by Dee | May 4, 2017 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment, GloWellness
Eleven talented writers, four iconic mentors – in a Castle, in the middle of the Dordogne – owned by a legendary American Rock Manager– what could be more intriguing!
Sounds like the beginning of a brilliant movie or murder mystery ride – but it all took place last week and was far more exciting.
Flashback to the beginning of March, when I was introduced to Claire Elizabeth Terry, who is a talented and well-known writer and founder of the Rocaberti Retreat – which is an opportunity for aspiring writers to get together to present their work to successful Hollywood Producers and Novelists for in depth mentoring, critiquing and pitching sessions.
Having had years of experience in performing and pitching myself, but being fairly new to writing, I felt it inappropriate to join the Retreat, but Claire assured me that it would be a worthwhile event for all concerned, and that I should at least soak up some of the invaluable advice and present my own projects which were at various stages of development.
I approached the Retreat with caution, not knowing what to expect, and was immediately enchanted with the Castle in all its elegance and splendour – but as time ensued was completely captivated by the essence of the Retreat and the incredible dedication of both the Mentors and the writers who were there to learn – and that included me.
I had initially approached the week with no expectation, feeling that if I had learnt just one new aspect of writing or pitching it would be worthwhile, but I just hadn’t bargained for the life changing event it turned out to be.
The writers were all at different stages of their careers – some just starting out, some professional and others aspiring to get their book or screenplay published or optioned – but all with the ambition to learn.
I had two projects, and gave my Mentor both. He selected one for me to pitch, and it was also shared with the other Mentees in my group, which was an exhilarating experience.
Other Projects pitched by writers were full of promise and magic in their own unique way, and we all supported each other with the utmost respect, which was encouraged by Jason Chan the amazing spiritual life coach who took us for meditation and tai chi every morning.
My Mentor Golan Ramraz, who has a spectacular portfolio of film writing and producing credits to his name, was both supportive and encouraging, with heaps of incredible insight he has acquired in his twenty years in Hollywood. His critiques were strong but positive, and we all felt we were capable of greatness at the end of his sessions.
Apart from the amazing creative ambience, the Castle itself has its own Chef and so the food was specially cooked for us accompanied by endless amounts of local cheese and wine. Our gracious host Miles Copeland who is responsible for launching The Police and a host of other iconic rock bands, joined us at each meal and even gave us the benefit of his marketing advice over dinner.
If you are in the process of writing a novel or script or know someone who is, at whatever stage of the game you or they are, it is worth checking out this unique and wonderful Retreat which takes place several times a year.
Three projects have already been optioned on previous Retreats, and it will give you the opportunity of putting yours in front of people who know the industry inside out.
Hang out with like-minded people and rub shoulders with celebrity writers and mentors who will offer you guidance, and give you the confidence and knowledge you have been waiting for to change your life forever.
https://rocabertiwriters.com/
With special thanks to Richard Selwyn Barnett.
http://www.itiswhoyouknow.com/
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by Serena | May 1, 2017 | Featured, GloWellness
How late is ‘fashionably late’ – the concept has always baffled me as someone who is always ‘unfashionably early’ for every meeting whether it be in the Boardroom at a school parents evening or even meeting up with a friend for coffee.
So who are these time fashionistas, and what is their mind set? Do they believe that to make a carefully planned late entrance like a Diva will give them kudos, are they so insecure that they feel lonely as the first to arrive, or are they so narcissistic they are only involved with their own agenda.
A working colleague told me he felt more in control when arriving late, as he walked into an atmosphere already charged with energy – and felt that any meeting had already been set up – affording him the buzz to take it to the next stage. He also said that it burnt calories being a bit of a fitness fanatic, as the exercise in hurrying to the meeting was a great workout! But I am still not encouraged to change the habit of a lifetime as feel the stress factor associated to lateness I could do without.
