KT Dodge

Archive for September, 2007

Today my husband gave me a copy of ‘Final Draft’ as a rather belated birthday present. This is a computer programme that aides you to format scripts. I must say I am really excited about using it and pleased to have received it. Now I have actually no excuse not to finish all those scripts that I have started … and not finished.

The other week I went up for an audition for a feature film (a small part I might add) with Dustin Hoffman. You never really know whether you’ve done very well or not as you just get filmed by a ‘Casting Agent’ who then sends the tapes off to the Director/Producers. However, for this particular film ‘Last Chance Harvey’, I was asked the normal questions to give my name and agent, and in addition to state my height …. Being only 5 feet tall I’m sure I wouldn’t tower above Hoffman … but this led me to believe that ‘tall’ actresses were not able to participate in this casting!

I am pleased to announce that my brother Perry Benson is doing another creative venture with Shane Meadows (The Brit flick Director of Dead Man’s Shoes and This is England). He’s going to be in a short film based in North London (a departure from the North of England where all the other films have so far been set). If this film follows suit I assume it will be nice and gritty as most of Shane’s film’s seem to err on this side of life.

My husband is beginning to get worried about me. He says I’m becoming obsessed!! Because I am finding myself becoming more and more involved with every aspect of Facebook. It’s actually been really good for me as many people I have not seen or spoken to for years are gradually getting in contact with me again through this network. Not only that but, It also allows you to make new friends with people who have the same interests as you. People have such busy lives these days so being able to ‘alert’ people to social gatherings and parties in a click of a button is just great. Indeed not having to rely on royal mail to make sure your invitation gets there is a bonus too. So I say thumbs up for Facebook ….long may it remain.

I am currently sitting in the sun, looking out across the ocean in Maine with a cool breeze gently blowing through my hair. I feel so relaxed and ready to apply myself to the task of finishing all those ‘unfinished’ TV plays that I’ve brought with me.

However, before my writing task begins I am being ‘dragged’ screaming to Freeport, a discount shopping mecca to exercise a bit of retail therapy and find a few bargains - well I can’t miss that can I?

When Andrew booked our flight with Virgin to the US, I was a little hesitant to say the least, especially as our last experience with them was not that good. Last time every request was greeted with a rude negative answer and service was non-existent. However, this time on Virgin, I am pleased to report that it was a completely different experience. The crew were friendly and could not do enough to help everyone. They resolved all problems/issues professionally and quickly, for example, when we initially sat down, we had been allocated two seats in a four seat section and next to us was a mum, a dad and their 18 month old daughter who was wedged standing between her mothers legs. Apart from the safety issues, this was going to make for an uncomfortable 7 hour ride for all of us. They asked to move and this was quickly taken care of because there was space on the plane and we got four seats to ourselves which always makes for a great plane journey …. and the food and entertainment was good too.

I must admit that I do not have much sympathy for the ’strike’ that is currently taking place and disrupting ‘underground’ services for three whole days. It seems that Bob Crowe and his members think it is okay to hold Londoners to ransom over their demands to ensure their pension does not diminish under ‘new management’. Not happy with guarantees from Ken Livingston (well who would be) they still went on strike. Maybe the weather forecast for this week helped with their srike decision as lets face it it’s much better to picket whilst it’s sunny out!! I am only glad that I do not have to use the underground system this week as I can imagine that commuting has just become unbearable and much more stressful than it already is. I feel sorry for all those people who have no option but to find a way to get to work.

This may worry some of my English friends but I’ve discovered that Beattie, my brother’s dog, a Border Terrier likes watching Fox news. She watched it for about half an hour.. at one point we even thought we heard her say ’shush’ because we were laughing so much.

Well on Friday night we came back to the flat to find that our communal aerial didn’t seem to be working. We tried everything, unplugging things, switching things on and off but to no avail. Then we called ‘repairs’ to find that they only work weekdays 8.30 til 5.00pm. So we were stuffed until Monday! Why do things always break out of hours. Anyhow, I was suffering from TV withdrawal and Andrew suggested an alternative - downloading programmes from itunes. It was great, we downloaded exactly what we wanted and then sat through a marathon of shows… and couched more than if the TV hadn’t gone wrong!