1A

I explored my strengths and weaknesses
by splitting the two into their own
characters, which I pitted against each
other. By committing to this idea, I
learnt more about editing (splitscreen
effect), which was something I hadn't
even considered I would get to improve
in, as well as gaining experience in
acting polar opposite personas. The two
characters eventually became the focus
of my shortfilm, and they made multiple
cameos throughout the series.

<<In Season One, I reviewed my strengths and weaknesses in drama, on which I based my chosen area of the arts to explore - directing, or on a broader scale, the backstage elements that I'd never been a part of.

See the interviews here:
(S1E7 - 10:00)

>>I researched into how a theatre works behind the scenes by actually visiting one myself (see 1B), and also got the chance to interview actors in a touring pantomime company, who could tell me about all areas of working in theatre, as they together put on the whole show themselves, doing all the jobs simultaneously.

It was from this that my initial idea of investigating the 'backstage' was fleshed out, and I realised that in order to challenge myself, I would have a go at juggling everything at once, like the actors in the GaryStarr pantomime, and create something of my own from scratch that would test my skills in acting, directing and writing.

Inspired by my new experience with editing whilst creating the series, I decided to make a shortfilm, as I knew it would be something that would test me in all areas. In order to prepare for this, I discussed the difference between creating work for stage and set (S1E4) and analysed my own past performances (S1E8) to get an idea of what I could do next.

Taking a step back, it was obvious to me that my chosen arts form was too broad so I decided to hone into a specific skill. Whilst I would still participate in all of the creative process when making my shortfilm, a plot idea persuaded me to turn my focus to characterisation, a seed which had truly been planted in the very first episode, when I explored my skills in that area.

I couldn't just dive into this new art form however, so I made sure first to get in touch with a practitioner more experienced with acting, and how better to do that than a drama class? Mrs Freeman, who I also interviewed throughout the series, did an intensive drama workshop with my class, and I filmed parts of the lesson as evidence for this. (S1E11 - 1:13).

Writing the shortfilm, I took my doppelganger characters that embodied my strengths and weaknesses and decided to pit them against each other in a final battle, fourth wall breaking by the dozen: including the arts award series as a major plot point in the script.

With all manner of edits and shoots included, it took about half a year to complete my shortfilm amidst schoolwork, and whilst I might look back on it now with a cynical creative eye, I learnt a huge amount by embarking on the project, and making all the mistakes I did along the way.

I shared my shortfilm on YouTube in the interval between the two seasons (watch it here), and was afterwards humbled by the positive feedback.

Below are just a few comments made about 'Third Time Lucky'. It was incredible to have such an amazing response to the film, and I greatly valued all the feedback I received!

Comment on 'Third Time Lucky'

Comment on 'Third Time Lucky'

Comment on 'Third Time Lucky'

Completing such a huge creative task pushed me completely out of my comfort zone but I loved every second of doing it (minus perhaps the long editing days!). Whether it was as simple as asking my headteacher to shoot a short-film scene in his office (2:53), or acting on camera (not only once but twice at the same time!) and then sharing it publicly, I felt I made huge steps in my confidence as a performer and creative person. As stated, I taught myself skills in editing I'd never even considered would be part of my journey, and also got experience in screenwriting, with 'Third Time Lucky' being the first individual narrative project I'd finished from start to end.

As for characterisation, I became quite attached to the evil clone involved in the story via approaching him from such a surrealist perspective. Inspired by Benjamin Cook's 'Becoming YouTube' series, I made the characters hyper-aware of the episodes and series to an existential extreme, loving how two fictional characters (1= the evil doppelganger, 2= the fictionalised version of myself representing the strengths) could fight over the very thing they were written for.

By being the creator of the evil character and having him be so tuned into the creative process, I found it fun to play around with humour and aforementioned fourth wall breaking that spawned from his exaggerated villainy, and discovered what worked and didn't about mixing such contrasting styles - a light-hearted not-taking-myself-seriously type humour, and an archetype villain that sought only to conquer and destroy.

All in all, it was a fantastic learning experience, and I was grateful for the huge number of opportunities I was able to take part in by following this part of the Arts Award.

Part of the Drama Workshop led by
Mrs Freeman (S1E11)

Me looking back at my previous roles
in preparation for my art form -
characterisation (S1E8)

Speaking with an actress from a
touring pantomime company.
(S1E7)

YouTube Channel Page on the day GAA was first published.