Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Noostar Winner last week...

The "NOOSTAR" performers contest website has completed its dress rehearsal period. I was fortunate enough to finish in first place in the last week of the trial with the number of votes received. This would not have been possible without a lot of work on my part in contacting my various friends and fans on MySPace, Facebook and Reverbnation and asking them to check out my entries and to vote and rate them.

At last look there were only a handful of Australian performers on the UK based site among the singers, actors, magicians, poets and comics. I do find the title that the NOOSTAR admin gave my first audition vid a little embarrassing. I certainly don't believe or think that i am "Australia's Finest Comic". Comedy is an incredibly diverse medium, many fine comics have a core following of fans and people who appreciate their work. Yet ask almost anyone who their fav comic is and they will have a choice that is as varied as the colours in a rainbow. Just a quick vox pop survey of a group of people with say 5 world noted comics would have some say the work of one is funny and another's does nothing for them.

With my entries into the NOOSTAR comp I uploaded 6 vids that are all different, hoping that the variety would enable me to get votes from people that may like one type of vid and not another. Admittedly I have been promoting this to people who are my online contacts through various sites as mentioned above and now I am introducing it to another group of people at the ABC Contribute site.

Please feel free to check out my vids at Noostar, register and vote and rate my entries. I am currently in the lead for this weeks competition but every vote and rating counts. http://www.noostar.com/home

Thankyou for your Time and attention

Geoff Dening

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Where's my tickets.....!!!!!

At last count there are 3,000 people who as life time supporters of Adelaide United fought and died in Two World wars, never voted for any politician who is responsible for the travesty of them not getting a ticket to the coming Asian Champions League match against Gamba Osaka at Hindmarsh Stadium. These people are all related to the other 100,000 people in Australia who also support teams who make finals in any given year who also fought and died in Two World Wars for this right and had at least one leg bitten off by white pointers while rescuing baby Harp seals from the culling clubs.

Without doubt it is obvious that as the author of the preceding comments and what follows, my affiliation to Al Quaida is certain. To be so un-Australian to be speaking out that the carry on from these fans who missed out on getting tickets, bore the living daylights out of me. If there was this much concentrated whining and whinging by a group of passengers in the bow of the TiTanic the iceberg would have shattered. Nor can the oversight of the State politicians over the past fifty years who have not built an inner city sports stadium be left out. It is imperative that $150 million be immediately made available to construct this vital piece of infrastructure or the State of SA will sink into obscurity.

Obscurity is the least of the problems associated with the lack of a premier stadium. As long as this is lacking, children will starve, the hole on the ozone layer will get bigger and those poor fluffy Harp seals that survive being hit over the head will be sold off to make fillet burgers at your nearest fast food restaurant.

Thankfully it has been obvious among the many comments online at The Advertiser site, soccer (football) fans are far more realistic about the lack of tickets than AFL fans. Among those who missed out on getting tickets venting their disappointment is a great swathe of balance from others. many suggesting that missing out on the ticket does not mean they can miss out on the coming A-League games including the Final replay against Melbourne Victory this Friday. Many comments referring to the 6000 empty seats in the game against Perth Glory last week. Where were these passionate fans ( "their beloved REDS, who they fought and died for in Two Wars" ) during this game as the REDS came from 1 goal down to win 2-1.

Sport is great fun, my passion for it is tempered a little these days. In fact some sports that once I played and followed, now make me turn away from on the TV or change channels. To be honest it is not the sports in fact that turn my head. It is the often embarrassingly incompetent Australian sports commentators, "at work, doing their job."

The desire to bury my head in a bucket of Vegemite until I lose consciousness almost overwhelms me. The tiresome, "wide-eyed Australian experiencing something foreign" act is the worst of all. As in touch with reality as the sight of "walking down the street amid a crowd of heads clad in hats with corks bobbing to keep the flies away." In 2001 there was an estimated 1 million Australians overseas at December the 31st 856,000 living and 250 thousand visiting http://www.southern-cross-group.org/statistics/stats_ausos.html Australians would on the average be very aware of international experience more so than many nations. Yet our lame sports casters persist in the cliche portrayal.

I am all for sports and the entertainment it provides. I even have three sports blogs plus a video series on YOUTUBE during the AFL season. All for the enjoyment the truly dedicated fans get from their passion, but absolutely no time whatsoever for the tiresome rants on Sport is more important than life... because it bloody well isn't.
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

How much can you create, to entertain...

http://www.reverbnation.com/geoffdening G'day All, A supposedly casual day of rest as usual does not happen. Admittedly since 2006 I have probably had about 10 months of R and R in my opinion. It would be more apt to call it creative development time so there is no guilt. A lot of time is spent creating developing and producing the next projects to do.

It is just that "doing nothing' does not sit comfortably with me and that is simply an observation in hindsight has not been the case. Developing a new round of creative projects unleashes this awkward feeling of frustration in my mind as the bits all coalesce into a body of work. Success does not just happen the result is always highlighted when it happens but that is a very small part of what has taken place to get a result. Even when something does not succeed to expectations the same amount of work is put into a creative project and the most valuable quality to have is patience with a dash of confidence.

The added commitment of Jury Service during October put a bit more mental pressure on me. In a round about way though, concentrating on the case as I sat in the Jury Box was a good thing and helped me relax. taking me out of the self generated enclosure of the work in hand was a bonus. When the individual bits form into the body of the idea and what has to be done to create it that is all I am focused on. It is very easy to forget to eat, clean and socialise when I am buried in the moment.

Roll on 2009 hahah I am sure I will get everything done.

October has been the month on the rise for me Now the 3rd ranked comic on REVERBnation out of 560. ABC2 TV's "Fanging It" are doing a feature on my films and career. And "Footyhead" is in the running for a tv gig as well. Plus tonight I am doing a live to air radio interview with a Queensland station.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Does your career "title" mean anything to you?

It is possible that I am still a stand-up comic. Of late this has became a point of consideration for me in fact. You see the point was that way back about 32 years ago the idea came to me that I wanted to write books. At the time I was halfway through one of Gerard Durrel's books where he was in Sth America collecting animals. This was something that had been considered before but this was the definative moment when I decided I was going to do that for a career. The nt thought was, I don't know anything to write about. Simple, just get out in the world and live. That will give me the knowledge and experiences to write about. Along the way to here and now I did a lot more than many and less than some. Among all the experiences and jobs I have been a publisher, editor journalist, poet, standup comic, spruiker, actor, radio announcer, copywriter and a film maker.

