My writing (and directing) career never took off the way I'd hoped. (Dreamt of for decades, since childhood).
The below quote is something I need to remember. I gave it all (I was capable of). In retrospect, I probably didn't have the confidence that others have and didn't push it as hard as some would. I emailed, submitted, rang etc but bravado can get you in the door, even with little to no talent. Seen it many times.
Still, I had some successes. Many stories and poems were published and some books too, though the novels I had to do myself. (A lot remains unpublished and perhaps, never will be). The point is, I have a body of work to say, I was here.
27 year old headstrong Siobhan is on a journey, in part of discovery of herself, as she negotiates a series of strange relationships. Where she ends up, is not where she expects.
Part satire, part artistic exploration, Owned is a full-length play based on the concept of the power dynamics in relationships. Of course there are some that are on (mostly) equal footing, share responsibilities, have respect etc, yet there are an awful amount that have one more dominant that another, especially in the working world.
Thus, someone is Owned.
This mostly satirical play, was written in 2017/'18. It's also dramatic and disturbing in parts.
I tried to get it produced. I thought it would make for a good piece of low budget, independant theatre but I was unable to secure enough support. Though I had directed a couple of short plays, (and quite a number of short films), I didn't want to direct it. I was/am, more of a writer.
One director I approached turned out to be a major narcissist. No suprises there. The artistic world is full of them. He never even looked at it. Blessing in disguise. His work is subpar.
So I hand it over to you, to download, or read at your own leisure. My Pleasure is your Leisure. Or some such thing. I do hope you like it. It's snappy, witty, disturbing with a couple of mysteries at its core. Like much of my work, you can make your own intrepetations. I always make space for the reader to inject themselves into the work.
Here's the opening few lines. The setting, a small party. Siobhan and Drew are late twenties, working class.
DREW
That’s the question.
SIOBHAN
No, that’s the answer.
DREW
Ah no. That’s posing a question.
(demonstrates)
With a little hook at the end.
SIOBHAN
No. It’s a way to back someone into a corner.
DREW
In what way?
SIOBHAN
It’s stating something in a particular way to measure someone’s
intelligence. Mine.
DREW
I’m not responsible for your insecurity.
SIOBHAN
(not so
annoyed)
Fuck you. I’m not going there.
DREW
I can’t help it if you’re not up for the challenge.
SIOBHAN
I’m above trying to meet your agenda. I’m not going to be judged
by you.
DREW
I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.
SIOBHAN
You’re being condescending Drew.
DREW
(puts on Jack Nicholson voice)
You can’t handle the truth.
SIOBHAN
You’re a dick.
DREW
This I know. I also know…
SIOBHAN
...that you’re a dick.
DREW
…that you can’t answer my question. But… clearly way above your
head.
What's the relationship between these two? Who owns the power?
This is merely the first few lines. This is Siobhan's story. She will soon cross paths with a ambitious man called Milos. Does he want power, or her? What is he really after?
Continue Reading / Download the entire play for FREE!
Things seemed to have turned again. It's the inevitable backlash. People could only tolerate so much outrage. Especially while pumping out their own form of discrimination.
Really, I should have put this out ten years when it would have had more impact. But then I would have been branded a bigot for questioning it. I guess that's the point.
There was no justification for the hate then. And there's no justification for what we're seeing now. Cancellations and assassinations.
'If you want to make the world a better place, look in the mirror and make that change.'
Can you pick the movie? All edited to the music. Most are from the 70's and 80's.
I made this back in the mid 90's, sourcing the material from VHS, being the only format available then. I meant to upgrade all the vision to better quality but never did so just going to release it as is. I was really happy with how it turned out.
Perhaps the crappy quality will instead place it into the time it was made, roughly '94. They were all my favourite films to that point. Mostly genre pieces. Most are still in my Top 10.
Star Wars
(As you can see the timecode stamps on Jurassic Park, the film had not yet been released on VHS but as I worked for a small production company/dubbing house, we had the Marketing Material for the movie to be distributed to TV stations and this was on it).
(If you have trouble watching, please let me know).
Have any to add from that period?
Was there any in there that you didn't recognise?
This was edited from VHS to a 3/4 Inch tape. It was not frame accurate. Very clunky. So the fact that it turned out as well as it did was a great joy to me. I love the final result.
I hope youre doing okay. Actually I hope youre doing fucking fantastically! Okay is good, but good is better.
Artist - Simon Berger - Shattered glass (real glass art).
