Richard Curtis’ film, ‘Love Actually’, follows many relationships in the five weeks running up to Christmas, in London, England. It tackles issues such as infidelity, parental love, lovers of different ages, lovers who can’t speak the same language, lovers from different social classes, young love, lust, unconditional love, mourning the death of a loved one and how opposites very often attract!
One of the most impressive aspects of this film is its ability to make you laugh out loud one minute, and then well up with tears the next. The scenes between Daniel (Liam Neeson), and his step son Sam (Thomas Sangster) are incredibly well written and very moving. Daniel’s wife, (Sam’s mother), has just died leaving Daniel to be a single parent to eleven year old Sam. Raising Sam as a single step father proves to be the exact tonic he needs to get through his wife’s’ death. The bond between the step father and son blossoms throughout the film as they plan how Sam can win over Mia, the love of his life. This storyline is captivating as it is heart wrenching and leaves you reassessing your priorities in life.
'Love Actually' is the first film that Richard Curtis has directed in addition to having written it. Perhaps this explains why it feels so personable and touches the audience deeply… Curtis was able to express the precise purpose of each scene by directing his writing, perhaps giving greater depth to the piece than if it had been directed by someone else.
Some critics have frowned upon the fact that there are twenty lead characters in this film, and with that, that there are numerous plots which are only very loosely intertwined. Its advocates would argue that this is the very beauty of the film - the movie is more about the characters and their personal experiences with love, than it is about a complicated, long evolving plot.
The many story lines evolve throughout the film. It is very interesting watching how Curtis has played with different social classes, ages and cultures, highlighting the fact that unltimately we are all the same – we all have the ability to fall in love, we all have the ability to care for others and show compassion for one another, and we all fear during some point in our life that we will never find true love or that we are in some way inadequate to the one we love. ‘Love Actually’ explores the different types of love and highlights the fact that all love can be challenging, and raises the ultimate question – is love always worth fighting for?
The film uses a slew of the most talented and highly acclaimed British actors, including Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Keira Knightley and Rowan Atkinson. While having the likes of Hugh Grant and Colin Firth surely helped to publicise the film, but it was also a great starting point for the younger Thomas Sangster. All the characters in the film are very well executed and well developed, allowing the audience to empathise with each and every lead character.
Richard Curtis wrote and directed the 2003 hit romantic comedy, ‘Love Actually’. The film is a real “feel-good” movie and it will leave you feeling positive about the world and the people in your life.
Curtis does a wonderful job of showing a wide range of situations, where love is present – whether they are happy and idealistic romances, lustful sins or heartbreakingly difficult circumstances. ‘Love Actually’ is a testoment to the idea that love can be a very bittersweet experience.
The opening scene is very emotive and sets the mood for the rest of the film. Throughout the scene the Prime Minister delivers a speech which is used to accompany the silent montage of a sea of people at Heathrow airport who are greeting their loved ones who have returned from their travels. These are some lines from the speech…
“General opinions starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed – but I don’t see that – seems to me that love is everywhere.
This powerful and thought provoking speech sums up what the movie is all about – love. The beauty of the words creates that warm feeling which you get inside when you meet that person who sets your heart on fire, the one whom you simply are drawn to.
Love arguably creates the strongest emotions a human can experience. The uncontrollable lust you feel when you meet the man of your dreams; the devastating hurt you feel when your partner leaves you or worse still, cheats on you; the nervous excitement you feel on your first date together. All these emotions are at their highest when it is with that one person who has truly captured your heart. No other person could ever evoke the strength of these feelings within you.
One of the most famous scenes in ‘Love Actually’ is the tear jerking scene between Juliet (Keira Knightley) and Mark (Andrew Lincoln) who is the best man at Juliet and Peter’s wedding. Unfortunately for him he also happens to be madly in love with Juliet. Curtis wrote a wonderful scene for the pair in which Mark has come around to Juliet’s house to discretely tell her that he loves her. This scene is a must see even if you haven’t seen the movie!
Interestingly, Curtis decided to set the film at Christmas during the five weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. 'Love Actually' highlights the parallels between Christmas time and love. Christmas is often a bittersweet time of year as it heightens your emotions and seems to force you to reflect on your life and where you are at. Love can do the same thing. What we once thought were important things in life are often completely changed when we fall in love and reassess all our priorities. Christmas is overwhelmingly fun if you are with the ones you love, but it can also be extremely stressful as expectations run so high. It seems that Christmas is similar to love in many ways.