The list is not the point, it is the titles that are being given me in my work. When I did jury service last week for occupation I put down entertainer. In an interview with the Fanging It host and discussions with the producer they kept refering to me as a film maker, the journalist from The Advertiser called my occupation standup comic and actor in her article. A couple of my mates besides using a variety of colourful adjectives to call me aside from my given name have started refering to me as an artist.

On REVERBnation where I have my recordings loaded I am in the COMICS Charts and catagory. Since the begining of October I have gone from being the 87th ranked Comic to No. 4 out of 550 or so international acts. http://www.reverbnation.com/geoffdening Follow the link and go check out my page and I heartily endorse registering on this site if you record any of your work as audio or film. Virtually every music style has charts and sales through digital downloads through itunes, amazon etc are all available to any one if a member of REVERBnation. Not only that you will be paid a montly royalty by Reverbnation if u join the artists sharing program. If you join become a fan of mine and I will return the support and share my existing fan base with you as well.

I have no idea what the readers of my blogg do or think and identify with. That is part of the joy of writing here. What do you define yourself as?
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Jury Service.....



Last week I had to turn up for jury service orientation. I guess like most people, for me, being involved in the justice system is not a regular occurence in the day to day living experience. When the letter turned up in the post, my first thought was good grief how the devil could I get a speeding ticket, even the scooter only just hits 65kph.!? Well the relief at not being caught for speeding was replaced with "I have to do this." once the letter was opened and it was my Jury Service notification. In fact the first thought/emotion was an odd one to put into words. How to describe a feeling/opinion of onus, obligation, right, and priviledge that comes from being an Australian Citizen to myself is the best way to explain why I thought, "I have to do this."

Make no mistake Jury Service for the next month is a serious inconvenience for me with a 240knm round trip to the court, together with October being a month where I have a lot happening work wise. I am sure if I put on enough of an act as to the inconvenience it would be possible to be excused. But that would make the words that ran through my mind, "If I was in court, I'd like someone like me on the jury" a total lie. Being a chest beating patriot full of national fervour for Australia is not one of my traits, that does not mean I do not love our country and all it has been through and what those experiences contribute to our national ethos.

I have two past family members who were casualties of WW 1 and WW II, I believe that I owe their memories something in action, besides acknowledging ANZAC Day and Remeberance Day. Then there is that Aussie phrase "getting a Fair Go" The crimes that had many convicts transported to Australia even though the social standards and conditions of the era were far removed from the conditions we live in. It would be right to say they did not get a fair go. A lot of Australia's social policies and services in place today, I feel are a reaction to what people had to live through way back then.
=====================================================================================

Today a week later I have just returned home after being selected to serve on a jury for a case. The selection process of numbers being drawn out of a box and waiting to hear the numbers was quite an experience. And I did not call BINGO when mine came out. If anything, the thing about being involved is the UNKNOWN, you don't know what is going to happen when you turn up and now I am sitting in a jury all is fine.

The court staff are tremendous, from the orientation day to now the assistance and availability to inform the jury members of what is happening and the finer points of jury service. Most important is not to discuss the case or be put in a position where it may be considered this has been done outside the jury room. I am amazed at some of the actions that have been described as examples of what past jurors have done and causing trials to be cancelled.

This is not a social gathering around a coffee table discussing an item of interest or gossiping about someone. The whole point of the court is for a decision to be made in the system that represents part of the foundation of personal rights for citizens. It is no tv show with drama and plot played by actors. Yet in the past some dills (I have some far more appropriate epithets I could use) have treated it as such.

This bloggie is actually my words on the experience and is very cathartic and beneficial for me after getting home from the court today. There are a few more days to go yet and this is my way of getting into the routine. I know that thinking is one of the major parts of my day to day life. Creating ideas and exploring the progress and possible outcomes of my work require that. In jury service that is part of my nature that assists me in doing it properly. Yet thinking up a film plot, standup comedy show and professional idiocy have a finite point. Once the film is made or the act is off the stage their reality is finished because they are just creations for entertainment and to sometimes plant a seed of another point of view. This is real life.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Noostar dress rehearsal starts today

October must be the month of everything is going to happen so get ready for it. Have a full day planned and was going to be up to date as possible before heading of tommorrow morning for Jury Service. Instead I am behind and trying to catch up after receiving an email from Noostar http://www.noostar.com/performer/geoffdenning

This was from a casting call I auditioned for several months ago. I vaguley recalled getting an email 2-3 months ago informing me that I had been selected to go the next level. Following is teh email from Noostar that has thrown my day out at the minute. dear readers click the link to my profile above and have a look at my page during this 'dress rehearsal' week. And PLEASE Rate my video.

At some point in the last six months you answered a call seeking performers for a new online talent site. You were one of a select handful chosen by Gina Lyons at So Televisionto come on board. Thank you for sending us your clips, or visiting Gina to be filmed,we've been beavering away building the site and we're almost there. Between Monday 13th and Friday 24th we are testing the new site - it's our dress rehearsal. To make things easy we have taken the performances and profile information you sent through to Gina and uploaded them to the Noostarsite. http://www.noostar.com

Next, upload any great new performances you have recorded and update and tell the audience more about yourself by fleshing out your profile. All of this can be done via the 'Upload' and 'My Account tabs. The final, most important, thing is to tell the world to go to www.noostar.com and vote for you! As a Noostar performer you have your own address e.g.www.noostar.com/performer/johnsmith - mail this to your friends and they will see you directly. The more votes your performances receive the higher up the chart you'll climb. At 4pm each Friday the voting will close and we'll have our first winners! So go straight to www.noostar.com and see if you can get to number one. See you in the hall of fame !
Love and hugs The Noostar team

P.S. if you have any problems or feedback about the site please e-mailus at helpdesk@noostar.com with your contact details and we will get back to you as soon as possible

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Play my comedy and poetry pieces here today


Geoff%20DeningQuantcast

New CD album coming in 2009

After a couple of weeks I have finally had that moment of creative inspiration and written a new performance piece for The ABC 'Poetry Slam" video submission. To be honest it has been a while since any verse pieces have came from my pen and although it was not difficult the skills were a bit rusty to say the least. Mind you I am not an especially talented poet, just able to turn out a piece af average verse is the limit of my ability. It is another form of performace and that is my drive in enjoying poetry.

