Updates from Treechange - and other stuff

Back online after SIX MONTHS!

2010-06-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

Not one blog update since 26th December 2009 – that’s almost six months!!
What’s the reason? Probably because I was totally exhausted from all the work of getting Silly Old Buggers into the Comedy Festival, then into Chapel Off Chapel followed by striving to get it picked up by production companies. We had a recording session as well in December which also took a bit of organising and then it all had to be edited which went into the start of 2010. So, after all that, I was pretty well sick to death of Silly Old Buggers! I’m currently ‘in discussions’ with two production companies and two agents about the future of the show but am not holding my breath for any quick developments.

As I’m a very keen gardener and the weather turned on the best summer and autumn we’ve had for years, I’ve turned my back on my office and computer and been happily enjoying the outdoors. So much so that I have been making a photo record of my Australian garden so that I can check back on what was flowering and when. I’ve put the last couple of months of these records up on Picasa so some of my keen gardening friends – and any other garden nuts who are interested – can share it with me.
http://picasaweb.google.com/118417605757520707585#

On the family front there’s been a VERY happy event – a new granddaughter, born 17th February; 2010. Her name is Harper Lee Grace Simmons and she and proud Mum, Monique, spent 4 days at Camperdown with her very proud grandparents, where we all had a lovely time getting to know each other.

As for writing? Well, there’s been a small amount of poetry (not for sharing!) and very little else. Now that the winter is upon us I’ve been enjoying catching up with some reading and relaxing. In the back of my mind are a couple of ideas which might get me started on a novel soon. We’ll see.

In the meantime, any further news updates of Silly Old Buggers will be on the SOBs Blog attached to http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/

Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/
or go to: http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/

SOBs UP ON YOUTUBE

2009-12-26T19:16:00.000-08:00

It's time to report on the results of the BIG VIDEO RECORDING DAY at the Williamstown Little Theatre.
It was ALL GOOD! Everything worked like a dream: the set for the WLT's next show was absolutely perfect for shooting our songs and the cast, pianist and crew all performed quite brilliantly!
And now we have three of the songs up on YouTube ready for the public to have a look at. So far we have: "Fight for your rights, don't let the bastards win", "I'm tired of being old" and "The Computer Song".
My hard-working and over-extended son, Marcus, has promised to use some of his precious Christmas holiday time to do some more editing and should get a few more up 'soon'. (Doesn't editing always take three times as long as one expects?) Until then, go to YouTube and simply search for Silly Old Buggers and the three songs will appear for you.
And if you happen to know any more producers who might be interested, send them along to have a look too.
Happy viewing!

Return to: http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/
or: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

STILL LOCKED INTO THOSE "SILLY OLD BUGGERS!"

2009-11-18T17:13:00.000-08:00

I've just posted an update on the Silly Old Buggers website (www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au) so now it's time to update this one.
Now that the short season at Chapel Off Chapel has finished - and very successful it was, too - I'm trying to get the show all ready to go on its way commercially. We had a few representatives from Production Companies at the Chapel performances who have expressed interest in its future, so it was decided to get a DVD ready for promotional purposes.
I was a very reluctant 'cameraman' at a number of our public performances - with my long-suffering husband's assistance - and was, by this time, totally convinced that it was NOT my field of expertise! I had also been trying - and failing - to edit two cameras together to produce a DVD which did the show justice but was totally frustrated by incompatible technology. I think the technology was not only incompatible with my computer but also drastically incompatible with ME!!!
THE DVD
So, when one of the cast suggested we have a session dedicated to performing for the camera so we could stop-start shots and get the performances just right, I was VERY reluctant to go through it all again. However, all the other members of the cast seemed to think it was a brilliant idea, so it seemed foolish to let the opportunity go. So - the organisation began: to find a date that suited everyone - four cast members, pianist, director and me - a venue where the recording could take place, two good cameras that WERE COMPATIBLE, and someone who knew what they were doing to operate cameras.
THE PEOPLE
As always, a suitable date for seven people is a nightmare but we eventually decided on a week that was fairly clear for all.
THE VENUE
And then we found the PERFECT VENUE!! My dear and valued old, old, friends at the Williamstown Little Theatre (www.wlt.org.au) were kind enough to make the theatre available for us during the day of Friday 6th November. WITH stage lighting, WITH sound equipment, WITH electronic keyboard and with wonderful co-operation in opening the theatre for us and providing everything to make us feel at home - including tea and bickies. This was extremely generous of them under the circumstances because at that date they were only two weeks away from opening a new show there - with all the accompanying work of set-finishing, theatre cleaning, etc. etc.
So I'm putting on record here and now that this co-operation and assistance has been a godsend to us and if ever the Silly Old Buggers makes lots of money, the WLT will be properly rewarded. Until then, I hope they'll appreciate my heartfelt thanks and that of all the crew.
THE CAMERAMAN/TECHNICIAN
Talk about having good luck!!! Having got most of it all organised, the fates suddenly dropped the perfect cameraman (and technician) into my lap! With three sons, one who is my Web Designer and another who is my Production Manager, my youngest son, Marcus, had always said: "If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know." Now was his chance!
He has been associated with bands ever since leaving school - either as drummer, singer, song-writer, manager - you name it - and has access to all the sound equipment one could possibly need. And now, recently, he's been videoing and editing with his day-job! In fact, he was telling me about the wonderful, new, editing program he'd been using! Hmm! And he just happened to be on leave on Friday 6th November. Need I say more? Microphones, mixing desk, leads, fold-back speaker, camera - you name it, we had it. And now it's all with him for editing the two cameras together.
I can hardly wait to see the final result!

Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au
or www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE FINALE

2009-09-14T17:06:00.000-07:00

There aren't any videos on the Silly Old Buggers website as yet so if you'd like to watch - and hear - the finale of the show when it was at the Swiss Club, you can do so on the

Silly Old Buggers update blog, which is:

http://asob-latestnews.blogspot.com

Once you are there, all you have to do is click on "May" on the listing on the left of the screen.
Then click on:

SILLY OLD BUGGERS - FINALE 24.5.09

If you have a slow connection, start the video and let it run to the end (with any stops and starts) then play it again. It should now run smoothly right through.

NOW you can ring Chapel Off Chapel (8290 7000)
and book your tickets for the 5th or 6th October!
OR
Click below to get back to the SOBs website and leave a comment for us.
We hope to see you at the show!

Return to: http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/
OR: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

SENIORS' WEEK COMING UP

2009-08-18T22:19:00.001-07:00

Performances of Absolutely Silly Old Buggers for Seniors' Week are coming closer! Here's the information:

CHAPEL OFF CHAPEL

12 Little Chapel St., Prahran. 3181

Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th October

at 10am and 2pm both days.

Tickets $10

Bookings open: 7th September

Phone: 8290 7000

or www.chapeloffchapel.com.au

The blog attached to www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au has all the updates of the show as well as videos, pictures and audience comments from the Comedy Festival.

I'm trying to get some new writing done but keep being sidetracked by those Silly Old Buggers as well as family events, the occasional visit to a theatre and SPRING WEATHER! (Very distracting!)

Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

or www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au

SILLY OLD BUGGERS - STILL ALIVE & KICKING!

2009-06-08T22:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time between blogs on this site and I have only apologies to make - no real excuses EXCEPT I've been VERY BUSY!!!
Reading the update blog on www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au will fill you in on what I've been doing and now, at last, I'm attempting to get some other writing done.
I'm working on a play that's been around in one form or another for some years. I keep going back to it and re-reading it, rewriting, editing, and then putting it away again. This time I'm determined to do some serious research, put it together properly and send it off to Varuna in the hope that it will be selected for a development process with a dramaturg. The completed scripts has to be ready by the end of June so I'm deep into it right now.
To save a visit to another site, what follows is exactly the same as the update on the silly old buggers blog, with apologies for lack of originality!

We're very happy to report that Chapel off Chapel - a very nice venue in the Melbourne inner suburb of Prahran - has bought three performances of Absolutely Silly Old Buggers! A VERY short season , I know, but it's good to know that while we're waiting for that elusive Production Company to take us on, the show will still be out there in the public eye keeping audiences entertained.
So - if you missed out on the earlier season, or if you want to see it again (and some people have already said they do!), put these dates in your diaries:

Sunday, 4th October - 2.30 pm
Monday, 5th October - 10 am and 2.30 pm.

These are the opening dates of Seniors' Week and I'll post the booking dates and ticket details as soon as I know what they are.
Cast, Director, Musical Director and Production Team are meeting soon to discuss the possibility of doing a slightly extended version. Remember, we had to cut the show to the bone for the 60-minute spot in the Comedy Festival and now there's the possibility of re-inserting a couple of songs and/or some of the dialogue.
It's a great excuse for a reunion and a catch-up of news and gossip, anyway. There was such an enormous amount of energy and fun generated while the show was running, we're all suffering withdrawal symptoms and need to get back together again.
Still getting regular hits on the ASOB website so we know we're not yet forgotten. Those Silly Old Buggers will keep on rockin' for a long time yet!

Back to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/
or: http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/

THEATRE UPDATE ON ASOB BLOG....

2009-05-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

My time has been totally taken up with the production of Absolutely Silly Old Buggers at the Comedy Festival so keeping this blog even a tiny bit up-to-date has been rather neglected - sorry!
Even the blog about the show is running late. I'm just about to do it now, so will direct any one interested to: www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au and click on the update blog.
There has been other family news but I'll get to that next week.
Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

The Silly Old Buggers are rockin'!!!

2009-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Since opening on 14th April - with the first two performances as 'previews' - our show has gone from strength to strength.
Audiences are loving it, ticket sales are increasing daily, and some Very Important People are coming to see us and making very encouraging noises.
I've just put the Age review up on the Comedy Festival website for all the world to see and I'll add the link here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/arts-reviews/absolutely-silly-old-buggers-a-musical-celebration/2009/04/20/1240079576255.html
I have very little time to spend blogging so will simply link to my Absolutely Silly Old Buggers blog. Here's the link: http://asob-latestnews.blogspot.com
Performance photos are being shot tonight and I will get them up on the web ASAP.
I have taken videos of a couple of performances for archive purposes and was going to put an excerpt onto the websites but really, with the available lighting and the distance from the stage, they're just not good enough for that. We'll have to make do with stills.

Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au
or www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au

Update of Absolutely Silly Old Buggers from the Publicity and Marketing Department

2009-04-05T01:55:00.000-07:00

I've hardly had time to think logically for the past month or so because I've been very busy trying to get bums on seats - through publicity, direct marketing, emailing, event on Facebook, you name it....

