It's NOT too late to follow your Dream...

Back in 2008, i travelled over to Los Angeles to study at the Margie Haber Studio.  There had been a TV show in Ireland called Hollywood Trials that i had applied for but sadly my application only got me as far as the 'Phone Interview' stage.

I was full sure i was actually going to get it.  Not because i'm the next Brando but in a bizarre coincidence, a cousin of mine from Chicago (https://twitter.com/#!/CEgglesfield)  had been studying with Margie right around that time.  I practically had a shoe in the door!!  Turns out, it wasn't even a flip-flop.  I didn't get the all expenses trip to LA with cameras following my every move.  That privilege went to the guy from the that Guinness Ad, your man who's on Hollyoaks now, Mikey Graham from Boyzone, bizarrely enough. And a few others.

I did, however, make the trip myself a few months later.  I saved my ass off and upon recommendation from Colin (my twin cousin!), i made the trip over to Hollywood.  There was 2 reasons for that trip.  One, was obviously to learn what i could from the good people at the Margie Haber Studio.  The second reason, was to see if i liked Los Angeles.  Could i see myself living there.  This, probably, being the main reason.

Over the years, i've worked with and have been (and still am) friends with many actors/singers/dancers, some who think they're all 3! who have left Ireland in pursuit of their dream in London or LA.  Mostly the former.  I've talked about it.  And when i got back from LA in 2008, i still talked about it.  I took a couple of trips over to London to see if i liked the vibe over there.  Not as much as i did with LA.  But with every week, month, year that passed by - all i did was talk about 'making the move.'

It's a cliché but in most cases it's true: Talk is cheap.

I was 29 when i made that trip to LA.  I'm on the brink of 33 and at this very moment, i am in the midst of my Visa application for the U.S.

There's 2 ways i could have approached this entire decision.  1)  Last Summer, when i was living in a beautiful apartment, having just got engaged, i could have looked at my life and thought: "You know what?  I'm 32.  I'm living with my soon to be wife and work wise, i'm getting by.  It's time to get the head down and start building my future here.

"NOOOOOO!!! AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!  PLEEEASE, NO!!  What the hell are you doing????  MY EARS ARE BLEEDING!!!  Please tell me there's a second option...PLEEEEASE!!!!!"

Sorry, that's what my Conscience screamed at me when i was mulling over 'Life' in my head.

ME:  "Yes, there is a second option.  Relax!"

CONSCIENCE:  "PHEW!!"

Deep.  Yet Meaningful!

Sooo, the second option "I'm so excited about this"..."okay, shut up Conscience!  You know what happens.  Now let me tell the story!"..."oh, yeah.  Sorry!" ...The second option was to get in touch with a lawyer in the States and get the ball rolling with my Visa Application.  After some discussion with my better half, it was decided that this was the way to go - WOHOOO!!

Wohoo, indeed.  That was last September.  This is April.  I'm still in Ireland.  This Visa process is Looooooong! The initial timeframe was 3 months.  This would get me up to just before Christmas.  I would enjoy this time with family and friends and then come the end of January/start of Feb, i'd be leaving on that Jet Plane.  Of course, this is in the world of 'Ideal.'  Let's be honest, who the hell lives there?  So 8 months later, i'm still waiting. Remember that beautiful apartment i mentioned?  It's now the upstairs of the In-Laws lovely house!  God help them.  We said we'd be here, at most, 6 months!  Oops!  But there has been progress made with the Visa in the last few weeks, so hopefully they'll be rid of us soon!

My point is this - Yes, i look back at my 20's and ask myself. "Why didn't you do this back then?"  And if i dwell on that question too long, it annoys me.  I'm annoyed now for just typing the bloody thing! So I tend not to ask myself that question.  Instead I ask myself another question, "Is it better to have done this at 33 or to never have done it at all?" - Oh, how i like that one better.  It gives a two fingers up to my inner 20-something year old!

You always hear successful people talking about how they followed  their dreams and that if you work hard enough it will happen.  Well, let's be honest.  That mightn't happen all the time.  For every one of those "follow your dream" success stories, i'm sure there are a thousand that tried and it didn't quite work out.  But do you know what?  Atleast they tried.  And that to me is a success.

THE VOICE OF IRELAND IS HERE & IT'S NOT...

Screentime Shinawil have brought The Voice franchise to Ireland.  The singing competition with "no gimmicks."

