Well, here I am. Jumping in feet first (I'm a horrible diver), and seeing that I get myself wet enough to make the work I did leading up to this worth it. I gotta say, as I expected, the last year went by like a flash in hindsight. Now the real work begins.
I want to say again, that I couldn't be more lucky out here. Knowing the people I know and meeting all the new people I've met since arriving, I feel much more at ease here. At home some would say. Which reminds me, I now have a place in downtown Vancouver! I'll be moving in on the weekend. Super-pumped for it, I'll be closer to the school and more available for any social events. Plus I have a lift into Richmond to go to the church, where I now (get ready for it): Sing in the choir. Yeah. I haven't been in a choir since grade five, back when I thought that the word spelled-out was pronounced "CHOY-er". But the people in the choir are nice an patient and unarmed, so it's all good.
Back to the school aspect, and I can already promise I'll be a different actor by the end of it. It's good to get the tough training now, instead of getting babied and getting my butt handed to me in a Styrofoam container with a side of chicken fried rice (with plum sauce, mmmm). Not saying that it's been too tough yet. One of our courses asks us to watch movies for homework. Hah, I'll just read the spoilers from imdb.com, and save myself two hours! I sure picked the right profession to break into, eh?! But seriously, I already know I picked the right school, just from the vibe I get from it. One of the classes gives us a chance to get behind a camera, and a boom mike, and lights, and we get to say "ten one hundred" when we need to pee or BM. I'll sound so pro when it's potty time. And clothespins are called "C-47's". That is not a joke. It's the hands-on filmmaking that I chose VFS for, and I'm glad it's happening so soon.
They also gave me a free backpack, waterbottle, lanyard and umbrella (but since it hasn't really rained once since I moved out here, I might as well toss that, right?)
Anyway, I'll be popping in with any amusing anecdotes regarding my and my colleagues classroom antics. Hopefully get some photos of my place (and the view from the balcony) when I get moved-in. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
A Week in the Life
Well, I've been in BC for a full week now. I gotta say, the people have been fantastic so far. I've met a lot of great people in a short time. For some odd reason, they remind me of some of the people I know back home. It's like a new season of a sitcom, and they swapped a lot of the main characters, and some older characters have returned. Also, they changed the plot and the set. At least the main character is the same (except there was some talk of replacing him with a squirrel, but they couldn't write it into the script).
I had my VFS orientation yesterday, and I got to meet the people I'll be working with in the next year. They seem like a cool bunch, not that typical pretentious acting type that I'm used to working with here, that's for sure. One them was named Gambit (yes, after the X-Men, no it's not his real name). All I can say is this should be a year comprised of 365 days. Just what HAPPENS in those days, well, you and I will just have to wait and see.
Still looking for an apartment in downtown Vancouver. Apparently there's like a 1.4% vacancy rate, and that 1.4% is actually the treehouses that kids don't want to use anymore. They cost $1200 per month, heat, water, electricity, phone, cable, internet and laundry are all extra. It's a pretty good deal, I have an appointment with Timmy at 5 pm (that's when the lemonade stand closes). It comes with free sprinkler privileges, so, huzzah.
I found out that the job I used to have before moving won't exist anymore after Nov. 13. Looked like I got out at the right time. It was a crappy job, but a lot of good people worked there, and this is going to hit some of them really hard. This furthers my "call centers are the modern factories" theory; It's crap work, long and boring, but you can get hired relatively easy, they will train you, and as long as you can do the job, you'll be fine. But if a contract isn't renewed, well, looks like you'll have to find a new factory. I just hope the people there can find a better factory soon.
I had my VFS orientation yesterday, and I got to meet the people I'll be working with in the next year. They seem like a cool bunch, not that typical pretentious acting type that I'm used to working with here, that's for sure. One them was named Gambit (yes, after the X-Men, no it's not his real name). All I can say is this should be a year comprised of 365 days. Just what HAPPENS in those days, well, you and I will just have to wait and see.