Here's where we're at right now:
The Melbourne Weekly Magazine’s coverage wasn’t quite as exciting as I’d been led to believe by the journalist. She said, ‘You’ll be on the front page on Monday, 30th' which to me sounded pretty damned exciting. However, it turned out that we were part of the "older audience" target of a number of shows but at least we got quite good coverage in the article – even though no pic! The article also mentioned that we are in the Prime Time Comedy concert on Wednesday, 15th April at the Melbourne Town Hall.
I’ve offered a photo or two to go on the web page for the Prime Time concert on Wednesday, 15th April and it was accepted but it hasn’t appeared there yet.
A great interview on Thursday, 2nd April by Maggie and Roger on 3MBS. I’ve recorded it for posterity – with a few blank spots when my computer lost the signal and I had to log into it again. They played “I lived my life” and “Friends will make us strong” and there were lots of laughs – how surprising!
Titanic Theatre Restaurant has been distributing brochures to their (targeted) tables for the past three or four weeks and will continue until the season is over. There is also a link to our website on the Titanic website. (We have a reciprocal link on ours).
Aaron Joyner of Magnormous (Ozmusic) has the Magnormous Trivia Night at the New Capers on Monday 6th and has our posters and brochures. We will also appear in a Power Point Presentation which is part of the evening. (This is because we have donated two doubles for the second week of the show as prizes.) Aaron is coming on Thursday, 23rd.
Joy-FM has an interview with Maggie and Jan for broadcast on Sunday, 19th between 6-7pm. This will be repeated later in the following week and will be available as a podcast.
I did an interview on ABC-Ballarat – radio – last Friday which went very well.
Beat Magazine has an advert and an article with photo in their Comedy Festival supplement – out April 1st.Good pic and good coverage.

Swiss House has lots of our posters and brochures. I saw them on Friday, 3rd and have given them two doubles for the two preview nights – 14th and 15th.
Ideal Tools website – belonging to a family member – is offering two tickets for anyone who buys goods over $250 and has a big promo about the show on his website and forum page. He’s given some away but as his clients come from all over Australia, we haven’t had any takers yet! Good advertising though!
We are on websites: http://www.citysearch.com.au/ – admittedly on page 7 for April – but we’re there!
http://www.whatsonvictoria.com.au/ Regions: Melbourne, Events: April, and there we are. We’re also listed along the RH side under “events” on the “Melbourne” page: (good article with pic)
and http://my247.com.au/ – “Win a double pass to Absolutely Silly Old Buggers” on the front page!! (3 doubles for each of 14th and 15th).
Mairi Nicolson of ABC Classic FM had organised an interview then went on leave. She passed the info to Julie Howard to do in “The Scene” and it's now organised that Maggie and Roger will do the inteview with Julie for broadcast on the 11th April between 1 and 5pm. Mairi is coming to see the show on Tuesday 21st.
Rachel Fothergill of Chapel off Chapel expressed interest in the show and has now accepted a ticket for Fri. 29th.
Lots of other invitations have gone out courtesy of Maggie’s famous friends – still awaiting acceptances – or not! I have gone overboard on the invitations for 16th (our ‘opening night’) and may have to pay for some of them! I didn’t read the fine print soon enough! So we can’t offer any more freebies for that night.
Jim Murphy, reviewer, coming on Tuesday 14th.
Martin Bedford, agent from Sydney, SAYS he’s coming but hasn’t given me a date yet.
Bill Jeffrey of JOY-FM is coming on Friday, 17th.
I’ve sent heaps of stuff to the major papers, radio stations and TV stations but so far no takers from them. I’ll do a follow up next week and see if we can squeeze in somewhere.
I sent press releases to all the local papers in the areas where all the cast live – Julie Houghton’s suggestion. No replies from them but if they’re interested, they’ll probably just publish it anyway – or not. I'm hoping the cast will see something about themselves in their local paper and let me know.

MOST IMPORTANT NEWS

I saw a rehearsal on Friday night and was totally blown away!!!

The show is in VERY good hands and I can't wait to see the result on opening night.

THE FAMILY UPDATE

2009-03-06T18:59:00.001-08:00

FAMILY LIFE:
Since Christmas, we’ve had a first birthday for Lucas, the second of the Senior grandsons. This celebration turned out to be on that ghastly Black Saturday in February when no one in their right mind would drive from Camperdown to McKinnon so we missed out on that. However, another family gathering was held in Point Cook on Saturday, 28th February where we managed to catch up with ALL the grandchildren at once – not always easy!

The placing of pictures on this blog always seems to cause me incredible angst! They go in strange and unexpected places and when I try to alter them I occasionally lose one or two and have to upload them again. So now that they're all here, I'm NOT trying to change their positions again! They'll just have to stay where they are.

A LITTLE SOCIAL LIFE:

A visit to the Titanic in Williamstown on that night, in the company of 26 of the Camperdown Lions added to the weekend’s excitement and it was great to catch up with old friends there: proprietor Andrew Singer and his second son Michael – who has grown about half a metre! – and some of the waiting staff who were there when I worked there about 6 years ago.
THE GARDEN & FIRES:
The terrible hot weather has kept us indoors a lot of the time with the occasional foray into the garden to try to keep things alive. It’s sad to see things slowly shrivelling up but when you think about how other Victorians have suffered with the fires, you can’t even begin to feel sorry for yourself. We had a biggish fire about 10 kilometres away down at Pomborneit on THAT Saturday and Geoff was down there for a couple of days later on helping, with other Lions, to clear away burnt fencing and help the farmers with their new ones. No loss of life, stock or houses fortunately, so we’re all feeling very relieved.