I was amazed to learn recently however, that the cool, former bad girl of Hollywood, Angelina Jolie always arrives early to every meeting, to prepare for what is ahead. This is how I have always operated, choosing to ignore the sarcasm from other colleagues who comment on my constant early bird status and try to diminish my dedication to the event.
The concept of timekeeping has even been written into songs and storylines. In the old Sinatra song ‘The Lady is a Tramp’ talks about a very cool lady who breaks all the rules but when it comes to theatre she ‘never comes late’. So punctuality isn’t always associated to the ordinary.
I remember a particularly unpleasant colleague of my ex-husband who told him that he loved to see the panic on the face of women he was dating when he turned up at least half an hour late. He came unstuck when one of his Tinder dates left before he arrived, and refused to see him after that. His plan had backfired as it was a second date of someone he really liked, but she obviously wouldn’t wear it the second time around.
Perhaps I am an old fashioned stickler for time keeping but the terminology ‘better late than never’ has never resonated with me, as when someone is late you can forgive them the first time if the excuse is really good, a sick relative, a bad traffic jam or accident on the Motorway, but when it occurs a second or third time I start to question their commitment to the meeting, whether it be social or professional.
You may accuse me of being ‘Timeist’ – perhaps we have invented a new word, but it is relevant to so many people and situations, and I feel that it has its place and should be regarded as such, after all where would we be without boundaries of time keeping whether it be mealtime, bedtime or party time. I rest my case!
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by Debbie | Apr 25, 2017 | Featured, GloWellness
It all started with a casual ‘aside’ to a male friend of mine, with whom I am in a ‘friend without benefits’ sort of relationship. I knew he wasn’t gay but he was the sort of bloke a girl likes to take shopping for clothes on occasion, as he gives an honest appraisal of an outfit.
So I was telling him about a ‘clothes swap’ taking place in my square in South London, and how we drink copious amounts of wine and eat lots of food and then pile the wears on the floor and try on each other’s clothes in front of a long mirror. A really healthy enjoyable gathering of female friends, and coming home at the end of the day with new gear and a new lease of life. A ritualistic meeting in my book, and my friend agreed, and said how envious he was and wanted to be at the next one.
Without any probing he then went on to tell me that he enjoyed dressing in women’s clothes, but insisted it stopped there. I was fascinated as I had known him for some time, and he then went on to tell me that it is more popular than we imagine.
I was a little surprised, but my mind went back to a neighbour some twenty or so years ago who was married to a well known rock star, who frequently wore her clothes around the house. I am not going to spill the beans on who it was, but let me tell you she was not in the slightest bit fazed by his behaviour, and even encouraged it as they would end up having great sex and she said she would prefer it be with her than some willing groupie, who would no doubt agree to do anything he asked for.
Another experience I had was when I shared a flat with two males when studying Drama at Performing Arts School. One of the students would go out at night dressed from head to toe in women’s clothes plus makeup. It took a while for us to find it out, as initially he did it in secret, but my other flat mate discovered it first. Then Rob (cover name) got bolder and bolder, and ended up walking into the lounge fully clad one Sunday afternoon to say ‘Hello’ to both of us. By that time we both knew and treated it as if it were a completely normal occurrence, so our friend remained cool and continued to cross-dress and apparently still does.
I did actually see him on a TV show wearing women’s clothes some years later, so it had obviously become the norm for him by then.
I also enjoyed both Tootsie with Dustin Hoffman and also the late Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire – not particularly because of the cross dressing, but because it seemed so natural to both male actors who carried it off superbly. But as far back as the early fifties in ‘Some Like It Hot’ starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis dress up in women’s clothes as as disguise to escape from their predicament.
Crossdressing has even been part of storylines in soap operas, who can forget Les & Pam’s story in Eastenders. Whilst Pam was shocked at first she learned to accept Les.
I am quite certain that the majority of us will have someone in our circle of male friends who either is a cross-dresser or knows someone who loves to wear women’s clothes.
I personally think it amazing that we have come so far and would encourage all of us to embrace it to the full. By the way, my friend is coming to the next clothes swap.
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