Tommorrow it will be sitting down and tidying the piece up and getting ready to film it. That will take a little bit of work and concentration in fact, been a long time since I have done a "Poetry Slam".

http://www.reverbnation.com/geoffdening


Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

FANGING IT success has me gobsmacked...

After 3 months of auditions I was shortlisted twice as a Co-Host and Director for the new ABC2 program Fanging it.Travelling home today I recieved a phone call from the producers thanking me for my Film submissions and auditions. Then I was told that although I missed out narrowly each time the producers of ABC2 Fanging It will be putting a feature page on me on the website and I will be doing a featured interview on the program. As all performers know it is a tough gig whatever the art form you do in entertainment. All I can say is never give up and keep on producing the best you can because you never know when it is going to hit the spot.

Further great news and I am passing this on to the performers in particular. Having your work available for sale as a download is a must today and it can be expensive and difficult to do this. I am a member of Revebnation an independent music hosting site. Not only do I get paid a royalty for just being there, now REVERBnation have arranged it so members of this site can have their music/recordings available for sale now you can Get your music on 10 MAJOR MUSIC STORES (including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and eMusic), KEEP 100% of the Royalties, and get FREE PROMOTIONAL TOOLS! Setup your albums for FREE and pay only when you decide to release them. ALL By being a member of REVRBnation! Free to join the site as well. I have included a link here; http://www.reverbnation.com/geoffdening join up as a fan of mine AND I WILL RETURN THE FAVOUR of course and take advantage of this great performers tool.

Best Wishes to ALL
Regards Geoff Dening



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Adelaide United Defeat Newcastle Jets

FOX SPORTS VIDEOS are rotated on the site and new ones are available.


I watched this game last night on Fox Sports with great interest. Besides being a United fan I really wanted to see how they came up after the mid week game against Kosima Antlers in the Asian Champions match. United looked very sluggish and off-key. A commentator made a remark as to how much of the on field performance by the Reds was in the mind as opposed to being physically tired. Playing 15 games in 25 days is a new experience for Australian teams. It is acknowledged that now Australia is in the Asian Confederation the benefits for football include more than a direct route to the World Cup for the national team if they win the playoffs.

Australian cliubs now are having to lift their efforts and manage teams in styles akin to European football clubs who play a greater number of games. This season the A-League has started a second tier competition for each club to develop their junior squads. In simple terms this is to enable the clubs to have player depth. The goal of FFA is to establish a quality national competition and this is begining to happen, particlarly with the international club competition in the Asian conference of football.

The only obstacle (if it can be called that) is the $1.9 million player salary cap.. This will keep clubs out of teh overspending and going broke trap. On the other hand the premium quality players are tempted to sign up with international clubs to advance their careers.
I am travelling this morning. Due to lack of time, have pasted a sample of the match reprot from The FOX Sport site instead of writing my own.
Reds defeat undermanned Jets (FROM FOX SPORTS WEB SITE)
Full Match report at URL:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24413093-5000940,00.html
"September 27, 2008 BRAZILIAN striker Cristiano notched a second half double as Adelaide United wore down 10-man Newcastle Jets to win 2-0 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The victory kept up Adelaide's perfect A-League home record this season and sent them back into third position to keep them on a high after qualifying for the Asian Champions League semi-finals three days ago.

However, reigning A-League champions Newcastle fell foul of injuries and found themselves down to 10 men from the 55th minute when midfielder Jason Hoffmann had to leave the pitch.

Coach Gary van Egmond could do little as key pair, brothers Adam and Joel Griffiths, succumbed to leg injuries before half-time and Dane Jesper Hakansson was forced off in the 51st minute.

Cristiano ensured Adelaide cashed in late with strikes in the 72nd and 89th minutes in front of 8,111 fans, to take his season's goal tally to four after an earlier double against Wellington
."


Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Adelaide United win over Kashima Antlers in AFC Champions League

FOX SPORTS VIDEOS are rotated on the site and new ones are available.



ADELAIDE United made some soccer history when it beat Japan's Kashima Antlers 1-0 in the AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg at Hindmarsh Stadium game last night. United have became the first Australian club to progress into the final four of the Champions League. It was a sensational display of attacking football for the full 90 minutes fans and viewers were regaled with numerous shots on goal. The increased tempo of the game showed the shortcomings of quality in A-League players some who were caught short of the mark. As opposed to a critism of Australian football it is a simple statement of fact on the current level of the game at the minute. I find this to be an added entertainment factor for myself as I will thoroughly enjoy the increasing proficiency of the players that will come in the future from these experiences of not always playing in our own backyard.

Adelaide will now play Uzbekistan's Kuruvchi on Wednesday October 8 at Hindmarsh Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Defender Robert Cornthwaite propelled the Reds to a history making Champions League semi final berth with a headed goal. Following his accidental own goal in the 1-1 drawn game in Japan, the goal in this game has more than balanced the ledger.
AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL SECOND LEG

ADELAIDE UNITED (Robert Cornthwaite 73m) 1

KASHIMA ANTLERS 0.

(Adelaide win 2-1 aggregate) at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Referee: Saad K M Alfadhili (Kuwait)
Crowd: 16,500 (sellout).

Adelaide skipper Travis Dodd has already been put on the recruiting list by the Antlers with the new ruling of the J-League that clubs can recruit an extra player from within the Asian Confereration. Last night Dodd again was a standout on the field with his play and would not have detracted from his quality as a recruit. Australian A-League clubs have salary caps of $1.9 million opposed to the unlimited salary cap that the Japanese clubs can offer. Dodd is expected to be in the $450,000 + bracket if a move is made to recruit him.

Whilst it is still a growing sport in Australia the movement of players to european and asian football clubs is to be expected. The salary cap does prevent the risk of clubs going broke in recruiting sprees. Which has caused problems in other football codes in Australia. Watchers and followers of the 'round ball' code of football are in the unique position at the minute to see the begining of the codes rise to prominence on the Australian Sporting calendar.

