Showing posts with label #Q&A Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Q&A Interviews. Show all posts

March 31, 2026

👁️Meet my Italian Blog guest Silvia Tavascia from Milan


It’s been a while since I last welcomed a guest to the blog and I couldn’t think of a more inspiring artist to return with.

Today, I’m introducing you to the Italian composer Silvia Tavascia from Milan. She has recently released a stunning instrumental album featuring ten deeply atmospheric and emotionally rich tracks, now available across all major streaming platforms.

What makes Silvia’s journey especially remarkable is how she creates. While she has recently begun studying orchestration, her core approach remains deeply intuitive—she still composes primarily by ear, thinking less in traditional notes and more in hand positions on the piano. It’s a fascinating balance between instinct and structure: on one side, a spontaneous and emotional way of writing; on the other, a growing exploration of musical theory and harmony.

Without following a conventional path, she has developed a unique creative language that translates pure feeling directly into sound. In a world where many believe artistry must follow strict rules, Silvia is living proof that creativity can begin anywhere—and evolve in its own way, especially in a time where technology opens new doors for independent musicians.

I first connected with Silvia through Instagram, where so many independent artists quietly build, support, and uplift each other. Beyond her undeniable talent, she has shown up with generosity and kindness at moments when I truly needed it. That kind of presence doesn’t go unnoticed. From one artist to another, I have deep respect not only for her work, but for the person she is behind it - warm, genuine, and incredibly supportive.

It’s an absolute pleasure to have her here today.

I’ve listened to all ten tracks on her album, and each one carries its own emotional fingerprint. As a producer and lyricist myself, I know that no piece of music exists without a story behind it - sometimes spoken, sometimes felt.

So let’s dive a little deeper. First of all welcome to my Q & A. Let’s talk about your musical background?

I started singing in a gothic metal band when I was 18. That experience lasted 12 years and gave me so much. It introduced me to the expressive and communicative power of music, as well as the importance of the human side of every artist. In the band, I wrote lyrics and vocal lines, but I’ve always had a natural inclination for arranging songs with orchestral elements.

 

After the band broke up, I stepped away from music for a while. Discovering accessible technologies, like apps that allow you to compose music directly on your phone, brought me back to it—helping me reconnect, understand myself better, and express myself through music once again.

 

What inspired you to become a composer?

 

I’d say it’s been a natural journey… I’ve followed my instincts and my tastes, which have evolved over time. I’ve collaborated—and I’m currently collaborating—with an emerging director, and I’m writing some pieces for his second feature film.

I also study film acting, so all these worlds intersect and make me feel complete from an artistic and expressive point of view.

 

What is your typical workflow…?

 

It’s rare for me to start with a clear idea in mind. I usually just sit at the piano and begin to play, exploring chords and improvising melodies. Sometimes I feel an inner “click,” a kind of resonance—and that’s when I know the melody truly belongs to me. I record it, and then shape it over time, like working with clay.

 

Often, I become aware of my own emotions through what I create. It’s a form of self-analysis… like a page from a diary that we choose to share with the world.

 

What song are you most attached to from your album?

 

The song Deprivation, although connected to the pain of losing a parent, is something that helps me not to forget. When you lose someone important, the pain and the sense of absence—or deprivation—become the emotions that keep you connected to your memories and allow you to hold on to them.

 

I was especially drawn to your 5th track, The First Kiss”, and your 8th track, The Art of Connections.There’s something very intimate and evocative about both of them. What inspired these two pieces? 

 

The First Kiss is a song about the emotions of a first-time experience—a mix of fears, but also a beautiful excitement for something new and meaningful, like the beginning of a love story and that very first kiss. These are unforgettable moments that stay with us forever.

 

The Art of Connections, on the other hand, is one of the tracks where I experimented with blending orchestral and electronic sounds. It reflects the human need to create deep and meaningful connections.

 

Both songs share a sense of openness to new experiences, which is an essential part of who I am.

