Hello world! Welcome back to another blog. As we head into the autumn season, and with my weekly highlights coming back soon, I’ve had a summer full of highs and lows. So without further ado here is what I got up to.
Professional:
Auditions:
Whilst the summer has mainly been about taking more time for myself, I still managed to apply for some acting jobs. This is so that by the time summer ends and I do get something (as I’m manifesto it) I’ll be ready to go. But I did have an audition for a children’s show that’s about an hour from my hometown. Yes I didn’t get it but to be selected for an audition is an achievement in itself, as it’s my chance to perform.
Another audition I did was a self-tape for a networking showcase a good acting friend of mine was hosting. As I’m writing this I wasn’t one of the people to perform in it, but that’s okay as to even get the chance to perform something is an achievement itself. And also because it was my friends event and not mine, she had to make the decisions she feels are best. And that’s all you can ask for and I’m proud of her for doing so. But now I’m looking forward to seeing the most amazing acts from the midlands show their skills!
Notts TV Interview:
One of the main highlights for me was being in tv to talk about my film. I was nervous to say that least, but Jack Simms, Al Booth and the rest of the team from Notts TV made me and Steve Watson feel so welcome and I feel we got the message across. You can catch the full interview here where my time code is 40mins 36secs: https://nottstv.com/programme/notts-today-tuesday-9th-july/
Creating My Own Work:
Even though I’ve been taking some more me time during the summer that didn’t stop me from making my own stuff to put into social media. These include writing some more sketches, posting my latest one, writing my own stories (which I’ll get into later in this post) and some spoken word/stream of consciousness style pieces. These included one dedicated to the Olympics (which I’ll also talk about later on) and also one dedicated to my mum who sadly on 28th august 2012 lost her battle with cancer. It’s always good to keep a creative head on even during times of bad things happening like what happened to my mum. And it’s moments like this were in the words of the late Amy Winehouse, “I’ve got to make something good out of something bad”. Please see the link here to the piece and if you like what you see please share far and wide if you or anyone you know has been affected by cancer: https://youtu.be/gAOWgpRysEQ?si=22OHYEg1daWmfNHQ
“Teardrops from a clown” & A Possible Collab:
One thing I did was support some of my creative friends in their new projects. One of which was I Used To Be Famous actor Leo Long in “Teardrops from a clown” directed by Jack HR O’Sullivan raising awareness for autism and also showing how clowns are not the creepy characters people see them as. It was also good to catch up with Leo, as this is the first time we’ve seen each other since January and so it was nice for a little reunion, along with meeting his acting coach Tricia Hitchcock and some of her students. And also there may be a collab for a future project for next year. I won’t say what but all I can say is watch this space. Please also see a link to my full review of the event where you can get the directors contact details here: https://www.theautisticactress.com/post/teardrops-from-a-clown-the-film-that-links-the-barriers-between-clowns-autism-together
Acting Classes:
To help keep my acting muscles going I continue going to my acting classes. This was a fun couple of months, as we did some scenes and we also recapped the American accent. Even though I’ve learnt it before it’s good to get a recap of how to do it, and as I’m writing this I’ve filmed a scene from a popular Nickelodeon show which I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Please see the link here where it was filmed it live in class: https://youtu.be/cBfNZ3ePdbA?si=UXhWjfN5HiHaktPO
Watched Some Theatre:
During the holidays I watched plenty of theatre. There was some I did plan to see but decided to bow out. Partly because I haven’t seen the plays before, and I didn’t want to go if there was a chance I wasn’t going to enjoy it, partly because of the news and the anxiety it’s given me, but also partly due to nearing burnout from other stuff that I’ve been doing. But the stuff I did see was worth it. Please see a few links below where I talk to you about three shows I saw during the summer, and one to the full review of one of the three: https://www.theautisticactress.com/post/summer-of-theatre-2024-immersive-in-newark-a-timeless-classic-reality-tv-meets-shakespeare
As I’m writing this, my review of the latest show I saw which was Grease, is also available to read. Please see the link here to find out which moments I enjoyed the most and how it helped me put a smile back on my face: https://www.theautisticactress.com/post/the-day-i-got-hopelessly-devoted-to-see-this-show
Shows on TV:
I’ve also been catching up on some of the latest tv shows, two of them being continuing dramas and the other new shows which I haven’t seen before. Even though I’ve watched most of them to email the casting directors I’ve also watched some just for the sake of entertainment, like Red Eye. This is a show where even though I don’t see myself in it, it’s good to just watch it for relaxation and enjoyment. Please see a link below to the review of this plus two other amazing shows I watched over the holidays:
Please also see my latest one below where I review 3 shows in their second series, and what I thought of them compared to series 1: https://www.theautisticactress.com/post/villain-era-doing-good-up-the-cobblers
Act On This podcasts:
During the summer I’ve been catching up on some of the latest Act On This podcasts, one of which was Peter Hunt, head of casting at like pictures and head casting director of Hollyoaks. Now that things will be changing (or if you’re reading this they may have already changed) now is a perfect time to reach out to them. I won’t say why as I would like any actor reading this to sign up and see for themselves. I also signed up to a programme called “First TV Role Fast Track”, where in the past I didn’t neglect it but was conscious about money. But after seeing the benefits and also having plenty of money in my savings (thank god for premium bonds) I decided to take the leap and do it anyway. Yes it does mean hard work but because the recordings will be there for life and also having a Facebook support group for 12 months, I feel some little pieces of the puzzle is what I need to fingers crossed get that first tv credit.
Personal:
Watching the Olympics & Paralympics:
One of the big things I’ve done this summer is watch the Olympics and Paralympic Games. Yes it’s taken a lot of my time therefore missing some acting jobs to apply for, but it was also the self care I needed to help me get back stronger and to help me re-energise and finish the year on a high. And there have been many surprises, so much so I did a piece on both events for my acting socials. Please see the links of them to my YouTube below:
"History makers": https://youtu.be/IeCkzV2QGPE?si=KtpYraMkIaAPUDjR
Exercise:
One of the things I did was keeping up with my fitness, both with going to the gym and also combining it with Yoga. Whilst I used my week off of my day job to do some more exercises, there were also days where I needed to let my body rest and let it wake up naturally. This is just as important as doing exercise, as I'm listening to my body and also avoid getting burnt out in the past, therefore oversleeping. So all in all I'm definitely taking better care of myself when it comes to the exercise part.
Surveys:
One of the many hobbies I continued was doing some surveys. Yes you have to do a good few before you earn some money, but they are quite relaxing, so even if I wasn't earning extra cash from them it's still good for me to do that's not acting. As I'm writing this there was a moment during my week off where I was accelerating through them, but now it's not as efficient. But as long as I get at least once a week done I'll be happy.
Archery:
During the summer I decided to learn a new skill, which was archery. I’ve been wanting to try something new for a while and as I’m writing this, I've officially finished the beginners course and looking at developing my skills. And whilst I do want to continue my skills (as it’s important to have other things in your life and not just acting), I made the decision to get in as many sessions as I can, but within reason. And I say that as due to a nerve injury in my back, I couldn't attend one of the sessions, but it's also so that I don’t get burnt out from the other amazing things I’ve signed up to for the rest of 2024, but also so then when I do get some seasonal work at Belvoir Castle (hopefully) and also making sure my money is okay I can go when I can. But I definitely won’t stop doing this sport now, as it’s one of the very few things outside of acting that I’m enjoying. And as Ross Grant from Act On This said, it’s important to have other things in your life and it’s not always about acting.
Writing Stories:
It wasn’t much of this task due to hyper fixating on other things, but I managed to get back to some of my stories. One is now officially published on my Wattpad profile (which you can see here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/369149558-disiplinary) and the other (inspired by the film dirty dancing and one of the characters being inspired by a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing) having its first draft done. I also saw a competition where I could use one of my other stories to submit it. As I’m writing this blog I’m in the process of seeing if it fits the criteria. And I’m hoping as well that once we enter the last few months of 2024, knowing I’ve got a busy one ahead of me I hope these are my ways of self care from the manicness that is the arts.
Baking:
During the holidays whilst I took my cooking skills down by 80% one thing I did do was bake a dessert. It’s safe to say me and my Nan had to improvise on some things, but all in all it looked impressive as seen below. And it made me want to continue it in the near future, and I think I know what to do next.
