Friday 22 April 2011

Inspiring Shit: Rocky Horror Picture Show


Some of you who had the (doubtable) honour to meet me personally know that I am a special brand of crazy. I often convince myself the right brand of crazy yet that is up for interpretation.
When my dear friend Babz introduced me to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, I immediately knew I had found my new favourite film in the whole world. It is a mixture of insanity with most of the cast being typical outcasts, yet making it look incredibly cool to be one.


For those of you who don't know anything about the film, it was originally a stage production, in 1975 I believe, before being converted to the screen. It's about a couple, Brad and Janet, who get car trouble and seek refuge in an old scary castle, only to be greeted by aliens and in particular Dr. Frank 'N Furter, who is a transvestite from the planet Transsexual in the galaxy of Transsylvania. He created a perfect human, the blonde Rocky and that is the start of a series of weird events.


The plot isn't very layered and it doesn't have to be. The weird songs and variety of characters are enough. It is actually a parody on horror films from that time. When the film was released, it was quickly forgotten. Luckily the hardcore fans saved it from oblivion and it soon became a cult hit. The film is best to be seen in theatres, where audience participation takes place. It is still shown at midnight screenings now and then and I definately want to attend a screening once. Fans dress up as characters, take props that are used during particular scenes in the film. Everyone is accepted, no matter who you are. It's all about being free and being whoever you want to be, and sexuality isn't shunned either, no matter if it is man and woman, man and man or two ladies together. And that is what appeals most to me, not being afraid of judgements and just living the way you want to because you fucking can! Not to mention Tim Curry is a brilliant transvestite. I prefer him this way than him scaring the living daylight out of me as It the Clown.
I think it is brilliant that it has become such a cult-hit. Here's an example of the audience participation, these are taken at the 35th anniversary screening. The first one is Dammit Janet, performed by Matthew Morrison and Lea Michelle from Glee. Just listen to the audience singing along and screaming, especially during the second one:





The Rocky Horror Picture Show is not for everybody. You have to be slightly insane to get it and appreciate it. For all those years it has been a safe place for freaks and outcasts, such as me, to be themselves among people who think the same. Nobody judges you.

As Dr. Frank 'N Furter sings in the film: Don't Dream It, Be It!
Best advice anyone could ever give.

Here are some clips you should check out. If you are open-minded and slightly crazy, this might be the film for you!



Monday 18 April 2011

I love this

It's been a while

Hello to all the 3 readers who still come on hopeful to find a new blog. At last, I am writing a new one.

I've been extremely busy the past few months which almost resulted in a nervous breakdown or at least a smashed window here and there. The past 10 weeks I've been an intern at a school, teaching kids the wonderful magic of the English language. In my first few weeks I already had a very distressing moment as the class decided to go all out against me. Luckily I managed to control them in the weeks to come. Right now I'm in my last week of the internship, and there is a project going on so my duties for now will be to guide the students through the project. Easy peasy Lemon Squeezy as my Grammar teacher would say.
It's a tough job, teaching. That is one thing I know for sure now. For a moment I thought it would be good for me to move to Amsterdam and start doing a course in English at the Uni. Considering the current situation in the Netherlands regarding studying (if you have 1 year of study delay for whatever reason, you have to pay a fine of 3000 euros), I decided to finish this course. I actually started liking teaching very much, although I'm not sure how I will feel about it in a while. At least I will have a grade which is beneficial.

Last week I had exams. The pressure of internship was added up to the pressure of learning for these necessary evils. It meant I had to skip the studytrip to Bath, Cardiff and Bristol. I just wouldn't be able to manage. I'm still waiting for my grades and I hope the results are good. Don't we always hope that?

Apart from my study load at school, there have been two other things I've been working on.

The first thing is arranging meet&greet winners for the KatyPerryForum. Katy has been very generous in providing us 5 passes for each show, and of course winners have to be chosen. It seems easy but it's a tough job. I received daily emails from fans who were not eligible, begging me if I could give them tickets. It's tough being put in that position of constantly having to reject people but the rewarding side of it is what makes it easier to do. I enjoy receiving emails of people who are so grateful that they've met their idol. It gives me a lot of joy.

Also, as many of you might know my other blog Fairytales before Dark, several others and myself are working in creating a book out of it. It will be wonderfully illustrated and it's going to be edited soon and I seriously can't wait to show you the finished piece!

Well, that was all I had to say for now. Until next time!

Xxx

Ing