 

I love the meaning behind both songs. Who designed your album cover, and what message or feeling did you want it to convey?

 

For the cover of this project, I went to a photography studio specialized in iris photography. The eyes have a powerful ability to reveal who we are—if you look closely, you can notice colors and shades that usually go unseen. The same is true for people: we are made up of countless nuances that only a few are able to truly perceive.

 

That’s why the album is called INNER SPECTRUM. Every song is a shade of who I am.


Before releasing the album, I put out a series of singles featuring the same iris as the cover, presented in black and white with just one color highlighted—because each song represented a single, specific shade of my inner spectrum.

 

Fascinating, love the concept behind the design. Tell me how long did you work on this album from the first idea to the final release?

 

It took me almost a year. Many of the songs were written specifically for this project, while others are older pieces that I revisited and refined, because they still reflect who I am today.

 

As a lyricist, I have to ask you this question. Without lyrics, how do you tell a story or convey emotion through your music?

 

Music is a powerful form of communication, and the feedback I receive is that what I write resonates deeply with people on an emotional level. The melodic development and the harmonic changes I like to use to create emotional dynamics can feel like a journey or a story without words.

 

Was there a moment during this album where you felt stuck or unsure? How did you move through it?

 

Absolutely! I think it’s common for many artists to never feel completely satisfied with their work, because a strong sense of self-criticism constantly pushes us to do more. At the same time, every artist follows their own path, with its own timing—and I’ve learned to respect mine.

 

Do you prefer listeners to interpret your music freely, or do you have specific stories in mind for each track?

 

In general, I prefer to let everyone experience music freely, without influencing listeners too much with the specific meaning a song has for me. That said, I’m always delighted when someone is curious to know why I wrote a particular song.

 

As an independent artist, what has been the biggest challenge in releasing your music so far?

 

I love writing music, and I’m constantly working to improve the quality of what I create, which requires a great deal of effort. At the same time, I have to manage my social media and produce engaging content to promote myself, and that can sometimes be very demanding.


Still, the warmth and support of people like you, whom I’ve met through music, is an incredibly rewarding experience.

 

How do you want your music to make people feel?

 

I would like people to not feel alone, but understood. I want them to feel that their emotions are never wrong, and that many others experience the same uncertainties, the same joy, and the same hope for the future.

I’d love for my music to touch something deep within them, and at the same time say, “It’s the same for me.” I believe that’s the true magic of music.

I have to say how truly glad and grateful I am for this spring-inspired and empowering Q&A. It’s been such a joy to read your answers, and I’m wishing you all the best with this wonderful album—an album filled with love and passion in every single track.

I hope people connect with your work just as deeply as they connect with this Q&A, where they get the chance to discover the beautiful person and artist behind each meaningful song. Keep up the amazing work, and thank you for being such a kind, supportive, and inspiring fellow indie artist.

If you’d like to stay connected with Silvia’s work and follow her musical journey, you can find her on her socials here:

Album link

Instagram       Facebook     Youtube



July 21, 2021

My Special Blog Guest: The King of Dance (Part 3)




I hope you had the time to watch the documentary “Dance or Die” and all the other great videos (dance performances and interviews) that I shared about Ahmad Joudeh’s life journey in my previous two blog posts (Part 1) and (Part 2).  

If you have seen what I saw, you definitely agree that this beautiful soul is one of a kind. Ahmad Joudeh’s life story is not a Hollywood Fiction film. It is the reality of a young and innocent boy born in a refugee camp and living stateless for decades in Syria.

A little boy with a big dream made it from a refugee camp and a war zone to the international stage of the Eurovision Song Contest! From a stateless refugee boy to a proud Dutch. With his strong belief, passion, devotion, discipline, and love for dance, he made the impossible possible! Ahmad Joudeh is a global star and inspiration for everyone! 

According to UNHCR in the previous three years, one million children were born as Refugees. Many of these babies are born in refugee camps across the globe and the world is witnessing this cruel, heartbreaking and inhuman condition for decades.  

