Tag Archives: actress

Does it Work? | Chlorella

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I am an actress and since nearly every film and TV show is now filmed on HD I am always looking for ways to make sure my skin looks perfect. Here is the first of my ‘Does it Work?’ reviews on beauty and health products. We tell you whether or not it actually works.

 

Chlorella: The new Crème De La Mer?

 

I have to be honest here, I have never tried Crème De Lar Mer, but I do know it works because some of my rich friends told me. So when I was sent Chlorella to review and they said it was the new Crème De Lar Mer I got excited about finding something that works for a fraction of the price. Sun Chlorella ‘A’ also has a celebrity fan club, Miranda Kerr describes her beauty regime as such “To keep my skin in check I always eat lots of greens and take Chlorella supplements and drink lots of water”. Victoria Beckham, Fergie and Sadie Frost are also fans.

 

But did it work for me? Yes, my skin did become clearer and I felt better. One of my friends said I was ‘glowing’. I also felt like I had more energy. My nails even seem to stop splitting. So I am converted. It actually did make me healthier and improve my skin.

Sun Chlorella ‘A’ is a single-celled green algae . It is entirely natural and balanced and is packed with vitamins. It also has the iron equivalent of nine cups of spinach. If you can afford £21.95 per month I would definitely include this in your beauty regime.

 

Available from www.sunchlorella.co.uk or www.victoriahealth.com

Kate Adjike launches scheme to help young London gang members out of crime

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Kidulthood actress, model and singer Kate Adjike launches UK’s first scheme to help young London gang members out of crime through performing arts.

Gang members from across the Capital are being offered the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to escape a life of crime…and appear on the Big Screen.

From today, troubled teens will be offered free lessons in singing and performance arts as part of a new charitable initiative.

They will receive 10 hour-long sessions with trained professionals where they can hone their dancing, singing and acting skills.

The most promising students will be promoted to the UK’s TV and film industry, and to theatre producers in the West End.

No qualifications are needed, but students must show a “willingness to learn and a passion for acting”.

The pioneering scheme – the first of its kind in the world – launches at Battersea-based performance arts centre, The Kate Academy, next month.

Its owner Kate Ajike hopes to help youngsters escape a life of “violence, crime and despair” by introducing them to the “beautiful arts”.

Speaking yesterday Ajike, the star of 2006 British film Kidulthood, said: “This scheme is about helping some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“I am not for a moment condoning their behaviour, but I do understand how incredibly desperate many of these young people are.

“The vast majority do not have a way out of a life of crime, despite a genuine desire to do something with their lives.”

Ajike, a philanthropist who launched Kate Academy in 2007, added: “It is my hope that we can help a small proportion of these people – the diamonds in the rough, so to speak – and catapult them into a good, honest life in the arts.”

The scheme is open to all youngsters in London aged between 16 and 25 – including those responsible for the August riots – but only five places will be available each year.

Ajike said she hopes to help up to 500 gang members in the next few years, adding: “This is a last-chance saloon – the once-in-a-lifetime chance for gang members to escape a life of violence, drugs and street crime.”

To apply to The Kate Academy visit www.kateacademy.org.uk/apply, email hello@kateacademy.org.uk, or call 0203 4896574/ 07983 734668.

New Film 'Bubbles' Paves Way For Women In Film

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Following on from Bridesmaids, a new film written and directed by women, lead role is a women and a high proportion of women on the crew. The shape of things to come? Let’s hope.

Here is all you need to know about Bubbles.

The Director

Leyla Pope comes from a professional background in communications working for Medecins Sans Frontiers, but her passion for filmmaking led her to the decision to make a career shift and follow her dream to work as a writer/director. Her short film Bubbles is a huge milestone for a female (also juggling the roles of wife and mother) in an industry which is still very much a male-dominated work environment.

The Film

The film’s central character, Lily, is a strong, intelligent woman struggling with suppressed desires and tense family dynamics. Following the death of her mother, Lily steels herself to organise her father’s move out of the family home. She has little support from her husband who is deeply absorbed in his latest composition and unable to relate to Lily’s tense presence. In the midst of this turmoil, a former lover appears and Lily finds her ordered life thrown out of balance. Buried feelings emerge and Lily begins to question her life’s choices. Will she live life as her mother did, putting expectation above desire? Or will she confront her feelings at the risk of unravelling the life she has built for herself? As Lily’s inner turmoil surfaces her young teenage daughter begins her own journey of sexual awakening.

Bubbles is an intelligent and evocative drama. Just as the novels of Jane Austen dissected and explored the choices for women in marriage and love, so Bubbles throws light on how these same choices are played out within a contemporary, upper class family. With a visually rich, Merchant-Ivory feel, Bubbles is a potent blend of classic storytelling and contemporary British drama.