The Christmas theme allows for uplifting and emotive festive songs to be played throughout the movie. One fun and enjoyable moment comes at the end of the movie when Sam, an eleven year old boy who has just lost his mother, plays the drums in the band performing in his school Christmas talent show. The girl he is in love with is performing as part of a dance troupe to the music the band is playing ‘All I Want for Christmas’ – it is a lot of fun!
‘Love Actually’ is a master piece of British talent – so wonderfully written, so beautifully made and bursting with talented British actors! This movie will make you smile from ear to ear. If you haven’t seen this film yet then you must, and if you have already seen it then watch it again! It is a real feel-good movie and one that you can enjoy with your partner, your best friends, your mum or even on your own.
With an all star cast of Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley, Kris Marshall, Alan Rickman and Emma Thomson just to name a few, this movie is packed with talent, fun and the on screen chemistry between the actors is electric – a recipe for a very entertaining film!
The opening scene gives you a sneaky peak into the style of the film. The scene takes place at Heathrow airport which is full of people being reunited with people they love – there are boyfriends and girlfriends, parents and children, best friends, and siblings – all hugging, kissing and embracing the people they love so dearly. The scene is accompanied by the British Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) delivering a touching speech expressing views on the power and significance of love in our society. To quote him, ‘Love Actually is all around.’
You will laugh, scream, cringe and cry at this impressive and original romantic comedy. The scenes between Natalie, the maid at Number 10 (Martine McCutcheon) and The Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) and pure comedic glory! The chemistry between the pair is electric on screen and their comic timing will leave you in stitches. Watch out for the scene where they first meet and Natalie can’t find the right words to greet a Prime Minister – very cute.
If you’re not sold on this film so far, then just let me tell you who wrote and directed it… Richard Curtis! Curtis was the one who brought us the fantastic ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, ‘Notting Hill’ and co-wrote ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’. This movie is the one to watch to make you smile, give you that warm feeling inside, and make you chuckle… Enjoy!
“The Most Delightful Film of the Year” – Chicago Sun-Times
You can view the trailer and discover more about the movie at the ‘Love Actually’ official website
As soon as I was 16 years old I began competing for the title of Miss Dance of Great Britain.In order to win the title you first had to win a Heat.The Heats were extremely competitive and were held in cities across Great Britain.The winner of each Heat gained a place at the prestigious finals which were held at the SheffieldCity Hall each year.I had watched the finals in previous years and the atmosphere in the audience was like nothing I have ever experienced before, or since.You could almost smell the competition!I knew that I had to compete as soon as I was old enough, and that I had to make it to the Finals!
I can relate the experiences I had participating in this competition to the four parts of Kolb’s Cycle.
Concrete Experience
Getting up on the stage and actually performing the routine in front of an audience was the most incredible feeling in the world – and one that I learnt the most from.To experience the moment – living, feeling and breathing the dance; expressing my whole body and soul through the performance – was such an amazing experience, and one that opened my mind and increased my confidence.
Before the performance I would experience the preparation side of things:
-Doing my make up and styling my hair
-Warming my muscles
-Psyching myself up to go stage
-Focusing my mind on the performance from a technical and creative perspective.
Once the adrenalin was pumping through my veins I would experience another level of consciousness - a level that I would never feel in rehearsals.When the adrenalin was flowing through me, I could feel a real energy in my work and my body would work almost beyond its limits.Using this adrenalin, I would usually do my best performances – the ones with the X Factor.
Reflective Observation
Through performing my routine at various Heats, I was able to learn from each and every performance. My dance teacher and my mum would help me to reflect on my performance and assess the strengths and weaknesses of it on that particular occasion.My dance teacher would coach me on how to improve the quality of my dance technique, and we would focus on ways of enhancing my performance skills.
In addition to the dance technique, you were also marked on your overall performance, which included your appearance.Make up, hair design and costume were all important factors, therefore they needed to be assessed too.We would discuss how the costume complimented my physique and the content of the dance, and whether the make up and hair was staying immaculate throughout the performance and if it was in-keeping with the theme of the routine.
