Finding a way to kick off my blog wasn’t easy. A blank page can look so…pristine. A formal introduction always feels so ‘school essay’, so I ditched that idea. Where to start is always tricky one, but as luck would have it, today it found me.
Destination: London’s Pineapple Dance Studio in Covent Garden, a place of lofty ambitions, where dreams can be made…and dashed.
I chaperoned a friend’s son who was auditioning for a key role in a West End musical and as his name was called to the audition room, I could see the adrenaline pumping through him as he disappeared with the other wide-eyed boys.
It’s something pretty special when a twelve year-old boy can regularly face his fears and offer up his talent to be judged. Will he be what they are looking for today? Are the stars in alignment for him? There is only one way to find out. He must audition.
It reminded me that without taking risks and sharing my work with others, as a writer I will never succeed. Screenwriters must be prepared to show those precious words that are so personal to us, no matter how vulnerable that might make us feel.
So what’s the alternative? We never write or we never show and we never fail but we certainly will NEVER fulfill our dreams.
We have to experience this life, not just exist alongside of it, watching from the sidelines as others achieve. If I’m not prepared to take that risk, I shall be flatlining my career. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION.
Only by offering up our words for others, will we begin the journey to improve our skills and therefore give ourselves every opportunity to make it happen.
(NB. If you write purely for pleasure, then you must completely ignore me and do what makes you happy!) (This is not me. Is it you?)
So as the boys came away from the audition today not knowing who will become the ‘chosen one’ or who has fallen at the last hurdle, they share a common bond they should be proud of.
They put themselves forward, took that risk to be chosen or not, and for that I must take my hat off to each and every one of them.
Camilla
11 Mar 12 UPDATE: He didn’t get the part he really wanted, but he was offered another part in the production. Aim high folks!