Still looking for an apartment in downtown Vancouver. Apparently there's like a 1.4% vacancy rate, and that 1.4% is actually the treehouses that kids don't want to use anymore. They cost $1200 per month, heat, water, electricity, phone, cable, internet and laundry are all extra. It's a pretty good deal, I have an appointment with Timmy at 5 pm (that's when the lemonade stand closes). It comes with free sprinkler privileges, so, huzzah.
I found out that the job I used to have before moving won't exist anymore after Nov. 13. Looked like I got out at the right time. It was a crappy job, but a lot of good people worked there, and this is going to hit some of them really hard. This furthers my "call centers are the modern factories" theory; It's crap work, long and boring, but you can get hired relatively easy, they will train you, and as long as you can do the job, you'll be fine. But if a contract isn't renewed, well, looks like you'll have to find a new factory. I just hope the people there can find a better factory soon.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
I've Been to British Columbia, Richmond to Vancouver
Made it to BC safely. The flight went well, aside from an assassin letting loose a crate of deadly snakes! It's ok though, Mace Windu was on the flight, and killed them with his lightsabre. I got to hold it. I didn't have a camera, and I couldn't use my cell phone on the plane to take a picture, but trust me, it happened. I finally found an internet connection and had my cell phone number changed (e-mail me if you want it, friends only, lawl). I'm staying with my good and generous friend, the beneficent one, Fr. David, and I hope to find a place in downtown Vancouver soon. I also hope the sky will someday rain down loonies so I can make a coin-stack statue of Mount Rushmore with fu manchu mustaches, so I won't hold much hope I'll find the perfect place right away.
I gotta say, I'm a bit on edge waiting for school to start. Just sitting here, making sure I don't spend money on anything (but 7-11 has SUPERMAN RETURNS holographic Slurpee cups! Who can resist?), making sure I have everything I need to live, and trying not to break down and cry too much. I think I've got it down to five minutes a day, of not crying. I drink lots of water, so it's all good.
Not that I'm saying I don't like the time off. It's very relaxed here at the rectory, and the Friars are treating me very well. They almost have my manicuring preferences down pat, but until then, I don't hesitate to hand down the punishment of a West Scandinavian back-waxing.
We watched a movie yesterday that was filmed in Vancouver called Edison Force. It was about a city in the United States called Edison (that, for some reason used BC license plates on their cars). Check it out if you want to see Justin Timberlake as a Jewish reporter working for Morgan Freeman, and shooting-up the bad guys with LL Cool J. Yeah. It really showcases the beauty of the city (I recognized it right away in the first shot of the skyline), and gives me a promising outlook on the film industry here. (The movie wasn't so great, on record I give it three stars out of a possible ... however many stars are viewable from the northern hemisphere).
Anyway, until I get stung by a scorpion for interrupting his afternoon tea or eaten by a purple bear named Gus for losing a game of paper-rock-scissors, you'll be hearing from me later.
I gotta say, I'm a bit on edge waiting for school to start. Just sitting here, making sure I don't spend money on anything (but 7-11 has SUPERMAN RETURNS holographic Slurpee cups! Who can resist?), making sure I have everything I need to live, and trying not to break down and cry too much. I think I've got it down to five minutes a day, of not crying. I drink lots of water, so it's all good.
Not that I'm saying I don't like the time off. It's very relaxed here at the rectory, and the Friars are treating me very well. They almost have my manicuring preferences down pat, but until then, I don't hesitate to hand down the punishment of a West Scandinavian back-waxing.
We watched a movie yesterday that was filmed in Vancouver called Edison Force. It was about a city in the United States called Edison (that, for some reason used BC license plates on their cars). Check it out if you want to see Justin Timberlake as a Jewish reporter working for Morgan Freeman, and shooting-up the bad guys with LL Cool J. Yeah. It really showcases the beauty of the city (I recognized it right away in the first shot of the skyline), and gives me a promising outlook on the film industry here. (The movie wasn't so great, on record I give it three stars out of a possible ... however many stars are viewable from the northern hemisphere).