When it comes to football in Australia, as the words to the song go; "You ain't seen nothin' yet"



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Monday, September 22, 2008

Won $900,000 while I was sleeping LMAOHappy Happy Joy Joy

RE: Lotto NL Promotional Awards 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> From: judith.miller@nyu.edu
> Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:51:25 +0100
> Subject: Lotto NL Promotional Awards 2008
>
>
>
> Dear Winner,
> This e-mail is to inform you that you have been selected as a winner for a cash prize of £925,940.00 on our ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES PROMOTION program which was held on Wednesday, 17th of September, 2008 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. To file your claim, do contact our fiduciary agent assigned to your file via email as given in the contact details below providing your Full Name; Address: Country: Age: Gender: Occupation: Telephone Number: and your Winning Number: 08.11.21.32.35.42. {47} to commence the process of releasing your cash prize
> Contact Person: Graham Moore
> E-mail: consultant_grahammoore@hotmail.com
> Regards,
> Judith Grave Miller

====================================================================================

I could not help myself and replied to the generous ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES PROGRAM peoples at E-mail: consultant_grahammoore@hotmail.com
How could I not show my undying gratitude to this benevolent gesture. I hope they were not too overwhelmed with my sincere email reply as follows,
"Yeah right, and you are so generous to randomly choose me as an entrant and select numbers for me in this scam. I curse you to have personal and family tragedy and hardship blight your life for the next 12 months.
F*CK OFF!!!!"



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Angry Angry Angry genius.....

It is 4.30 am and I can't stay in bed any longer. This really has
me steaming mad. After four days of getting up at this time of the
morning, today is the first of three days off and I can't stay in
bed. If there was another person in the house, right now my mind
would be working feverishly on how to dispose of the corpse.

I love being ANGRY, in fact it is the secret of my success. What's
that I hear you think? It is no longer a secret now, it has been
blogged, what makes you think you are going to leave this page
alive? Mwuahhahahah!! Cultivating my anger takes so little time
these days all that is required is patience for it to germinate
and then bloom.

Being patient pisses me off! Could not be much
simpler for this crucial part of my creativity to be available.
Besides the irritating patience factor, I have a handful of
guaranteed trigger points that are called upon to suplement the
irritation to develop fully fledged ire. Now as a person you could
not meet a nicer, more caring and genuinely understanding bloke
than me. In fact harming another is virtually impossible for me to
do.

So why do I cultivate my anger? It is what creates my
inspirational genius. We all have buried away inside ourselves a
seam of gold that is where our personal genius resides. With a
little exploration and development, that seam of gold can become a
gold field and actively mined for profit.

I have no idea why mine is anger, I could not care less about the
reasoning. One point I must make though is that I cannot access
the anger/genius at the drop of a hat. (More bloody patience
required) It is woven into the fabric of my whole creative
process.

After all of the detail and substance that is required
for an idea to form is gathered in my mind, the anger is the
trigger to colate it all into a body of work and make it happen.

Yesterday was one of those days. After 4 months of working on a
project, that is in fact well on it's way already. As soon as I
woke and got up to traipse of to work at 5am a few volcanic bursts
began burning through my mind. 8am rang my g/f to catch up before
she headed off to her "Organic Farming" course/practical and
mentioned the grumpiness factor that was growing and had a good
laugh. By 9am, Mt Vesuvius was gathering steam as I calmly sat and
worked on couple of projects. 9.30am The Eruption!!!
The keyboard was glowing as my fingers flashed accross, the ink in
my pen was bubbling and steaming as the ball point seared my
coming actions onto the diary pages up until mid October. My
mobile phone carrier network was scorched with text and phone
calls while the residents of Pompeii looked up at the sky and
commented, "They are funny looking rain clouds."

After the intial eruption the day passed with sporadic after
shocks and self satisfied belches of smoke during a Sunday
afternoon business meeting. The day ending with a fitful nights
sleep until waking. Now I have to kill you to keep the secret a
secret. LMAO

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Thursday, September 18, 2008

"Footyhead" Character goes from strength to strength

There is no doubt that I would not change my life lived if I had the time again. It is much more beneficial to live with the realisation that what went before has got me to this happy place now. So why desire to change what has worked. On Sunday I went out to lunch with my girlfiend and experienced "spontaneous change". Nothing drastic or life changing just another of those events that catch my minds attention. Went to the Grange Kiosk for lunch and it was bustling with diners. No tables available inside so we were seated outside. After getting comfortable and deciding on meals and drinks I went inside to order.

Just as I finshed "she who likes to see the sea" came up behind me at the counter and told me we now had a table inside. The waitress delivered the drinks and bread to our table and away we chatted catching up each other. (My G/F and I live 300 odd Km apart, so the phone gets a good work out every day) Nothing like being in the company of the one you love for a grand time. Then the people sitting at the window finished their daliance and 'she who likes to see the sea" decided we would up stakes and move again to the window seats and table.

The beauty of the whole experience is that we could have an enjoyable discussion which as usual branches off onto various topics all from that diffence in out respective ways of having a meal out. I would have done the same thing from sitting at the first table as we did at the third. But the whole experience and intimate communication between the two of us was expanded by the movement.

Back in April 2008 when I reanimated the "Footyhead" character in responce to a casting call for a commecrial TV network program, there were no expectations. Up until 2002 "Footyhead" was only performed live and had evolved as a lighthearted avenue for fun from my years as a sporting magazine publisher and editor. AFter sneding in the required DVD of the character he was accepted by the producers. To be honest the goal was reached and I could have left it at that.

Instead I continued filming weekly "Footyhead" segments commenting on AFL games and uploading them to YOUTUBE. In part because at the time I was not touring and as live performers know, audience reaction is a lure for any of us and "Footyhead" on YouTube was totally different from doing him live.

Which just goes to show the the 'Net is a valuable medium for fun and creativity when you least expect it. Like anything on the ever changing medium of online it has been interesting o see for myself the evolution of this project for myself. Even without my usual supplement of caffeine stimulation, my mind is always racing. I was musing earlier in the week about how great it would have been to have had the 'net available in my teens. Perhaps I would not have read so many books, or created so many tales in my head.

