Currently listening to English rain dance on the metal roof of my trailer.  I am waiting for the weather to clear so we can get on with our planned scenes for the day all of which are outside.   As a Newfoundlander, I am genetically programmed to be unfazed by wind and rain and general inclement conditions. But, of course, horses and slippery muddy hills do not make for good traction, and the rain will shag up the continuity of the sequence, so we wait.

I’ve come to learn that this is a big part of the film making business, this waiting.  Countless hours can pass while you sit and wait for the knock on the door.  So how to pass the time?   I am usually in full costume and make up, which makes exercising nearly impossible, and seriously frowned up by a couple of the departments as sweating and banging about can ruin some excellent hair, make up, and costume work.  Some of the other actors watch TV, read other plays or film scripts they are considering.  Others work on fights or dances or dialects.  Others practise horse riding, or swordsmanship or whatever.  It all depends on the day, really.  The trick is to make good use of it and be ready for the call when it comes.  

Something like being the back up goalie, I figure.

I’ve spent a bunch of the downtime writing and recording music.  I’ve got a new software program called Logic Pro that allows me to record decent multi-track demos of songs to sing and tunes to play on the lute right here in the trailer.  It’s been quite a productive time actually, as I’ve managed to have a few new songs and instrumentals worked up while waiting for the knock.   Hopefully, some of this music will see the light of day on the next GBS CD.  We hope to gather after the late Summer and Fall touring to get the ball rolling on the next project.  Not sure what shape it will take yet, but I’m really looking forward to getting back home and in the friendly and familiar confines of GBStudio to mess about with the lads.  

Looks like there will be a few weeks of dates in the Fall following the Summer gigs that have already been announced.  I’m very eager to do a concert or two, I must say.  Stay tuned here for more gig announcements.

Speaking of big announcements, I am very proud and pleased to let you know that, Daffodil Place is set to open in a couple of weeks.  I’m even more pleased to tell you that the members of the fundraising committee, myself included, have reached the goal of raising 7 Million Dollars to construct this 24 Suite Residence for Cancer Care Patients.  We planned to raise the money in three years and, thanks to the kind help of the band, and folks like many of you who have supported the cause, we have raised the required funds in only two years.  Quite a feat, I think.  Especially in such a small Province and in these tough economic times.  I have to offer my congratulations to the other members of the committee, and in particular, John Steele, our leader who put the whole campaign together and brought us to such an early success.

I’d also like to thank the cast and crew and management of GBS who gave so much of their time and talents to a few big events that raised a pile of money for and even more awareness of this worthy effort.  

Working on this project has been my first time sitting on a board of any kind, and I am grateful to the other members for showing me the ropes in a few cases.  I wandered into unfamiliar territory a few times, standing in from of Government and Bank executives and the likes, doing Power Point presentations on the project and answering some tough numbers questions to the best of my BA ability.   I actually bought a suit. And almost, but not quite, bought a tie, for a few of the meetings.  I learned a lot from the other members and have been honored to be a part of what I consider to be one of the most classic demonstrations of the kindness, generosity, and hard work that have long been defining points of where I belong.  

The official opening is set for Friday, June 12.  Looks like I may have to miss it as I am slated to be here in Movie Land on that day. I hope to get home just before then  for a day or two, and will drop by the facility to check it all out.   I’ll bet it is grand.

Well done.

Cheers,
Alan