Blog - Debbie Bridge

To Brand or not to Brand, that is the question? Take 2

This is the update from last week’s blog on branding to let you know where I am today:

Debbie Bridge logo

So how is my vroom going? Well, I think I’m vrooming along nicely since I posted that original post.

As you can see, I have created a logo and instead of brand, I’m now using the terms: my own ‘blue ocean’. I have found this a lot easier than trying to ‘stand outside myself and see myself’. I’ve come to understand, as an actor/singer, this is near impossible to do, unless you are 1 of those lucky few who are writer/actors, singer/directors, whatever paring works for you – what do I mean by this? Well, people who can see things from both sides of the stage. I am someone where I discovered, I’m very happy just working from the stage and don’t need to try and see myself from the writer or director’s chair, in fact, that gets me spinning in my head.

So, how do performers like me get their own blue ocean?

This is how I did it, I created my dream client, thanks to Dallas Travers, she showed me simple steps on how to see, not me, but the other person I am selling my wares to… so to speak!

Also, services like the Union’s free, yes, I just said free or close enough to it, support. And people ask, “What the arts unions are good for?” Well, this is a biggy, these guys have helped me to understand all sorts of different parts of the ‘business’ side of the entertainment world– key word here: business! So who are these masked marauders of free help and how do you find them? They are the FEU Training and click on the link to find out more of how you too can gain from what they have to offer!

FEU Workshop
Photo: Kate Willoughby

So I say, I’m OK with this Brand thing and I’m lov’n my own blue ocean, where are you swimming these days?

Comments welcome below:

Debbie BridgeAugust 20, 2015December 21, 2015 Acting, Business, singing No Comments

To Brand or not to Brand, that is the question?

This is a reblog of my very 1st post and next week, I’ll give you an update of where I am now with this, but wanted to remind you of where I came from:

Debbie Bridge logo

A singers life is not what it used to be. The terminology just boggles my mind. I read an article recently that states, “to make it in the entertainment industry, performers need a Brand.”

I can honestly say that Branding 101 may have been a bit more useful to my career than theory of music 101.

Still, I’m battling on trying to make sense of what branding is and how to create it. I’ve been going to business events in my local area to get a better understanding of how business works. Through this networking I’ve managed to meet with a business Guru and was asked, “If I was a car, what sort of car would I be?” And they say artsy people are out there, but at least I can relate and find it easy to answer, even if it seems a crazy way to find my ‘brand’.

Then I’ve been thrown into another foreign term: U.S.B. (unique selling point just to clarify for those in the singing/music world & aren’t business savvy).

Is it just me or are there others that find describing my U.S.P. is rather impossible?

The suggestion of stepping outside of myself and looking at me from a ‘customers’ point of view seems, well literally, physically impossible, if not a bit painful. So I’m faced with the dilemma of how do I get past this if I don’t have the skills or budget to do it? (This may be a surprise to you, but artists really do not earn the big bucks, I definitely fall into the struggling multitudes).

So continuing to wade through this new and exciting time where business language meets musical terms and people, hopefully, I will come back to you soon with ‘my Brand’ – all shiny and new – like that BMW car I see myself as (convertible, British racing green and 2 seater. Vroooom!)

What car are you?

Debbie BridgeAugust 14, 2015December 21, 2015 Acting, Business, music, Opera, Singers, singing No Comments

Taking a Year Off

My first ever camel ride in India

Yes, I did it. I thought it was something I could never do, but I did it! I took a whole year off to have my dream trip around the world and see the Taj Mahal. This is something I have wanted to do for most of my life. Not just a gap year, but a year where I could travel – comfortably – for a year. So I am here to say, that anyone who is afraid of going away for a year and being forgotten in the entertainment industry – well, that’s just your brain talking poppy cock!

It was wonderful and I have come back with new ideas how to work in the industry differently and in ways that I hope will work better for me, as to before, where I spent a lot of time and energy ‘trying’. Also, I’m starting up a new side business, which I will save for a future blog, but the name of it is ‘Bridge the Travel Gap’, to give you an idea of what it will be about.

Being the creative I am, turning off that creative button was something I knew would not be good for me, nor would it be likely to happen. I know, when I went for an extended trip to New Zealand, I tried to do ‘no work’, but, of course, what happened, I wrote my first 3 songs ever – 3 children’s songs about my encounters in New Zealand. Check out my soundcloud page to hear them, they are at the bottom. So, on this trip, I was more prepared – I decided to write a weekly blog of letters to various friends about my travels. That led from there to monthly video blogs of what we saw, monthly singing videos (me singing in all sorts of various tourist spots) and a review blog on the books ‘I carried with me’.