When COVID-19 changed the world in 2020, my first thought and prayers were with the refugees stuck in the horrible refugee camps. I asked myself what happens to them now. Who is going to take care of their misery?

At the same time, I was annoyed by peoples ongoing whining around me. All of a sudden, people were worried about their children’s education and future. Unemployment, no income, insecurity, fear, anxiety, depression, and mental illness became the new normality for everyone. And I mean every single human being, regardless of birthplace, nationality, passport, skin colour, gender, and religion. Everyone is in the same challenging and difficult situation! 

And my reaction was: "Good, now everyone knows how millions of innocent victims of war and refugees suffer for ages. Now they know how it feels like to be helpless and powerless about your own life decisions and choices. Now they know how it is to live day by day, night by night, worrying and not knowing what the next day will bring. Now they see how unhealthy the lack of perspective and uncertainty feels. Now they know how loneliness and social isolation troubles the mind, heart, and soul. Stop complaining about the Lockdowns. At least you have a warm and safe home with a roof over your head. What about the refugees serving in tents with no privacy and only limited access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment, and freedom of movement? Your worries and uncertainties are food, alcohol, and toilet paper. The refugees are struggling with hunger and the most inhuman, unhygienic, and unsanitary conditions for years."

Maybe now after 1,5 years living with a global pandemic, a few people will have a better understanding, compassion, and empathy with refugees! 

Watch my One-hour Zoom interview with this incredibly strong, confident, talented, amazingly beautiful soul. Ahmad Joudeh is not only a refugee camp survivor, war survivor, dancer, and choreograph, he is now a published writer with a mission! He has my full respect, admiration, and love and I wish him all the happiness and success in the world! 

Ahmad Joudeh's honest, eye-opening, educational, and inspiring memoir “Dance or Die” is a reminder for everyone out there who lives a privileged life in every imaginable aspect but doesn't appreciate it in every possible way! Stop making excuses and do something meaningful with your life! 


Pre-order "Dance or Die" on Amazon! 

 

July 11, 2021

My Special Blog Guest: The King of Dance (Part 2)



Welcome to the second part of my special guest's blog series. If you haven't read the first part, here we go

I’m happy and excited to inform you that I had the pleasure and honor to speak to the talented Dutch dancer and choreograph Ahmad Joudeh just one month after his incredible performance at the Eurovision Song Contest Second Semi-Final 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. After watching his dance, I knew that I had to interview him for my summer blog series about “Corona & Creativity”!

Ahmad Joudeh has a God-given gift and dancing is his “safe place” where he feels like the “Master of the Universe”. But Ahmad is more than just a passionate dancer and choreograph. He is a wise man with a mission. Watching the documentary about his life, “Dance or Die” is heartbreaking but also hopeful and eye-opening. Hopeful because he is a symbol for young and ambitious refugees, who want to be more than just a refugee for their entire life! 

Ahmad’s life story shows that with hard work, discipline, strong belief in yourself, creativity, and talent you can make the impossible possible and achieve whatever you want in life, despite obstacles by destiny and prejudice by society.

I'm so proud of this young man for using his voice and sharing his incredible life story with us. He is not just a dancer and choreograph, Ahmad is now also a published writer.  

Stay tuned for my one-hour Zoom Interview on July 21st, 2021. Ahmad and I talk about his passion for dance, his new book release “Dance or Die” which will be released on September 21. 2021 and much more. 

Meanwhile, get to know him better through the following videos.

Source: AhmadJoudeh.com / Wikipedia / Youtube






July 07, 2021

Q & A Interview with Composer & Pianist Elizabeth O.S. Chute


Creativity allows us to view and solve problems. It opens our minds. Especially in difficult and lonely time’s creativity is the best self-therapy and healing solution for our heart, mind, and soul. Creativity is the ability to generate, create, or discover new ideas, solutions, and possibilities. During this horrible global pandemic crisis, everyone was challenged in one or another way, which gave me the idea to feature a few creative guests in my summer blog series Corona & Creativity.

