Hello!

So did my first all night shoot yesterday for the short film ‘Off-licence’. After a little bit of drama getting there (we were picked up very late and then got flashed by 2 speed cameras on the way!) we went straight into the first takes without time to think! I was a little disappointed with my initial close ups as I don’t feel I was as relaxed as I could have been, however the rest of the shoot went well and I trust that if the director thought the takes were good then they will be!

The rest of the shoot will be tonight (11pm-7am) and I must say I am shattered but very much looking forward to it. It is always interesting working with new directors and their different methods and process. The great thing about Dasa is that she has a really clear idea of what she wants and is able to articulate that to you. It also makes for a really interesting process as the shots are almost being cut as we go, and we will only play out as much of the scene will be in the final edit. The only down side is there is extra pressure to get a good take as you know that there are no other shot options to cut to, but as seasoned professionals I’m sure we will be fine ;-)

Much Love as Always

Jen

Hello!

So what's new? I went to an audition on Tuesday for an advert for Lastminute.com which I then shot on Thursday and Friday. Whilst on shoot the DOP put me forward for an advert against getting in unlicensed mini cabs which I got and then shot last night......CRAZY BUSY!

We were shooting in the same area as TOWIE, we were all dressed to the nines on 'my birthday night out' and I can honestly say I have never been so cold in all my life! Although I was playing a girl on her 21st I think my age is definitely starting to show when I’d rather be in my jeans and a jumper than dressed to kill! All the same it was a great shoot and the cast and crew were lovely, can't wait to see it! :-)

People always tell you that it’s easier to get work if you’re already working, and this experience has definitely proved that to be true. Nearly all of the work I have done recently has led to more work with the same company. I now have work lined up for the rest of the month and fingers crossed the rest of the year will follow suit!

Much love as always!

Jen

Hello!

Short film are an interesting premise. Although they are unlikely to be a financial success and are often unpaid, they are good experience and not only help you to develop as an actor but also provide material for showreels and gain exposure and contacts which in turn leads to further work. The problem comes with the fact that they are often very low budget, that anyone can make one, and there is very little quality control. The skill as an actor, I think, is spotting the talent. When auditioning for short films it is as important for you to question their ability as them yours. After all you are giving up your time for free, in the aim of career development, but if the crew lack skill or ability, what will you really get out of the experience, except feelings of resentment and possibly a fear that anyone will ever associate you with that project!

I was recently approached by a young director Dáša Raimanová who offered me the lead role in her film Off-Licence, playing Kumaru a young Turkish girl raised in England. Having read the script and spoken to Dáša I was keen to be involved. I could immediately see her passion for film and creative vision for the piece and new that this would be an interesting project. Off licence is a simple story which plays on subtle emotions and isn’t afraid to use silence to create atmosphere. One thing I am very pleased about is that we are able to rehearse the piece before the night shoots next week, something which is very rare these days!

I am really excited about this piece and cannot wait to explore this beautiful story. For more information about the project, please check out Dasa’s blog: http://raimanova.tumblr.com/

That’s all for now,

Much Love as Always,

Jen

Hello!

As usual I have become terribly behind on my blog…..it seems that as soon as I actually have something interesting to write about I’m too busy to sit down and do it!

So what is new…?Well I have been performing in ‘The Tempest’ at The White Bear in Kennington. The production did well and we sold out for the entire run and I am proud of my work.

The feedback however was varied. Apart from one incredibly scathing review from Remote Goat, from an actor who the casting director later informed us had auditioned for the play but been unsuccessful, which was clearly bitter, the other feedback we received was analytical and pointed out the strengths and weakness’ of the piece in fair analysis.

Personally I received very little feedback in the reviews having only one very short scene. The review I did get from The British Theatre Guide was as follows: “The magically appearing feast is cut and the goddesses masque performed by just one performer with a cleverly designed mask that allows her to be all three goddesses in turn addressing the audience as their attendants. It’s an ingenious idea but these goddesses address each other, and its point apart from any visual effect is the flowery classicism of their verse designed to satisfy Jacobean courtly taste. Two of the goddesses are given country accents, one of them played grotesquely bent, the other back to front, though when she gets to Juno the text is very well delivered showing what a fine job the actress Jennifer Quinn could have made of delivering all of it. As she has been asked to play it, what comes first becomes largely unintelligible, making the scene drawn out and boring.” I am aware it is not traditional to post negative feedback about yourself however it is only one person’s opinion and it is my first ever negative review!

In contrast to this review the feedback I received from directors, agents and colleagues who came to see the piece was all very complimentary. From this I cannot help but wonder whether people are just two faced and don’t want to insult me, or whether peoples opinions can differ so much that one person can call a piece of work exceptional and another boring….?Either way I am pleased with the work I did, and do not feel I could have done any better within the circumstances. And after all it’s better for a show to be discussed and debated then to slip into the mediocrity. Our director tried to do something different with this piece, whether it was successful or not, that is up to the audience to decide….

That’s all for now!

Much Love as Always,

Jen