#6. Creating over consuming, community and spoken word
Including creative groups and forums, acting agency jobs, theatre opportunities, film festivals and poetry events.
INSPIRATION
“The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also, ” Harriet Jacobs. May’s nuggets of inspiration are about cashing in on nature’s new life to get outside and come up with your next great idea.
Creating over consuming
Not to sound ancient, but having grown up with dial-up internet and physical media, it’s easy to see just how much our consumption of culture has changed over the last couple of decades. We’re totally saturated with means of mental stimulation - social media, podcasts and audiobooks, streamable music, TV shows and films. As a creative, but also as a human, it’s important to leave space for your brain to do nothing. To give yourself a chance to get bored and allow your mind to wander. How can we expect to come up with new, original ideas if we’re constantly consuming other people’s?
Connecting with strangers
If you haven’t heard Colman Domingo tell the story of how he met his husband in passing and found him 3 days later on Craigslist, stop what you’re doing and watch this immediately - then go out and compliment a cute stranger in line to get coffee.
OPPORTUNITIES
Creative communities can be a lifeline when you’re first starting out in a new sector, so I’ve rounded up a few of my favourites - plus some top acting agency jobs and theatre making opportunities.
Join a creative community
Shooting People is a filmmaking forum for actors, writers, directors, producers and other creatives. It features events, castings, crew opportunities and other brilliant resources. £9.95/month.
Shorties is a community for women in film offering screenings, workshops and courses, plus a WhatsApp group for connecting and sharing opportunities.
Freelancers in TV & Film is a WhatsApp group that does what it says on the tin. Posts include paid opportunities and callouts for specific resources.
Writer Opportunities is another great WhatsApp group. Less of a community and more of a bulletin board, it’s a great resource for finding… writer opportunities.
Work at a top acting agency
Some of the UK’s major acting agencies are currently advertising for various entry-level paid positions on The PMA website, including United Agents, B-Side, The Artists Partnership Group, Sainou and Narrow Road. Salaries not stated.
Break into theatre
Bristol Old Vic is seeking an Assistant Director and Assistant Producer to join the team on their upcoming production of DELAY by Bruntwood award-winning playwright Timothy X Atack. Offering a fee of £3,150 per role. Applications close Monday 12 May.
Chichester Festival Theatre is running a 20-month programme for early-career, local theatre-makers to develop their skills, make industry connections, put on scratch performances and deliver a final piece at their newly-opened venue, The Nest. Part time. Offering a fee of £10,500, plus transport and accommodation. Applications close Friday 23 May.
Brixton House is looking for a Production Manager to coordinate all aspects of their in-house production process. Full time. Up to £34,000/year. Applications close Monday 26 May.
EVENTS
Film festival season is beginning so I’ve rounded up a few of the major festivals to check out over the next couple of months. If you’re in the mood for something different, head to one of the poetry, spoken word or comedy nights - or an all-night David Lynch marathon.
Film festivals
Queer East Festival showcases queer cinema and performing arts from East and Southeast Asia. Now until Thursday 15 May with screenings across London. Ticket prices vary.
SXSW Festival is coming to London for the first time for a variety of screenings and panel discussions. Monday 2 to Saturday 7 June in London. Passes from £595.
BFI Film on Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing, you guessed it, film shot on film. Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 June at BFI Southbank. Ticket prices vary by screening.
Sheffield DocFest is the UK’s leading documentary festival with international premieres and industry talks. Wednesday 18 to Monday 23 June in Sheffield. Tickets from £5.
Poetry and spoken word
Poetry and Comedy for Palestine presents a mixed bill of comedy and spoken word performances in support of Medical Aid for Palestinians. Monday 12 May in Stockwell. Pay what you can, £5 minimum.
Chippy Tea is a female led comedy night by Bab, an award winning sketch duo from the West Midlands. The event will showcase a line-up of different performers presenting stand-up, sketch and alternative comedy. Tuesday 13 May in Tufnell Park. £7.75.
Off The Chest are hosting a night of poetry with sets from Naomi Wood and Elle Dillon-Reams, plus an open mic offering poets three minutes to share their work live on stage. Monday 19 May in Brighton. £11 including booking fees.
One Mic Stand is a music and spoken word slam, with performers competing to win a cash prize judged on content and delivery. Wednesday 21 May in Manchester. £14.
David Lynch retrospectives
This summer, The Prince Charles Cinema is screening a number of David Lynch retrospectives - including his short films, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks and more, with a couple of all-night marathon events for the diehard fans. From £7.50 for single screenings.
Blues Kitchen Brixton is also hosting Dr Peter Sloane, a Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Buckingham, for a seminar on Lynch's influences, aesthetics and artistic pursuits. Wednesday 14 May in Brixton or live-streamed online. From £12.