Doctor Zhivago the Musical Opening Night!

What's better than free tickets to a Musical?

Free tickets and sitting 2 seats away from Australian character legend, Chris Lilley!

Thanks to a lovely Great Aunty for getting us tickets to the opening night of one of the latest musical productions of Melbourne, Doctor Zhivago I was fortunate enough to relive the opening night experiences of Chicago, Fame and Mary Poppins once again. Held on Thursday the 14th of April, 2011 at Her Majesties Theatre, the red carpet was rolled out as local stars walked into the bar and theatre in fur to team with the theme of the Russian story which was about to unfold before their eyes. The carpet was home to the likes of Darynn Hinch, Alan Fletcher, Ronda Burchmore, well known presenters of the news past and present and even talented star of We Can be Heroes and Summer Heights High, Chris Lilley walked in with their 'plus ones' to witness the Musical of the film, Doctor Zhivago. It was lovely to see most people in fur hats and scarves on this Autumn evening however animal rights activists may not take the same perspective if it were real. What else could top off the night by personally given a front row seat to the show amongst celebrities! As we entered the auditorium I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to Chris Lilley as we briefly spoke about his latest series, Angry Boys. (on screens early May!) He was nice and modest and coincidently had seats 2 seats down our row!

This would have been the second production at Her Maj to be seated front row and I must say, rumours of the front row being a neck-breaker is absolutely false. These seats ultimately allow you to be further immersed into the production as you see not only the performance, the wig alignment to the actor's heads but the sweat and spit flying across the stage. (not at the audience.. that would be awkward, no need for another shower thanks!) To be honest I did not think that this musical would be my sort of style however I am extremely glad that I did take a day off work for this as it was SOOO worth it and changed my perspective. The voices were amazing, the set was spectacular, the acting was true, (even the crying!)  and the plot was a beautiful love story which had tears in the eyes of some of the audience. I heard sniffles a lady.. (quite possibly a well known figure... just not to me...) told me how touching and watery her eyes were. The sound effects were also brilliant and despite us knowing when a gun was to fire... I could still be surprised when it does and jump in my seat. Funnily enough, so did well known dancer Rhonda Burchmore as we jumped in unison and connected gaze as we quietly mimed a laugh as we were the only ones that jumped in out seats. Well at least I can say I had a moment with Rhonda right? haha. After the show there were camera and an interviewer going around and interviewed most of my relatives on their take on the show, including me and my sister. So if you see us in footage floating around, Let me know! 

Comedy Gala 2011

Since December my comedy gala ticket had been sitting in my 'ticket' draw on my desk (Yes, I dedicated a little draw to my tickets to future stand up and theatre shows) and today was the day they saw the blissful light of day.

The long awaited day began with a call as to a 'change of plans' to get to our destination thanks to the fantastically unreliable train system we have in Melbourne. However, it acted in our favour today as my best friend decided that she would drive us to the venue in St. Kilda. She hadn't driven solo around St Kiilda or the city so this was an adventure from the very start! In the spa of 10 mins, prior to her arrival to pick me up, I google mapped directions and grabbed dad's GPS... and the adventure began. To our surprise we managed to successfully get to the venue without getting lost (considered we are from the other side of town) and the real struggle was working out the ticket machine. Eventually working out the technicality of the machine, we ventured out to find a place to dine. After walking around for at least half an hour with our inner with Italy on our mind we had Italian and it was a great chance to catch up .

The evening proceeded as we entered The Palais Theatre full of eager punters set for a night of laughter! And so the night was just that... if not more, from side splitting laughter to a subtle exchange of a glance saying 'this hat guy is not funny.' It was great to see the gala live and unedited as I had always wanted to go since year seven. There were some fantastic acts from Zoe Lyons, Stephen K Amos, Steve Hughes, Laurence Mooney, Bob Franklin, Denise Scott, Cal Wilson, Reginald D Hunter.. the list went on and on! The show ended with the audience getting flooded with streamers and it was a great atmosphere! We took some photos whilst everyone forwarded out of the venue but I couldn't help but play in the streamers. Let's just say.. glitter and streamer were kept as a keepsake.

We then drove back to MacDonald's in a suburb closer to home and pig out as soon as we worked out how to get home and make sense of the crazy St. Kilda road markings!!! It was fabulash! Got home at midnight for an early morning of university the next day. We had such a memorable night. This is my favourite photo of the night, despite the bad colour and plastic arms in the shot, standing in streamers with the Gala sign truly captures the night that I hope will be annual from this year on!

