The Life and Times of Jeremy Spicer Page 14

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 3:41 PM GMT

The character has always been like that since the beginning and I have detailed biography of him but it's getting that into the script with out it looking like I'm shoehorning it in.

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I'm not sure what you mean here JC.

He is being played as if he is middle-aged. Is this deliberate?

If so, I would strongly suggest changing this and making him young-young. It will give your performance a possibility of credulity, and it will also help to ward off the derivative stench.

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 3:31 PM GMT

Jeremy is just a cocky young bloke who's been to university and thinks he's God's gift to broadcasting and he is talented but he made one mistake and the doors seem to have shut for him and he can see what he'll turn into and he tries to fight that. He's self-loathing about his own failures but he can't take criticism and he can't take failure.

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What is he going to turn in to?

Also, the final sentence sounds very much like Partridge's personality.

And, yes, he seems more middle aged than a young go getter.

Quote: The Giggle-o @ March 8 2010, 3:45 PM GMT

What do you want to achieve from all of this James?

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What Jeremy Spicer?

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 3:52 PM GMT

What Jeremy Spicer?

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No, I meant it as a general question relating to the work you have put up on here. What do you want to come of it all? Become a general jobbing actor or a writer or...?

Quote: The Giggle-o @ March 8 2010, 3:56 PM GMT

No, I meant it as a general question relating to the work you have put up on here. What do you want to come of it all? Become a general jobbing actor or a writer or...?

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Well I would like to become a comedy actor and writer. I'm still trying my hand other things but character based performances is what I really enjoy.

Quote: jim field @ March 8 2010, 3:49 PM GMT

I'm not sure what you mean here JC.

He is being played as if he is middle-aged. Is this deliberate?

If so, I would strongly suggest changing this and making him young-young. It will give your performance a possibility of credulity, and it will also help to ward off the derivative stench.

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Yes because that's what's getting him down. He knows he's being dragged down to middle aged grumpiness early.

The advice I got about Jeremy which I liked and agreed with is to play him with pent anger sometimes coming to the boil with several outbursts of anger due to his situation. Showing the real him underneath the pompous radio broadcaster exterior.

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 4:17 PM GMT

The advice I got about Jeremy which I liked and agreed with is to play him with pent anger sometimes coming to the boil with several outbursts of anger due to his situation. Showing the real him underneath the pompous radio broadcaster exterior.

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May I be so bold as to ask who gave you this advice? Was it Jan Jung?

Cor this thread still going????

Randomly got 1 SHED load of notifications about this thread just now!

Just looked at the deleted scene, and I can only assume it was cut FROM the orginal and not FILMED as an extra because it doesn't show any real improvement.
Although the length is good..... (said the nun to the bishop)

I can only echo what has already been said, work needs to be done and it needs to change before it will really get anywhere. It needs to be new and snappy, not just rolling out a similar format as others that have been mentioned OVER AND OVER again. (Patridge, Brent etc.)

With this amount of critism Mr Cotter, I'd go back to the drawing board and attempt something really different....

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 4:03 PM GMT

Well I would like to become a comedy actor and writer. I'm still trying my hand other things but character based performances is what I really enjoy.

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In which case I really think you would benefit by splitting these two disciplines (ideally concentrate on one, but, you're an ambtious young man and I guess you don't want to hear that!).

Nothing like the words "Written, conceived, directed by and starring..." to have people reaching for the off button.

So, get other people to peform your stuff, don't just write for yourself and your character - the distance this lends you and their input (as bona fide actors) will really help. And it'll stretch you as a writer.

And then, if your serious about acting, act other people's stuff - this will bring your acting skills on by leaps and bounds and will take you outside your comfort zone.

Both of these will make you a whole lot more sellable.

Sometimes I think Gervais did wannabe writers/actors a huge disservice by becoming a success via the route he chose, with his 'no compromise' attitude.

It's spawned a zillion immitators and allowed people to think they could circumvent the 'old' way of getting into TV etc.

But please, forget Spicer.

Time to move on.

Good luck.

Good advice Lazzard I got a lot more kudos as a bit player in a big project then solo projects.

Almost anything you want to go for will be a team effort.

Quote: Jon Pearson @ March 8 2010, 4:22 PM GMT

Just looked at the deleted scene, and I can only assume it was cut FROM the orginal and not FILMED as an extra because it doesn't show any real improvement.
Although the length is good..... (said the nun to the bishop)

I can only echo what has already been said, work needs to be done and it needs to change before it will really get anywhere. It needs to be new and snappy, not just rolling out a similar format as others that have been mentioned OVER AND OVER again. (Patridge, Brent etc.)

With this amount of critism Mr Cotter, I'd go back to the drawing board and attempt something really different....

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Yes it is from the original.

Perhaps.

Quote: Lazzard @ March 8 2010, 4:23 PM GMT

In which case I really think you would benefit by splitting these two disciplines (ideally concentrate on one, but, you're an ambtious young man and I guess you don't want to hear that!).

Nothing like the words "Written, conceived, directed by and starring..." to have people reaching for the off button.

So, get other people to peform your stuff, don't just write for yourself and your character - the distance this lends you and their input (as bona fide actors) will really help. And it'll stretch you as a writer.

And then, if your serious about acting, act other people's stuff - this will bring your acting skills on by leaps and bounds and will take you outside your comfort zone.

Both of these will make you a whole lot more sellable.

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I already am writing material for other people and I'm trying to appear in other people stuff that I haven't written. It takes time though.

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 4:41 PM GMT

Yes it is from the original.

Perhaps.

I already am writing material for other people and I'm trying to appear in other people stuff that I haven't written. It takes time though.

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Look at those you admire:

Sid James, Gervais, et al - they all had other lives, other jobs and experiences behind them before they got into performing or writing. They brought all that experience with them.

or:

Hancock, Coogan, et al - they all started out in small parts for other writers, supporting bigger performers, where they learnt their craft and only much later tried to influence the writing of their own material when they were picked out as having bigger potential.

You are trying to both star in and write/co-write everything from the off. That way you'll learn nothing except how YOU like to do things.

You have neither the raw talent, nor the maturity (by which I mean of life experience) to do either well enough at this stage.

For the record, I wouldn't have you anywhere near anything I am involved in, nor recommend you to others. Nothing to do with your ability, but your attitude. You wouldn't serve the material, you're too inflexible, and you wouldn't be directed. You'd be a total liability to any project. That's not a good starting point, James.

You're your own worst enemy, whereas everyone on this thread is trying to give their best advice. This is not a business renowned for second chances. In life, a thick skin only leads to psoriasis...

Quote: James Cotter @ March 8 2010, 4:41 PM GMT

It takes time though.

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It does.
And you're lucky, you have it.
So, good luck.
But no more Spicer 'Bonus Material', eh?

*hovers over close button*

Quote: Paul W @ March 8 2010, 6:31 PM GMT

*hovers over close button*

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Don't hover, man, press it!

Quote: Paul W @ March 8 2010, 6:31 PM GMT

*hovers over close button*

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Nah. That's censorship. James Cotter could be the new Orson. The particular always applies to the universal remember.