Debbie Bridge's - A Singer's Thoughts: Print, Print, Print

Debbie Bridge's - A Singer's Thoughts: Print, Print, Print: I am just in the throws of getting my poster off for 'Miss Givings' . This is a first for me, as I can not remember the last time I had to...

Print, Print, Print

I am just in the throws of getting my poster off for 'Miss Givings'. This is a first for me, as I can not remember the last time I had to get one printed, other than from my own printer. As like all things in this process it is a learning curve. Thanks to a good friend, the actual design was brought to life, but should of checked the printers website for format, but printer was very nice and has managed to correct the little mistake of the words being too close to the edge of the flyer. Still I wait with baited breath until said posters and flyers are printed and with me and will they be ok for the job? I will not know completely until I get them, but the thing I do know, is that next time I do this, I will have learnt from this experience. For one thing, I needed a white box on the bottom of the posters for the venues to be able to insert their information - that is 7cm by 27cm - I have learnt that now - fingers crossed we got that right. For now, what I can show you is what we have:

We went for a simple look, the idea of tipping the hat to the Statue of Liberty came early on in the plans for the poster, we wanted Anita to look like a copy of, rather than a real version of the Statue of Liberty, so we have taken one of Anita's costumes, which is in itself a copying of the styles of some of the great divas, with a copy of the crown from the statues head to go along with the music which is a copy of the flame, which the statue holds. This is an example of how Anita has the desire to 'copy' the greats of show business, plus give a hint of the New York flavour, with the Autumnal feel of Thanksgiving, as the show goes through a year in the life of Anita Boult, starting at one Thanksgiving and ending at next year's Thanksgving - that's the American setting of Thanksgiving, not the Canadian Thanksgiving. I love the photo image which Emma Bailey came up with and you would not believe what the actual background looked like and how it too Emma and her assistant, I would say at least half an hour, if not an hour to get the fabric as the background to fall in the amasing way in which she eventually did. You would never know we were in a white room with rafters and a hardwood white floor. With me sitting on a step ladder - oh the magic of theatre! So the next print job, well after I take a breather after this one is, the programme, but I am going to give myself at least a week before I start to try and crack that nut...it is never ending when you are producing and performing in your own work....still got the lines for the last scene to really learn well! Always loving to hear your tales and ideas... till next time! If you are wanting to book tickets for the first showing of 'Miss Givings' on January 17th at 7:30pm at the Latest Music bar, just go their website and click on the link to order your tickets - hope to see you there!

Debbie Bridge at Little Bay - Brighton

Learning Curve

Yes, it's true, I've finally found a train ride to London to write another Blog. My time seems always so filled, but with great 'learning curves' of late. The latest being simple edits to my showreels and a 'Little Bay' short video. That aside, the biggest 'learning curve' is around 'Miss Givings' - a one-woman play with music about Anita Boult - a musical superstar wannabe from Peekskill, New York. I've produced my own work before, but this project is much bigger and, will hopefully, show the benefits for my efforts. I'm pleased we have a website page, facebook page and short video - a great place to start from for publicity. The new things for me are looking for funding, posters/flyer design and contacting theatres/touring skemes. The former can be a bit scarey, as I can't say asking for money has ever been a past-time I like or have done much of. Still, it's always good to step out of my comfort zones, as my experience has been that these are the places I grow so much as a person and as a performer. Plus, every little triumph - venue booked, video edited, poster created, photo shot is such a great feeling, along with all the line learning, meetings with the Director, Costume Designer, Writer, Venue, etc. Good thing I didn't know the full extent of the work load, I may not have been so brave to put on my own one-woman show. Still my confidence grows from each hurdle jumped. Also, I'm very grateful to all those who are a part of the 'team' of people helping to put this on it's feet. I had no idea how many people get involved in even a project for one actor. I'm curious if any of you have had similar experiences of doing your own thing and managing your own team? How has that gone for you and what did you learn? Our first full show of 'Miss Givings' will be at the Latest Music Bar and tickets are on sale on the website. I look forward to seeing or hearing from you and bring 5 other friends - make it a night out! Much love Debx

A Midsummer Night's Madness 21/04/2012

A Midsummer Night's Madness 21/04/2012

An Evening

Keeping the plates spinning....

There's nothing like having a lot to do, but it can get a bit scary as to how to keep all things moving forward. I've heard , if things aren't moving forward, then there ain't no neutral, things will move backwards. So I take this to heart and am looking at ways to improve or expand what I am doing, so as to keep things moving forward.

These days, I'm learning big time, how to delegate and let go. I know I can't do everything, so I'm slowly learning to ask for help where ever and whenever I can. This then means I don't have to do the same amount, but get more done by letting others help me do the things I don't have time to learn or do. It' great, but it does need me to keep an eye that things are followed up on. I really do work in show BUSINESS - heavy emphasis on the BUSINESS part. Right now, I'm doing a course to help market me better to the industry and help me improve my audition skills. So it's revamping the CV, cover letter, etc. It's getting the show reels out- both the singing and acting ones. It's talking to the agents to get their help and keep them informed.

My managing of the NAAA is proving to be very valuable, if not time consuming work. Overall, I'm gaining a lot of learning on how to work with others, encourage them and let those go that need to do other things. The best bit is after all the 'sturm and dram' it all works out and often in ways I hadn't realised and better than can be imagined.

Oh, forgot to mention, the performing as well, but you can always look at my website for that!

Keep those plates spinning, but always remember, we only have 2 hands, so ya may need a few more hands to help keep them all going!

Till next month...Happy Valentine's Day!