American Directors in London

Some questions from a reader who trained as an actor at Drama Studio of London and recently graduated from UC Irvine's MFA Directing Program; he's a dual citizen who's deciding between London and LA:

Q: Have you seen or worked with many directors who are living in London and are American?

A: I've worked with a few and heard of more. Recently:
Platinum Travel Club at The Tristan Bates Theatre (NAAA reading) - dir. Allison Troup-Jensen
Cat's Paw at The King's Head Theatre - dir. Noah Lee Margetts
Pistachio Stories at the Soho Theatre - (NAAA reading) dir. Chris Lane (Canadian)

Apparently there are a good handful of them out there. The NAAA has info on many of the up and coming North American directors for the annual playreading festivals, so if you wanted to get in touch you could email Laurence Bouvard at americanactors@aol.com.

Q: I have heard that more directors go between theatre and TV or film in London than in the US - do you see this as true?

A: There's generally more crossover of not just directors, but also actors, writers and producers. As radio is much bigger here than in the US, you often get people trying things out on radio first, then transferring to theatre, film or TV. I have some friends who write sketch comedy, and they always try new material on a radio audience before choosing what will make the cut for TV. I know another comedy duo who co-wrote a sitcom and put the first few episodes on radio, with the hope of -eventually getting it produced for TV.

Q: Are you noticing a glass ceiling for American actors?

A: Yes and no. Of course it helps if you're already famous when you come to London - then you'll have broken through the ceiling in the US and keep rising (hopefully) in the UK. But if you're like me and have a strong CV but haven't made the big big time yet, it's difficult. You have an advantage as an American - you're in a niche market and you have a unique selling point (USP). Therefore if you're good and have a good agent, you'll generally go up for most of the American stuff that's going if you're right for the role. You have an added advantage as man since there are more roles for North American men than for women. The disadvantage is, there are less roles generally for Americans. However, I know a handful of North American actors who work all the time, getting larger and larger roles with each new job. One of them, a Canadian, even made it into the RSC. So it can happen for you here. But as with any place, you need that sexy combo of luck, persistence, skill, tenacity and a bit of talent.

Q: Any suggestions about the first 6 months in London?

A: First check out the entries 'Your UK Acting Career Parts I, II & III' on this blog here. For your directing career, I'd suggest getting in touch with Laurence at NAAA and talking to other North American directors to see what they do. You could also suggest yourself to direct one of the readings at the 2009 NAAA playreading festival. But for the bigger jobs, I'd approach theatres where you'd like to work, try to direct some fringe or off west end show to get a London credit. I don't know the directing path very well, but hopefully that's a start.

Wellington Boots

Today it rained. A lot. All day. My leather boots couldn't cut it, and were soaked within minutes. Tomorrow I'm going to my first British outdoor music festival and it might rain again. So in preparation, I've finally become a true UK resident and bought my very first pair of Wellies (see picture, right). It's taken three years, but now that I have them I'm completely converted. I can walk down Oxford Street at rush hour and cheerfully bypass the crowds trying to avoid puddles. In my new waterproof boots I can smile as I splash into opaque pools of smog-infused water. And when I attend this festival tomorrow, I will laugh in the face of mud, now that I am appropriately armed.

You can see why the British are so fond of these boots, why they're so fashionable, why they abbreviate the name to 'Wellies' and sound so affectionate when they talk about them. Wellington Boots are an English icon. The modest rubber footwear has seen them through many a muddy field, flooded streets, waterlogged trenches in two world wars, and rain-drenched summer festivals which would otherwise be unbearable. They are everyday heroes.

For you North Americans who have never heard of Wellies, here's a little background from Wikipedia:

The Wellington boot, also known as a wellie, a topboot, a gumboot, or a rubber boot, is a type of boot based upon Hessian boots. It was worn and popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington and fashionable among the British aristocracy in the early 19th century. Read full article.

Happy Independence Day!

I find it amusing to be celebrating Independence Day in the very country we struggled to be independent from.

My parents report that they are having the traditional BBQ with friends and family followed by fireworks. I'm feeling shameful that I didn't even remember to wear red, white and blue today. But I have just sung along to the 1993 live recording of Whitney Houston singing the Star Spangled Banner at Superbowl XXV. I think it may be the best version of the anthem I've heard. Watch it on YouTube here.

Today is also the day my husband and I pick up our new Siberian kitten, separating her from mama and siblings. It will be her Independence Day as well. Perhaps we'll call her 'Indy'.

To all of those Americans reading this - Happy July 4th!

Moon Shot - A Success

After some glorious weeks in Vilnius, Lithuania (and many cans of hairspray), I have finished filming for Moon Shot. At the wrap party we watched a 25 minute sampler of some of roughly edited scenes and it looks great! Very much looking forward to seeing the finished product in early 2009.

This was such a fun project to work on and everyone involved - cast, crew, producers, director - was fantastic. I especially enjoyed meeting and acting with so many new people, many of them North Americans.

Some highlights: riding Segways through Old Town, going to an impromptu Bob Dylan concert, rowing in Trakai lake, wearing vintage 60's gear, Lithuanian karaoke, many mojitos, visiting baroque cathedrals, Thai massage, bowling with the cast, and many fine meals.

I will publish broadcast details as soon as I know them.