Enjoy the clips
regards Geoff

"FOOTYHEAD THE FIRST IN 2008"



"FOOTYHEAD NOW"



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Saturday, September 13, 2008

TV, FILMS, Live stand up comedy performance, Poetry, News

Blog site containing videos and music with articles on news events, travel and the environments. Geoff dening's touring and performing shows. "Footyhead's" popular AFL reports

read more | digg story

AFL FINALS WEEK 2 Bulldogs V Sydney "Footyhead's" post game comments

<a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=c9474b11-387c-46a9-84ca-dd9c56546096" target="_new" title="AFL Finals Week 2 Buldogs V Sydney">Video: AFL Finals Week 2 Buldogs V Sydney</a>

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Friday, September 12, 2008

FANGING IT - ABC2 UPDATE

G'day ALL, I have put two entries in to the Doco Slam auditions for ABC2's Travel program "Fanging It" I humbly ask you to check out my two entries and if you like to login in and rate them. I made the shortlist for a co-host of the program in the first round and even though I am no Spielberg (LMAO) I'd love to have a go at winning the Directors comp in the Doco Slam in Melbourne during October 2008.
URL http://community.fangingit.com.au/kickapps/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2845822&as=29128&b=
FANGING IT VIDEOS profile name Talart248




Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Wish I was a musician...

I have had my dreams of being a singer or musician in a band and at times I have gone and bought musical instruments and made noise with them but never gone on to become competent with them. There is just something not right in my brain to make the cordination between my hands and the rythym in my head work for me. Yes I know taking lessons would be a good thing but it has never happened or likely to. Recently I purchased an new instrument on a whim again! Walking through a Target store I saw these organ/keyboards for sale. I had a look then walked away, then followed half an hour of me circling the store like a shark stalking a meal in the ocean. Looking at clothes, cds, dvds, socks and jocks, manchester you name it I suddenly found an interest in it. My girlfriend was there shopping for her trip to Queensland so I had the time to think.

While thinking, the circle got smaller and smaller until eventually I had to face the fact that the pile of boxed of keyboards were at the centre of it and to stop kidding myself with being interested in socks. Now the keyboards sit just a couple of paces away from me in the studio as I write this, always on and forever enduring me walking past and stopping to tinkle the keys. Okay, I call it tinkling, those who understand music probably call it cruel and unusual torture of an innocent object. I don't care. for the first time in my life I can actually make little tunes and slowly I am learning to make the other backing instrument sounds work with my tinkling, into little melodies.

I may wish to be a musician. I never will be though, but this keyboard instrument has finally soothed that yearning to make "My" music. One of my fans on REVERBnation Tabatha has a description of her musical journey that to me resonates with the heartstrings of my musical yearnings. ENJOY her tale and drop in and have a listen to her tunes.

To all the musicians and singers out there my best wishes always to you. No matter what you play or sing the style or the arena your music is special.

"Soon after the birth of the band Tabatha and Southern Fry'd three years ago its' welfare became the responsibility of lead singer Tabatha Rowland, this vivacious brunette hits you with an energetic blast of extreme entertainment accompanied by large dose down-home sweetness. With the love of her art, competence and a little courage she has nurtured TSF to its' present state of quality, in her own words, “There is truly a time for everything and it is our time!” She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend...just your everyday country girl with a dream, working long days in the medical field and chasing her dream by night.
Born in Granite City, Illinois, Tabatha and her family migrated to the western Kentucky town of Suwanee, but her parents divorced soon after. The first of their five daughters and living in a single-parent home she quickly learned to stretch a dollar. As with any large family, money was tight, “barely affording things such as hairspray and tennis shoes, much less being able to buy records or tapes.” Tabatha remembers buying her first album at a yard sale “When I Dream” by Crystal Gayle for a mere seventy five cents! Attempting to describe the sensation that music gives her, she explains, "it is as natural as breathing to me, it isn't about fame or notoriety, it’s about that one person who relates to the message I convey or that one song that can move someone deeply enough to cry...I am touching a part of another that isn't visible... deep-down in their soul and that is a gift... I have been blessed. I so love being in front of a crowd it is like an electrical current, energy is all around me, like the aurora borealis. With her single "Hank It Up" premiering on local radio station WKYQ's Outlaw Hours, Tabatha has been welcomed into a traditionally "male" artist show. Larry Dever of Nashville noted, “Tabatha and Southern FRY’d are as edgy and rowdy as a bar fight. Spunky vocals punctuated by solid rhythms and articulate musicianship, from a band that knows what it wants to say musically and knows how to say it.” Avoid Heat and Flame is a blend of cutting loose songs and traditional true-to-life ballads that everyone can connect to in some way.
Producer Dustin Burnett of Plume Media opened the doors that had only been windows which Tabatha & Southern FRY’d glimpsed through. Doing radio interviews, hosting a CD Release Party and airing on the Bob Birch Show / Venture Radio in the United Kingdom has literally expanded their listener range by thousands of miles!"


Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

"FANGING IT" ABC2 TV Australian Film on show

For the past two months I have been busy filming and producing my audition videos for "Fanging It" The first month was with the goal of being selected as one of the Co-Hosts for the program. Entertainment is a difficult industry " to go for the gold " and get a spot in front of the camera. That does not stop me or any one else who has the desire and talent to try. Like many things it is often when you do it purely because you can even though your own analysis of the requirements to succeed say you are not the one they want the result is a surprisingly good one.

I looked at the program and came to the conclusion that I was 10 years too old to be successful. Even so the opportunity to make my videos to the Fanging It requirements and get them judged was well worth the effort. Even better was the surprise to be notified that I was on the reserve shortlist when the judging was finalised to select the final 5. It was a great feeling of accomplishment to have been judged and the quality of my work outweighed the other factors in favour of other entrants.

Now I am in the next audition process for Fanging It as a Director and trying to make the final group for the Doco Slam in Melbourne during October. You can view my entries as TALART248 at http://community.fangingit.com.au/kickapps/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2845822&as=29128

Following is an article on the "Fanging It" program, from PERTHNOW if you have the desire and a camera give it a go.
"June 11, 2008 10:30am
ABC TV today announced the launch of an exciting new multi-platform Web and TV youth travel show - Fanging It.

Fanging It launches with an Australia-wide search for two vibrant presenters to host the show.