(Apparantly Giant Red chairs that turn around when you press a Giant Red Button if you hear someone you like, isn't gimmicky in Holland, where the show originates from)

If you don't know the concept of the show, here's a brief description.  Some punter comes onstage & sings while 4 judges sit with their backs to them.  If any of the judges like what they hear, as stated above, they press a button, their chair spins around and they get to put said punter on their team.  Unless of course more then one judge turns.  Then the punter gets to choose and, like He-Man, they "HAVE THE POWER!"  That's the show in a nut-shell.  Well, that's the first few weeks of the show, which is called the "Blind Auditions."  And this format sets the show apart from any other singing competition out there.

And, to be fair, for these few weeks, it is different.  Of course, when it gets passed this stage, the judges see each act, grooms them for live shows, gives them their image thus turning it into Americas Next Top Pop Idol with The X Factors Got Talent Euro Song Celebrity Farm Meet The Kardashians in Tallafornia.

The Voice of Ireland is no longer 'different' and the person with the most friends who text in - will win.  I'm on the edge of my toilet seat just thinking about it.

Now funnily enough, the above isn't the reason i'm writing about The Voice of Ireland.  I don't really care about the format.  It is what it is and no matter how they sell  it, people aren't stupid...well, most aren't anyway.  The problem i do have with the Voice of Ireland is to do with Screentime Shinawil.  The Irish Production company that have brought the show to our Emerald shores.

Now i need to get something straight here, ok?  We've established it is called The Voice of Ireland, yes?  You all understand that, yeah?  Especially the Ireland bit?  I just need to hammer that point home to you so you'll understand my rant. Right, so you have it?  Great!

Hang onto your Giant Red button's folks.  Here it comes:

In the times that we are in when our little country is, for want of a better phrase - F*cked! (i didn't really want a better phrase.  I'm perfectly happy with that description)  When our government, not just raises taxes, but just for the hell of it, starts pulling new ones out of their arses so they can bleed more money from us & punish those who are (un)fortunate enough to own their own house.  In these times when we are being encouraged to 'shop local' & 'support your own.'  To think on our feet and be more resourceful so we can pay our bills, fill the car with just about enough fuel to last the week, eat!  To 'buy Irish.'

In these times of seeing friends & family having to leave the homes they've lived in all their lives because there are simply no other options left.  In these times when we need to look after one another more so then any other moment in my life time.  In.  These.  Times.  What do Screentime Shinawill do when they need to employ a troupe of dancers to perform on The Voice of Ireland?  They do something that absolutely astonishes me.  Something i find unforgivable, to be honest.

Screentime Shinawill leave Ireland.  They go to our neighbors in the UK & say:
"Hey UK.  We don't want to employ any dancers from Ireland for The Voice of Ireland...I know. MAD, isn't it?! It being The Voice of Ireland and all!! Between yourselves and ourselves, they're a joke back home, but hey - don't tell them we said that!  Tee he he he!!"

Oh, i can hear some of you (not many, mind) saying:
"That's a bit harsh, man!  They did audition for dancers in Dublin, ya know."

Well, WHOOP-DE-DO!!  Take a bow, lads.  Cause that's not patronizing at all, is it?!

"Tell you what, Ireland.  We'll give you a chance. And hey, remember:  if we don't employ any of you, it'll be a great experience, won't it?"

 Oh, I can almost feel the pat on my head just typing that!

Now, don't get me wrong here.  I have nothing against those dancers who got the gig.  They're just doing their job and fair play to them for getting it.  God knows it's hard enough to get a gig.  God's Irish, you see.  

But are Screentime Shinawil honestly saying that what I've seen those dancers do over the last 2 weeks - are they telling me they couldn't find any talent in Ireland good enough to do as equally a professional job?  We all know dancers are far better trained in the UK then they are here but we're not talking about a full on Broadway dance show here, lads.  They're songs that last about 2 minutes with the focus being on the singer.

It is a disgrace.  And they should be ashamed of themselves.  As should RTE.

After all, who's paying for this show? Or at the very least, partially paying for it? Well, do you own a television? Do you live in Ireland? Are you a good citizen & paying you're television license?  There's your answer.  You are.  You are paying to fly these guys over.  You are paying for their accommodation.  You are paying their wages.  You are paying Screentime Shinawil to look elsewhere when what they needed is on their doorstep.  We're Irish.  We're in dire straits.  We need to and should be helping ourselves wherever possible.  If every profession here was as narrow minded, it would be: last person out, turn off the lights and i'll see you on the beach in Bondi.  


