Journals of a Non-Poet

How do you like them apples?

Philip Larkin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:53:18 +0000

I have to admit; I’m having fun.

I feel guilty about it, but I am. I think the guilt comes from my inherent humility & inability to enjoy myself/ relax. I’m starting to get over that though. I think. No, I am! I’m winding down. Compared to the me of last year, even as far as to say the me of six months ago – I’m a changed person. Life is great. Before, when I’d maybe not post for weeks at a time – that was because I was fed up! Now, I’m just too fucking busy. It’s great! I want more, though. I’ve taken a bite out of something very delicious, and I have drive. Saying that, I’m not writing & sleep is always an issue – but I’m managing that. And its not like I don’t want to write – it’s just finding the time and nailing some ideas down.

But I’m on track. Slowly, but surely getting there.

Wherever ‘there’ is…

TTFN,

Sent from my iPhone

Garrow’s Law

Philip Larkin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:35:45 +0000

Stolen from the lovely Katia Kvinge, a few snaps of us ‘dandying’ around on the Edinburgh set of the BBC/ Shed Production of Garrow’s Law.

TTFN,

Patience [& Perseverance] is a Virtue.

Philip Larkin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:35:03 +0000

Yesterday, I received a phone call from a very lovely lady called Eileen Gallagher, of Shed Media. That phone call, following a gruelling interview, application process and a very long year of endurance and writing.
As most of you know, last year I applied for a Masters in Television Fiction Writing, led by Shed Media, helmed by River City’s Ann Marie Di Mambro. I didn’t get it. However, they told me that I should take a year to make my mark, get some experience and grow a little – then return. Well, I did just that. I moved to Glasgow, and I persevered.

Yesterday, that paid off.
Yesterday I received a £15,000 Scholarship from Eileen Gallagher & Ann McManus, two very important and influential ladies in the television industry. Their company shed, is worth upwards of 75 million pounds, and they’re responsible for such popular dramas as Bad Girls, Footballers Wives and Waterloo Road. They’ve also just been taken over by Warner Brothers, an American Television Company which you’ll all be aware of.

Eileen called me yesterday to tell me that I was her & Ann’s personal Scholar; meaning that I’ve £15,000 – half of which will pay for the Masters, half of which is sustenance. My Masters begins in September this year. I’m going to be a student again.

This is only the tip of the iceberg as far as I’m concerned. Having been told that I can expect my talent as a writer to be exploited after my Masters – I can only hope that this is the beginning of a successful career in television writing.
Where I wanted to be really…

I’m terribly excited. I’ve been extremely humble, but now to have received validation from such a successful figurehead – I’m ready and raring to get stuck into my career in writing.

Until next time…

TTFN,

Costume Fitting

Philip Larkin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:38:56 +0000

See and download the full gallery on posterous

I’ve just landed a role in Garrow’s Law, a period drama for BBC – a joint venture between the Beeb & Shed Media. I haven’t gotten the script just yet, so all I know is that I’m playing a ‘Dandy’. Cast primarily because I look flamboyant effeminate & overtly camp? You betcha’.

I met with the costume department yesterday who kitted me put in the period gear. The only thing missing from the photographs is the wig, which is being made up. Looks like I’m getting somewhere. Let’s hope that the mornings aren’t as early as on the last Shed Production. No more phonecalls at 4:30am please!

My interview with Shed is next week also. Lots happening. Busy busy. Putting the finishing touches on my Pilot Drama & eager to start work on my play which will be performed in no less than one month. Mental.

TTFN,

Sent from my iPhone

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Before I Go @ Oran Mor.

Philip Larkin — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:06:01 +0000

I visited Oran Mor yesterday to see a piece by Ian Pattison, writer/creator of television’s Rab C Nesbitt. Pattison is renowned as being a quick, clever and witty television writer – delivering the wonderful Rab C straight into the living rooms of the UK public. His style, unfortunately – doesn’t travel well to the stage. Whilst his use of colloquial dialogue and reference generated a few laughs amidst the audience – some of the writing seemed a little clunky, and was often stumbled upon by the players. The story arc was a wonderful concept – but again, it’s conception may have been one better suited for screen; a place where the many clever, but often foreseeable ‘one-liners’ of the piece, should reside. In a recent interview with David MacLennan, Pattison said, ‘Death is a Universal Subject’ – I acknowledge this, but I must admit, I didn’t get enough time with Ellen Ross before diagnosis, otherwise I may have found myself caring a little more for the character. Again, this relates to Pattison’s background in television – where, framed properly – this piece would have been all the more successful. All prejudice aside, I can only say that perhaps after a few more drafts, the piece could be something special. A fair effort from Linda Duncan, Ryan Fletcher and Jon Morrison; who aptly demonstrated the broken family of the piece.

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Accent Help.

Philip Larkin — Tue, 04 May 2010 00:47:02 +0000

Okay, so I’ve an audition this week, wherein I’m required to demonstrate a New Orleans/ Southern American Accent. I’m doing OKAY, but I keep slipping into a Boston Accent.