Anyway, until I get stung by a scorpion for interrupting his afternoon tea or eaten by a purple bear named Gus for losing a game of paper-rock-scissors, you'll be hearing from me later.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow
Well, here I am. It's almost midnight on the day I leave Dartmouth for Vancouver for at least one year. It's funny that I've had over a full year to prepare for this day, and yet it's still hard to believe this is all happening to me. It's rrll rrll exciting.
The reason I went to the first VFS information session with my life-partner (Chris), was to "audition for the acting program", as the newspaper ad read. I had no intentions of attending the school due to the immense cost and distance, and also not wanting to give-up the kicking gig I had of working at the local video chain part-time earning slightly more than minimum wage. Then for some reason I went to the same information session a year later with the same guy, but I really didn't know why I was there that time. So I decided to take the plunge while I was there, and at least fill-out an application form to save on some fees, and see what happened from there. Also, let me tell you that I'm not very pro-active when it comes to most things. Luckily the school made the first step by getting my in touch with a great Academic Advisor to finish the application.
In this process, my Advisor suggested that I come to VFS that year instead of waiting a few years like I planned. And why not? My work was nothing I wanted to dedicate my life to, and this would be my rare chance to chase my life's dream. And finances? Hey, I could just get a Student Line of Credit from RBC, and some Student Loans, and I'd be set, right? Sure I didn't have a dime to my name at the time, but I could just borrow most of the money, and pay it off later, no problem. Well, problem; my parents thought I was ludicrous. And, as painful as this is to write, they were right. Sure I could borrow a ton of money, but what have I done to that point that told them I could pay off the debts? I was so poor with handling my money, I used an old Kleenex box as a piggy-bank, and I blew my nose with 20's. So they suggested I stay at home and earn some real money myself before going out to BC.
And it was the best thing I could have done. I've earned the money I said I would earn, and I met some great people in the process. My call-centre job wasn't the best, but I think I'm coming out the other end with a better appreciation for actually earning a living. Also, I have a good feeling if I can do that, I can do just about anything.
There's a lot more to that whole story of the first installment of my VFS Oddyssey, including being seconds away from not going the second information session, and driving across Canada with an Atonement Friar from Rhode Island, but I'll save those for another day, when I have more time. Right now, I'm just too anxious to think about anything else.
I'm, about to take my first step into the larger world (and maybe I'll be able to finally see the remote with the blast-shield). And with that, I leave you with my philosophy for the future: I'm standing on the edge of tomorrow, and it's up me to see how far I go.
(Yes, it's from the theme song of "Saved By The Bell: The College Years", and yes, it'd be a great think to write in someone's yearbook who you don't really know or like, but want to write something motivational and inspiring).
The reason I went to the first VFS information session with my life-partner (Chris), was to "audition for the acting program", as the newspaper ad read. I had no intentions of attending the school due to the immense cost and distance, and also not wanting to give-up the kicking gig I had of working at the local video chain part-time earning slightly more than minimum wage. Then for some reason I went to the same information session a year later with the same guy, but I really didn't know why I was there that time. So I decided to take the plunge while I was there, and at least fill-out an application form to save on some fees, and see what happened from there. Also, let me tell you that I'm not very pro-active when it comes to most things. Luckily the school made the first step by getting my in touch with a great Academic Advisor to finish the application.
In this process, my Advisor suggested that I come to VFS that year instead of waiting a few years like I planned. And why not? My work was nothing I wanted to dedicate my life to, and this would be my rare chance to chase my life's dream. And finances? Hey, I could just get a Student Line of Credit from RBC, and some Student Loans, and I'd be set, right? Sure I didn't have a dime to my name at the time, but I could just borrow most of the money, and pay it off later, no problem. Well, problem; my parents thought I was ludicrous. And, as painful as this is to write, they were right. Sure I could borrow a ton of money, but what have I done to that point that told them I could pay off the debts? I was so poor with handling my money, I used an old Kleenex box as a piggy-bank, and I blew my nose with 20's. So they suggested I stay at home and earn some real money myself before going out to BC.