So why have Screentime Shinawil done this?  I've asked them.  I went onto their website, filled out the 'Contact Us' form & asked what their "official stance is on not employing any dancers from Ireland for your production, The Voice of Ireland." Unfortunately, i have yet to receive a reply, but i do hope i get one.

I encourage you to ask them, too http://www.shinawil.ie/contact-us/.  After all, according to their website,  "we're always happy to hear from you."  And it's nice to make people feel happy.  The emotion, that is.  Not the dwarf.


BTW Who won that UK dance show this year, Got to Dance?  Oh that's right. The group from IRELAND called Prodijig!  Here's a clip of why you dancers from Ireland aren't good enough for an Irish tv show:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy3gCVaYk8E

p.s I'm not a dancer.  Unless of course you fill me with alcohol and happen to throw on WHAM's 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go!'

And then the room shook!!

July 30th...so what' happened in the last week?  To be honest, i'm not really in the mood for typing something long, so this'll be brief!

Well, the 'Industry Party' that Margie through for us, was great!  Alot of people turned up and alot of rink was drank.  Among the guests was Frank Stallone (Sly's brother!)...you'd defo know they were brothers!  He invited us out to see his band play on the Thursday, but alas, we were all too hung over!  Jerry Stiller was there...the old guy from King of Queens, was also in Zoolander...is Ben Stillers dad! He's a LEGEND!! Very nice guy!  Dr Evils German assistant in Austin Powers...of course i only found this out today!  JAYSUS!! So i didn't get to meet her.  And aload of other people from actors, to agents, to managers etc.  It was a great night!  Of course, by the end of the night, we started a sing song!  We were on the balcony of this Italian Restaurant and some of the punters from downstairs who were dining, actually came up and stood looking at us and clapping along!!  Hilarious!

From there we went to probably the coolest bar i've ever been in...so cool, that i can't get into the feckin place on weekends coz i don't have BOOBS!!!  It's called the SKY BAR and it's on Sunset.  Has pool outside and an open air bar that looks like it belongs on the set of Cocktail!  Beautiful spot!   So we partied there til it was 2am and the bar was closed...that's the shit thing about here.  You cannot, for love nor money, get a pint after 2am...ANYWHERE!!  Crazy!!

Last weekend, on the Friday, we all met up and went to go to a club called...i can't even remember!  Not because i was drunk, it's because we queued for 25 minutes and there was still no sign of us getting in, so i just left and got in a cab and went to the Viper Room.  It used to be owned by Johnny Depp until very recently.   There was live music.  Saw a band called Matthew Moon...not bad...but not great.  Then styaed up til 5 having one of my music aprreciation nights, where no one can talk coz "This is probaby one of the greatest songs ever written!!"

Saturday, myself and Gav went to the party Stacey and Peter invited us to.  It was a much more relaxed atmosphere.  They had caterers in and a bar out their back garden and people just stood around chatting.  Beautiful house and their dog, Finnegan! is a legend!!  Anyway, there were a few heads there - one of the guys that does alot of voices for the Simpsons, a top Directors agent, a stunt girl!!, producers, the wife of the guy who wrote the West Wing...he was supposed to come, but didn't make it!  It was good night and met some interesting people.

Classes are still going very well...and yesterday, we were taking Margies class and we're going through some things and then the room shook...actually, the whole building wobbled!!  5.3 it measured.  The first Quake since 94!  

After class, myself, Gav, Susan and Nicola went to see the LA Dodgers play the San Francisco Giants (that's baseball, in case you're wondering!!)  Feckin great craic!!  Bought a Dodgers top...i'm such a loser!!  Ended up going to a kareoke bar after and singing the highest version of More Then a Woman, you are EVER likely to hear!!!

So, there ya go!  Not too long left on the aul course.  Heading to The Grove this eve to watch an open air showing of E.T!  Greatest movie of all time! 

GO DODGERS!

Karlos, x

It started in Venice Beach...

July 23rd.  Just killing time before i head off to the 'Industry Party' that is been thrown for all the ISP students...that's International Studies Programme, students i.e me and the others!  It's a chance to get to meet some Agents, Casting Directors, Managers and all that.  I'm looking forward to it.  Everyday is a school day here and i'm learning alot!!

Last weekend was a bit of craic!  Friday night, myself, Gavin and Mark hit Universal City for the night.  It's where Universal Studios is, and within the complex there's a few bars, clubs and restaurants.  Our first port of call was The Rumba Rooms!  If you like Salsa, you'll love this place.  It took us about 5 minutes to cop on, though, that we were the only white people in the club!!  It was Literally that Carlsberg add!! We pissed ourselves...and then got pissed!!  

