic and a better performance if you learn the lines! </p> <p> Explore character: </p> <p> It doesn't have to be a whole character bio but at least be familiar with your character on more than the superficial level. You need to know the character's objective and motivations. Don't be that guy who just lifts the character's Facebook profile. Use your personal experience, your knowledge of humanity and any relevant research to inform your characterisation. Be familiar with the language of the character. If they speak French, you'd better know what those lines mean. </p> <p> Optimise your tool:</p> <p> You need to practice breathing deep full breaths from your diaphragm. That will help with the nerves and when you're breathing properly you won't be able to hold as much tension in your throat: that will help with the small high pitched weak voice that nerves bestow upon you. Loosen your jaw. Shake your body. Take the feeling of butterflies in your tummy or tingling in your limbs and use it to energise you. Start to treat your symptoms of nervousness as your dynamic edge, trust that these feelings will empower you and help your performance and go away when they have done their job. Use it as a sign that you need to concentrate and focus on your character and lines. </p> <p> Put yourself in a position to take charge of the room:</p> <p> Be on time. Be personable, accessable and professional. Familiarise yourself with the space. Claim your performance space. Take your time. Interpret the character from a place of authenticity and authority. Take direction. Lead the interview. Relax. Keep in mind that you are auditioning them, too. Be self-assured. There are no mistakes, just exercises and opportunities.</p> <p> Dress for the part:</p> <p> Don't bring a costume just keep the role in mind and present your interpretation of the character. Dress comfortably, though. If you don't wear heels but your character does, you'll have plenty of time to learn to walk in heels later, for now, just wear something that portrays a similar sense of sexiness, professionalism or whatever it is that high heels are supposed to represent. </p> <p> I don't do this everytime. Sometimes I do it and don't get a callback. Other times I don't do it and do get a callback. But this is best practice for actors, anyway. </p> <p> I was told by a director that I respect very much that my voice lets me down. That's my weakness. Because he was honest with me I am able to improve this. Next time it won't be my weakness. Hopefully, I won't have one.  But he also said that my nerves affected me so much that he didn't know what I was capable of in performance. Directors are used to seeing nerves. They don't judge you for being nervous. They want you to do well and they understand anxiety. But you have to perform through your nerves because sometimes directors simply can't see what you're capable of behind the nerves. If your nervousness is seriously cramping your style and the above strategies of attitude adjustment and preparation don't help there are still things you can try. Don't give up.</p> <p> Hypnosis or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help to calm your nerves and overcome their symptoms. It is a long term answer and is only as effective as the doctor and patient. But it could have empowering and dramatic results.</p> <p> A Beta-blocker is a drug that is often prescribed to musicians and stops nervousness. Apparently it feels like you're uninspired and it's difficult to truly guage your performance. It's a short term, temporary measure. It would require extensive preparation to overcome the feeling of being uninspired but actors are notoriously bad are rating their own performances accurately so this probably wouldn't affect that aspect too much. This would be the most effective and immediate answer to nerves. </p> <p> Nothing beats practice. Audition often and you'll eventually audition well. I know my nerves are never as bad during a performance because we've run the performance many times. But it might be worthwhile acknowledging that sometimes my performance can be lacklustre because I don't have nerves.</p> <p> Remember: nerves aren't all bad. Sometimes they provide that little spark that lights up the whole show! </p> <p> Tell me how you manage your nerves, I'm always desperate for more strategies!</p>

<p> Creative people just don't get paid enough! </p> <p> Our work is sought for by thousands in a million different ways but not valued enough to monetize. Why?</p> <p> My best friend is a writer. He has two novels, hundreds of short stories, poems and feature articles published and has written a number of short films and feature films, many of which he has made. He is an expert at After Effects, editing and cinematography. He's also a freelancer. That makes his life tricky because when he searches for jobs online or even with existing contacts, he's competing with hundreds of less experienced or expert individuals that desperately want to make a name for themself and will do the same job (possibly of an inferior standard but possibly very well done, too) for free. FREE! Who can compete with that? </p> <p> And the internet hasn't helped. It's made finding work and jobs that do exist easier but every man and his dog is looking for the same work, regardless of qualification or quality of their portfolio. There's also the little problem of so much online media not being monetized so even if they rely on the work of writers, the writer's shouldn't expect to be paid. I find this appalling. But it's the cause of some major paradoxes. Mainstream magazines that do pay are commissioning work from unimaginative, uneducated writers who don't even know how to use spell check- why? I don't know, you tell me! And prestigious magazines and quarterlies that do rely on quality material and have very fussy guidelines don't often pay you for your work. Why? I DON'T FREAKING KNOW!!!!