Staying Alive: Part 2

In case you're wondering again, I'm still alive. It's been far, far too long since my last post. Over three years, in fact. Here's the thing: I didn't feel like I had anything to say. I made the ever common mistake that believing if something "big" wasn't happening in my life, that it wasn't worth speaking about.

Let's get updated; this could be a long one.
I moved back to Alberta from Vancouver and I couldn't find work right away. I spent 6 months unemployed. I did a short, independent internship as a videographer, but otherwise, I spent that time living in my parent's basement and watching a heck of a lot of TV. I was yet another unemployed victim of an arts education. Yes, part of it was my own doing. I couldn't afford to stay in Vancouver and moving back to Alberta made finding work in Film/TV that much more difficult. And then I travelled. Let's be clear, I don't regret that at all, but it did cut into the funds a bit.  I could go on with reasons/excuses, but the important thing is that the last 3 years have felt pretty rough. When I did find work, it was definitely not my ideal, but being there really forced me to evaluate my life and decide what I really want to make it.

When I was still at Capilano, I had a really good talk with one of my teachers, Seanna, who seems to have a gift for seeing in others what they cannot see in themselves. I was second guessing my decision not to return to Capilano for 2nd year. (This doesn't mean I dropped out. The Motion Picture Production Program is designed to have drop off points, as you don't exactly NEED film school to work in the industry. I graduated with a Certificate, just not a Diploma or Degree.) She agreed with my decision not to come back and said "I've never heard you say you LOVE film. You like aspects of it, but maybe its not just film. Maybe you'll end up as a Stage Manager or Tour Manager. I just want to see you at reunion and hear you say you figured it out; the thing that you LOVE." Say all that you want about the value of the arts, but everyone I have met who's made it their career has done so for the right reasons, which can't be said about very many careers.

I didn't think much of this conversation immediately. When I travelled the UK that Summer, I went to 2 plays, Wicked and The Lion King. I was absolutely blown away by what is possible on stage and thought to myself that maybe Seanna had a point. It was amazing, but I still had film on the brain and when I went home, that was my pursuit. As I've said, it didn't exactly work out. But a year later, after a bout of "Megan is so depressed and full of self pity", I had to wake up.

This moment came in an unexpected way. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Josh Groban at his concert in Calgary in September 2011. No, Josh Groban did not give me any fantastic advice or change my life. He was very nice and funny, but my moment of revelation came before I even saw his face. I remember  standing "backstage" with my friend and and marvelling at the stage design while watching the people file in. There was an absolute energy in the stadium that I couldn't quite place at first. But then it hit me. This is how I felt the last time I was on a film set. That almost indescribable feeling of excitement and creativity. It had been so long since I had felt it. I'm sure this sounds like a cheesy moment in a bad romantic comedy, but that feeling of finding something to care about doesn't just apply to falling in love.

So, I enjoyed the fantastic concert and went home with trepidation and excitement. When I later sat myself down to Google "Stage Management", I had no idea where it would lead me. When I was at Capilano, I found that I really enjoyed being a 1st AD, but there is no specific stream of education for that. I needed to know if I could even get a proper education before I talked myself into a change of career path. The first result that appeared on my screen was for a school called LAMDA, aka The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. And no, this is not referring to London, Ontario. This is London, England. I almost didn't click on the link. I knew if I did, I would have even more fuel for my desire to live overseas. Well, I clicked on it and after 2 years of research and inner wrestling, I am moving to London. I am not going to school....not yet.

I am moving on a Working Holiday Visa and may work in the UK for up to two years. (If you're considering this, look into SWAP. They have been so helpful! They also partner with BritBound for full support in settling down!)

I am also looking at RADA, aka The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, also located in London. The schools have open houses in December and I will be going to check things out in person. My working holiday is actually more of a reconnaissance mission with the added perk of being able to travel as I've always wanted to.

It must be said that these two schools are very prestigious, and thus expensive, and I have to daily convince myself that I am talented enough to be accepted into one of them and smart enough to find a way to pay for it.  If I don't believe that, then there is no point in trying.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Armitage, Anthony Head, 

Kim Cattrall and Ginnifer Goodwin. 

Tom Hiddleston, Matthew Macfayden, Jessica Raine,

 Athony Hopkins and Alan Rickman. 

So, as you can see, if I prove myself worthy of either of these schools, I will be in no small company. The actors and technicians I will get to work with will go on to be well known for their skills and training.

When I dropped off the "Blogosphere" in March of 2010, I had every intention of working in film for the rest of my life. I never expected to find myself about to move my life across an ocean. And who knows, maybe things will work out for theatre and I can move between the two industries. Actors and directors do it all of the time, why not technicians and administrators?

Stay tuned....