The next bar was where the real SHCOOPERY happened.  Howl at the Moon.  There was a band playing.  2 grand pianos, drums, bass and guitar.  Brilliant!!!  Our first round was Jager-Bombs (i'm pretty sure i've spelt that wrong!), Our second round was Jager-Bombs, our third round was Jager-Bombs and the fourth was an Irish Car Bomb...all within 10 minutes...Goodnight and Goodluck!!  Gonski!!  We made alot of friends in that bar...i think it was our singing!  At one stage, i went to the jax and when i came back, Gavin had another Jager-Bomb for me...SWEET!  Down the hatch!  Tasted rather strong, but i was fine...found out the next day that it wasn't just Jagermeister in the redbull, there was also Jack Daniels and Tequila!!! The fucker!! 

The next day was a struggle.  Headed to Santa Monica beach for the afternoon.  Lovely and relaxing.  Had a swim.  Found out that there was a festival on that night starting at 7pm and going all the way through to 7am!  There's my night sorted, so!  Got the bus home, changed, Gav called around and we headed back to Santa Monica.  Now, the week previous, we had been in a bar in Venice Beach.  A DJ invited us to a house party he was working at, so, not wanting to offend the guy, we hit the house party in Santa Monica first!  Met a good few people including an actress, Stacey, who was there with her hubby, who in turn introduced us to a Casting Director, with whom we pretty much partied with for the rest of the night!  That led us to being invited to another party this Saturday, where there is going to be, seemingly, alot of Agents, Managers, Casting Directors...it's a funny ol' world!  Look, something might happen, or nothing will happen at all, the point is, you never know who you are talking to in this town...and where it potentially will lead!  That's what's so feckin' great about out here!  After the party we hit the beach and talked and sang to, i don't know hw many people, but it was great!  Got home at 7am - texted Fionn and told him i wouldn't be up for footie @9am!!

Okay, that's enough for now...Classes are going brilliant!  We finished with Saxon yesterday and we have Tess now.  The whole thing, after just over a week, has and is, giving me a new perspective on approaching scenes for auditions...and in general!  It's just class!!

Til next time,

Karlos!

We'll stay out til 10pm!

So i've had my first full day of class at the Margie Haber studio!  And it was interesting...very interesting.  Alot to take in, to think about and to absorb, but all in a good way.  This week we're working with a woman called Saxon.  I'm not going to bore you with what i'm actually doing...i mean, i've paid alot of money to come out here and do this.  Dya think i'm going to just tell everyone exactly what it is i'm learning?!?! ;-) ...basically, it was how to use your imagination in piecing together where a character has come from and how it can help you in a piece.

Who's on the course - Gavin Byrne, Nicola Mogerley, Mark Hutchinson, Carla Mooney, Susan McNamara, Jennifer Hennessey (all Irish!) Bastian Korff (German) and Luca Carbone (Italian)

Yesterday (Monday) was actually our first day but it was more a meet and greet.  Margie got former students to come in and talk to us about "the business"...it was very interesting.  Some of them have got impressive CV's from CSI to 24 to...well, can't think of the others, but you get what i mean!

We finished about 5pm and so, with the majority of us being Irish, what else was there to do except go for a pint...a few pints!  So up to Sunset Blvrd and the beginning of a mini Pub Crawl, starting in the Standard - fancy place that has a pool that you can take a dip in while sipping on your cocktail...or if you're us, sit in the shade and order the closest thing to a pint on the menu!  One drink later we decide to head across the road to this Rodeo bar.  A little bit more our scene, so we had a few drinks, some food, Gavin and Mark 'rode the bull' as did Eaoifa!  

I was having a good time, but was conscious of the following morning been our first class, so myself and Carla gave the time of departure at 10pm!  This was thrown into turmoil when a round of shots arrived at 9:45 from Mr Newry, Gavin...Q, what is commonly known as 'the second wind!!'  SHIIIIIIIIITTTTT!!!  That was it!  SHCOOPED Karl took over and bet the crap out of sensible Karl...so onwards to our next venue "Happy Endings"...turns out on Mondays here, it's Kareoke night! Now Kareoke at home usually consists of 3 types of people 1) People who are off their face drunk, who can't sing but get up for the laugh! 2)  People who THINK they are amazing singers but are a f*ckin disgrace!! and 3)  the lesser known people who can hold a tune...In West Hollywood, when it's Kareoke night, EVERY person who gets up sounds like they've just made it to the final of American Idol!!!  It was like a show in itself!!  So after another few drinks, up i get and give, what can only be described as an Ian Tighe, emotionally charged rendition of Black by Pearl Jam!! OH YEAH, BABY!!!  I got home at...i dunno...2ish! 