In the vegy garden, some of the early tomatoes were cooked on the plants and the later ones have produced VERY few eatable fruit. The plants are green but there’s not much on them. The only things that have done reasonably well are the continental cucumbers and I’ve been picking two or three a week for about four weeks. The butternut pumpkins have produced a great quantity of fruit but they are all small and round – nothing like the shape or size they should be, and the Jap pumpkins are producing male flowers by the dozen and so far, only one female. Not looking good.

Some trips to the city to catch up with friends, sisters and a Williamstown Little Theatre show have been fitted in between ASOB work and that’s about it. There doesn't seem to have been a lit of time for anything apart from the work on Absolutely Silly Old Buggers and I'm desperately looking forward to the time when I can relax and start thinking about ANYTHING else! (But, of course, I wouldn't want it not to be happening! No way!)

return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/ www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au

SILLY OLD BUGGERS - MARCH UPDATE

2009-03-06T18:29:00.000-08:00

WHY did I think I’d need something I called “A two-headed blog”? I haven’t had time to write even one entry since Christmas – much less two!
But now the time has come to at least try to bring things up to date – in the theatre world and in the family world.

THEATRE UPDATE:
Absolutely Silly Old Buggers has kept me on my toes almost continuously. Apart from being Producer, I’m also (through lack of budget) Publicity, Marketing, Liaison, and general dogsbody for any and all tasks that need doing.
That is, apart from the actual production. Fortunately that’s in the capable hands of four wonderful actors and a Director and Musical Director who are all dedicated to getting the show on successfully. (see the website: http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/ for all the details about the crew).

NO SPONSORS BUT ….
For two weeks from about mid-January I tried for sponsorship – to no avail!
There WERE a couple of companies who said they were interested and who MIGHT be able to help – but in the end they regretfully declined. The pressure of the ‘economic downturn’, they had ‘no marketing budget this year’, and ‘try us again next year’ were the closest I got to getting some real money.
I have had terrific support from friends and theatre associates though:
Rob & Terttu Mancini of Evergreen Design for the design of logo, brochures and poster;
Andrew Singer of Titanic Entertainments (http://www.titanic.com.au/) for distribution of brochures to his audiences every week;
Conrad Wadds, who’s been updating the website when necessary (apart from setting it up originally) and has recently added the latest photos and some other 'thank-yous'.
Ideal Tools (family member Anthony) who is including a couple of tickets to ASOBs as a special bonus give-away for big purchases, thereby giving us quite a lot of internet coverage by putting us on his website (http://www.idealtools.com.au/) and linking to our SOB website.
All members and committee of the Williamstown Little Theatre (http://www.wlt.org.au/) have been wonderfully supportive, too by offering to print and distribute my brochures during their recent season when the professionally printed ones weren’t available, and by offering furniture for the set and support with a social-club block booking.

REHEARSALS:
While our MD is overseas, Mike Downes from the earlier workshops has been assisting us as rehearsal pianist and the cast have spent a couple of weeks working on the music. Production rehearsals are to begin very soon.

PUBLICITY:
We’ve recently had new photos done and uploaded onto the website and had a studio recording session to put down four of the songs so we can promote the show to radio stations, TV shows, etc.

Print Media: We’ve already had coverage in The Senior Newspaper and COTA News – both papers aimed at the ‘more mature’ person who we expect will be our major audience. Local papers in districts where each of the team live will be the next targets.

Radio: An interview with two of our actors has been arranged on “The Score” a music program on Thursday, 2nd April from 9 to 10 am. on 3MBS-Classic Radio (103.5 FM). It’s only just getting close enough to organise these things and I’m hoping to get some coverage on the ABC and commercial radio as well.

Posters and brochures are arriving early next week so I’m aiming to hit the phones and have a chat to social organisers at retirement villages. Then I can send some out by post as a follow up.

BOOKINGS:
Bookings have started and a couple of block bookings have already been made by social clubs. I’m currently chasing a few more of those.

But I still wake up in the middle of the night and say: What if nobody comes?????

NEXT WEEK:

MORE sitting at the computer and sending publicity and marketing stuff off occasionally broken by getting on the phone and selling the idea of group bookings to retirement villages.
I'm also about to make lots of phone calls to VIPs who might be persuaded to come along and see the show and pick it up as a commercial proposition.

If Menopause the Musical can do it - so can those four Silly Old Buggers!