My next guest in my blog series 2021 is British singer, piano player, and composer Elizabeth. She lives in Italy and has created beautiful music pieces.

Elizabeth first of all thank you for being my blog guest. Tell me, what does creativity mean to you?

I would have to pay homage to the great Leonardo Da Vinci who said that creativity is being constantly curious and cultivating a mind that is eager to learn and observe.

Without a doubt the things that fuel my creativity include traveling to new places, observing the world, and learning new things.

THE CLOCK BY E.O.S.CHUTE

Click and purchase this beautiful music!

What is your favorite creative activity? 

Tough question this one as I have far too many. Music comes top – composing for piano and voice, second is cooking for family and friends, and then handiwork such as tapestry, dressmaking, and knitting.

Did you discover a creative activity or new passion during the corona Lockdown? What exactly? 

The joys of study: I spent March-November 2020 completing my part-time Master Degree in Business Administration, which I had started in 2017. One of many many paybacks from studying has been a more focused mind which has improved my composition skills.  For example, from writing essays I had new inspiration from thinking about how music can be a series of questions and answers. I also thought long and deep about authenticity and how to create a sound that is unique - as a result of using plagiarism checkers on essays to demonstrate correct citing and referencing of research.

Rediscovering old cooking recipes: I love food anyway, so the lockdown was a great excuse to pull out those recipes I had not cooked in a while – with lots of twists - as not all the ingredients were easy to find. 

For example: I tried out a 10 min fruit crumble made by simmering fruit for a few minutes, and toasting the shortcake mixture in a frying pan rather than baking in the oven. I recommend peach, apple, and plum versions!  All passed the husband test!

THE DREAM BY E.O.S.CHUTE

Click and purchase this beautiful music!

Do you think creative people are happier in general?

Wow. I can’t speak for other people. However, I personally find the creative process in composing music to be a lot of highs and lows – like a roller coaster. However, when that creativity brings joy and happiness to others – that magnifies my own happiness.

Elizabeth, would you say creativity is kind of a self-therapy?

For me, the means to creativity is a self-therapy as I so love the feeling of being free to visit new places, to observe and lose myself in thoughts. However, the actual creative process (say in music) is an exhausting blend of exhilaration and self-doubt which leads to sleepless nights when creative ideas hijack any chance of switching off to get a good night’s rest!

A WALTZ FOR RITA BY E.O.S.CHUTE

Click and purchase this beautiful music!


Would you say that creative people are more driven and disciplined?

Personally, I see drive and discipline being important elements in my journey to building technical mastery and completing a work of creativity. At the same time when it comes to music or writing lyrics, so many of my creative ideas come when I am least expecting them - for the most part when in a relaxed, de-focused, and happy state of mind.

The meaning of “Creativity” is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness! Creativity is going beyond the usual, stepping outside of the box. It can be defined in many ways, such as how a person explores ideas or uses different ways to solve issues and how one experiences life. So, what was your original idea, or what did you create during lockdown? You can list more than one.

In 2020, unprecedented levels of fear, uncertainty, and grief - from Covid, Brexit and a family bereavement inspired me to write a piece of music for piano called ‘Winds of Change’ as a way of accepting events and letting them go to move forward in a positive way.

While you may have natural creativity skills, there are also skills that can be learned and developed over time. Would you say your creative skills are natural or trained?

Both. An innate talent or aptitude can but only flourish through training or observing others.  

THE FOUNTAIN BY E.O.S.CHUTE

Click and purchase this beautiful music!

A new study from researchers has found that women are engaged in creative fields like art, music, and literature at higher rates than men and are generally more creative than men. What are your thoughts on that?

That sounds like a highly valuable study and I Googled the study to find out more. I found the researcher's conclusion that women are “divergent thinkers, their work benefits from social interaction, they thrive in collaborative settings, and they’re forced to work harder than men areto be very compelling.

Do you think being creative and productive is also related to season? For example, are you more creative in the summer or in winter?