The locations

From the outset it was clear that no ordinary location would do justice to the themes of Bubbles, so we secured the use of the stunning, rambling Grade II listed manor house “Plas Dinam” in Mid Wales as the setting for the majority of the shoot. This afforded not only the authentic interior of an historic family home, but also panoramic external shots.

The crew

The crew needed to be extremely skilled and experienced. Key to the final result were Bafta-winning cinematographer Huw Walters and top industry professional John Richards (Little Black Book, Girls’ Night, Band of Brothers) as Executive Producer.

The cast

With castings taking place individually in both Wales and London, it is testament to Leyla’s instinct and her rigorous casting process that she brought together a talented and balanced cast, including Welsh acting legend Howell Evans, to bring reality and depth to the characters in the script. Across the cast there is a vast amount of experience in TV and film.

The music

Music is not just a finishing touch for Bubbles, it is an integral part in the story. In the early stages of the film we see the building tension within Lily’s relationship to her husband Robin, a once-successful classical composer. Robin is no longer able to connect with Lily. His mounting frustrations with his wife’s attitude towards him are reflected in his struggles to express himself through his compositions.

Bubbles needed an original score that would help the audience to feel the changing emotional dynamics of each character, particularly in the final montage section of the film which has no dialogue.

Composer Jack Westmore was the perfect choice for this crucial element of the film. He possesses an incredible sensitivity to story dynamic and emotion. Jack wrote a score integrating solo cello into themes which are haunting and lyrical and perfectly express the contained but shifting restlessness of the film.

Soloist Rosie Biss is lead cellist with The Welsh National Opera. We were absolutely delighted when she agreed to play the solo cello parts. Her masterful interpretation of Jack’s score fully brings to life the complex emotions which are written into the music.

The continuing journey

Bubbles has finished post production but is only just beginning the journey to reach a national and international audience. We are now actively pursuing development of the short into a full-length feature or episodic TV series, including the American market.
There is an upcoming private London screening in late September for anyone interested in investing in or sponsoring the future development of Bubbles.

With a combination of visual beauty and strong plot and an emphasis on celebrating “Britishness” we see Bubbles very much as a showcase for the very best in British creativity. Opportunities to collaborate with British fashion designers, songwriters and musicians, perfumiers, luxury car brands, interior design etc abound. We see Bubbles as a canvas on which to paint a highly marketable picture of the best of British creativity on many levels.

For more information on investing in, supporting or sponsoring Bubbles, or for any other information you may require about the film or Bottlegreen Productions please email FAO Sophie Walcott at: bottlegreenproductions@gmail.com

Website: www.shortfilmbubbles.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Bubbles-Short-Film/173451646048497

Twitter: @bubblesfilm
Tumblr: http://bubblesshortfilm.tumblr?.com/

Rupert Grint Wants To Date The Queen

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Rupert Grint has a crush on Queen Elizabeth.

The ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ actor – who shot to fame aged 11 playing Ron Weasley in the movie series – admits the monarch would be one of his two ideal women, along with singer-and-actress Juliette Lewis.

Asked which two famous women he would like to date, he said: “I think it would have to be the queen. She is [pretty foxy]. I sat in front of her at her 80th birthday, where we were asked to perform in a play, so that was pretty cool.

“My second choice would be Juliette Lewis, because she’s really cool and in a band.”

One celebrity the 22-year-old star does not find attractive is former ‘Hannah Montana’ actress Miley Cyrus.

He explained: “I’ve never really gone for those Disney girls.”

Rupert has never been in a relationship for longer than a few weeks, but is currently happy to be single.

He told Britain’s Glamour magazine: “I haven’t had any very serious relationships. The longest was probably less than a month. I’ve never had a one-night stand.

“I’m not really looking for anything at the moment. I’m so busy that it’s quite hard to commit.”

While Rupert insists he isn’t looking for love, the flame-haired star admits he has received a lot of attention from girls since starring in the ‘Harry Potter’ films.

He said: “The ginger community embraced me – put it that way.

“Walking down the street, I would get a lot of ‘ginger love’. I still do.”

Andy Serkis and Host Of Stars Celebrate Young Actors Theatre

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Who and Where The launch of Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland audio book along with the all star cast including Simon Callow, Chloe Moretz, Andy Serkis, Sandi Toksvig, Paul Whitehouse, Celia Imrie, Dexter Fletcher, Asa Butterfield and other members of The Young Actors Theatre, Islington.

When On Wednesday June 15 / 18:00 / Young Actors Theatre

Frost had a wonderful time at YATI’s launch for the Alice in Wonderland audio book, the theatre made us feel like we had fallen down the hole after Alice, the cast did a reading and performed some songs, and all the while we sipped cocktails and munched canapes. It was a fun (alcoholic) tea party indeed.