On a personal level, I would always reflect on how nervous I was during the performance.On the whole, it seemed that the worse my nerves were, the less control I had over the performance and therefore the weaker the routine was.My dance teacher would reflect on where I was carrying the tension and nerves in my body and how it was effecting my dancing.
It was crucial we monitored all of these aspects, in order for me to move forward.It was imperative that I continue to improve my routine for the next Heat, and the next Heat, until eventually I won a Heat and gained my place at the Finals.
Abstract Conceptualisation
Reflecting on my own performance was not enough – I had to win and so I decided to study what makes someone a winner.
At the Heats, once I had performed my routine, I would sneak into the audience and watch all the remaining competitors. I would observe and monitor what made their routine stand out from the rest; whose make up looked most effective under the stage lights and why; what components made up the most dynamic routine – was it the girl with the most raw energy or the girl with the most strength, control and stamina who could execute every last detail of every move to the maximum potential.
Throughout the dances I would make notes on the performers who stood out to me and decided theoretically who my winner would be.Then I would compare it to the adjudicator’s winner and listen to all of her comments.
What was the judge looking for – originality, flexibility, personality, technique, use of theme and ‘Star Quality’.
I was eager to find out what gives you ‘Star Quality’.I would read books on how celebrities became stars and how athletes became the best in their field – what created the mentality of a winner?... positive thinking and determination, as well as the drive to be the best!I became even more motivated to continually work and work until I was physically and mentally at my peak; until I was at the stage where I truly believed I deserved to win because I was the best in that competition; I was the best in Great Britain!It was when I reached this mentality that I won a Heat and went through to the Finals.
Active Experimentation
A strong and inspiring dance performance does not solely depend upon the performance of the dancer – it is also to do with the content of the choreography, the costume design, the choice of music, etc.In order to know what would and wouldn’t improve the overall success of the routine, my dance teacher and I would need to experiment with different ideas.Some of these ideas would only be trialled in rehearsals and training, others would be trialled on stage.
In addition to experimenting with the content of the performance, I would also experiment with techniques on how to control my nerves. I was aware that my nerves would prevent me from having full control over my performance as they would create tension in my shoulders; tighten my leg muscles so my kicks weren’t as high as they could be; and hinder my breathing making me struggle to execute the whole routine with maximum strength and stamina.
In order to control my nerves, and to monitor which techniques were the most successful, I would use a different technique before each performance.I experimented with breathing exercises; meditation; focusing entirely on the performance and nothing else in the room; focusing on anything except the performance in order to take my mind off it; warm-up rituals and mantras.To know whether a technique worked for me, as an individual, I needed to experiment with it.
FILM Brideshead Revisited - Ecosse Films - Julian Jerrold Rachel Stevens Music Video - BBC Comic Relief - Richard Curtis Big Brovaz Music Video - Genetic Records - Hamish Jenkinson Tranzformerz Music Video - Big Yellow Feet Prod. Co. - Tom Jenkins NHS Training Film - Avow Films - Tony O'Reilly
TELEVISION Johnny Vegas:18 Stone of Idiot - Channel 4 - Chris Evans Olympic Torch Ceremony - BBC - Stephen Mear
THEATRE Twelfth Night - UK Tour - David Willoughby Bitter and Twisted - Watson Theatre Company - Audrey ColdronMother's Day - Watson Theatre company - Audrey Coldron Weaponised Art - Foolish People - John Harrigan
PRESENTING Brazen - ITV Digital Channels -Richard Alexander BBX - inDemand Channel - Richard Alexander UK Uncovered 2009 - Blue August Creations - Richard Alexander UK Uncovered 2008 - Blue August Creations - Richard Alexander Corporate Training Film - Blue August Creations - Michael Michael
COMMERCIALS Honda Civic - Partizan - Antoine Bardou-Jacquet
VOICE OVER The Seamstress - Northern Film School - Tony O'Reilly
TRAINING Italia Conti - London - 3 Year National Diploma in Musical Theatre. Margie Haber - LA - International Studies Programme Margie Haber & John Levey - LA - Audition Technique Eden Bernardy & Margie Haber - LA - Acting Technique Zak Barnett - LA - Audition Technique Molli Benson - LA - Scene Study
ACCENTS RP, Heightened RP, Yorkshire, Leeds, London, Cockney, American (General)
SPECIAL SKILLS Improvisation; Voice overs; Presenting; Modelling; Singing - Mezzo Soprano; Dancing - Classical Ballet (Pointe Work, Pas de Deux), Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Tap, Street and Commercial Jazz; Swimming; Stage Fighting; Fencing; Full Clean Driving Licence.