Fanging It is an irreverent and contemporary hybrid web and TV production that marks a new phase for ABC TV, with user generated program content uploaded to the web before the show airs on television.

ABC TV’s Commissioning Editor, David Jowsey said “Fanging It is a new sort of 21st century Race Around The World. We hope to find some great new talent and showcase them on the Web and TV.”

Fanging It is a Net Effective/NMG production for ABC TV. Net Effective/NMG is a Melbourne based production company that specialises in new media formats.

James Boldiston, Producer and Director of NMG said “Fanging It is a great opportunity for any would-be filmmaker or TV presenter to have the adventure of a lifetime.

We look forward to delivering what will be a pioneering, engaging, interactive travel show for ABC TV. We invite viewers to give it a go and send in their clips.”

All Australian residents over 18 years old are invited to upload their factual mini-documentary video clips to the website www.abc.net.au/fangingit before the closing date of August 10, 2008.

Video clips must be more than 90 seconds and no longer than two minutes in length, and be made by and feature the entrant.

Entries should cover the fabulous, strange and eye-opening encounters experienced by the entrant in Australia and may be shot on camera, phone or other video device.

A judging panel made up of members from ABC TV, Net Effective/NMG and the Australian Film Commission (AFC) will select five semi-finalists who will be brought to Melbourne for an intensive three day course, learning the ropes in hands-on factual filmmaking.

On 25 August two entrants will be selected as presenters and immediately be packed off on a three week Australian road trip, all no frills expenses paid.

En route they’ll make a series of mini-documentaries about their exploits that show the thrills, chills and challenges of travelling round Australia on a budget.

They’ll make regular video-diary and blog updates of their adventures and engage with viewers via website forums and live chats.

On their return, the presenters will host a new ABC2 TV travel show featuring all that is fresh, edgy and fun about travel in contemporary Australia.

As well as their own footage, the show will include the best of travel mini-clips uploaded by viewers in the run to win $2000 worth of travel prizes."

For all program details and presenter search information go to http://www.abc.net.au/fangingit

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

END of the River Murray, Coorong & Lake Abert



For decades the management of the Murray River by successive governments has been questioned. Australia is a country where the majority of the population are living in major seaboard cities and politicians favour making decisions that pander to the percieved beneficial impact that will result in favourable poll results from these constituants. This does not make things work!.

The major water course in Australia is crucial to the survival of agricultural and urban industry and societies. It is a very simple matter in essence, "There is a finite amount of water available, don't over use it." There have been droughts in the past and there will be droughts in the future that will reduce the amount of water available. Recent figures have shown the Queensland water usage from the feeder basin to the Murray Darling River systems has been an astronomical increase in quantity.

Adelaide at the end of the system is a city that in the driest state of Australia, with out water will not continue to exist. Don't laugh that is a fact, cities in the past have been abandoned because water supplies were no longer available. just because humans have technology and all the mod cons of life does not change reality. NO WATER, NO LIFE CAN EXIST.

Conservation of water is the most practical fix for the problem and the hubub from industries like cotton and rice interests will fight for their survival. Then there are the more fanciful fixes put forward, water pipelines from Western Australia and Tasmania. The engineering skills and mecahanical capability does exist to make these reality, but will not fix the problem of water management just increase the water supply available. All these suggestions do is create an image of an upside down pyramid balancing on the point and teetering dangerously towards collapse with every breath from the winds of change.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Monday, September 08, 2008

"GRAND FINAL" The Song for football released

CLICK THE BANNER TAG TO HEAR THE SONG

Darren%20McCrae
Quantcast

Artist Darren McCrae's song "GRAND FINAL" will be sung by the artist at the SANFL Grand Final in 2008. Darren Mccrae, Born in Broken Hill has pursed his creative passions of singing, songwriting and visual arts throughout his career. Along the way he has been a professional football player, forward scout and coach with SANFL (West Adelaide, North Adelaide Woodville-West Torrens), AFL (North Melbourne, Carlton) and country football league clubs. Also completing his apprecticeship as a Painter and Decorator/Signwriting at the Zinc Corporation [Broken Hill Mining}

Based at Tanunda, in the Barrossa Valley South Australia where he operates McCrae Gallery. The Gallery dsplays his current visual artistic works on canvas and sculptures.

Musically Darren has been inspired all along the journey by his mother Claire McCrae, classical singer (Order Of Australia)

Acting and singing on stage as a child in regional repertory/philharmonic productions, including THE MIKADO, THE KING AND I and later as an adult in HELLO DOLLY, along with being the lead vocal in many regional cover bands. After 15 years of songwriting and receiving guitar lessons Darren has started to professionally record his music. After being introduced to Simon Marshall an accomplished musician and producer at the Barrossa music store, with Simon's advice and a great appreciation of each others talents, the pair decided to take the compositions to the recording studio.


Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

AFL FINALS 2008 "Footyhead's" Post Game Comments WEEK 1



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Video - Whale watching at Robe 6/9/2008

The giant mammals of the ocean have fascinated people for years and since the moratorium on hunting of whales has been in place these gentle giants are returning to the shores of Australia. Over the past 5 years whales have been passing accross the entrance of Guichen Bay and occaisionally making brief forays into the Bay. On Saturday the 6th of September 4 whales came into the bay and spent 8 hours slowly moving around the shore line before going out to the open ocean as the sun set.

I took the video camera out and caught some footage of them. Unfortunately the camera did not have the focussing range to get the whales very clearly. The end result is the whales are blurred, lol they could be the Lochness monster, a school of salmon, but they are whales.



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

FRINGE 2008 Videos - Buskers & Live Standup Comedy

The FRINGE in Adelaide is an event I try to get to every year no matter what else is occupying me. Now it has became an annual event the benefits for performers and the city are far more tangible. I believe it does prove that the City of Adelaide does have a vibrant puse and need to be serviced which the Fringe satisfies. Even though it has been far too long since I did a show during the Fringe simply because of other commitments. The fact is those commitments would not have been possible if the FRINGE did not exist.

This year I managed to get there for one day and one night and left satisfied but not saited, wanting more is a good thing though and in one night managed to get three shows in and explore the Garden of Unearthly delights during the day. The BUSKING competition is a terrific facet of entertainment and the quality of the buskers is sensational.