It’s been an incredible year and I am so grateful I did it and for all those people along the way that helped to make it all happen! So, if you are like me and waiting to do that amazing trip – don’t put it off any longer – go! You only live once or, at least, this lifetime once! I took a whole year off and I don’t feel any worse for wear, in fact, quite the opposite and happy to re-engage with my entertainment world again!

Debbie BridgeAugust 6, 2015August 5, 2015 Acting, Business, music, Singers, singing, Theatre No Comments

Laughing Out Loud

I must admit, I imagine, I’m likely to be someone’s worst nightmare to sit next to on a plane.

Since doing Meisner acting training, I’ve decided in life, I will no longer hide tears or laughter in public – well mostly. I can now get so engrossed in a film that I just don’t realise that I’m laughing or crying out loud. So, I’m the type to cry at a commercial, hence why I can’t watch any of those African charity commercials – just switch channels. Also, I don’t tend to watch the news, as it’s all about what makes news and that isn’t people being happy and having fun, it’s usually the worst of human behaviour, as that is what makes ‘news’.

Anyway, getting a little side tracked there, I’ve found the way to get the table or seat next to you on the train or the bus – laugh out loud! I’ve been reading, Lynne Truss’ book – ‘Making the Cat Laugh’, so with my motto of laughing out loud intact, I’m the Nutter no one wants to sit next to – brill, I love the extra room!

I feel we’ve lost touch with expressing emotions in public,especially when on our own, other than road rage, or being high on some substance, so I’m determined to fight this belief system in the Western World and laugh out loud, not because I’m a Nutter, drunk or under 21, but because I’m enjoying my life and I’m on my own while doing it or with a group!

What is it about us today when we hear someone on their own, laughing – we want to run away?

I would much rather enjoy the fact that someone is enjoying themselves. An example in my life, as my hubbie watches a lot of TV which he howls with laughter at – I’m sure he’s also not aware how loud he laughs while doing it. So I now embrace his laughter with a quiet smile upstairs as I hear him howl, roll over and go to sleep with a cheeky grin 😉

Isn’t life grand!

Where do you let your emotions run free?

Laughing in Much Ado About Nothing

Debbie BridgeJuly 15, 2014December 21, 2015 Acting, Singers, Theatre No Comments

Speaking for Eva Peron

I am doing my 1st paid voice over job – how fab! Talk about being thrown in at the deep end!? I have even got words in Spanish – a language I do not speak – which I need to say. Glad I did those Italian lessons, as it gives me a good starting point. In general it is an American accent which is needed, hence why they got me in, so a quick call to a friend who does speak Spanish and, Bob’s your Uncle, I am clear on how to say those few Spanish words.

I have read the script several times out loud to get a good feel for it. In situations like this, I feel a bit luckier than other actors who do not have musical training. Why? Well, because I can make notations from music which fit nicely on the written page, especially when the words are not laid out well – you know, when the last word of the sentence is on the next line. When that happens, I either put an arrow to remind me to keep it moving or I write the word in, remembering to scratch out the typed word on the next line. This makes it easy to follow, along with some other easy markings for speeding up, keep it moving and breathing.

The job is now done and what fun! Nice group of people to work with, got the job done in less time than set aside for it and end of March a copy will be sent to me (this has since been sent through and a sampler will be made in the near future). Glad I have got the 1st one in the bag and with relative ease.

Looking forward to the next one…..wonder where and when it will be?

What tips to you have for doing voice over work?

Just after I had finished my session as Eva Peron.

Debbie BridgeApril 9, 2014December 21, 2015 Acting, Voice Over No Comments

What would you do?

I was sitting across from the famous British actor, Jason Hughes of ‘Midsomer Murders‘ fame. Here I confess my secret passion for – murder mysteries! I love them and am a big fan of such series! I had all sorts of naughty thoughts on how to get his attention or engage him in a conversation. To be soooo close and to say nothing – agony!

He had his eyes closed, so no possible accidental glance was there. Could have bumped against him, ‘accidentally’. ‘Ooops! Sorry’, then have asked him, if he really is who he is – not so classy that.

Then my fear of actually accidentally hitting him, made me sit like a starfish stuck to a rock, for fear of waking the poor man, who was obviously very tired, as he fell fast asleep. ‘Do I take a picture?… don’t I?’ Ran through my head, but I did think, ‘bad Karma, what if I was in his shoes?, would I want someone I didn’t know taking photos of me while I’m asleep on a train and then putting them on Facebook – no!’