Mambo Italiano

Here is a short film I made which got screened as part of the "Italian Short Film Competition" for La Dolce Italia Festival on Lygon St. Last Saturday. Despite the rain there was a pretty good turnout!

14 hours in the city!

Going solo, city days are something I quite enjoy. Having the freedom to skim past uninteresting shops, spend as much time as I want trying on clothes and trusting my own instinct in terms transport and getting places. Day commenced catching the train to the Southern Cross Station and thank god I bumped into someone who knew Southern Cross Station as she quickly 'sign languaged' me to go in the right direction after I got off at the station as I had never been there before LOL.. nearly ended up at Edihad Stadium instead DFO Swanston Street.  Managed to work it out and I found some nice clothes at discounted prices.

Decided to walk to Melbourne Central as I was not gain enough to work out Southern Cross Station  (plus, it was good exercise) browsed through some shops, grabbed lunch and then decided to train it to Parliament Station as I had an interview nearby there.  I had my interview and hoping it went well and that I get it, because the pay is AMAZING lol. It's just a temp. For 3-4 weeks F.O.H position =D but A LOT of people applied so it would just be a blessing if I get it. Then my mobile went completely flat and I decided to buy a charger and charge it at Melb Central (they have plugs in the food court.. lol) so some lady sells me a charger, it wasn't for my model. so thats going back! LOL. Hung around there for a while bought a skirt and some stuff so it was a successful shopping day as I awaited the family to see ROB SCHNEIDER LIVE, ironically at the SAME place as my interview. 

In the pouring rain- that's Melbourne.. the show was amazing, we had average seats but you could still see him despite the shortness of us and him. It all started with 'YOU CAN DOO IT!' included a moth attack and a grasshopper and Adam Sadler impersonations! Loved it, very funny American. After the show he did a signing which I really didn't expect but was excited about! In the queue I met the same lady from the AFI Awards, who I bumped into in Taronga Zoo in Sydney and apparently we went to Wayne Brady too.. LOL she makes me laugh with her eagerness to meet people and get photos signed with them.. she goes to EXTREME levels! LOL. Anyway got to meet Rob, he was very nice and signed our tickets and got a nice photo! I think this is the first.. well known 'famous' American I have met.

The week that was......welll... last week.

Monday the day to which I had to enroll at my university. The day started pretty early as I posted off my entry into a competition and then 'killed time' in the city until my 2pm enrollment session at Swinburne University in Hawthorn. Amazed at the size of the campus, coloured levels and high tech ticketing system in the student information centre, it was defenently as nothing similar to the high school I attended the past 6 years. Thankfully I only got lost, once.. trying to get out of the building! I can now officially state that I am studying bachelor of arts- media and communication at the school.

Tuesday I had work and then my sister's friend slept over so we dressed up as bums and were lipsynhing and being idiots to I wanna be a Billionaire which turned into us dancing to songs on photobooth... they use me for my mac.  I guess I looked more bogan this day then Australia Day.. nevermind lol

Australia Day
Australian's all let us ring Joyce for she is young and free..
Considering the miserable weather I didn't have an 'AUSTRALIAN PRIDE-like' Aussie Day. Instead I caught up with a friend as I hadn't seen her in a while and shared university experiences and commented on the complexisity of enrolling at her University. Followed by playing Wii dancing like Michael Jackson and Rusputin followed by some good ol' guyitar Hero.. as my Mum was shocked at the 'terrible songs' that we were playing... my response being..Brooke picked them!

Coffee Catch -up was spontaneously planned when two people logged in to facebook bored converse on such a lovely day. Went down to Gloria Jeans in Williamstown and spoilt ourselves with Iced Chocolates and my favourite.. Cookies and Cream Iced drink mmm! Technically we didn't eat anything fatty.. we sucked it.. sucked up the fat and sugar eyy. Our day continued as we soaked up the sun in front of the pier sharing our excitment for the big drama catch-up to be had the following day.

Another early day in the city just walking around (good exercise!) as I avoid travelling and paying more in a zone that I am in for 2 minutes! Then met everyone at Crown as we were like little children amused by the lights, prize opportunities and car racing that Galactic Circus offered. As intended we played 3 games of Lazor tag and I can contently say I took first and second place in the first and third games against guys too! Obviously it worked to dance in the middle to the music whilst deactivated! Got accused as a bitch, cheat and fit person whilst whipping their butts at the game! Being short and wearing slidey shoes, has it's perks! I then trained it back to make my shift at the video shop. I ended up working overtime without pay- but didn't really mind considering we didn't have many customers for 2 of my 4 hour shift. Finished the night off watching a movie Dinner for Shmiks or whatever it is and fell asleep as it wasn't any good. Seriously, it is so easy for a movie to hit the cinemas these days they will screen anything even if it's pure rubbish!