I have never thought about creativity as related to season. You have got me thinking now!

Find creative words to describe yourself to my blog visitors.

Caffeinated, compassionate, and curious

Thank you, Elizabeth for being my blog guest in 2021 and best of luck with all your creative activities and projects. If you like to know more about Elizabeth's music, follow her on SoundCloud visit her website and her music store!

Blog

Website

Twitter 


July 01, 2021

My Special Blog Guest: The King of Dance (Part 1)


Read the second part   /  third part

On the second Semi-Final of ESC2021, I was fascinated by the beautiful dance performance of the ballet dancer Ahmad Joudeh. I had to watch it over and over again. I had no clue about his incredible and unbelievable life story until I googled his name. And I have to admit I couldn’t hold back my tears. His life story touched me deeply.


Ahmad Joudeh was born in the Palestinian refugee camp Jarmuk on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus. His father was the son of a Palestinian refugee and his mother came from Palmyra, Syria. Nevertheless, Ahmad grew up as a stateless refugee. He spent the first few years isolated in the camp, where he also attended school.

Ahmad first came into contact with dance at the age of eight as a spectator of a school performance of Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake. After this experience, he wanted to become a dancer. He taught himself to dance and was accepted into the Syrian ballet company in Damascus at the age of 16. He completed his first professional training until 2015 in the fields of ballet, gymnastics, and modern dance.

In the course of the civil war in Syria in 2011, Ahmad's family lost their home and five relatives in a bomb attack. Because of his activity as a dancer, he was exposed to threats from Islamist extremists. They threatened to behead him or shoot him in the leg because his profession was against religion. But he pursued dancing further and had the words "Dance or Die" in Hindi tattooed on his neck. This was done out of appreciation for Indian culture, which knows a god of dance. If terrorists had tried to carry out their threats and behead Ahmad, they would have had to look to his motto when they donned their swords.


In 2014 he was a contestant in the Arab version of So You Think You Can Dance. He made it to the semi-finals. But because he was a Palestinian without national identity, he was told he could not win. Nevertheless, his appearances brought him to the attention of Dutch filmmaker Roozbeh Kaboly, who produced a documentary that aired on Dutch television.




Ahmad Joudeh became known to an international audience outside the Arab region from August 2016 through a report by Dutch/Iranian artist Roozbeh Kaboly. He discovered Ahmad on his University's Facebook page. The television journalist traveled to Damascus and documented the daily life of the dancer and his family during the Syrian civil war for the Dutch broadcaster NOS 'news program.

Kaboly's report was subsequently shown in other countries, including France and the United Kingdom. Moved by the television report, Ted Brandsen, artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet, initiated the “Dance for Peace Fund campaign” to invite Ahmad Joudeh to the Netherlands and study at the national ballet academy there.

With a student visa, he could legally leave Syria and move to Amsterdam. In his new home, he made his debut with Brandsen's ballet company in December 2016 in a production by Coppélia.

Ahmad is living in Amsterdam since October 2016 and has received Dutch citizenship in 2021. His book (Dance or Die) was among twelve selected books out of over 160 submissions from more than 30 countries at the Berlinale 2019 in Germany.

Isn’t this an incredible and touching life story with a strong message? What an unusual life. What an exceptional and strong character! What an extraordinary talent! What an amazing soul and personality! 

Stay tuned for my "One-hour Zoom Interview" with the King of Dance Ahmad Joudeh! We will be talking about the release of his memoir "Dance or Die" on 21. September 2021, his passion for dance, and his message to young refugees and people, who are against refugees!

Meanwhile, watch the following inspiring videos. You are about to witness an exceptionally talented and inspiring soul. You are about to get amazed!

Read the second part of the blog series

Source: AhmadJoudeh.com / Wikipedia / Youtube





 STAY TUNED FOR MY ZOOM INTERVIEW 

WITH MY SPECIAL BLOG GUEST 

DANCER AND WRITER AHMAD JOUDEH

ON JULY 21TH 2021! 