There were 2 actors in the bar aswell.  One of them was in Blade Runner amongst other things, and the other i can't for the life of me think what i saw him in.  But anyway, they're famous and i saw them...WOW!!

So there you go...i'm knackered now, so i'm off to sleep.

Peace

Karlos

The City Of Angels

July 11 @ 7pm.  I'm in LA just over 1 day...and I'VE MAD IT!!! Not really...So what's happened?  Well, the flights over were fine...fuck, that's not interesting Karlos!  Write something witty and interesting!!!  Well, nothing has really happened yet!  Oh, i was in a gym today, on the 'cross-trainer' and Jeff Goldblum was 3 tredmills down from me!!!  Now THAT'S the type of shit people want to read about...OH YEAH! Jeff 'I always think alot before i say my line' Goldblum...Legend!

Okay, so back to how i got here...Dublin - Chicago (where i bought a plug adapter THAT DOESN'T FIT THE PLUGS IN THIS COUNTRY!!!) Chicago - LA (during this flight i got talkin to a cool guy who was on his way back from Kenya after doing some Irrigation work...selfish bastard!...and he gave me a lift from LAX right to the door of where i'm staying!  Good man Colin!  And he looks a bit like Dave Matthews...not that that has anything to do with anything, but just to give you a mental picture of this Modern Day Mother Theresa!)

The apartment i'm in is nice.  Very close to where i will be doing my course...oh yeah, i never mentioned WHY i'm actually here.  Acting course - there ya go!  Just incase your somebody who doesn't know who i am...i.e a nosey f*cker! ;-)  Anyway, my room is big.  Has an ensuite and a huge flat screen tv.  The girl i'm sharing with seems nice enough.  Not that i can say that about one of her cats - BABY!  The little shit hates me!  It actually attacked me yesterday...as in LEAPED at my ankles and tried to scrape me!!!  F*ckin' PSYCHO!!!  So anytime i'm here on my own 'BABY' goes into a room that i lock!!  Scrape me now ya...okay, that's enough swearing!  

So i'm just waiting on Gavin - another Irish guy on the course - never met him before, but he's here and i'm here, so we're going out for a few pints and check out the West Hollywood nightlife...i don't think we'll fit in though...2 guys, walkin around on their own, havin a few drinks!! (i'm being sarcastic by the way!)  It's a very 'colourful' area of LA...are ya with me or do i have to spell it out?!  Which reminds me, the gym today was feckin hilarious...here you have all these big, muscle bound, fit guys workin' out really hard, sweat pumping, veins popping and over the sound system we have Kylies Greatest f*ckin hits blaring out of it!!  I actually laughed outloud!

And on that note, i shall stop typing.  I am hungry.  More importantly, i am thirsty.  No doubt all i'll be able to get is some drink in a Martini glass with a sparkler and umberella in it...ah well, when in Rome and all that!

Slán

Karlos

i, KEANO!

8 weeks into I,KEANO! It's goin' good. The least "partying" show i've ever done...which isn't a bad thing...this one is more of a job. Or maybe i'm just older! But i still love going into work.  I'm in a great dressing room - Nick, Mal and Dave - sometimes it's quiet, sometimes it's plain fuckin hilarious!

I'm playin KEANO on Wednesday and Thursday night. Jamie is havin a small op on his shoulder so they asked me would i be interested and after a meeting with Terry (Director) and an agreement on money, i said yes! Really looking forward to it. It's a good part to do and alot of fun...i just hope it goes well!

Had an audition for Fair City a few weeks ago. I felt really good after it! I would love to get something from it. At this stage i need to get some on camera experience. I remember before the audition i just wanted to be able to walk out of it feeling like i did the best i could, and i did that...it's just a matter of seeing if the 'heads that be' think i was any good!

Have started reading again...Ha! "Again" it sounds like i used to do it all the time!! Was never much of a reader but have decided to give it a go...probably due to seeing Mal reading in the dressing room all the time...and not even the same book! If i want to broaden my scope for when i write, i need to read more. Just finished THE MIS-EDUCATION YEARS by ross o'carroll kelly...i know its not exactly Oscar Wilde but i had to start somewhere! I'm on ONE SHOT by lee child now. Very good. But it's got over 400 pages...and NO PICTURES!!!