Return to http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/ http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/

WRITING AND THEATRE - THE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

2008-12-22T16:58:00.001-08:00

It's been a very hectic two months - or is it more than that? Probably.
From the time we decided to enter Silly Old Buggers in the MICF in early October, it's been go, go, go supplying all the necessary information, entries and applications required. It's been a very steep learning curve and I'm amazed at how much had to be done. If I'd known how much was in it I'm not sure I'd have thought it possible. Definitely a case of "fools rushing in ..." or should the cliche be "ignorance is bliss".
Applying for a venue was something I didn't realise was going to be one of the tricky ones. Each venue needed a heap of information and background about the show and each one seemed to need it presented differently with a different emphasis on different parts.
The cast and director, Hugh Halliday, were incredibly supportive and we all got together for a first read-through of the new script with a new cast member. Our musical director wasn't available for that night so we had a fill-in pianist, Matt Toogood, who did a fantastic job of sight-reading all the music and helping the cast cope with arrangements they'd never heard before.
The whole evening was videoed and audio recorded for future use on the yet-to-be-developed ASOB website.
Then, a small hiccup occurred -our musical director rang and apologised that he was no longer available. During the hiatus before taking on the MICF, he had taken other work for April, 2009.
We hardly had time to panic before Matt Toogood agreeed to step into the breach. He'd got to hear the show at the read-through and was more than happy to be associated with it. There's encouragement for you!
At last the day drew near when an 'offer of a venue' was to be made. In they came : "Sorry, no offer". One, then two, and panic was beginning to set in.
What if we received no offer at all? What was I going to tell the cast? I rang and spoke to the MICF manager. We discussed the problem and apparently the show was still a bit long for most MICF venues. I rashly said it could easily be cut to 60 minutes if necessary.
Then we waited some more.
At last - a venue offer came and it was just about perfect! Swiss House, which is a Festival Managed Site and which means a great deal of the organisation, ticketing, management, etc. is taken off my hands. What a relief!
Of course, the 60-minute show then had to be developed. Cutting of some songs, reducing from two acts to one (i.e. no interval) and at last, a slightly new name.
Absolutely Silly Old Buggers now becomes the 'showcase' version of Silly Old Buggers. The new name is good for a couple of reasons: it differentiates from the two-act full-length show (which is still an option) and it also places the name well up the front of the MICF booklet rather than down the back with the S's.

A terrific logo has been designed by an old (and very generous) friend, Rob Mancini.

The website, constructed by very clever son Conrad, is now there for all the world to see: http://www.sillyoldbuggers.com.au/ You can now read all about the cast, the crew and the whole MICF details: venue, dates, times, prices, etc.
Publicity and sponsorships are the next things to be dealt with and are 'on the way'. However, with Christmas almost upon us, it's time to take a small break and enjoy a little family time.
With a bit of luck, the next blog won't be two months away from now and hopefully will have some valuable updates.
And maybe I'll get my own website updated soon!
My best Xmas and New Year greetings go out on the ether to anyone and everyone who reads this blog. Health, happiness and good fortune - in whatever order you like.
Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

A TWO HEADED BLOG!

2008-12-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

It seems to me that it's become necessary to make these blog entries cover two different facets of my activities. I know family members both in Australia and overseas are always interested in seeing the latest family developments - particularly as we have now achieved four new grandchildren in the past five years - and I'm equally sure those who are interested in the theatre and writing developments have no desire or need to see baby pictures and proud grandmotherly updates.
So I've decided to have two strands - one labelled 'Family Stuff' and another labelled 'Writing and Theatre'.
So now that I've found time to do a bit of updating in the blogging department , I'll get both of them on the way.

Silly Old Buggers just won't lie down and die!

2008-11-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Here I was, just enjoying NOT being a producer, doing the garden, planning some more writing, and generally enjoying life when suddenly I find I'm in the thick of it again.
The reason is: Melbourne International Comedy Festival - otherwise known as MICF.
The cast and the production team have all agreeed that Silly Old Buggers should be given a showcase as part of MICF so that prospective producers and/or theatre companies can see how good it is, how much audiences enjoy it and how successful it will be!
Well! There's faith for you - and how can I resist putting all my efforts into making this proposal as successful as possible?
Of course, I can't, so now it's full steam ahead again with a quick re-write to make the show 75 minutes without interval and then on with the application for inclusion in the festival, applications for venues, organisation of scripts and scores to be sent out, a logo to be designed, a website to be created, etc. etc. The list seems to go on and on and currently, I'm right in the middle of it.
Everything HAS to be in by 1st December so at least I know once it's all done I can draw breath again. So - until then - this blog update will have to do until after the deadline.
THEN I'll do my very best to keep the news updated.

Return to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

A Two-month Catch-up

2008-08-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been two months since my last entry - but I have an excuse (of sorts!)

I have had the dreaded lurgi on and off for most of that time. NOT the flu but a dreadful cold-in-the-head which went away for a week or so and then came back again. Very annoying and somewhat debilitating.

Now I'm almost back to normal health and, just in case it attacks again, I'm grabbing this time to update the blog - very quickly!

Junior Novels:

No luck with the (possible) new publisher who was interested in taking them on plus the third in the series. The eventual decision was that it was too soon to republish the first two and they weren't interested in the third as a stand-alone so, sadly, that little door closed.

However, a whole bunch of fan letters from a school in Western Australia arrived which boosted my spirits enormously.

Year 7 Booklist:

I have also received confirmation from Lyndale Secondary College that their teachers and students are VERY happy with Chemical Leak! as their Year 7 novel and will be re-ordering for next year. They have also bought a class set of Sea Secrets because their students all enjoyed the first novel so much.

Television?

Not long after that, a TV Production Company expressed interest in Chemical Leak! for Children's TV. Right now, they are trying to market the idea to a TV Channel before they go ahead.