These two videos of some acrobatic buskers in Rundle Mall and the Live Stand-up of Steven J Whiteley are just some of the footage I got. In fact the two videos have been edited together for my entry into the ABC2 "Fanging It" travel program Check out my entry Profile name Talart248. After being shortlisted for the co-hosting I have followed up with this piece to get on the show in a directing capacity.






Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Monday, September 01, 2008

Carlton whipped by Hawthorn Rd 22



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

THE ADVERTISER interviews this Blogger on "delay in the broadband tender"

THE ADVERTISER - (SA Business Journal section)
VALERINA CHANGARATHIL
August 25, 2008 11:30pm

THE transition from dial-up to broadband has helped Robe-based stand-up comic, actor and artist Geoff Dening, 45, triple his income and work over three years.

An AdelaideNow reader, Dening has told The Advertiser his story after reading about the delay in the broadband tender process of the Federal Government.

"The internet is not a tool for political profit,'' Dening says in a comment posted on the website.

He sells his CDs, auditions for acting jobs, creates works in progress and uses the internet as a research tool to perceive audience reactions to his work with his Optus broadband connection.

"I am happy with the speed I currently have, but the more I get, the better it is,'' he says.

Using sites such as MySpace, Facebook, ReverbNation and Star Now, he has access to a global audience, and receives royalties from an American company for people to listen to recordings online.

The internet has opened up more avenues for the regional South Australian, now developing an online radio station and producing an online film using YouTube.

However, the lack of advanced internet capabilities has hampered him.

"My progress has been a lot slower than is possible,'' he says.

"For example, I could be selling digital downloads right now using ReverbNation as the storage and provider.''
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Having done this interview a couple of weeks ago I did not know it was published until an email arrived yesterday afternoon from the Area Representative - Limestone Coast Telstra Country Wide. Who contacted me to explain that the infrastructure that OPTUS used for my connection was actually established by Telstra. To be honest I do not care about whose it is. My use of the internet is for work mostly and I pay for the service, all I want is good service and access to the tools that are effective in making my work better. REVERBnation contacted me after reading the article on my site in the Media section with the following Thank you Geoff. That was really kind of you and we really do appreciate it. We are getting much closer to the releasing digital distribution and it is looking amazing.

That is what my need from the company/businesses I deal with for the internet requires. Communication and current services/applications that benefit nothing else.
My YOUTUBE channel does exactly that and the INSIGHT function in particular has been very helpful in gaining me another entertainment opportunity with the ability to show the demographics and locations of my veiwers and subscribers. anyone who thinks that success from using the Internet is just a matter of sitting down and having people flock to their sites will join the list of people dismayed that failure has happened to them. The internet is just like any other work medium you have to put in the effort to make it succeed.

Currently I have my short Documentary Film from the footage taken at the 2008 FRINGE in Adelaide submitted in the ABC2 'Fanging It' Phase 2 all you have to do is;
Be a creative Australian (18 or over) with original ideas and a strong sense of fun... (If you think your clip is interesting, we’re prepared to check it out!)
Make a short (two to two-and-a-half-minute), entertaining, factual video - which doesn’t feature you - about a real-life Australian adventure, person, place or travel encounter (this time you’re strictly behind the camera).
Clips can be about:
FACES, PLACES AND THINGS
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
TALL TALES AND TRUE
BED BUGS AND BURNT TOAST



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Carlton beat Brisbane Rd 21



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Kangaroos thrash Carlton



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Monday, August 11, 2008

"Footyhead" speaks as Carlton pulverise Port Rd 19 2008

One of mypeers who I have worked with for several years has many talents. An accomplished artist with his own Gallery, his other passion is singing and songwriting. This year he recorded a song and it was enthusiastically received by many icons of Aussie rules as the most inspiring footy song they had heard. For the past month negotiations with a major music label have been under way and eveything has been positive. I am very pragmatic about 'art' this is from lessons learnt over the past twenty years. Just because something is good and people like it and it has public support does not mean it will be taken on board by larger commercial operations (hahah I have been watching too much Yes Minister and picked up speaking with out committing this week).

Simply being good and popular is not going to have action taken straight away, as my mate has found out the plans for music releases by the other party have been set up a year in advance as frustrating as this is for him that is reality of business.

For me sport is a topic that for many years I have used as a basis for my creative work. This year I dusted off "Footyhead" who was never a part of my 'work' when it came to footy, This character was actually a fun thing I did to get away from the serious side of the work. With a little surprise though, after getting involved with having some fun with 'Footyhead' on YouTube the responce encouraged me to look at him in a different light. I thoroughly enjoy the reaction to his ranting on video anything is better than being ignored and so with that effort of 2008 season nearly done next year the character will for the first time become a real performing character.

Footy is fun and I love playing with the culture around it as a clown.


Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Footyhead continues in 2009



Six months has flown by in the new life of "Footyhead". Given that the character had not been out and about since 2002 his reanimation online at Youtube has been successful and great fun to do. Even though the 2008 AFL season has not finished yet there had to be a decision made on "Footyheads" future. Producing topical characters is in fact serious work. As it was in 2008 I was doing "Footyhead mostly for fun and as an online outlet to do some performing away from my other shows and work. As the season progressed the adlib and spontaneous nature of doing weekly YouTube clips was lessened and planning went into what was going to be done each week.

Fortunately it still remained a minimal amount of creative work to produce the clips. Behind the scenes and away from the camera though, as the comments and subscriber interaction grew "Footyhead" was growing on paper towards the future. As performing is what my career is the fun and the 'work' to make the fun worthwhile for me to keep doing something is not a chore. Nothing much will change for the rest of 2008 with the character there are no expectations to have much more from it for now. 2009 though will see fuller figure on the small screen at Youtube and greater value for viewers.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Monday, July 07, 2008

"Fanging It" ABC2 series auditions open - see and rate mine here

Have a peek at my audition clip for the new ABC2 series "Fanging - It". This program is still casting and if you want to have a go at getting on the show checkout the site where my vid is. And please rate my entry while you are there.



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

New Comedy recordings from the studio...

I have been a busy fella of late and have no idea how I am going to catch up with my work load. Even had to knock back a guest spot at the Fringe doing some stand-up simply due to lack of time. Having spent the last 5 years consolidating my performing and the direction, once again I am going to have to make some choice about what to concentrate upon.