I had a chat with the wonderful and polite Andy Serkis, who told me that the Young Actors Theatre had given him his start when he was 18. Asa Butterfield, fresh from a Martin Scorsese lead, put all his success at the door of the theatre, saying that he would never be where he is now without them.

In a bid to raise much needed funds and awareness of the continuing work that Islington’s YATI carries out with budding actors and performers from within the local community, the non subsidised community theatre and acting school has given its young professionals the chance to experience the demands and fun of recording this enduring classic, alongside some of the country’s best-loved actors and performers, all of whom have generously donated their contributions to support this fund-raising initiative, to support the launch of the developing potential fund and create a brand new audio book version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

In the current climate, it is more important than ever for small, community based organisations such as YATI to be pro-active in generating the income to continue to fund an environment where young people from all walks of life can transform their lives

‘YATI is not only an important part of the local community’ says Andy Serkis, (The Mock Turtle), ‘but is also an invaluable resource for young actors and performers from all walks of life to get an introduction into the acting profession’ before adding;

‘How better then to celebrate the ongoing achievements of the theatre than to bring members past and present together with some of the country’s best actors working today to record a new and fun version of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’

Andrew Harries, Artistic Director of YATI, says; ‘This is a pivotal time for YATI and we want to celebrate the achievements of the theatre. We have more classes and opportunities for young people in the community than ever before and our members are experiencing an impressive amount of professional success with appearances in The Kings Speech, Attack the Block and Horrid Henry – and that’s just the past 12 months.

And what better way to raise awareness of the theatre, gain the support of the wider community and invest in the futures of as many young people as possible than with the launch of this exciting and fun new version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It is great to see YATI students acting alongside some of the nations best loved talent.’

The Young Actors Theatre deserves public funding for all of the hard, amazing work they have done over the years.to support them, buy the CD, volunteer or give them some much needed cash, Young Actors Theatre

Advice Blogs for Actors {The Film Set | Genevieve Sibayan}

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Like every actor out there, I have a stack of books sitting on a shelf gathering dust becoming more and more irrelevant by the minute. There are some good informative books, but they’re becoming the exception rather than the norm. Sometimes I look at my stack of irrelevant books and resent them for costing me (taunting me with their perfect spines) especially as there is so much fantastic advice and information out there on the internet. Here’s a few below, these are just the ones I subscribe to so there may be tons more. Let me know if you find any.

 

Bonnie Gilespie’s Blog – The Actor’s Voice

There is so much amazing info here, all for free. Everything here is positive, inspiring and useful. Casting Director Bonnie Gilespie has clearly put a lot of time into this column on Showfax and even though she’s US based, it’s relevant internationally.

rss feed: http://more.showfax.com/columns/avoice/index.xml

The Actor’s Voice – POV

Showfax, wiz all zis information your are really spoiling uz. This time it’s Bonnie Gilespie and friends. Friends being people in the biz, and there’s quite a few. By a few I mean tons.

rss feed: http://more.showfax.com/plus/pov/index.xml

The Casting Corner

Another column on Showfax, this time from Casting Director Mark Sikes. Mark posts some great advice on a weekly basis…he’s there every week.

rss feed: http://more.showfax.com/columns/corner/index.xml

The Actor Cast Blog

Yet more great advice. ActorCast is a US based web service allowing Actors to submit directly to Casting Directors existing services. Their blog has articles, How to guides, Q&A’s and Open calls.

rss feed: http://actorcastblog.com/blog/?feed=rss2

Backstage Magazine

A US trade journal for Actors proving just how much of an industry this actually is. They have a regular advice column.

rss: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Backstage-Columns

Playbills vs. Paying Bills

Advice and insight from three actors from across the pond. Ben Whitehair, Joe Von Bokern and Emily Beuchat share their stories, resources, recommendations and stuff from their respective acting scenes in LA, Chicago and New York. Read it, you will be entertained and you will learn things!

rss feed: http://playbillsvspayingbills.com/?feed=rss2

The Film Set – Frost Magazine

Brought to you by a couple of London actresses…Catherine Balavage and Genevieve Sibayan. Ok! ok, you caught me, this suggestion’s a little biased but we do have some interviews with fantastic casting directors and people involved in Film and TV.

rss: http://feeds.feedburner.com/FrostMagazineTheFilmSet

Know any more blogs that I’ve missed out? Leave me a comment below and I’ll update the post.

Update:

Minimum Wage Actors [Thanks Pete Jenkinson for this one]

News about National Minimum Wage stories affecting or having affected Actors and Performers.

rss: http://actorsminimumwage.wordpress.com/feed/


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Genevieve Sibayan is a London based Actress, you can find Genevieve’s blog here and get updates by clicking on her rss feed. If you’d like to subscribe to The Film Set on Frost Magazine then click here.

Actor Interviews: Leoni Kibbey

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Frost: How did you get into acting?

