Lazy blogging I know but I think the guy has a point.
I just worry that eventually people are going to start Twittering in the middle of sex to comment on their partners technique...
Friday, 17 April 2009
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
UK TV Crisis
So, i have just finished Series 4 of The Wire.
Yes, I know the show has been gone a while now, but please remember The Jobbing Actor has, by definition, not enough cash for a satellite subscription each month. So buying each series on box set after I have finished the last is the cheaper way to go. (Plus then selling it on EBay helps with the wallet)
The point is that whilst this is probably a show that, in my humble opinion, could easily rival The Sopranos as the greatest serial drama in recent years, the question that brings itself to the fore is: what do we have in the UK to rival it?
The answer is: 'Pretty Much Nothing'. Whilst in the comedy sphere we are consistently writing and producing shows appreciated the world over, when it comes to any of our drama's we find ourselves severely underwhelmed and lacking.
Now, like all rants I know that this will get some negative feedback, there are, of course, exceptions.
We are particularly good at one off or 3 or 6 parter dramas (Housewife,49 and The Street to name but two) and we have such wonders as Shameless (brilliant but maybe time at the bar?) but for every Life on Mars, Prime Suspect, Queer as Folk or This Life (all, by the way, long gone) we have a Robin Hood, Hustle, Casualty (I am informed it is NOT a soap) or Midsummer Bloody Murders.
And whilst I am not necessarily a fan of all American serials, you have to agree, surely, that the standard of writing, directing, production values and the majority of acting on say: Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Dirty,Sexy Money, Dexter, C.S.I, Law and Order is far superior than the UK and all of these shows are currently being produced.
Even cancelled shows, shows that were considered not good enough for further series were wowing the UK audiences until they were torn from our schedules. 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' as an example. (I don't really need to remind anyone of just how good Aaron Sorkin's previous work 'The West Wing' was).
I could go on and on (and probably have, but it's my blog so stop it) but the fact remains that the UK just can't cut the mustard when it comes to competing.
So where is the problem?
We have proven, brilliant, directors, producers, writers and of course actors.
We have state-of-the-art studios with all the facilities at our disposal that the States have. (Possibly more now the UK is deemed a less expensive country to film in and so more and more Hollywood movies are being produced here.)
Is it just that the TV companies are loathed to spend more on production costs?
Do the establishment (begins with a B ends with a N. Has a easily understood acronym) spend all their cash on period drama's and therefore have nothing left for gritty urban realism?
This is certainly not a new topic and has been brought up time and time again in various discussion forums.
So why is nobody in the studios listening?
In the States, nobody really gives a crap about 'The Young and The Restless', 'Days of Our Lives', 'General Hospital' or 'Horny Sunset' (Last one not strictly true).
They have their followers, just like all shows, they have their own award ceremony's, but they don't come anywhere close to those soaps celebrated in the UK.
And maybe that is the point.
Does Ralph's feud with Brient about the real father of Taffney's baby, whose real dad, yet to be unmasked is actually her own fathers second brother (names and, indeed, plotlines made up to avoid career embarrassment) matter more in this country than what I would consider 'real drama'?
They are certainly being written about and discussed in more magazines and papers than other shows.
People are so into them that actors are being acosted in the street due to their on-screen persona's antics.
Am I just being a patronising snob, casting all manner of aspersions on many shows, loved by millions, who consider that our output of drama on television not only matches that of the US but surpasses it for content and value?
I really don't think I am alone on this one.
But please, let me know what you think, I have to run now, the omnibus edition of 'Paris's Real UK Best Friend' is about to start...
Yes, I know the show has been gone a while now, but please remember The Jobbing Actor has, by definition, not enough cash for a satellite subscription each month. So buying each series on box set after I have finished the last is the cheaper way to go. (Plus then selling it on EBay helps with the wallet)
The point is that whilst this is probably a show that, in my humble opinion, could easily rival The Sopranos as the greatest serial drama in recent years, the question that brings itself to the fore is: what do we have in the UK to rival it?
The answer is: 'Pretty Much Nothing'. Whilst in the comedy sphere we are consistently writing and producing shows appreciated the world over, when it comes to any of our drama's we find ourselves severely underwhelmed and lacking.
Now, like all rants I know that this will get some negative feedback, there are, of course, exceptions.
We are particularly good at one off or 3 or 6 parter dramas (Housewife,49 and The Street to name but two) and we have such wonders as Shameless (brilliant but maybe time at the bar?) but for every Life on Mars, Prime Suspect, Queer as Folk or This Life (all, by the way, long gone) we have a Robin Hood, Hustle, Casualty (I am informed it is NOT a soap) or Midsummer Bloody Murders.
And whilst I am not necessarily a fan of all American serials, you have to agree, surely, that the standard of writing, directing, production values and the majority of acting on say: Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Dirty,Sexy Money, Dexter, C.S.I, Law and Order is far superior than the UK and all of these shows are currently being produced.