Which means doing less of some and more of others. Damn it that means some serious thinking time is on the cards and I really really do not like pruning my projects. It is the only drawback of doing what I love for a living. Thinking gives me brain ache when I have to do this. I still remember when I started and the amount of effort put into getting any sort of a gig. Now I can be more selective and the work offers come in as well and I still want to do all of them in my heart even if I know that some will be a challenge to do well. And that is the crux of my quandary when it comes to this. THE CHALLENGE to do a good show in a place that it going to be really hard for it to happen is invigorating and I firmly believe is beneficial. Sure it is great to walk out in front of an audience that is in tune with the act and medium of stand up comedy for entertainment. But performing in front of a new or unsure audience is by far and above a thrill when I have to work hard to get them laughing.

On another subject matter is lately i have had to start working on accents for tv and film auditions. Something that I have hardly ever done so for your listening critique click the link and listen to my recent attempts...

http://www.reverbnation.com/geoffdening



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Sent my voiceover audtion clips...

Took the easy way out for my voice over auditions and put a montage of my last 6 months of character audition videos together instead of doing new ones. Not a matter of being lazy but as the audition was for the same production conmpany and some of them had recieved good reviews it seemed sensible to put a collection of clips edited down into the 2 minute limit and submit.

Auditions are never clear cut and I treat each one as the first time I have ever done one for the producers. This I find stops me from being complacent and part of the lessons learnt in the past. One actor submitted an audition a couple of months ago and he chose to exceed the stated time limit for the audition with his reason that they knew he could do it in the time limit from his past work history with them and so his lengthy clip,(which was very good) recieved a brickbat from the reviewers.


Not because of the quality of the work or the actors ability, more so because he had ignored the directions. THese are not given by the casting crew just for the hell of it but because they ant a particular body of work to be able to cast the right actor for the job. The actor went and delivered an impressive visual piece of acting, using the script provided. But not a piece suited for the role as the Narrator of the Feature film. A role which has no On Screen appearance in the film.

I feel some sympathy for him particularly because he made a decision of his own chosing and took umberage when other actors noted that he had exceeded the time limit. Then after all his words had the reviewer comment that excceding the time limit, meant that no matter how good the audition was he would not be considered.

Prepare yourself for my 'Accents auditions lol the Australian one is pretty good though, the rest.. I am just begining to develop them, so I apologise for your aural suffering hahaha."



Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

Friday, February 22, 2008

Another TV show audition done in February...

As you can hear there is not much demand for Australian accents in the auditions and this does help me. By putting on an accent in this case an atrocious french one, it makes me act a character from the start. I have never done much work on my accents previously they only needed to be good enough for short bursts when doing stand up. Performing them to a camera for auditions though has made me start working on them to try and develop to a passable level.

The quality of them does not concern me at this stage I have at least a month to get the next one ready and this means 100 % correct or as near to. Coming up I have auditions for a "Soprano's" style of movie in the US and the only passable US accent I have is a Southern states one. Even that needs more work which I have been doing lately, with an animation series audition closing on the coming Monday to get this right for. The mobster movie will need a passable New York accent and that is far from my usual manner of speaking.

Well back to talking to myself this morning getting the due Monday one ready for filming and sending off tomorrow. Then I can focus on two auditions I have for Australian films in the next two weeks. The first is for a WA based feature and fortunately they have asked for a recorded audition dvd to be sent. The second one is in Victoria on the 8-9 th of March and I will be driving over to Bendigo on the day to do that one.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff

This was the screen test direction for the character, "Bernard"
Principal Support Role. Bernard is aged between 30 - 45. He is a flamboyant director full of Gallic charm and eccentric style. He has a comical intensity and believes in his art, no matter how cheesy or naff it may be. He will always try and deliver with great energy and his disappointment is acute when things go wrong around him.


Thursday, February 21, 2008

My TV Auditions for 2008 so far...

2008 has started off with leaps and bounds career wise. Seems to be another decade ago that just before Xmas I was musing over what I would have to do to get the ball rolling for myself. Mind you dear readers I tend to be impatient and never satisfied that I am doing enough even if that is not the case. Getting work is not a problem for me as a performer, it is one of the oddest of circumstances that it does take time to prepare and develop a career and I have done that quite well in my opinion and I am happy with my progress. The catch 22 is that for some reason the instant gratification and result I derive from doing stand-up has some warped manner of creeping into the reality of setting up and preparing for future projects and shows. Ridiculous as it may seem a performance is simply that and is nothing to do with the 'admin.' side of the business yet it has the tendency to interfere with my happy demeanour.

Here I am nearing the end of February and so far have eight tv auditions under my belt this year and two feature film auditions coming up in March. I made a decision in late 2006 to start a concerted effort to do more tv and film work as a goal and this has been well worth the effort. It is a long way from success be sure of that but the progress from doing tv commercials to getting a screen credit took eight years of work and has made the results of the past 12 months possible.

The most important ingredient is professional feedback to be able to gauge my progress. Not being a particularly talented actor and with a limited range in my skill is not a problem. That can only improve and fortunately I have been auditioning with a production company and their review team for the various roles I have gone for have been sensational to say the least. While the early reviews were simply encouraging and a basic recognition of my ability to do better, now they are concise and push for me to discover and develop my performances to new levels and complimenting the bits they find to be good and at times excellent.

Wishing you all a happy and fruitful 2008 and here are some auditions so far, the good, the bad and the downright ugly.

Thankyou for your time and attention, Geoff
The Directions for the auditions in their order on my blogg were

1) J.O. is a very bouncy and jovial character who likes nothing more to string along gag after gag. However, being a lawyer, his approach is not always in the best taste. J.O. hosts a phone in consumer legal service, like you might find on a radio programme. His Eddie Murphy style delivery contrasts inappropriately with the sober nature of the enquiries. One thing is for sure, he does not respect the law.

2) Dave Grohl is famously "the nicest man in Rock", however we all have limits... Now that Dave is a successful rock star, he wants to use his considerable influence to do good in the world. Dave wants to spend more time offering his sage advice to vulnerable celebrities, and to encourage them to help him with numerous worthwhile causes.

3) Public Member 7 asks a question to Richard Branson