June 29, 2016

Q&A Interview with British young Actor Guy Potter

 
Each one of us has a story to tell and everyone we meet is fighting a battle we know nothing about. This section “The Q & A Interview with inspiring people” is dedicated to exceptional personalities, who either have something to educate us or to inspire us.

Today I want you to meet Guy Potter, a young British actor and Film production company owner from London. Despite his young age Guy is without a doubt an inspirational personality with a mature attitude towards Life and his work in the film industrie. Also not many actors in his age have names of Hollywood Stars like Tom Cruise or Robert Downey Jr. on their Vita.
 

"Experiencing people like Tom Cruise &
Christoph Waltz do their thing left a
huge impression on me." Guy Potter

Guy the reason why I asked you for a “Q&A interview” is because I feel that you are an old soul trapped in a young body. :-) I read one of your recent interviews and I could easily pick a dozen of inspiring quotes. Quotes that not only inspire artistic people, but everyone about your admirable attitude towards Life and work in general. I quote one example: “Have absolute faith in your ability and set no limits” is one of my favourite. So how come that you are such a wise soul? Any explanations? :-)
Well… I’m not too sure, maybe they caught me on a good day…! I think it’s probably something to do with clarity of purpose. With something like acting its essential you get how there and experience as much as possible, you also meet a lot of people who all have different reasons for being  in the acting world and different motivations, - that sense of mixed purpose is great, but it also gets balanced out by a lot of extra noise. You sometimes encounter people doubting themselves and setting limits, and by its nature that will restrict what they achieve. Too many plan b’s or c’s, “what if this fails” or “what if that doesn’t work out” and suddenly you’re not focused on the plan A, and then it’ll never work out. The more I hear of that kind of thing, the more it makes you assess your core values and really focus.

Nicely said! :-) Guy there are not many young actors in your age, who can actually say that they recently worked on Film productions with Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz and Robert Downey Jr. So how did you feel, when you knew you would be on the film set like Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation? Was it as great and exciting as it sounds?

It absolutely is, if not even more so, as sometimes you wont know what the film is until you’re there, they use working title’s which can be confusing but that’s why they exist. For instance Avengers was called ‘AfterParty’ and then when you’re in wardrobe and you see an Iron Man costume it’s a bit of a shock! It’s a ‘try and be cool about it’ moment from then on out. I’ve done a lot of productions that aren’t nearly as big, but when you’re on a major studio film you cant help but be over awed by what’s going on around you, everything’s on a scale you cant imagine.

You were in these movies as an actor, unfortunately, uncredited (for now), but what was the best lesson for you acting and production-wise and why? Which one of these stars did you actually saw in action or get to talk to?

Well as it is for everyone else too, some of the scenes I’ve worked on get cut out, I did a week on Maleficent that never saw the light of day, but if the scene does get used and I’m left out, I’m almost in a constant battle with IMDb about it.

I’d say Tarzan was the biggest lesson. That was the first time I saw how a big production works. Me and a couple others got drafted in during the summer of 2014 and we had many weeks of boot camp for a fight scene, we had history lessons, military drill’s, firearm workshops, an audience with a guy who’d actually lived in the jungle with gorilla’s… you name it.  That was the beginning of me being interested in how a film is made right from it’s beginning. Sadly the scene got changed before filming and they went with something else instead… a shame, but thing’s change right up until the last minute you get used to it. I won't rely on anything till it physically comes out and I’m in it now!

That geared me up for Rogue Nation quite well though, I was a stand-in for Jeremy Renner and that evolved into working on the motorbike chase scene, doing pick-ups & re-shoots at Warner Bros Studios near London. I’d watched those movies since I was a kid and that was a great few months. If you have the opportunity to get involved with a big production, it’s worth it at any level. You come across some of the biggest names in the industry and get to see them do their job first hand: how they interpret the scenes you’ve seen that day and how they perform it - that’s a better master-class than money can buy. Experiencing people like Tom Cruise & Christoph Waltz do their thing left a huge impression on me.