Even cancelled shows, shows that were considered not good enough for further series were wowing the UK audiences until they were torn from our schedules. 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' as an example. (I don't really need to remind anyone of just how good Aaron Sorkin's previous work 'The West Wing' was).
I could go on and on (and probably have, but it's my blog so stop it) but the fact remains that the UK just can't cut the mustard when it comes to competing.
So where is the problem?
We have proven, brilliant, directors, producers, writers and of course actors.
We have state-of-the-art studios with all the facilities at our disposal that the States have. (Possibly more now the UK is deemed a less expensive country to film in and so more and more Hollywood movies are being produced here.)
Is it just that the TV companies are loathed to spend more on production costs?
Do the establishment (begins with a B ends with a N. Has a easily understood acronym) spend all their cash on period drama's and therefore have nothing left for gritty urban realism?
This is certainly not a new topic and has been brought up time and time again in various discussion forums.
So why is nobody in the studios listening?
In the States, nobody really gives a crap about 'The Young and The Restless', 'Days of Our Lives', 'General Hospital' or 'Horny Sunset' (Last one not strictly true).
They have their followers, just like all shows, they have their own award ceremony's, but they don't come anywhere close to those soaps celebrated in the UK.
And maybe that is the point.
Does Ralph's feud with Brient about the real father of Taffney's baby, whose real dad, yet to be unmasked is actually her own fathers second brother (names and, indeed, plotlines made up to avoid career embarrassment) matter more in this country than what I would consider 'real drama'?
They are certainly being written about and discussed in more magazines and papers than other shows.
People are so into them that actors are being acosted in the street due to their on-screen persona's antics.
Am I just being a patronising snob, casting all manner of aspersions on many shows, loved by millions, who consider that our output of drama on television not only matches that of the US but surpasses it for content and value?
I really don't think I am alone on this one.
But please, let me know what you think, I have to run now, the omnibus edition of 'Paris's Real UK Best Friend' is about to start...
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Beard Problems
So i have been cast in a role. It is quite a big production. Naturally I do not have a large part. (I get the innuendo and find it amusing, I am purile like that, only we are going to have to get over it as there will be a lot of large and small part references over the years)
It is for a Hollywood movie, I play a soilder. Probably third from the left when it comes to adding it to my CV. I'll probably make a name up for him, any suggestions greatly appreciated.
My problem is that it doesn't start filming until May and they want me to grow a beard.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
First, the apology...
OK, so my first ever blog posting, from my first ever web page. Some might say I have come into this too late. Others might wonder why on earth this might help further my career.
The answer to the first query is thus: after graduating in 1999 with a BA in Drama, I immediately panicked, decided I couldn't possibly compete with the thousands of other actors out there and did something else.
What I did for a living might well be covered in the future, for now it's not important.
Suffice to say I only got back into the business I have always loved (but wouldn't dare admit) until a few years ago, when a loved one finally kicked me up the fundament and told me to get on with it.
Ever since then I have been as happy as Larry 'Life Of' Reilly who has been bequeathed to him a lifetime supply of Nitrous Oxide. Apart from the times when I'm not.
I now feel the need to share my thoughts about this fascinating career, the good, the bad and the insanity of it all, to anyone starting out or those who are just interested in what goes on in the business of show that is quite unlike any business you have ever experienced.
I hope it helps, or at the very least entertains. Remember I have been a full time actor for only a small amount of time, this is all a big learning curve for me too, so all thoughts are greatly received. Plus there will be play and film reviews, so please feel free to add to those.
In answer to the second query you may have, this probably won't help my career, but I don't see it harming it. For now....
Thanks all, and here is to the future!
The answer to the first query is thus: after graduating in 1999 with a BA in Drama, I immediately panicked, decided I couldn't possibly compete with the thousands of other actors out there and did something else.
What I did for a living might well be covered in the future, for now it's not important.
Suffice to say I only got back into the business I have always loved (but wouldn't dare admit) until a few years ago, when a loved one finally kicked me up the fundament and told me to get on with it.
Ever since then I have been as happy as Larry 'Life Of' Reilly who has been bequeathed to him a lifetime supply of Nitrous Oxide. Apart from the times when I'm not.
I now feel the need to share my thoughts about this fascinating career, the good, the bad and the insanity of it all, to anyone starting out or those who are just interested in what goes on in the business of show that is quite unlike any business you have ever experienced.
I hope it helps, or at the very least entertains. Remember I have been a full time actor for only a small amount of time, this is all a big learning curve for me too, so all thoughts are greatly received. Plus there will be play and film reviews, so please feel free to add to those.
In answer to the second query you may have, this probably won't help my career, but I don't see it harming it. For now....
Thanks all, and here is to the future!
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