I’d appreciate it if someone from New Orleans, or in general region – could get back to me with a video response, reading the speech below. If you aren’t from that region, and feel yourself competent – by all means, help me out.

My Monologue is from Aaron Sorkin’s – A Few Good Men.

‘Listen to me. You had the doctor on the ropes and you lost him, and you know you did. Howard was sweet as hell with his Dawson the protector number. And now you’re gonna trash Kendrick to make it look like you’re doing your job, when you and I know, and don’t pretend you don’t, that it doesn’t get you one step closer to where you need to be.

Don’t put Kendrick on the stand. I have to protect these guys. I can’t allow them to look like clowns up there. Stop now. Three years a piece.

Four weeks ago your clients passed on six months. Four weeks ago your clients weren’t a daily feature in the Washington Post, and neither were you. You’ve only got two witnesses and they’re both suspected of murder.

You got bullied into this room. By everybody. By her, By Dawson. I mean, I practically dared you. You got bullied into this room, even though not for a second have you believed you could win. You got bullied into this room by the memory of a lawyer who might’ve stood a chance.

Your boys are going down and I can’t stop it anymore.’

Okay, so – Video Responses ASAP please!

TTFN,

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Being Victor: Some Shots From The Shoot.

Philip Larkin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:33:51 +0000

Some shots from the Shed Media Production I was working on last week. Great fun!

TTFN,

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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Duh.

Philip Larkin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:21:34 +0000

Ever have one of those days where everything goes disastrously wrong?
I purposely walked underneath a ladder in order to tempt fate this afternoon. I walked under that ladder on the way home from work, where I’d scalded my hand this morning. So badly in fact that it was throbbing until late this evening.
Intent on enjoying a leisurely read in the park before tutoring this evening, I strolled at a pace from Buchanan St. to my lovely flat in the West End, enjoying the blazing sun the whole way home. It was only when I got there did I realise that I’d left my keys sitting in work. Not only that, but I’d also left my wallet in my flat; meaning my subway card was inside.

So, yes. I had to walk back into town, pick up my keys and set off home. Again. On my way, I made a second effort to tempt fate by dandering under the same ladder as before. Luckily, I’m not terribly superstitious & to this point (at least) remain safe & well.
After tutoring and making some dinner – I was gutted to have no sunshine left, thus no reading time spent in the park. I’ve resorted to watching the illustrious John Candy on TCM in Delirious. Fantastic.

I’ve an 8:30 call for more ‘Being Victor’ shooting tomorrow. Think an early(ish) night is in order.

In the midst of re-applying for my Masters. Hopefully I’m a little closer to the scholarship this year. Time will tell.

TTFN,

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Shine On, Glasgow.

Philip Larkin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:51:19 +0000

>
>
>
> It’s been a very lovely weekend in Glasgow. For the first time in > quite some, I’ve had the weekend off and all to myself. I read some, > I wrote some and I walked some. It’s been great.
>
> Well, I’ve been monumentally busy these past weeks. I’d a much > needed visit from the family over the Easter period which was > awesome. Nice to entertain in my own home. Especially since we’ve > since moved into our much prettier dwelling in the West End.
>
> I got a part as a featured extra in a Shed Media production last > week. T’was rather fun being chauffeured to & from the set and such. > Great to see the inner workings of it all, really. Hopefully the > stint which began last Wednesday & continues for another four days > of filming this week should earn me some brownie points from the > Shed Scholarship Panel regarding my masters application. Looking > back, this year has been quite mental. Quite mental indeed.
>
> Working with Jamie Morrison also on a few shorts & other such > projects over the next month. Looking forward to adding this stuff > to my portfolio!
>
> Today was fun. Patrick & I are working on a scene from the West Wing > for scene study class. We hit up the Amphitheater in Kelvingrove > Park, seeing as it was stupidly hot & working in the studio on such > a day didn’t seem to appeal much.
>
> That was followed by a lovely cold magners, which I must admit did > make me a little homesick. On my way to a meeting with Jamie, I came > across a Sunday School selling fresh lemonade. Thinking this as > being awesome & nostalgic of most childhood movies – I bought one > and proceeded to tweet about it. Well, as can be expected I ended up > wearing the buggering thing. Walked clean into a lampost.
>
> Social networking will be the death of me.
>
> TTFN,
>
> x
>
>

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Battery Farm @ Oran Mor

Philip Larkin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:54:07 +0000

On St. Patrick’s Day, this Wednesday past – I ventured to Oran Mor for the first time in months. How could I miss an opportunity to see another Gregory Burke play? Wonderful writer.

The play has come to an end in it’s Glasgow run, but if you have the means – check it out in Edinburgh from March 23-27.

Battery Farm carries an Orwellian tone throughout; a sterile, hostile landscape wherein all geriatrics are being fattened for cull. A very simple, yet brilliant concept which played eloquently within Oran Mor’s humble setting. The cast very much on form, and demonstrating possibly one of the best orgasm scenes this theatre goer has seen thus far.

Highly enjoyable, and what further made my day was the cheeky little site specific reference during the curtain call, beautifully concluding; ‘We hope you enjoyed the pies.’ Five stars.

TTFN,