Dragon Boat Race:
This event I went to counts as both personal and professional. Professional because there was some entertainment happening, one of which was a band who did sea shanties, and personal because I know that life didn’t always about acting. And supporting my dads friend and also one of the archery instructors in their races was my main aim which I did, all in aid of two good causes, one of which was Beaumond house. Despite the weirdness of some of the entertainment like the dragon as seen below, it was overall a really good event.
New Day Job Opportunities:
During the summer I’ve kept applying for more day jobs in the hopes of making it more flexible for my acting career. And whilst there were some that didn’t go my way (one of which decided not to take on any more staff due to reasons beyond my control and the other being full time when really I want part time knowing that going full time will burn me out even if I didn’t have a career in acting), there was an opportunity that may have helped me wit that flexibility. But sadly as I’m writing this I’ve decided not to take one of the day jobs which yes will mean more flexibility but because there isn’t a set wage I don’t want to worry about if I would make a sale after hours of working. Yes it’s one of those things where if you don’t try you’ll never know, but if it’s going to stress you out why put yourself through it? I also had an interview for a famous sports shop in my hometown. As I’m writing this, I didn’t get the job. And it’s okay to feel down that you didn’t get it, as it would’ve meant flexibility in my acting career, but that won’t stop me from seeing the incredible stuff they do! It also meant maybe having a pay cut on how much I work and how much I earn. Yes I know it’s not going to settle well with everyone, but because there are certain areas of my budget which I don’t spend as much, and also there is extra ways of earning cash (like my Act On This affiliate link and also earning money from surveys), I feel I can make up what I’ve been cut. I also had an interview for a small service station which is downsized massively but it wouldn’t been suitable for me. As I’m writing this, I've not heard anything. So my guess is they have moved onto the applicants they want to see next. But like the acting industry when you don't hear back from a casting director, these things happen. I also wanted to share that due a situation at my day job beyond my control, I have to work some extra hours to pay back what I owe them. As I’m writing this I’m a couple of weeks into it, including when I write this post. It’s hard I won’t lie, but I’m trying to see the positives, and those are that I don’t need to loose any money, it’ll help me sleep better at night and that whilst this is not my be all end all, there are people in the world who don't even have money coming in. So it's moments like this where I need to be grateful for the little things.
Cervical Screening news:
It’s now come to the point of my life where I need to now make sure I have a possibly life saving scenario… a cervical screening. Am I petrified, absolutely! But I know that at the end of the day it could potentially save me from getting any nasty diseases before they’re spread. And the earlier it’s caught the sooner they can treat it.
Downsides:
Whilst the summer is a time for everyone who was in education to enjoy a well deserved break, for some like myself it wasn’t easy. My plans were put to a halt, partly because of what happened in Southport but the other also due to the 28th August being the day of when my mum passed away from cancer. Although now I feel that this time it’s made me feel more isolated than before, skipping out on stuff like the bank holiday weekend celebrations due to wanting my own company but then also being scared of the large crowds (which is the disadvantage of being autistic as you want to go to stuff but then the thought of large crowds terrifies you). But whilst I need to break out of this spell for the rest of the year (as I know that doing less will make me want to do less and vice versa), if there’s anything I learnt from it, it’s to find the good in the bad. And that’s telling you that if anyone reading this is feeling alone, and feel like they have to do something, especially during the bank holiday, that’s completely normal, and if you don’t feel like doing something and staying in the house that’s fine. Because everyone is different. And during that painful time I also received some kind words from a stranger on the anniversary itself. He seemed like a lovely person who offered me some lovely words of wisdom, which really fueled me up. And I will take that on board with me for the rest of the year. That and the delicious dessert that is Kaspa's definitely did the trick.
There have also been a few moments where things have happened like change without warning and also my sensory overload. But as I'm writing this, some of it has still happened, so I'm recovering in my own way by focusing on my special interests, and also saying no to an archery class for rest. Yes it may mean one lesson less before I have to stop in October, but sometimes you need to think about your needs, and it has helped me massively.
And that’s what I got up to during the summer holidays. Let me know after reading this what you got up to. And if any autistic readers hear who are nervous about going back to school, that’s okay. It’s perfectly normal to do so. So my message out there is you’re brilliant, smart and you will smash the last few months of 2024.
See you soon for another blog. Until next time…
This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)
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