So, instead I posted my dilemma on Facebook, ‘They’ll know what to do’ and here is what they said:

Caroline: Shout something in Welsh very loudly to him (only Welsh I know are town names, not very sane, yelling Abergavenny! Cardiff! in some weird and random way)

Jon: Sit on his lap and snog him (I’m afraid my John, may have words to say to me, if I did that)

Jenny: Be cool. Or maybe arrange yourself as a murder victim and wait (liked this idea, especially, as I have a big gash over my left eye, due to recent surgery, but man would it hurt to get those stitches put back in)

Julie: Poke him to see if he’s alive! (hmm, this was possible, but still may produce – weirdo person sitting across from me vibes, rather than sane, beautiful, talented person!)

Caroline (again): sing an aria (this was a good 1, but I didn’t do it, lots of people on train and all that, I’m quite a shy person really!)

Fiona: Lean across and blow up his nostrils. (Back in weirdo category, not the effect I was going for)

Stephen: Ask him how Tash and the kids are? (Didn’t get this private information in time to do it)

Peter: Draw a white line around him for when he wakes (now what did I do with that spare white chalk I always carry….hm?)

My personal favourite though:

Peter: ‘Jason Hughes is sitting in a cafe and thinking, is that Debbie Bridge? Wonder if I should go and say hello.’ (Looking forward to this event)

and to leave me with a bit of hope:

Alan: He’s a Kemptown chap isn’t he? (raising my hopes, I may get this chance again on a future train ride, when he isn’t so tired)

So, in the end, he slept well and I had a lovely distraction and a few laughs during my train ride up to London, where I did my 1st Voice Over job….that leads nicely into my next blog, so catch up with you then.

P.S: Jason Hughes, if you are reading this: I just wanted to say, I really like your work!

Debbie BridgeFebruary 14, 2014December 21, 2015 Acting, Voice Over 2 Comments

I just love trains, planes, ships and automobiles…

On this business trip to Leicester (where they found the King Richard III remains) its 3 trains, but I love this form of transport.

I am off there for my latest shoot on my 1st TV film documentary. What fun! (Cannot say anything about it, but it will air next year in the US and the UK – possibly elsewhere!

TRAIN /TAXI

Me being an air hostess

Back to my journey – I encounter someone playing the piano at St. Pancreas station, London, someone on the phone talking about their recent love encounter and trying to figure out how to turn off my phone’s connection to the Wi-Fi on the train, as it costs money – don’t want to pay for it!

1 reason I enjoy these long journeys is that is when I find the time to read through notes, write my monthly blog (like this 1), clear out my stacks of monthly industry reads (magazines, newspapers, etc.), memorize lines, analyse scripts, send emails (love new iPhone for this feature alone, let alone some of the others I keep finding – Shazam is a great app for finding what song you are hearing in a public place, but cannot remember the name), and read a book (managed to finish several books lately which I have been reading for ages).

THE HOTEL

It’s off the train at Leicester and straight to the taxi rank and then to the hotel. Taxi drivers seem to want to take the men before or after me, but avoid the lady in front of me and myself……hm?! Still off in the taxi and to the hotel. Room has ‘great night sleep guarantee’ – good thing as I am tired and love good nights of sleep, especially in what seems a quiet hotel. Want an early night anyway, as it is an early shoot and need to get another taxi to the shoot early in the morning. So nice to have a big bed with clean sheets and 4 possible pillow types! It is tea time and re-charge the batteries as well as the phone.

TRAVEL BUG

I love travelling. I have been doing it since I was a baby and my parents flew me across Canada to meet my Dad’s parents and then flew me off to Austria to meet my Mom’s relatives at the age of 5.

Nothing is close in Canada, so have got used to the distances and have found the joy in staying in new places and discovering new things. Airports were places of real joy, either we were going to an amazing place or coming from one or someone I love was arriving or leaving. It was like a ritual to meet people at the airport and I was always fascinated at where everyone was going and what they were taking with them – how some people travelled with so little and others, my Grandmother, managed to pack the world in her suitcases, suitcases that were larger than her – how did she move them around?

Trains were a wonder to me, as a kid they were just something you rode around on in the fairground, so when I found out they had adult, travel the whole world ones, not to miss the luxury ones, like the orient express and such, I was hooked.

This Christmas I will be singing Christmas carols on the steam Bluebell Railway, mainly because I just love the trains, plus it’s a load of fun. Gives me an excuse to sing all the songs I love at Christmas, as my family is in Canada, so no singing around the fire.

Now, back to the hotel rooms, I have always loved the fresh sheets and the fact that the bed was always made every day. There is something to be said about the fact there is little to clutter the rooms and I love to check out what little surprises maybe in the bathroom basket or desk drawers. Many a pen has come home with me, just cause!

