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The above is a special video we shot for our production of Normal.

As those who saw it will attest, in the play there’s a lot of dark humour despite to horrific subject.  Kurten’s wooing of his wife-to-be is supposed to be performed as a silent movie.  Strobe lights would be used to create the look.  However, we had already done this same effect with the blue movie in Bouncers, so Brendan, our director, decided to actually film a movie to be projected during the play.

The performance version had some old piano music which is not on this version.

This was the result.

So sorry that the blog hasn’t been updated in a while.  I just started a new job and have been very busy. 

Anyway, Normal is now long finished and Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness will be performed in March.  I only intended to update the blog during run ups to shows so this blog will be very quiet for a few months.  When I return, I’ll try and come back with some interesting stuff.

Here’s a farewell gift for you all.  A link to our new Youtube video showing clips from our production of Normal.  You’ll also find videos for every play we’ve produced so far.  There’s also another video posted on here in the next update.

See you soon …

Normal Oddities #11Here’s a lovely picture. We found this ex-bird when we were doing the publicity photos for Normal.  The pictures were taken in a police training house and outside was this little fella.It was suggested that the inclusion of the bird might add to the tone of the pictures, so I volunteered to pick it up and place it on the fireplace.The body was crawling with maggots and, once we got it into the room we realised, it stank pretty bad.  The combination of these two aspects did not please Lisa who had to pose near it.  It pretty much ended up stinking the room out.And of course, ironically, if you look at the pictures it was used in (one was posted last week), you can barely see it.Still, it’s a nice touch.

Normal Oddities #11

Here’s a lovely picture.

We found this ex-bird when we were doing the publicity photos for Normal.  The pictures were taken in a police training house and outside was this little fella.

It was suggested that the inclusion of the bird might add to the tone of the pictures, so I volunteered to pick it up and place it on the fireplace.

The body was crawling with maggots and, once we got it into the room we realised, it stank pretty bad.  The combination of these two aspects did not please Lisa who had to pose near it.  It pretty much ended up stinking the room out.

And of course, ironically, if you look at the pictures it was used in (one was posted last week), you can barely see it.

Still, it’s a nice touch.

Tiny House: Indoors #9I’ve already posted a few embarrassing shots of myself and more will follow, but this shot (despite not being of me) is probably the most embarrassing of them all.These little character profiles were on the back of the programme for our production of Up ‘n Under.  Each actor/character had their own individual picture with some stats about them.However, there was a problem.  One of our actors, Richard Ord who played Tony, couldn’t make the photo shoot.  This meant I had to cobble something together.Now I pride myself on being a good amateur graphic designer.  I’ve had no proper training, accept for a few lessons at Uni, but as the years have gone by I’ve practiced and picked up a few tips.  I design all the posters and programmes for THP as well as doctoring/airbrushing the publicity photos and, for an amateur, I think they all come out looking quite good.BUT this picture is simply awful.  The body was one of our other actors, Craig Baxter who played Steve.  I recoloured his shirt (terribly), blackened his shorts (awfully) and extended his ankle length socks up to the knees (shoddily).  But perhaps the rotten cherry on the cake is the face that looks like it’s been cut out with left handed scissors and pritt sticked on to the body.  This is not just the worst photoshopping I’ve ever done by a country mile but the worst photoshopping ever committed to publication.The only thing I can defend is the stats on this picture were changed for the eventual programme, so at least it belonged to the right character, unlike on this only-existing version.

Tiny House: Indoors #9

I’ve already posted a few embarrassing shots of myself and more will follow, but this shot (despite not being of me) is probably the most embarrassing of them all.

These little character profiles were on the back of the programme for our production of Up ‘n Under.  Each actor/character had their own individual picture with some stats about them.

However, there was a problem.  One of our actors, Richard Ord who played Tony, couldn’t make the photo shoot.  This meant I had to cobble something together.

Now I pride myself on being a good amateur graphic designer.  I’ve had no proper training, accept for a few lessons at Uni, but as the years have gone by I’ve practiced and picked up a few tips.  I design all the posters and programmes for THP as well as doctoring/airbrushing the publicity photos and, for an amateur, I think they all come out looking quite good.

BUT this picture is simply awful.  The body was one of our other actors, Craig Baxter who played Steve.  I recoloured his shirt (terribly), blackened his shorts (awfully) and extended his ankle length socks up to the knees (shoddily).  But perhaps the rotten cherry on the cake is the face that looks like it’s been cut out with left handed scissors and pritt sticked on to the body.  This is not just the worst photoshopping I’ve ever done by a country mile but the worst photoshopping ever committed to publication.

The only thing I can defend is the stats on this picture were changed for the eventual programme, so at least it belonged to the right character, unlike on this only-existing version.