</p> <p> According to an article online (as a consumer I use online materials because they're free and up to date: could be a contributing factor) writers are getting paid an average of $11 000 a year. That's full time writers. Getting below the poverty line for their years and years worth of training, experience and expertise. That's not cool! </p> <p> But it's not restricted to writers. Film makers, including actors, are constantly being sought after to produce work for free so they can have something for their showreel. Something for their portfolio. Another line for their CV! After two and a half years of freebies I've got quite enough lines on my CV, thanks. And I've got hours and hours of student and experimental film footage with poor lighting and even poorer sound quality for my awesome showreel, thanks. When are you going to start paying us, guys? </p> <p> I'm personally quite content. I get paid for my acting work more often than not these days. I am able to pick and choose projects that I'm genuinely interested in and believe in the quality of the work than just to get experience. My apprenticeship is heading toward its conclusion. But I'm still doing a lot of jobs free and I know a lot of actors that are still working almost exclusively free. So what can we do about it?</p> <p> Stop. </p> <p> Yes, at first they'll just go to that annoying actress that will do anything for anyone because she wants the experience and has unending time and energy. But eventually she'll get fed up with it too, and she'll have been in everything and the producers and bands and commercials and event holders will be fed up with her. In short, if we boycott non-paying producers then they'll only get beginners to do their free of charge work and eventually, not immediately, our cry for financial validation will be heard. </p> <p> They will only keep asking us to work for free as long as they know that we will. Don't silently stand back from unpaid offers. Decline and express exactly why you're declining. This is your job and you deserve to be paid. If they want mate's rates they'd better be a mate, otherwise it's full fee paying places only, buddy. </p> <p> Here is the link to some articles, free of charge, that make this point even more eloquently. </p> <p> By an essayist called Tim, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/opinion/sunday/slaves-of-the-internet-unite.html</p> <p> And in response: http://paidcontent.org/2013/10/28/no-writing-for-free-isnt-slavery-and-other-misconceptions-about-the-economics-of-online-media/</p> <p> A big deal: http://natethayer.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/unpaid-newspaper-blogger-says-enough-new-no-pay-contrac-demands-all-rights-to-photos-writing-foreve/</p> <p> Some food for thought about where you get your content: http://blog.wan-ifra.org/2013/03/06/despite-journalist-s-outrage-atlantic-s-unpaid-freelance-request-is-not-unique</p> <p> So make a stand. </p> <p> Peace.</p> <p>  </p> <p> MK</p>

<p> You would be forgiven for thinking that I'm a narcissist. A couple of years ago I thought I might have Histrionic Personality Disorder. Apparently this is a common diagnosis among actresses and an even more common misdiagnosis. Anyway, I don't have HPD but if I did, I probably wouldn't be that diffferent to how I am now. </p> <p> I opened a discussion with some creative artistic people at a Perth Actors Collective post-workshop networking drink about my theory (that was stolen from many greater thinkers) that each creative profession, indeed each profession, has a pet psychological disorder. </p> <p> I was speaking to a practicing lawyer-come-actor when I asked her what the lawyer's neurosis was. There was stunned silence until I explained my theory. Happily the mentor/tutor knew what I was referring to and backed up my argument. Apparently lawyers suffer from narcissisim too, and anxiety. </p> <p> So the discussion continued and we concluded that, probably, actors were predisposed to narcissism, writers to melancholy and depression, directors to narcissim, anxiety and melancholy. So directors relate best to depressed lawyers. </p> <p> This is a broad generalisation. An exercise in prejudice. And I only engage with it for fun because really, I feel indignant at the way that actresses in particular are perceived as hysterical, precious poppets. In a recent farce that my partner was cast in, the male characters kept referring to actresses in a pejorative sense, "You know actresses... you know what they're like..." It's fine for comedy, but not in real life, and unfortunately too many industry members have the impression that this cliche is based on reality. Maybe in Hollywood, though I doubt that, too. I'm an actress, and proud of it, but I am not hysterical or precious or particularly narcissistic. In fact, I'd say most actors that I'm familiar with (and I use actors to encompass all sexes and genders) actually struggle with low self-esteem, self-doubt, depression, anxiety, rage and boredom, without ever becoming narcissistic or hysterical or precious. The way that performers are treated like somehow because they express themselves creatively through their bodies that they are shallow and don't experience genuine or valid emotional lives is the farce. The way that we are often rejected and marginalised because of our creative choices is the disorder. But it's a social disorder, not a neurological disorder. The fact that Mr. Paxman thinks that pointing out that Russel Brand is an actor and comedian will discredit and disqualify him from being a political commentator is sadly symptomatic of our society's attidude. </p> <p> We don't like celebrity activists because we feel like they're taking advantage of their position in the media to preach. Or, even worse, they've only adopted a cause to raise their profile further or make themselves look good.