My Dad travelled a lot, he was a travelling salesman, of a sort, but he did it in style and we often got to travel with him on weekends or extended business trips. So I saw all sorts, when I get the chance to travel with my own work, I feel like I get to peak into this world and enjoy its adventurous wonders and learn to navigate its quirky moments.

I can honestly say, I love it each time and hope to do more and in much grander style – I’m afraid those early business trips of my Dad’s showed me a glimpse and I have caught the travel bug!

SHOOT DAY

Ok, in early, but crew are 2 people down, so we run into overtime for me. I end up being the last actor off set while the crew/directors tear down and prepare for their next day’s shoot. I have had a 13 hour day on set, then the trains and taxi’s to get me home again and in bed by 1:30am.

Still an amazing day, well looked after, plus I have had my ‘superman’ moment which I will tell you more about once the film comes out, if it didn’t hit the editing floor – (which it sadly did!)

Also, found out that I was working with another friend and she recommended me for the job. Just goes to show, it can really be about who you know! Plus that old saying that other actors cannot get you work is not true, as she is a fellow actor on the shoot and she recommended me to the casting person on the shoot – a friend of hers! So grateful to her, as the director was a joy to work with and my acting friend confirmed with me when it all airs and with the Discovery Channel and the BBC.

It was an exhilarating, fun experience. The crew, extras and fellow actors were a joy to meet and work with. Found out the director has a similar passion for planes, as I do – so cool!

Now to bed and onto the next adventure, this will be ‘down under’.

By the way, someone else was playing the piano on the way back down through St. Pancreas station – love’n it! Happy travels to you!

What forms of transport do you love?

Debbie BridgeOctober 29, 2013February 7, 2016 Acting, Film, TV No Comments

On the set for the 1st time….

My 1st TV docu-drama – what FUN!

While I cannot tell you anything about the story line, I can say what a great day I had on the set of my 1st TV programme. My role is not a big one, it could be one of those blink and you miss me, but boy was it fun. I even had the joy of working with a fellow acting friend which made the whole experience less nerve wracking – as I just had no idea what to expect.

The day started with hair and make-up – even if it’s not for a glamorous part, it still feels great to have someone do it for you. Then straight from that into the 1st shoot. A quick brief on what to do, 1 rehearsal and it’s ‘rolling’ time with the cameras and the black and white signs to say scene whatever – action!

We did a large variety of angles and shots. I had always heard there was a lot of sitting around, well that was not the case for me when the day started – it was hit the ground running time. Later, I sat around quite a bit, but because I had a friend with me, it was a great catch up time, plus get to know the other cast and crew. I even managed to have a sneak peak at what they were seeing through the camera – wow, what a difference it makes to see it through the lens! It was quite a small camera, but such incredible picture, very exciting! Very vivid and clear images were created on what looked like a camera you would just take photos on. Boy has the industry changed! Naturally, they still use the big cameras for big motion pictures, but this kind of work, they get what they need on a hand held camera.

Takes were short, sometimes once and no more than 3. It is hit the mark and mood of the character right there and then or forget it. Depending on what the scene needed, we might get 1 rehearsal – glad I had learnt the lines well. It was worth putting in the extra time. Not sure when this will air on TV or where, but it will be sometime next year and they say they will let me know. So for now, I move onto the next 1, which I will be filming next week – cannot tell you much about that one either, but what a joy to get to do 2 in 1 month. Just goes to show, nothing for ages, then it all comes at once, this is not me complaining, just always amazed at how life works!

I have to be honest, I do love the speed in which these projects happen, do not get me wrong, I also love rehearsing to really get to know the character and the story, but this was so nice just get in, do the job and you are out.

On my next project, I get to overnight for the 1st time, as we have to go to a special studio for the shoot – cannot wait – TV business trip!

What’s your first?

Debbie BridgeSeptember 29, 2013December 21, 2015 Acting, Film, TV No Comments

Organiser or not? Business person or performer?

For years, I have learned ideas, training and knowledge on how to’s: how to sing, act, dance (this was awhile ago), do social media, build websites, write blogs, follow up leads, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera – as the King of Siam (Yul Brynner)

was known to say in the musical ‘The King and I‘ – basically skills for my job and business skills. The later not always fitting so comfortably in my personality.

I realised, I do not do 9 to 5 well – quite literally, I tend to feel a slow death when I work such a regulated life, so I came to accept this a long time ago. Since this acceptance any ‘outside’ entertainment jobs have avoided the ‘normal’ office environment, as I just do not thrive there. This is not to say I have never worked in an office – for years when I first arrived in the UK – I worked as a temp. I am very grateful for the skills I learned and that I know it is an environment I can do well in – skill wise that is, but does nothing to feed my soul.