I shall be off now as I get ready for a haircut and hopefully get a chance to dye my hair before going to an 18th party tonight!

Lights Camera Sleep!

Yesterday I actually finished that short film I was making. I had had this set in my head around exam time last year as a little project to take up during the holidays after seeing a competition that I could enter. Me and my competitions, I enter anything and EVERYTHING. So yes there was a small incentive to get me through this project without giving up or being lazy about it. This kept me pro active whenever I had a day spare on the holidays as I planned out the all important 'on the day' running. In production land 'on the day' literally means on the day and refers to the time filming...on the day. okay, that really didn't need to be explained.. anyway as I had a 1 day shoot, which I thought was appropriate as I shot in the one location, my Nunna's house, conveniently in the following street behind mine. For continuity and just to save time it was enough to squeeze it all in one day. In saying that- this is truly when all the planning comes to life and  perhaps the highlight of the project. I cast my 2 friends of Italian heritage to feature in the short and my loyal friend Juliana assisted and contributed to the set that day. After my one week holiday break, I spent 4-5 days during the returning week editing. Being self taught everything was an experiment if I'd had the time I'd reshoot scenes, edit it for a wider screen and get a HD video camera to film it all.  But I learnt so much in the short space of days fiddling around on Adobe Premiere and stitching together this footage with transitions as well as using the colour correction tool to brighten up a couple of scenes and get rid of the yellow tinge on some clips. Honestly the initial intention to enter this short film in a competition has completely left as I am satisfied that this has been a better short video of mine and that I have learnt so much.

Now the most challenging part is putting it on a DVD of which I will endeavour this morning after my sleep. I am certain this post makes no sense is repetitive and a poor attempt of my use of 'smart words' as my sister today said.. "Jade, you really have a small vocabulary" - thanks younger sister of mine.
I'l read over this later, eventually.. soon. I feel so exhausted after editing all day and working 4 hours non-stop at the video shop always doing something. It was a good feeling I got some exercise.. and time went by faster. Anyways enough rambling. I'l tidy this blog up later.
Ta Taa!

For no apparent reason I will leave you with an innovative driving creation by none other than Mr. Bean!  

REFRESHED

My poor Safari Internet browser from 6:00pm yesterday, it survived more than 200 refreshes. Why?
University first round offers were coming out. Said to be 'revealed' at the unusual time of 7:30pm, most year 12s of 2010 in Victoria plastered themselves in front of the computer waiting for them to be released. For someone who does not get the Herald Sun or The Age Newspaper I was not informed that online and in the papers on the respected websites the courses are released an hour earlier! Trust me, when you are waiting for something so badly, an hour off the waiting time is EVERYTHING! Thanks again to lovely Facebook communication, found out you can access your offer earlier.

And as hoped for, my first preference offer for Media and Communications at Swinburne University 'popped up' as I searched my name. So I've been wrapped, absolutely over the moon that I got into a course which I hope can open me up to a variety of jobs in the future from radio production, journalism, PR, Communication research and publicity. Definitely the area I would like to get involved in!

Imagine how amazing it would be to have Angela Bishop's job, walk the red carpet, interview the celebrities, get invited to every opening night and after party. It would be a treasure and so many memories would be had. My goal has always been to have a career that I'd love or enjoy and not be crammed up in an office adding figures or selling donuts for the rest of my life. I also think that variety works best with me. I like to try new things and muck around. I would also like to act or perform. I love seeing someones reaction when I perform or tell the lamest of jokes.. that they are laughing at me failing rather than the humour of the joke. A laugh is a laugh as I see it. If you are genuinely funny and can make someone fall in stitches of laughter from a joke or completely bag yourself out and get a giggle out of that-I think that is special.

Anyway getting back on track from the tangents of my mind this year is going to be full of nerves, getting lost, new friends, new experiences and hopefully I can retain friendships from last year which I am worried will fade away.

A progress update on the short film, I have had the one day shoot, edited the scenes together, colour corrected a couple scenes (MY LIFESAVER!) and now need to work on the soundscore, audio and credits.

Amy as Nonna

Me as Director- one day that tiny camcorder will be replaced with a huge HD professional one.. right?