Brando

Lately (ah, it was probably a new years resolution of some sorts), I’ve been thinking that I should start getting out there and trying new things. I do love work, but I don’t want to make my whole life about going to work, coming home, eating dinner and going to bed. So I got out Google and took to the sites to see what I could do.

I went to an arts high school (kinda like Fame) and I majored in drama. I haven’t done an acting class since then. But when I started doing some voice over work for Brando I thought it would be fun to get back into it. I found a weekly casual workshop that happens on Tuesday nights in Dublin. After about 3 weeks of working too late on a Tuesday to make it, I thought I would never be able to go. But this Tuesday I was, and although I was terrified – I forced myself out of my comfort zone and did it anyway.

The workshop was on Improv and some of the people in the class were just amazing! They never fumbled, or stood there saying “Uhhh…” which I just prayed never happened to me. I felt really rusty, but I made myself volunteer for all the things the instructor had us do and I had a really good time. I forgot that drama people aren’t really judgy. Everyone is up making a fool of themselves so everyone is in the same boat.

I started thinking that knowing how to do improv is actually amazing for working in advertising. You have to think quickly and come up with tons of different ideas for whatever is thrown your way. You also have to be confident and be able to present in front of people. You have to have a thick skin, because if you flop up on that stage you have to be able to brush it off and start fresh. That’s our job right? Coming up with ideas, presenting said ideas, and brushing it off if people say that idea is sh*t – and then starting all over again.

So while trying to do something outside of work, I actually found something that would help with work. That’s what I get for trying new things.