And it was the best thing I could have done. I've earned the money I said I would earn, and I met some great people in the process. My call-centre job wasn't the best, but I think I'm coming out the other end with a better appreciation for actually earning a living. Also, I have a good feeling if I can do that, I can do just about anything.
There's a lot more to that whole story of the first installment of my VFS Oddyssey, including being seconds away from not going the second information session, and driving across Canada with an Atonement Friar from Rhode Island, but I'll save those for another day, when I have more time. Right now, I'm just too anxious to think about anything else.
I'm, about to take my first step into the larger world (and maybe I'll be able to finally see the remote with the blast-shield). And with that, I leave you with my philosophy for the future: I'm standing on the edge of tomorrow, and it's up me to see how far I go.
(Yes, it's from the theme song of "Saved By The Bell: The College Years", and yes, it'd be a great think to write in someone's yearbook who you don't really know or like, but want to write something motivational and inspiring).
Friday, August 11, 2006
Happening Right Now, In A Galaxy We All Live In ...
Well, here it is, the inevitable first post. I'm going to try to get the intro junk out of the way first by saying if you're reading this, you already know my situation. You know my name is Will Vaughan from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and you know I've moved to Vancouver, British Columbia for the Acting program at the Vancouver Film School. You know my favourite movies are from the Star Wars saga, and you know I love video games and rock music, and my favourite band is Led Zeppelin. You know I am very into movies and film-making and Jesus is my proverbial home boy. But you already knew all that, so there's no need for me to write it al here.
The very purpose of this Blog is to make one massive update for anyone to see anytime they want for any reason, other than laughing at my misfortunes, or being envious of my successes. I'm hoping for more of the latter than the former. Rather than have everyone and their dog writing or calling saying "how's it going out there?", "meeting any new people?", "still washing behind your ears?", "woof? Bark, bark, ruff!" they can all take a gander here and get on big, fluffy, lemon-meringue pie of blog-tacular updates right in the face. Delicious.
As of this writing, am I three days away from stepping onto a plane on the east coast of Canada, and stepping off eight hours later on the west coast of Canada. How dandy. In all honesty, I don't know what this year will bring me. This will be my first foray into the world of professional acting, and hopefully when this fish leaves the bowl, it'll dive into an ocean of opportunity and not get caught in a dragnet of disaster. I'm full of 'em tonight.
So stay tuned, and feel free to leave a comment, or just keep said comments to yourself until they boil-over, out from the pot of pent-up feelings, all over the oven of the internet blogging community. With nothing better to end-off with, I will leave you with this: Peanut M&Ms rule. Think about it, it's true.
The very purpose of this Blog is to make one massive update for anyone to see anytime they want for any reason, other than laughing at my misfortunes, or being envious of my successes. I'm hoping for more of the latter than the former. Rather than have everyone and their dog writing or calling saying "how's it going out there?", "meeting any new people?", "still washing behind your ears?", "woof? Bark, bark, ruff!" they can all take a gander here and get on big, fluffy, lemon-meringue pie of blog-tacular updates right in the face. Delicious.
As of this writing, am I three days away from stepping onto a plane on the east coast of Canada, and stepping off eight hours later on the west coast of Canada. How dandy. In all honesty, I don't know what this year will bring me. This will be my first foray into the world of professional acting, and hopefully when this fish leaves the bowl, it'll dive into an ocean of opportunity and not get caught in a dragnet of disaster. I'm full of 'em tonight.
So stay tuned, and feel free to leave a comment, or just keep said comments to yourself until they boil-over, out from the pot of pent-up feelings, all over the oven of the internet blogging community. With nothing better to end-off with, I will leave you with this: Peanut M&Ms rule. Think about it, it's true.
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