Karena Franceska

Local Talents Wanted

// May 14th, 2009 // No Comments » // coaching

I was so pleased and proud of the hard work, commitment and focus shown by my LAMDA students this term… Again, a very highly successful cohort of entrants: all of whom passed… and 40% passed with Distinctions!! A very deserved ‘WELL DONE ‘ to all.

Remember, both one-to-one coaching sessions and Adult classes are available for those serious about acting. I am a co founder of Soaring Eagle Productions and constantly keep an eye out for new talent (no matter what age) for potential casting opportunites. It is always important to refresh your skills base in order to do well at auditions… if you haven’t already… book now !

I am looking for local talented musicians: (bass, keyboard, drums) to collaborate on a recording project of new material. My influences are diverse, but could be classified as funk/jazz rock. Get in touch if you are interested.

The Worth of Art.. Why Perform Arts?

// April 15th, 2009 // No Comments » // performing arts

As I sit here with Hou; (short for Houdini – 4′ python sleeping in my lap… kids’ school pet.. needed home for Easter.!. by the way, she’s lovely.!. and very low maintainance!)  I find myself contemplating the worth of Art.  Perhaps it is the fact that my cold blooded little buddy seems to have her life plan worked out, (she eats, she sleeps, she sheds….alas, no Mr Houdini) that got me contemplating the bigger picture……

Hou does what she does, she is focused, often single minded about it (unless you tickle her throat then she goes a bit like us girls do when the back of our neck is kissed..:)   but I digress).  Point is.. she is not easily distracted.  She chooses a direction and, independent of which way her carrier is faced , out goes the head and neck sniffing the air with her tongue as if nothing else exisited (which makes her rather comically resemble a cane with an apple on the end!).  She has been an inspiration.  One of Gods oldest creatures.. . thanks to good genes and some reciprical determinism in her ancestors, shes’ still around today because of that unwavering focus.

Hannah, 8yrs old said of her “Hou always gets what she wants coz she doesn’t want much” Aaahhh… from the mouths of babes indeed.  Big lessons come from small teachers.  As Hou came out for her daily ’stretch and limber’ I watched George 10yrs old, Cameron 9 yrs old and Matty 7 yrs old, take turns to cradle her as they chatted with one and other… amazing… as Hou was calm, slow and silent these beautiful boisterous boys began to chat quietly and contemplatively with one and other about friendships, material needs, existential needs and the concept of beauty… ok… they may have used terms more akin to ‘mint’, ‘class’ and ’super-cool’ but the thought process was the same.

So I go back to my original question (as I move Hou from the keyboard…again…!(if only she had a voice!!) and ask… ‘What good is Art if something so simple can exist in entirety without need beyond its physicality (she presumed!) ‘ lol!!
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WindUpBanana shoots No Bread

// April 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // acting

What a scream, picture this… London, February at a disused theatre… cast a crew freezing their unimaginables off as the theatre has been dark… and yes, unheated for some time!

The crew and I shot some lovely stuff with Frank Scantori, both playing a completely lovable numbskull and Directing (yes at the same time)!

I played the part of the ever patient Julie, bored East London caterer; dealing with the many and numerous (doesn’t that mean the same thing?) ideoscincratic inner workings of the mind (or lack of) which is ‘Bill’.  The result is for the first time we see her actually lose it… those of you who know the characters know that this has been on the cards for some time now!  Can’t wait to see it post pro.. love for now.

KF x