I write a monthly #Lilywood review where I list my personal #MUSTC and #WOT (Waste of Time) Movies. What are your TOP three #MUSTC movies and why? And which three are your #WOT movies and why?
I agree a lot with what you’ve said on there. I think a summer or two ago, there were at least four major studio films out and every single one of their ending sequences involved a city getting invaded/destroyed at the end. I mean, it’s the same plot! Just repackaged in a different film… sometimes you need a dose of reality.
Top three #MUSTC, well I always enjoy looking back on a successful actor’s career and studying their path to see what choices they made, you can find some gems doing that. I’d go for ‘A River Runs Through It’ directed by Robert Redford starring a Young Brad Pitt, great little film about life in Montana. I really like The Last Samurai, which is a blend of a big production with the feel of a smaller one, but it’s just such a great narrative. More recently I saw ‘Whiplash’ and was just mesmerized, the last ten minutes are something else.

In term of the Waste Of Time’rs, well I’m really going off the whole superhero thing, (despite having worked on one!) in Isolation they can be great but just the whole churning out the same re-worked formula put’s me off, but I suppose that’s hard to avoid with the whole ‘Marvel Universe’.
I cant name specific’s but sometimes I like watching movies that are not so good to just learn how not to do something. When you watch a good movie you get lost in the narrative after a while, but with a bad one you can really analyze what’s not working.


You started acting at a young age in school. After training in stage you transitioned to film where you feel more at home. You have visited several Academy courses in Los Angeles and London, including the extensive Stunt & Firearms training at Warner Bros studios you mentioned earlier. Meanwhile, you have done short films, commercials and played roles in television. What was the best experience during your educational years? And what was the worst and most challenging one and why? Also as an actor do you prefer to play a good and nice character or a bad and nasty person?

Well, my appendix rupturing whilst doing a run of ‘My Fair Lady’ in the theatre wasn’t great! I thought I was just sick and could power through it, the Director suggested she could go out and read off the script but I was having none of it. I went out and did three nights in a daze, I got through it but collapsed the day after and was in hospital for two weeks. Best experience, well I really enjoyed a summer at The American Academy of Dramatic art in LA – the quality of alumni is almost intimidating.

On par with that it has to be stunt related training, I love that – the choreography, the combat, the research and training, sword and firearm, motorbike’s and driving it all just adds a great dynamic to a performance, its an art form in itself. As an actor doing characters, someone with depth I really enjoy getting into character and doing the research and fleshing them out, the more of that the better really. I’ve got to be able to relate to them too, anything superficial and I’m gone. Ryan Gosling’s character’s he’s played and his body of work to where he got today is really something, it’s to be admired.

You recently worked with the Queen of England. Well not the real one, but a young actress, who is playing Queen Elizabeth II as a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world's most famous monarchy  in the TV Series “The Crown. How did it feel like to be part of a historical production like this where the story it based on your countries history?
Yes, I suppose I did! Claire Foy is playing Queen Elizabeth, she went to a friend of mine’s drama school and they’re very proud of her there. I didn’t have a scene with her unfortunately but I did watch them filming in the next room. It uses real locations and travels all over the country, my scenes were done on The Mall just down from Buckingham Palace, so it’s as real as you’ll get. I’m singing in that one too actually, it’s a huge production put on by Netflix and the trailer looks great, I think it will go down really well, especially as Downton Abbey is no more… quite a good time to be a Brit!




I can’t believe that I’m saying this. But you have actually founded an independent production company “High Sierra Films“ in London because you want to be more involved in the filmmaking process. As if that’s not admiring enough for a young man in your age, you are actually working right now on your first independent film. What can you tell us about your first project? Will you be in front or behind the camera or both?
That’s very true I have yes, I founded High Sierra Films because as an actor you’re just a small cog in a big machine and I think it’s essential to understand how the machine works. You’d be surprised how many of the big actors have their own production companies; sometimes I see their logo’s turn up before a totally unrelated production to their normal body of work and it's interesting to see what they get up to.
We helped with a film festival in Los Angeles last year but right now we’re doing a short called “Whatever the Weather” in conjunction with a production company called French 75. I’m behind the camera this time, we’ve got a chap called Schaffer McLean in front and it’s looking great so far, a feature is in the works but for now we’re focused on this.


