OCTOBER 2014

[Barry]

October 5th 2014

Work has certainly been busy and hopefully later this week we will be able to publically talk about the series. It's all been a bit top secret so far.

Away from work I have been working like crazy on the feature film script. This may or may not happen - I hope it does as I have put so much work into it, and it certainly is so unlike anything out there. Ok, it's not for children and there will be no Happy Meals, but it seems to be working at the moment, and could be a genuinely moving and thought provoking experience, told in a way truly unlike anything else. I hope this originality is an asset. No talking animals or cute wisecracking sidekick. There are themes and ideas matured from my shorter films but this is it's own beast. Keep your fingers crossed.

And down at the Garrick I have just designed the set for the Styne/Sondheim musical Gypsy and again I have done something very different and unexpected - unexpected for me, as every show I done at the Garrick is blessed or cursed with my infernal symmetry. I like symmetry there because of the tricksy sightlines, and I would hate it if anyone of the audience had an inferior view or missed something. And this set is very raw, very striking, and almost quite shocking in its boldness. It still relies on a huge graphic image as all my work does, and to some extent there's a stage within a stage, and there is lots of dressing echoing the main theme, and there's a reminder that it is theatre, but I am hugely pleased with it. Once the lights went on it was transformed further. And there are my favourite hidden doors. If anyone is in Manchester this week do try to come and see it.

[Barry]

Sunday 12th October 2014

There we go, the musical Gypsy that I designed, is all done and dusted after seven amazing performances, everyone a powerhouse of energy and imagination and sheer professionalism. This ad Hitchcock Blonde, earlier in the year and also at the Garrick, have proved to be hugely rewarding experiences, and immensely satisfying for both me and the packed houses and the cast. but oh it is hard work getting chums to come and see these shows. Yes everyone has lives, and sometimes I'm not able to support friends when they have spent a long time on projects, but I get frustrated when I know what a good time they would have. The 'I'll come next time' rather drives me mad. This is not a DVD. Anyway I managed to bring a few theatre virgins, and they were truly blown away, as I think they had come expecting some village hall affair, not the staggering standard that was Gypsy. On a theatre forum I open a can of worms Imelda Staunton is in this musical in Chichester, and I happened to mention that if anyone was wanting to se the musical and could not get tickets, a darn fine production was up here. Well there was barrage of snide, uninformed remarks along the line ' oh do come and see my production, aunties cat is playing momma'. I remember talking to the resident director of a huge touring show, mentioning that one performers actions were pulling the focus from the main action. Again, a sneering ' oh and you must know, do you.'. Well, he was pulling focus, simple as that. Anyway, Gypsy, was an amazing achievement, and really could have happily graced more prestigious stages. I'm gutted though that a film about Florence Foster Jenkins has been announced, with Meryl Streep as Florence. I'd had such fun with Florence in Glorious, and had hoped one day to revisit her. Trumped again. But oh I love doing these shows as I really get to understand the brilliance of their construction, and Gypsy is a masterpiece.
A finally, the series that we have been working on for the last year, has been announced. Do look on the net for Twirlywoos. There are no clips yet, just a few photos of the characters.
I'm still working away on my feature script, and another new element popped into text, changing everything bt improving it, and making it almost watertight. but how long will it keep evolving. I'm just trying to get my head round Final Draft.
There has been a tentative request about gathering all the puppets I have worked on together....sadly I don't think that is practical. Dear latex puppets have, as they should, a limited life, and most of my puppets that still exist are scattered all over Europe and the logistics of getting them together would be extraordinary. Interesting that it emerged that some of the puppets for Boxtrolls were not stop motion but CG characters given a stop motion look. Some sort of fuss aboutall that, but it's all about the technique needed to get the shot, and in one scene in question, animating dozens of dancing characters, it must surely have been impractical to use puppets, not just for the sheer numbers but for physically getting one's hands in to the puppets. By preference, I am a purest, but we have all resorted to tricks. The whole process is a trick, so yes, go for whatever tells the story, as long as it works and is good. Though there was something in the paper today about some animation that was so realistic as to be pointless. Yes, I like to see the trick, and with Gypsy and Hitchcock Blonde, the audience were certainly part of the trick.
A good week, and I shall miss Gypsy Rose Lee and her sassy ladies and lads. But I can rest content knowing it was a job well done.

[Barry]

October 19th 2014

Ah where are those Gypsies now. still getting good feedback about the show.

And work, well, it could either be leading up to what could be a hugely exciting, challenging and different period, with hugely exciting, challenging and different projects, or it could all just fall absolutely flat. watc this space. This week I have certainly been burning the midnight oil , and beyond, writing treatments for various projects.

I hope good things are about to happen.