Ashes to Ashes, Funky to Funkier

Ashes to Ashes! How good was it! You're not pulling my todger... well he can't any more... You've been Quattroed! Shaz shooting a baddie in a wedding dress (nod to Kill Bill, 'the Bride'? Y, n?) That was a bit outrageous, but they just about got away with it.

And and and... SPOILERS...

Alex gets shot in 1982... all goes white... she wakes up, and there's a bandage on her head. She got shot in the head in the present, in 1982 she gets shot in the torso... so... does that mean she's back? But hang on, they've just announced A2A is coming back with a third (and final :-( ) series... so, is she gonna slip back in a coma... and there he is... Gene Hunt, haunting, nay, *hunting* her through the hospital screens and machines... 'cause he's gonna go down for shooting her in 1982, which he did... but he didn't do it on purpose.

So, wait a minute, I thought the whole deal with Alex Drake is that she knows its all in her head. Not actually travelling in time. Which rendered a lot of the jeapordy in series 1 as null for me. Oh a character dies, well, they're not real, it's just her imagination. In series 2 however, her state of health in the present, deteriorating, racked up the tension. And somehow... somehow... what happened in this 1982 felt real and relevant... and now Gene's hunting her in the present... It's certainly muddied the 'it's all in my head' theory, for me. I *like* the idea there's actual time travel involved, and I liked it better that the show seemed to acknowledge that a bit more this time round.

Thoroughly enjoyed this series. Want more more more!!!

Also, the red button 80s Top of the Pops show with Gene making ascerbic comments in between, and sometimes over, acts, was great. Again, I'll repeat, more more more!!! This is television that gets me excited!

(Altho pls dont tell me... if series 3 is set in the present... we'll lost all the 80s kitsch...)

Interviews, Possibilities, Play

What's the news ppl?

I interviewed Lingo 24 entrpreneur Christian Arno about setting up his company. Had a good natter about the French Open on the side. Love a tennis fan!

Also, rather big news... which could just not happen, lol. But it might! A national glossy magazine are considering running an interview I've done. They're talking about it today, even possibly right now, in an editorial meeting. They have the power. I could have my first national press credit... or not. And then it's back to the drawing board. 'Cause it's all luck. I have no insiders at the big publications, I don't know what they're looking for. It just so happened this was the right interviewee at the right time... but even then, that might not be enough. If it got in tho, maybe I could get in further with this magazine. Or maybe they'd use it, and then I'd be cast off, back to where I am now. I just write about things that interest me. There is no master plan. I follow my instincts and what catches my attention. I couldn't do it in any more prescriptive way, otherwise where would be the fun in that?!

I finished my play! Oh ye of little faith... miss Mentor, you missed out, 'cause actually I am entirely capable of reaching a high level, and this could be good. Yes, it's gay. And it's a road trip. And it might not break the mould, but it shows totally blinding enveloping affectionate love and the things it'll drive us to do. Or how we'll drive across the Earth in the name of it. Haha - tagline right there! I'm having a theatre bud read it over, someone whose mentored me before and actually gave me benefit of the doubt/the time of day. Hope to goodness it's got the potential I think it does. Normally I'm not so sure, then I'm surprised when things do well. If I'm sure, does that conversely mean it won't be as good...? Huh... Hm...

ALSO! I went to the Doctor Who exhibition and I had the BEST time! :D It was amazing. It was like I was *in* the show. It was so cool. No wonder people on that show describe it as the best job in the world. The sheer quality and attention to detail of the work was so... exciting. Imagine being surrounded bythat expertise every day. I wish I was! Highlights... the Autons from the first ep, actually scary, the Face of Boe, K-9, the Daleks! I almost had the whole exhibition to myself, one of the staff gave me a free programme as they said they'd never seen anyone enjoy it so much. I was jumping up and down, so carefree, so happy. Why can't life just be like that... no worries. I've honestly not been that happy... in so long. And it took the Doctor Who exhibition to do it!

Spotted actress Hayley Atwell (Line of Beauty, Ruby in the Smoke, Mansfield Park). Actually spotted her dog first, cute long haired daschund, then I noticed its owner, lol. She was sweeping through, dark hair flowing, in the gorgeous Glasgow sun. She's in a play that's currently touring and made a stop in the city. Tried to take a snap, but couldn't, then realised that would make me like a pap, and that's not nice.