It's only a small possibility - TV is notoriously hard to 'get up' - but it's enough to keep me optimistic.

Silly Old Buggers:

The time has come for me to make a big decision! I have realised, at last, that I am NOT a Producer!

I look back over the past two years and see that I have been banging my head against a brick wall for very little reward and I really don't want to do it any more. I have had no time to do what I really want to do - and that is write!

I had a director, a musical director, a co-producer and three out of four cast - but I still had to have a lot more money to even get started. The more I got into the business of trying to get sponsorship money, investment money, booking venues, etc. the more I realised this was NOT what I do! I am not a business person and I don't want to be one.

The decision has now been made and I feel extremely relieved - so it must be the right decision.

Another Direction:

The script and score plus all development and support material is now on its way to a number of production companies which have expressed their interest in looking at it all.

Maybe it will just disappear into the mists of time or maybe it will survive. Who knows? All I know is that I can now get on with my life. Whew!

"Treechange - and other stuff"

Other stuff involves husband, family, new grandchildren, garden and many, many other things in my life.

Family all seem to be surviving this very cold and wet winter - albeit with a number of colds etc. which they happily have passed on to me! How generous.

The garden is LOVING the rain. Apart from a few vegies, it's nearly all Australian natives and they are doing magnificently. Maybe next time I update my blog I just might have to add some photos of my favourites. Well, everything is my favourite at different times. Right now the wattles are out and they raise the spirits with their gloriously bright gold branches sparkling all around us on the darkest days. And there are correas and grevilleas and thryptomene and banksias and eremophilas and the bright purple Happy Wanderer - I could go on and on ...

Photos:

Maybe just one or two photos - and then I must away to plan my next writing efforts.

Well! I've just uploaded the photos and they have gone up the top. It doesn't really matter. I'll leave them there because I haven't got time to fiddle with moving them.

Return to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

INTERNET BACK TO NORMAL - AND A SAD PICTURE

2008-06-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's great to be back!! Being out of email communication with the rest of the world was NO FUN!

I felt as though I was walking around in the dark - out of touch with all the important things in my life!! But now - all is well again!

The people at TCA have risen to the challenge and, with the willing assistance of many local people, the new shop has been operating since last Monday - a remarkable feat! Sadly, the old premises have had to be demolished and the whole town is very sad. It was a lovely, heritage building which had, over the years, been allowed to deteriorate and, about six years ago, was beautifully restored by the owners of TCA. The verandah has been salvaged for possible future use on a rebuilt shop. Geoff and I drove past it on Sunday and took a photo just before the facade went down.

No further news on the writing front. Another period of waiting... waiting... seems to be the current state of things.

Return to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

Yet another email address!!

2008-06-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

TCA - my supplier of internet access and email, is now up and running. So, if you'd like to go for the old address: whocares@tca-online.com.au, it should be okay and reliable.
However, I seem to be having some problems with accessing my hotmail address.
I really don't want to have any more technology problems but I'm stuck with this one.
While we were out of touch through TCA, and then found the hotmail problems, I set up a gmail address which seems to be fine.
This is: gillian.wadds.senior@gmail.com . If, by any chance, we have some settling in problems with TCA, then this gmail address is fine.
So-o-o sorry about all the hassles - but I can assure you that Rob, the proprietor of TCA is more hassled than any of us. He has our sympathy.
It's been great to hear from some of my cyberspace contacts through the other addresses - sorry about the hotmail account.
Cheers for now,
Gillian
Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

TEMPORARY EMAIL ADDRESS

2008-06-19T23:08:00.000-07:00

Whew! We are at last back online - but no email service as yet.

Just in case there's someone out there who needs to contact me and I haven't already passed on my temporary address, here it is:

gmsenior@hotmail.com

We're all pretty shattered about this fire. It destroyed the whole shop - including servers and heaps of other equipment - but the whole town has rallied around to help with the clean-up and the move.

Tower Computer Aid staff have done a magnificent job getting all the connections up and running again and they expect to be open for normal business in their new premises just down the street, on Monday morning.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the building - a beautifully restored heritage shop - will have to be demolished. The worst part about it is that the police have declared the fire deliberately lit - a very hard thing to accept in a beautiful small town like ours.

Return to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

INTERNET AND EMAIL CONNECTION LOST THROUGH FIRE!

2008-06-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

Emergency Blog !! Thursday, 19th June, 2008. (Sent from a neighbour's computer)
For anyone who has been trying to contact me or my husband, Geoff Senior, over the past few days - many apologies.
Our local Internet Service Provider had a very bad fire early on Monday morning - 16th June - which destroyed much of his equipment. This meant that his customers all lost internet connection - and of course, emails - from that time.
I understand that emails to me or to Geoff are bouncing back to the senders - which can be a bit of a worry for us all.
The latest news is that WITH LUCK we should be back on line by Friday afternoon - 20th June. However, if we get too much rain, we may be delayed a bit longer. (That'd be right, wouldn't it? Just when we start rejoicing when it rains - now we don't want it for a while!)
I will report on this blog again when we're back on line.
Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

Waiting, waiting, waiting ...