I can’t help it, but I feel that the quality of movies has changed drastically in the last decades. Animation and Special effect wise the movies are on top, but story-wise the more time goes by the less I found inspiring and touching stories. The film industry is either re-producing old blockbusters or producing uninspiring action and crime films for fast, easy money. What will your production company produce? What will be the legacy of “High Sierra Films“?

Our goal right from the start was ‘to produce inspiring movies and media’. You have to have a good narrative and story, once you’ve got that it’s about making it enticing to an audience whilst finding your angle on the storytelling. Finding a team to work with that can nurture a project through the stages is the priority, and it has to be collaborative. It’s funny, no matter what level of filmmaking you witness, they all have the fundamentals in common, just on bigger levels - even on Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation thing’s were sometimes improvised… that really threw me! We’re at a point now where we’ve got a few projects in motion, all at different stages, but I suppose our legacy would be to make a difference and to bring something to light that hasn’t been seen before. I’d really like to tie-in a future project with environment and wildlife protection, that’s a pretty big passion of mine.

I don’t know if you have seen my “Entertain & Educate post” about my Film project plans. But as you see I’m trying to make a short film and a featured Film happen. So what advice do you have for me and other Authors, who want to bring their stories on screen? How should we approach production companies and make them a part of our journey?
Well, I would start first by getting involved with the local film community in some way, whether that be at a film school or film festival level - they have huge connections in the film world as they act like a hub for people trying to collaborate. Ideally, you need a team of like-minded people involved, a director, a producer etc - people who can share the same vision and get on board. Have a good narrative, find your angle and target audience - make it enticing.

Get all your ducks in a row and package it well, and then comes a point where you have to leave creativity behind and go into business mode… many people hand that over to someone else at that point as that becomes hard with your own project. People in high up production companies need to be shown that it will be a success, and the more you can do that the better… but once a few people are on board and it picks up momentum… who knows who may come across it and there’s no telling where it could end up.

Guy if I was an Angel and would ask you right now and right here, what is your biggest professional or personal dream, desire, goal, or wish. What would you answer?

Interesting one! Well, professionally it would be to have the ability to chose a project, I’d like to be in a place where there were more options, though I’m sure everybody would... aside from that it would be good if people were a bit more inclusive with each other, there’s a lot of division at the moment and not much progress comes from that. I went to a Coldplay concert recently and they’ve made a choice to put in as much energy and feeling in as possible, and you get a show that’s full of ambition, colour, high energy, and trying to get people to unite in something and have a great time. The positivity emitting from everyone after that was amazing, it was on a different level… we could do with some of that in everything we do.

What a beautiful and selfless answer Guy. And I say it again: You are an old soul.:-) So last but not least, ever since Im working on the last book of my trilogy “Definition of Love”, I ask all my inspirational interview partners these two questions. What is your definition of Love in three words? What is your definition of Love in one sentence?  I can’t wait to hear the answer to these two questions from a wise soul like yours. :-)
“You… complete… me.” how about that, or is that too cheesy?! I couldn’t not say it… that’s a great scene in Jerry Maguire.
I think it’s hard to define, the very reason you can't explain it is what makes it so great for people, you can't force it or genuinely try and make it up, it doesn’t happen often and when it does, it takes you completely by surprise… something with that much of influence on someone is a powerful thing.
 
Guy, it was really a pleasure to do this interview with you. I have no doubt that you will make your way and I look forward to seeing you in Action in front as well as behind the camera. I wish you the best of success as an actor and as a film producer.





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Pictures: Thanks @ Guy Potter