Later on that day, I also won a bottle of wine and a free drink in the quiz! Such days rarely happen, so I tried to cherish it! Just to compensate I went out Saturday night and it was a bit rubbish! But I got home unscathed, just about, so ready to write another day!

Take care, watch Andy (Murray) play at Queens!

x.

Quick Update

I turned 24 yesterday!

I interviewed Dizzee Rascal!

I saw Paolo Nutini live, he was amazing, music courses through every part of his being, he's incredible. Great atmopshere. Chatted to the support band after.

I interviewed Lydia Kelly from Hollyoaks, who plays recent addition to the cast Lydia (yes, same name), the new belle of Sarah.

Having to write these up both for looming deadline and with a monster hangover.

Well, it was my birthday.

x.

New New New

Well I suppose every update is new until the next one. Anyway.

Rachael Cantu, singer/songwriter, based in LA. Currently in Vancouver recording new album.

Read about her here, first, in the UK anyway: scotcampus.com/may09 p.25

Also covered is the sh(OUT) exhibit at Gallery of Modern Art. Read about it here: scotcampus.com/may09 p.31

I recently got placed in the photography category in a local show. A nice thing on the side.

For the next issue. Boo on the interview front. The singer I was getting set up to interview was La Roux. The Roux are playing as part of the NME tour, next week you see. I took an email from the press ppl asking what I'd like to do interview wise as an indication things were well on their way. I was wrong. No interviews. Shame.

So, I've got a few things in mind for the next issue of Scotcampus, see what, if any, come together!

Playwright mentoring... probably less said the better. It didn't work out. Born freeeeeeeeeeeeeee, free as the wind blows.... Is that even the lyrics? I don't know. In any case, I will be crafting my own work, on my own. And giving it a lot of time, no deadline.

Beginning to get the acting bug again. I'm restless. I watch how much fun people have on the job and I know I want a piece of it. But it's so far to get there. Don't suppose I can just call up Andy Pryor and get on Doctor Who straight away? No, nah, didn't think so. That'd be a scary prospect though, no? First major tv gig, on the biggest drama in the country. Holy shit, I think I'd have a heart attack.

Probs best not then :-)

Take care folks, till next time,
x.

Music, Art, Entrepreneurial Endeavours, and Charitable Causes. Well, you can't say it's not varied.

Yep, all of that is coming your way...

First off, I interviewed singer/songwriter Rachael Cantu, of catchy ditty 'Saturday' with Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara. Rachael is from Orange County, a talented lady whose just started a raft of gigs opening for BB King. That feature/interview will be appearing in the next issue of Scotcampus, out May.

I went to the major new exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art, "sh(OUT)", all about lgbt lives as expressed through contemporary art. Some very moving pieces, some perhaps startling on first glance but not as necessarily alarming as some might have you believe... I then popped into one of the accompanying exhibits, "Our Vivid Stories", created by an lgbt youth group. I covered those exhibits, also featured in the May issue of Scotcampus.

I compiled a feature on young chef Sam Stern for Source magazine, and a community feature on charitable organisations who have benefited from a government cash from criminals scheme for Primary Life. PL is going nationwide.

Those will be out in the coming months for Spring.

Playwriting wise... working away, and waiting for feedback. I also put one I was working on, on hold. I wasn't pleased with what I was writing, it didn't feel right somehow. I may yet come back to it, we'll see.

I've been in touch with a few national magazines, UK wide that is, nothing in stone of course, but there's interest, and that's a good thing.

Find out more about Rachael at myspace.com/rachaelcantu

Trying to set up a very cool interview in the next month or so... oh it would be so cool if it happened. But maybe that's just because I personally like this artist very much. Let's just say she's a she, and she's just made it into the Top 10 this week, first hit single. That narrows it down... maybe too much, lol. Even if the interview doesn't happen, it's been fun thinking "what if". In fact, it might be too exciting if it did happen. I might not be able to get through it through sheer exhiliration. Deep breaths.

Till next time,

x.