</p> <p> But who gives a crap? If a lawyer feels passionately about something and uses their resources to contribute to the cause no one bats an eyelid. They'd get negative feedback if they DIDN'T abuse their postition for a good cause. If a teacher does it, same story. Accountant, same story... so why are actors expected to shut up unless they've been handed a script? </p> <p> As actors we get a lot of flack for being 'divas' even though all the actors I know are compassionate, warm, self-deprecating and professional individuals. I don't think we are narcissists. We use our egos as shields because we exist in a paradigm that demands that we're constantly begging to be picked by other more powerful individuals. We depend on others approving of us to get work, most human beings don't have this situation to the same extent as actors. So if we come across as full of ourselves, we're just trying to fool the panel behind the audition desk. </p> <p> For an insight into the mind of a professional Australian actor of film, TV and theatre catch this Catching Sight interview with Geoff Miethe. </p> <p> http://catchingsightfilm.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/human-ness-is-what-i-hope-i-never-lose.html</p>

<p> It's cold in Perth. There's just no denying that despite the sun shining, the air is nippy and all anyone wants to do is hibernate. It's October in Perth and we're all still freezing our butts off!</p> <p> While I can't heat the house with the power of positive thinking, I can heat up my career. I am so much a home-body, I love socialising, dancing, going to cafes for afternoon tea and having friends stay over for hours just chatting but nothing beats just cuddling myself into my cushions like a little kitten and having a wee nap. But that's all about to change. You see, despite having quite a busy schedule on the acting front, and starting to make a bit of money out of it, I am not making a big enough impact in the Perth community to sustain my career in the long term. </p> <p> My plan is to go out there and bust my ass networking and theatricising and filmicking! Those may or may not be real words but my plan is real. I've signed up to be an usher. Unpaid but I get to see shows for free. I have joined mailing lists for the major improv group here to make sure I'm aware of their next audition round. I am watching out for the Screenwest networking events, the photography fundraisers, the fashion events, the PFN events and anything else that brings together movers and shakers to hob nob and compare the colour of their underwear! </p> <p> But the most important change I made has been to my attitude. And that started a little while ago. I started to see myself as a professional actor. I had only had one professional paid acting job. I faked it till I maked it, baby! It followed that I had more paid acting work and more and more until I actually don't need to work in childcare to subside my wage. I just started to view myself as a professional actor and that was the main effort involved in permitting everyone else to do so. </p> <p> Now, I might have had all the ambition but none of the motivation in the past but that's the next attitude change I've made. It's amazing what you can do when you just commit to a goal and say, "no matter what."</p> <p> I can make my career burst with awesomeness even in sleepy old industry-free Perth. What can you do when you make up your mind to do it? </p> <p> Peace, </p> <p> MK</p>

<p> <a href="http://catchingsightfilm.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/everyone-is-creative.html">Read Our Most Recent Interview!</a></p> <p> In 2012 my partner and I started a blog about creativity and how sometimes it can cause an artist to suffer. You know the times, you didn't get that audition, or you're beating yourself up for not learning those lines properly or on time, or neither. Or that time the director told you how to perform but you just felt so uninspired and you didn't know what the director could possibly mean! And we all know the times after we've finished a gig and we sit back and think, "Right, that's the end of that, then. As soon as anyone sees that work of mine, I'll never get hired again!"</p> <p> Well, all artists hit that wall. Legend, Pen Densham, wrote a book called Riding the Alligator. You should buy it, it's inspired. As he described, it's the kind of book he would have wanted to read when he was starting out. So trust me when I say it's a book you'll want to read! Anyway, the point is that Pen hit a bajillion walls but what made him a successful writer, director and filmmaker is that he didn't give up! He was rejected probably more times than you and me combined, but he kept on going. </p> <p> And that's the message that the artists that have contributed to our blog want to get across. </p> <p> To be honest, the blog itself started as a forum to promote the film we were trying to get funding for: Catching Sight. The story of a little girl who catches a disease that gives her great talent but also makes her miserable. </p> <p> The film didn't get made... at the time. However, there's some discussion about it being resurrected as a more personal and refined project. Remember what I said about not giving up. </p> <p> So, visit my <a href="http://www.catchingsightfilm.blogspot.com.au">blog</a> and read the interviews with the amazing men and women that have contributed so far. You can contribute if you want. Just send me your email and I'll send you a new interview and let you know what else you might need for your spot in our blog!</p> <p> Whether you're an actor, dancer, filmmaker, writer, director, artist, graphic designer or photographer, there is a side of this discussion that will interest you. If there's not, let me know and we'll interview YOU!</p> <p> Peace. </p> <p> Molly </p>