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(Tiny) House Music #9

Richard Hawley - Born Under a Bad Sign

Sleeping late in the afternoon, playing your guitar,
Born under a bad sign.

From the album “Coles Corner” this track was used to introduce the character of Romeo in our production of Romeo and Juliet.

I don’t know whether Hawley intended this or not, but I can’t help but hear a slight mocking tone in this song.  Whether he’s being self deprecating, mocking someone else or nether, I’m not sure but to me it sounds like the songs about a moody character who mopes around a laments about his sad life.  Someone who sees all of the woe in their life and none of the good.  Nothing is there fault and they blame it all on being born under the wrong star sign.

It perfectly descried the love sick Romeo as he comes across at the start of the play.  The object of his affection isn’t interested in him, so instead he wanders the streets, hides away, feeling sorry for himself.

It’s a nice little song that drifts along at a lazy pace.

And that’s it from (Tiny) House Music for a while.  It’s having a little break until we start on our next show at the end of the year.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the music and will be back when it returns.

Normal Oddities #10 Here’s 3 publicity pics that have never been seen before.  Wow, exciting isn’t it. We always post the best half dozen of pics on our website (www.tinyhouseproductions.co.uk) and on our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/12065879087/) then the 3 - 4 best of those will be used for publicity material.  The rest are archived on my computer and never www.tinyhouseproductions.co.uk) and on our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/12065879087/) then the 3 - 4 best of those will be used for publicity material.  The rest are archived on my computer and never seen again.  So here’s 3 that didn’t make the cut, including one in colour … wow even more exciting.

Normal Oddities #10

Here’s 3 publicity pics that have never been seen before.  Wow, exciting isn’t it.

We always post the best half dozen of pics on our website (www.tinyhouseproductions.co.uk) and on our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/12065879087/) then the 3 - 4 best of those will be used for publicity material.  The rest are archived on my computer and never www.tinyhouseproductions.co.uk) and on our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/12065879087/) then the 3 - 4 best of those will be used for publicity material.  The rest are archived on my computer and never seen again.  So here’s 3 that didn’t make the cut, including one in colour … wow even more exciting.

Tiny House: Indoors #8 Usually it’s me who get’s to snog the ladies on stage.  Oh yes!  Over the past 7 years, many a lady (well …. four) has been lucky enough to experience a love scene with me. However, for our production of Accrington Pals, I decided to allow someone else a chance.  The honour fell to Danny White, and the lucky lady was Katy Hutcheson.  Such a shame that Danny is not in my high league when it comes to the looks department. This photo shows what a passionate affair it must have been, taken straight after a posed kiss.

Tiny House: Indoors #8

Usually it’s me who get’s to snog the ladies on stage.  Oh yes!  Over the past 7 years, many a lady (well …. four) has been lucky enough to experience a love scene with me.

However, for our production of Accrington Pals, I decided to allow someone else a chance.  The honour fell to Danny White, and the lucky lady was Katy Hutcheson.  Such a shame that Danny is not in my high league when it comes to the looks department.

This photo shows what a passionate affair it must have been, taken straight after a posed kiss.

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(Tiny) House Music #8

Eminem - Lose Yourself

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity,
To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment,
Would you capture it or just let it slip?

From the 8 Mile OST, this track was used to open our production of Audacity.

Not just those opening lines, but the whole song itself preached the ethos of Audacity.  Three men have the chance to do something audacious, to rob a department store and change their lives forever.

The song apes the underlining current of the play.  The anxious build up to the big moment, the fears, the adrenaline, and when it comes … will you succeed spectacularly or fail miserably.

On a more general level, Lose Yourself also works in describing how a any good performer feels.  Determined to lose themselves in a performance, seize the opportunity and blow an audience away.

A song that perfectly captured not just the mood of the play, but the mood of every actor that appeared in it.

Normal Oddities #9

Here’s a second trailer for the 2009 Czech film adapatation of Normal.  This trailer shows lots of different images and scenes from the first one.  Gosh, I still REALLY want to see this film.

Tiny House: Indoors #7 Here’s a publicity picture for Art.  I don’t think any of these saw the light of day for some reason.  We took a bunch of shots in costume and some in coloured jackets which were eventually used for the poster. I think you’ll be able to really appreciate the size of my nose is this one.  With me is Iain Clarke, who played Yvan.

Tiny House: Indoors #7

Here’s a publicity picture for Art.  I don’t think any of these saw the light of day for some reason.  We took a bunch of shots in costume and some in coloured jackets which were eventually used for the poster.

I think you’ll be able to really appreciate the size of my nose is this one.  With me is Iain Clarke, who played Yvan.