Source Sparkles, Plays Progress and Ruminations on Television

The Spring issue of Source is out now, including my article on Starsparkles entrepreneur Pauline Clifford. There's also a ten minutes with Doctor Who writer Paul Cornell included too. If you attend a high school in Scotland, lucky you, a free copy should be at your fingertips!

The next issue of Scotcampus will be out early April and for which I've written a round up of Scottish telly and the conitinung problem of there not being enough original programming, emanating from our region and then being shown on the network.

Got feedback on my play, and I'm chuffed to say the things I was concerned about were flagged up by my mentor. Which means I am on the right track and calling myself out on the right issues. Therefore, if I'm clued in as to what needs improved or changed, that means I'm in the best position to improve my writing. I continue on, and daydream of transfers to New York, which might never come unless I write something good.

Interesting things to note in popular culture this week. Russell T Davies calling for lotto cash to help fund children's drama. Over the past few few years, children's programming has shrunk on the terrestrial channels quite noticeably. Citv disappeared from its afternoon slot to take up a digital presence, and CBBC occupies less airtime than it used to. The defence is that with the digital arms children's progamming has a continual presence, but children's programmes all day on a digital channel isn't the same as a dedicated afternoon slot shaped to satisfy that post school hunger for cartoons, laughs and drama.

I think shifting the Aussie soaps to Five is partly to blame. Do you remember when Home and Away left its post Citv slot? It just felt... wrong somehow, it upset the schedules. When Neighbours said goodbye to the BBC and G'day to Five, The Weakest Link came in as a replacement in the slot, causing the schedules to shift and programmes like Sarah Jane Adventures to lose their original slot. Newsround at Five doesn't ring quite so well as Newsround at 5.25 for some reason. Blue Peter at half 4 instead of 5? It's all wrong wrong wrong. But then I would say that, having grown up with a schedule that worked and was around my whole childhood. Bye bye Byker Grove. Bye bye Grange Hill. It wouldn't be so bad if there was something comparable to replace them. Where does the North East get a shout out in children's programming now? I've caught Half Moon Investigations and thought it was a great addition, and SJA should stay. It's of such quality that it'll have kids growing up expecting great things from TV. But then excellence is rare, isn't that the point. Not everyone is a genius with a concept and a script. It's why programmes like Life on Mars and Who are the jewels, precisely because they're in amongst the rough.

The programmes that stood out when I was a child I remember till now. Adolescents and young adults frequently have conversations about the programmes they watched when they were young. It can't be underestimated the lasting impact they can have. If those programmes are neglected there will be a whole generation growing up with nothing to either enjoy at the time or look back on fondly at 2 in the morning with their fellow students. It's absurd to think such programming is under threat in the first place.

Rachel Shelley

The beautiful and talented Rachel Shelley is in this month's issue of Scotcampus, just released.

www.scotcampus.com/mar09 - Pages 6 - 7

Two pages, and some really nice publicity shots too!

Last season of the L Word, on LivingTV2, end March.

Otherwise, I've been a little quiet as I continued to be unwell throughout February, so am only managing to write fairly low key pieces.

Have sent the first few scenes of my play off to my mentor, just waiting to hear back. I'm pretty sure that howver much I'd like to be good, I'm not sure what I've written is, as Miss Brodie would say, la creme de la creme. If you're going to do something, you should do it well. So if I'm not up to par on this whole playwriting lark, I'm not going to keep away at it. Why flog a dead horse? Sadistic purposes most likely, and what are artistic people but gluttons for punishment. The rejection, the public criticism, the poor rates of pay, lack of job security, general frustration. At least I get to work from my bed. Which is comfy compared to any other kind of desk/office set up. Maybe a couch might be particularly comfy... can't beat a duvet though.

Anyway, we're not there yet tho, I've not even heard word back yet.

I've been living vicariously through the achievements of others lately, and have been following closely the Kilimanjaro climb for Comic Relief. Every morning Moyles and the gang have been phoning in to his breakfast show, and the live Twitter updates have taken me through every stumble, muscle pain and ache, including the glorious moment when they reached the top! Except when you've read about the "gruelling" nature of it all, it doesn't sound so glorious really. Ah well, well done to them.

Next month... I have a few ideas for stories for the paper to explore, see what comes of them. Word on the next issue of Source as and when. Cheeriebye,x.