2008-06-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

Oh no! I've missed a whole month!
It could be because there's not much to report - certainly not much on the writing front.
Silly Old Buggers is still staggering along - probably appropriate given the subject matter (getting older!). We thought we might have something happening at Chapel off Chapel for Seniors' Week but this seems to have fallen through. There's still interest from a couple of venues for the new year (are we really talking about 2009 already?) but nothing definite.
And so - the production team - who are all VERY busy people doing lots of other things - are quietly working away in the background and I mostly just WAIT.

Better news on the subject of Junior Novels.
The librarian at the Secondary College who ordered 250 of Chemical Leak! for their Year 7 book list has told me that the students loved the book and so did the teachers. She has been asked to buy in a class set of Sea Secrets so that they can continue with the next book in the series.
I was feeling very discouraged about Junior Novels in general and this series of mine (Zena and Her Mates) in particular, because my publishers decided they didn't want to continue with that genre.
That left me with a group of kids I love writing about, a third book on the way and no one to sell it to. Would I have to invent a whole new group of kids? Would anyone ever buy one of my Junior Novels again? I gave up in disgust and did nothing.
Suddenly, out of the blue, another publisher is interested in talking to me about the third book in the series. I'm trying not to hold my breath but ... it's not easy.
Let's hope I get some good news and am inspired to write another blog entry VERY SOON!

Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

First Grandaughter!!!

2008-04-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

I've just spent nearly a week in Melbourne with nearly-three-year-old Marley while Mother and Father were occupied producing and caring for the latest addition to the family. A leetle bit tiring but lots of fun. I DO like little boys. Now I'll have to get used to a little girl!

Olive Bella Wadds came into the world on Thursday, 10th April and, like her recently arrived cousin, Lucas (see earlier blog entry) she is very beautiful and adorable.

She is now home in the pinkest room I've ever seen. There's just no pink stuff left in any shops within cooee of their house! But since this is the first girl in the Wadds family for about sixty years, I guess we can forgive any excesses.

(I always have trouble placing the pics and the writing on these blogs. Just can't work out from the preview how it all fits together. Sorry, but this is the best I can do!)

Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

Whoo-hoo!!! GOOD NEWS !

2008-03-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

Another month gone by and well overdue for another blog entry. But I've been busy.

And it's all good news about

Silly Old Buggers.

Current state of play:

We now have a complete creative team:

Co-Producer (with me as the other half), a Director/Choreographer,a Musical Director, AND AN INVESTOR!!!
And planning is in hand for a distinctive logo and poster/brochure.

No details for publication just yet until we have our first production meeting and decide where we go from here. There are quite a few options and once some decisions have been made, we'll be out there with some publicity.

I'm absolutely delighted with the calibre and experience of all these people and can hardly wait to reveal their names. What is so encouraging is that they are all very enthusiastic about the show and keen to get it up and running.

The first meeting of the team is next Wednesday and I can hardly wait to get there.

So - again - watch this space for more developments.

Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

Family update - A new grandson!

2008-02-26T14:09:00.000-08:00

What a slack blogger I am! My last blog was on January 16th and now, here it is - February 27th.

First - and most important - event since then has been the birth of Lucas Yee Yen Khor Senior. Geoff's son Simon and lovely wife, Christine Khor, became the proud parents of a second son (brother to Jack Yee Tai) on Monday, February 4th. He was supposed to arrive on Friday 8th but, typically, refused to stick to stupid things like timetables (a bit like Connex). His next most important date is the traditional Moon (First Month) Ceremony - a celebration from the Chinese side of his ancestry - on 8th March, when we will all gather together and welcome him into the families.

(We think he looks very like

his Paternal Grandfather - don't you?)

There'll be a new post soon about "Silly Old Buggers" and it just might be good news! Watch this space!
Return to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

Silly Old Buggers - update

2008-01-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

I promised a post about WRITING - so here it is:
Arrangements for the 18 musical numbers in SOBs are well on the way and most interesting and exciting they are, too.
Arranged by David Kram for keyboard and two saxophonists, they are fun, quirky and have added lots of interest to the songs. The sheet music keeps arriving in my email and, even though I don’t read music properly, I know enough to understand what he’s doing with them. The use of different saxophones – from soprano to baritone – give lots of variation and colour to the different styles of music. I can’t wait to actually hear them.
As soon as they are all hand – only three to go at this stage – we will be looking to appoint a Musical Director. We’ll then have a full production team, which means we can legitimately look for proper funding and investment, and also approach possible performers.
Wish us luck!!

Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

DARWIN the beautiful!

2008-01-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know this is supposed to be a writing blog but I’m only just getting into working mode again after spending a great week in Darwin.

We missed the cyclone by THAT much! It was disappointing to miss all the excitement but it was probably just as well. Although it would have been brilliant to observe the whole show (safely) from our hotel room looking out over the harbour, I guess we wouldn’t have been able to get into Katherine and that magnificent gorge, or to Kakadu to cruise the Yellow Waters wetland.

Just a couple of photos to share with you before I get back to the world of writing, and struggling to find a publisher; and theatre and struggling to find a kindly ‘angel’ with some money for a production.
Next blog WILL be about writing!