Leoni: I was blessed with creative, ambitious, intelligent parents and three siblings. As a family we loved to play games (card games/board games/puzzles/outdoor games/rounders). I guess acting is just an extension of my love of ‘playing’. My Mum is a jazz singer.  We lived for a while in the Lake District and used to watch her at Sunday lunchtime jazz shows, I was in awe. I was a bit of  a shy introverted child, Mum was a bit concerned until she came to see me sing in school and said I came alive. My first taste of theatre was in a local production of The Sound of Music at the age of 7 – playing Gretl, my audition was the speech at the end of Michael Jackson’s thriller “darkness falls across the land etc..” think they thought it was weird but cute. I adored the process then, the buzz of being backstage and being given the responsibility of learning lines. I wasn’t a ‘starlet’, even at a young age I took my work seriously as well as of course having a massive load of fun behind the scenes (Nothing changed there). I was always involved in local theatre groups growing up and after A-levels went to Mountview Theatre School. That was 12 years ago now. Tempus Fugit.

Frost: How do you manage to juggle a successful acting career with being a successful casting director?

Leoni: Let’s just say life is intense.  I work a LOT.. I like to be busy and I think my careers compliment each other and give me a good insight into the industry. I am a creative person as well as a business woman. In terms of how I mentally and physically manage it. The pressure can get to me, especially whilst trying to be the best Mum to my daughters. I do sometimes feel like I am working three full time jobs and have to keep a check on my physical and mental health and listen to when my body needs to rest. I try to squeeze in some exercise into my schedule and I take time out doing things I love & seeing people I love. Some people say there may come a point that I will have to choose between my careers but in the words of my Mother “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something” .. and right now both careers are working for me. The casting helps me provide a good life for me and my girls and any acting roles I take are a total bonus.

Frost: What do you love about your job?

Leoni: I am my own boss and can be in control of my own career and time. I get to be creative. I meet loads of lovely people. Every day is different. One of the directors I work with always brings a huge bag of Skittles to meetings…

Frost: Do you have any advice for actors?

Leoni: Never get bitter, particularly about your agent. Be proactive, be positive. Work very very very hard. Get a showreel. If you stop enjoying it then don’t do it.  Do email me but as I get hundreds of emails a week from actors I can’t usually reply but I do look at all emails.  Sounds cheesy but be true to yourself. Networking is great but don’t force things – best to be friendly than to seem desperate. You get out what you put back in. Always go with your gut instinct. Don’t get cosmetic surgery. Floss. Use Sunscreen.

Frost: Who is your inspiration?

Leoni: My Daughters, Mum, Sisters, Brother, Dad, Edith Piaf, Annie Lennox, Kathy Burke, Judi Dench, Lady Gaga (random selection of cool people) and all my closest friends and colleagues.

Frost: What’s next?

Leoni: I’m constantly asking myself that. I’ve been offered a nice acting role in the feature Jack The Ripper, Whitechapel 1888 playing Mrs Swanson, the lead detectives wife.  I’ve co-written a short film which I am trying to pull some funding together for. I’ve just booked myself a session to record a new voice reel, and I am casting commercials, a Channel4 shoot and several feature films at various stages of development . The most recent film  I have taken on is a feature adaptation of an award winning novel and I’m tying up casting for Sure Fire Hit, the British Action Movie with Chris Noth (Mr Big from Sex & The City). However I’ve just realised I’m taking my daughters on a much needed holiday to Disneyland Paris during the premiere of SATC2 so won’t be attending that!

Frost:Is it harder for women?

Leoni: YES. Mainly due to statistics of there being more women acting. But I don’t think about it because you can make up a thousand excuses for why your career isn’t going the way you want it to go.

Frost: What does your average day consist of?

Leoni: Wake up, give kids my full attention, get them ready for school, school run, pop to a morning exercise class, back to the office at home – calls, emails. Sending out offers, chasing agents. A client may call with a new breakdown for a commercial or stills shoot, or perhaps to discuss a new feature.  Send out the breakdown, Stick a load of washing in the machine, cuppa, snack, tidy myself up and dash into London for meetings, reading a script/answering emails on the blackberry while on the way to London,  meetings..  maybe a quick commercial casting as an actress, sometimes I’m back in time to collect the kids at 4pm and then take my business calls/send emails while making their tea..homework and then kids bath and bed – stories.. my favourite time of day when we relax and I get to read their favourite books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, back to the computer to review suggestions for my breakdown the calls to the US to chase offers on feature films, update my acting CV,  watch Glee, print off my short film script and make some edits, have a chat to some friends online/phone. (Or often I stay in London for showcases, screenings or networking events) .. plan the next day, play a bit of the latest Professor Layton on the DS or read a bit of my book and then crash.

Frost: Did having children affect your career in any way?

Leoni: Yes. In a very positive way. They gave me back my focus.