I know some of you may be groaning with that last one, as you have managed to get past this, I just tend to get physically ill, not all of us are as tough as the ones who manage to make 9 to 5 work for them.

I have been lucky, I managed to do an 18 month business support course (Profitnet) (got the certificate and everything!), where I gained valuable skills and tools. Since then I have continued to do ‘top up’s on various business skills workshops – most recently on negotiation.

Best way to do this, I have found is through the Federation of Entertainment Unions. They offer free – yes that is correct – free workshops, with some that have minimal costs, for those who are part of Equity and other entertainment unions.

Also, my local council has offers on low or free workshops for people like myself, so the help is out there, just have to go out and find it.

Now, where is all this heading? Well, with all this training and knowledge you would think I would be brilliant at making things happen for myself, but despite all of this knowledge, when it comes to selling me and doing the hard core cold calls, I find I do not get very far. I can do this for others, but for me, I find it difficult.

So, once again, I am looking to hire an arts administrative assistant – my first attempt at contacting a local college which had a course in this ended up with 2 possible candidates – one unsuitable and the other got another job – ho hum! I can not say why it is so hard to come to terms with this side of myself – maybe it is because I feel I ‘should’ be good at this, seeing as I know what to do, how to do it and have done it for others. I do not really know.

It has been tough for me to even get to the point of looking again – seems a bit decadent from my humble position in life, but I will never know until I try. So… fingers crossed, my new part-time (very part-time for now) assistant will be found, will work out and I will finally see the other side of the hole I have dug myself into and get out and thrive in the profession I love.

See ya on the other side!

The photo is me in my Cardinal Outfit – find out more, how to hire me for your next event on the website! (never hurts to put a little plug in)

What sort of plugs do you use? Share below!

Debbie BridgeSeptember 2, 2013November 30, 2015 Acting, Business, music, singing No Comments

Meisner this, Meisner that, but what is it?

I get asked this question a lot about Meisner acting training and it’s true what you hear, every person you speak to will describe it to you differently, so mine will be in a long list of what it means to me.

I encountered this training a few years ago at the Actors Centre in London, great place to keep your skills up! There, I just kept hearing about Scott Williams, Impulse Theatre and his Meisner classes, some people didn’t like it, but most raved, quite often with the enigmatic line ‘You’re wearing a blue shirt’, then the person would espouse on how amazing this was, so I thought, strangely, I have got to try it and find out why saying, ‘You’re wearing a blue shirt’ would send people into accolades of joy and appreciation for an acting technique.

Meisner

It was a week-long introduction class to Scott’s understanding of Meisner training, as he was 1 of Meisner’s students, but also, a student of Bill Ball, who had an equal and strong impact on Scott’s approach and interpretation to this technique.

Well, I went along for the week and it was like my world had been turned upside down and there it was going to stay and needed to. I was spinning from what I heard and knew it was just what I had needed and I had wanted in my approach to my work. Scott is a very positive, supportive and an ‘easy to use’ teacher (by this I mean, I always left feeling better, rather than some teaching I’ve experienced where my guts were pulled out, looked at, left on the floor and not put back together again), at least this is my opinion.

So after, doing this week, I was determined to sign up for his 2 year course – 1st year is just learning and working on the technique of Meisner, leading up to doing scenes at the end of the 1st year; the 2nd year is doing plays and using the techniques learned in the 1st year in the more practical situation of full-length plays.

For me that 2 year period changed my work, changed me and showed me how much more I could be doing to help me and my world through the work I do. That dedicationg to the slow, but necessary strengthening of my attention muscles, was what made me the more in the ‘moment’ performer I am now. I have had it said so many times since doing this course, what a confident performer I am, how energetic and exciting, because you just don’t know what is going to happen next. Just what you want people to say about how theatrical performances can come across and always be alive, just what I loved about great performances as a kid. I’ve learned to love whatever and whomever is in front of me and learn to work within the ‘given circumstances’ and not need to judge mine or others work with the ‘fine toothed’ comb which all my other training has taught me to be like – not a way that helped me at all, as I would just spend a lot of time judging mine and others work, rather than just doing it – hence feeding insecurities rather than building the confidence that people see in me today.

I feel very honoured and lucky to have been able to do the Meisner training that I have and if you want to find out more about Scott’s work and the Impulse theatre just click on the links. If you want to find out about the classes I’m leading for the month of August, but also continue year round in Brighton on this technique check out our Facebook page and the website.

Happy Meisnering and happy performing to all!

What’s your favourite acting technique and why?

Debbie BridgeJuly 29, 2013December 31, 2015 Acting, singing No Comments