Return to www.gillianmwadds.com.au

Google Book Search

2007-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

It's been a year of not much writing and lots of business stuff: getting Chemical Leak! reprinted, talking to people about a production of Silly Old Buggers for 2008, launching Sea Secrets, as well as fitting in a bit of actual living! But at last, the end of the whole publishing and printing process of the new edition has arrived. The book is published, it's been delivered to the school booksellers and to the Wilderness Society's bookshops and I now have copies available for sale on line.
It's also been uploaded onto Google Book Search - another big learning experience - but should be well worth it.
My Williamstown is also now on Google Book Search, which means it's available for anyone doing historical research to browse a few pages, check that it is of interest to them and then link to my website to buy a copy.
So now, finally, I have time to think about doing some more writing. Not that much will get done before the whole Xmas and New Year thing takes over but at least I'll be free to start with a clean slate in 2008.
STOP PRESS: I 've just checked Google Book Search and the books are still being processed. They should be fully available in the next couple of days.
Back to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

"My Williamstown" - A Social History

2007-11-15T17:50:00.000-08:00

Haydee - 1983

"My Williamstown" is a book written by my mother,

Haydee J. Witt,

which was first published in 1986.

I had shown it to a publisher who said:

"We may be interested in accepting this book. We'll let you know within about 12 months."

"No way!" I said. "My mother is 92 years of age and doesn't have that sort of time to spare!"

So my sisters and I decided to pool some money and we printed 500 copies.

We had a BIG LAUNCH at the Williamstown Little Theatre where my mother signed books, drank champagne and had a ball.
She died about three months later, about a month short of her 93rd birthday.

By the anniversary of her 100th birthday - 1993 - all the books had been sold

so we printed another 500.

A SPECIAL, ONCE ONLY, OFFER !!!

I now have about 15 of those books left

and am putting them up for sale for $10 plus $3 postage.

Let me tell you about it:

Haydee J. Witt was born in the regional Victorian town of Rochester in 1893. In 1900, her family moved to Williamstown where she grew up, married a childhood sweetheart, and brought up her family of five children. Her book is sub-titled:Reminiscences of growing up: 1900-1914. There are 31 illustrations – old photographs of schools, Haydee’s family, Williamstown swimming beach, the ferries, and many, many more.

Williamstown Baths – c.1914

The book is soft cover, has 56 pages and the chapters cover various subjects:

Schools, Children’s Games, Sunday Schools and Churches, Pastimes, Shopping,

Housework, ‘At Home’ days, etc.

For the student of social history or those who are merely interested in old Williamstown,

it’s a steal at $10 plus $3 postage.

Email me at gwadds@gillianmwadds.com.auand we’ll organise payment and delivery.

Back to: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/

It's a Family Affair

2007-10-27T18:07:00.001-07:00

More and more of our family are becoming involved in

Treechange Productions.

Geoff Senior - my very clever husband - is illustrator of the new edition of Chemical Leak! He is also an 'ideas man' and solves many problems along the way.
Eldest son Conrad works in IT and is Webdesigner/Webmaster and general adviser on all things webbish and bloggish.
Second son Philip works in theatre and events managment - currently Production Manager for 'Strange Fruit' among other things. He is (unpaid) Production Manger for the development of "Silly Old Buggers" and advises on many things to do with budgets, funding, presentation, etc.
Third son Marcus has been a member of many bands since he was sixteen and has provided music for a previous production of mine ("Who Cares?" at Williamstown and Waverley). Currently he is very busy with a new job and caring for wife Suzanne and 2 year old Marley. They are expecting a new edition (sorry, I get confused with books and printing) addition, due in April next year. So he only has time to be a very supportive fan of our latest endeavours.
Next in line is Simon who also works in IT and provides IT advice on occasions. He is also a busy man with wife, Chris and 3 year old Jack. Another new edition (addition) in this family is due in February next year.
Then there's Monique (Mon) who has been the model for Miss Kouros and is studying Writing and Editing. She sometimes comes to our place for a 'writing retreat' and it's great to have someone to share writing talk with.

There are also two big grandsons, Stefan and Alex. Stefan is working in IT and Alex is just about to start Year 12. They both have been consultants for me during the writing of both Chemcial Leak! and Sea Secrets and their feed-back has been very valuable - and particularly necessary for a grandmother writing for young people!
I haven't mentioned the in-laws and various grand-dogs that exist in the family. I'll save them for a later post.

Author Reprint - "Chemical Leak!"

2007-10-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

Everything has been done in preparation for the printing of the new edition of Chemical Leak! and the first order from Treechange Productions has been sent to the printer for 300 copies.
These should be available by the end of November. Copies can be ordered from my website: http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/ through the very secure and very reliable Paypal set up.
Here's the new cover - WITH the Wilderness Society logo on it because Chemical Leak! was short-listed for their Environment Award for Children's Literature.

And here's the illustration of Miss Kouros by my new illustrator: Geoff Senior (otherwise known as "my husband"). This is a very family affair because the model for Miss Kouros is daughter, Monique - and the hair is really hers!

Back to: www.gillianmwadds.com.au

Things are happening! "Silly Old Buggers"

2007-10-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Silly Old Buggers is getting closer!
We have a Director, we have a Production Manager and we have a quote (quite a reasonable one, I think) from a Musical Arranger. SOMEHOW we'll find the money to pay him and then all we need is: a Musical Director, a band, a cast, a set and some props. Oh, and some money for publicity, tickets, etc. etc.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, visit http://www.gillianmwadds.com.au/ and read all about this wonderful "celebration of growing old". We hope to have it in a theatre and playing to rapturous audiences some time in 2008.