AWARD NOMINATIONS Finalist for Miss Dance of Great Britain two years running.
Think of all the films you have seen in the last year. Think of how you cried. Think of how you laughed. Think of how you were on the edge of your seat! Isn't it amazing just how much a film can move you? Of course, we have all seen films that we walked away from thinking that they were just awful, but if you can find that one...the one that truly changed your perspective on something, you'll never forget it!
As an artist, I am always on the look out for inspiration. Little Miss Sunshine is truly an inspiration (for many reasons, as I explain below), and comes highly recommended to anyone who hasn't yet seen it.You can view the trailer here!
The movie was originally shot on an eight million dollar budget in just thirty days. It was primarily recorded on the road following the happenings of a family throughout the Southwestern United States. When it was viewed at the Sundance Film Festival, Fox Searchlight Pictures bought it out for one of the biggest deals in the history of the Sundance Film Festival!
The inspiration this film emanates isn't simply from the story, but of the story behind the movie. A success story like this really inspires me that there are things happening everyday where people who work hard enough eventually realise their dreams.
The movie went on to make over 100 million dollars box office, was nominated for four academy awards, and has won massive praise from many movie critics and industry people.Little Miss Sunshine stands as a shining example of the belief in hard work, doing what you can with what you have, and becoming successful.
Another reason I put this as one of my choices for a link of interest is Little Miss Sunshine truly encapsulates the fairly new transition of larger, more expensive studio movies to smaller, leaner, independent projects. With the advent of the Internet, self-submissions, YouTube, hulu, and high definition portable cameras and video editing software, movie studios are having to adjust to a new wave of movie makers and working actors who don't need to necessarily play by the rules of the industry, but have begun to set their own, new rules, entirely. Success stories like Little Miss Sunshine are a testament to the tides of change.
Disney, Inc.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." - Walt Disney
As so it began. A boy who grew up with nothing handed to him, who went on to become the most successful animator in history.His upbringing was humble enough, working for his own father, and then, working to help injured soldiers on the battlefield with the red cross during World War I. It was when he came back to the States after that where he decided to pursue his passion for animation.
Think of everything that Disney touches, be it franchises, new movie ideas, theme parks, partnerships with different corporations, Broadway shows. Disney is one of the largest powerhouses, not only in Hollywood, but in the world.
A constant driving force for entertainment, Disney has been able to raise the bar in so many ways its quite overwhelming, to say the least. From The Lion King to Aladdin to my personal favorite, Beauty and the Beast, Disney has won the hearts and minds of millions of kids across the world and has caused many of them to go to bed just a little bit happier every single night.
Woody Allen is the modern day Renaissance Man. An internationally recognized screenwriter, director, actor, musician, and playwright, Woody Allen has always involved himself in the dramatic arts since a very young age. Woody Allen is the definitive American rags to riches success story. Growing up as a poor boy in New York City, he began writing his own material as a teenager just to get by!Never one to follow the path set before him, Woody Allen also dropped out of two different Universities and blazed his own path.
I can identify with his sense of humour and consider many of his works modern day classics. Annie Hall, a world renowned romantic comedy that defined the genre before it was even created, ended up winning four Academy Awards the year it was nominated.
As an actress is it my personal goal to one day star in a Woody Allen film. As an older gentleman, Woody Allen can be assured that he has left his mark in both Hollywood and the international cinema.
His unique ability to make you laugh while still providing subtler points that you only catch upon a second or third viewing is perhaps one of his most interesting and recognizable qualities.
He can connect with audiences of all ages, and has remarkably gained a younger following while not alienating his original fans from some forty years ago!His films standing among the best that Hollywood has put out in their respective genres and will surely be watched for generations to come.
I hope one day I have the privilege of saying I have worked with such a master of the cinema.
To learn more about Woody Allen, you can watch the famous May 2008 TIME magazine interview, 10 Questions with Woody Allen.
