PODCAST · arts
The Director's Diary
by Alexander Palmer
This podcast is simple, every week I’m going to share my personal diary with you. I want to give you an open-source insight into what it’s like to make work as an artist, as a director - what it is really like.This is not scripted, this is direct from my diary. I have no agenda. I am not selling anything. This is about being open and honest and sharing my struggles and the difficulties I face on a day-to-day basis and how I look to overcome them. My name is Alex Palmer, this is the Director’s Diary. It’s no one’s intention to share a diary, so if you’re listening to this keep it close and use it well.
Episodes
-
C33: All actors need to hear this
All actors need to hear this. The top DOs and DON'Ts from the auditioning process. Here Alex lays out top tips to stand out and what mistakes to avoid when applying for roles.
-
C32: Rhiannon White - Class, Activism and Embracing the anarchy
Rhiannon White, co-founder and co-director at Common Wealth. Common Wealth are an Arts Council NPO who make socially charged, activist and site-based work. Interestingly they work out of two cities, Cardiff and Bradford. Rhiannon fronts the Welsh side of the company and here we learn about her...
-
C31: Jess Sweet- How to start with nothing and trust your instincts
Jess Sweet runs CLAY (Centre for Live Art Yorkshire). CLAY is an ambitious, lively and welcoming live art venue in Leeds. In this chapter Jess speaks about what it was like to quit her job, her relationship and leave her accommodation to then go on to build something. This chapter has multiple...
-
C30: Paul Smith & Middle Child - It could have ended after 6 months, but here's why it didn't.
Paul Smith has helped build Middle Child into one of the industry-leading companies in the UK. For years Middle Child have been recognised for their exciting, dynamic performance style. But 6 months into their journey, Paul admits they nearly stopped everything. Luckily they didn't and lucky for…
more -
C29: Nathan Geering: Innovating access, the mindset of an artist & listening to your authentic self
This week we speak to Nathan Geering, co-artistic director of Theatre Deli, Chief Exec of Rationale Arts, Accessibility innovator, TED X speaker, Published author, award-winning film maker. This chapter sheds light on what we can all do to make our art more accessible and why it is important....
-
C28: Gecko Theatre- Amit Lahav- The creative process & Telling the human story.
Amit Lahav, the Artistic Director of Gecko Theatre comes onto the podcast to share his journey with us. And what a journey it is. From moving from Israel to London as a boy, to finding his love of performing in an unlikely fashion to setting up the company. Amit shares how he thinks about his...
-
C27: RashDash - On becoming Mothers, Activism and Dismantling the Patriarchy
This is a topic we haven't covered but will affect most of us. It has always felt like I have carried around a fear of being an artist becuase I know I want to have a family one day. "How will I do that?", "Will I be able to do that?", "What will I need to sacrifice?". Here Helen and Abbi from...
-
C26: To go to London or not to go to London, that is the question.
If there was one question that unites all freelancers in the arts, this is it. Do I move or stay? Do I go to London because of its possibilities and opportunities or are these even more competitive than the positions in the regions? Alex has collated responses from people in the industry…
more -
C25: Clem Garritty- Swamp Motel and making M*N£¥ in theatre
Clem Garritty is the co-founder and creative director at Swamp Motel. Swamp Motel creates entertainment that blurs boundaries between theatre, film and gaming. By giving audiences a pivotal role within story-worlds, Swamp Motel’s innovative productions are always live, social and thrilling…
more -
C24: Today was the exact reason for making this podcast
If I am honest, I am a little nervous to put this out. This is probably the most honest I have been on this podcast. I haven't had a good week and feeling quite defeated about things. Showing you the reality of working and living in the arts is what this podcast is all about, so I felt compelled…
more -
C23: Thomas Maller - Pushing the boundaries of live experience, Secret Cinema and Gatsby
Thomas Maller has gone from 6 people seeing his first show to creating some of the most internationally acclaimed experiences with well known titles such as 'Dr Strangelove’, ‘28 Days Later’, ‘Blade Runner’, 'Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘Casino Royale’ which opened in London 2019 and transferred to...
-
C22: Nick Moran- Escape Room Master - Creator of Time Run & BBC's Sherlock: The Official Live Game.
Nick Moran is one of the trailblazers within the escape room industry. Having built some of the UK's most successful escape games this chapter pulls back the curtain to reveal what it was like to create such experiences. This conversation, recorded in December 2021 is full of amazing insights…
more -
C21: Sharon Watson - On Diversity and what it means to be a leader
Sharon Watson MBE is CEO and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Prior to this, she was the longest-standing Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. Her journey with the company began when she was one of the first female Principal Dancers invited to join the all-male...
-
C20: Bertie Watkins - From a company of one to running 4 venues across London.
Bertie Watkins is the founder of COLAB. A London based Immersive Theatre company comprising of different theatre companies working together to create the first home for Immersive Theatre. Bertie opens his diary here to talk about how he went from making a show on his own, to creating one of the...
-
C19: Amy Letman - How an experiment turned into an international festival
Season Two kicks off with a really special guest. Amy Letman is one of the most prolific producers in the North, if not the UK. Amy has recently been named as one of The Stage's top 25 people in the industry. She is also the Creative Director of Transform Festival which always hosts a wide array…
more -
C18: Working from home, how to optimise your productivity.
We are BACK! The diary flicks open and Season 2 of the podcast returns. In this chapter we make a commitment to you for the future. Alex also talks about working from home and opens up his diary to share practical steps to make you more productive. This season Alex is joined with an unreal list…
more -
C17: Amy Leach - Positivity and The Role of the Director
Amy Leach is the Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse, here she reveals her journey from youth theatre to setting up an award-winning comany (En Masse) to her professional work. Amy speaks openly about how she thinks about her work, the role of the director and how she runs a room.
-
C16: Breaking the mould and defying convention. A conversation with Jo Crowley and Rosie Clark.
Here Alex talks to two talented and ambitious producers. Simply put, this chapter is a must for any aspiring producer or theatre-maker. Jo Crowley is the Executive Producer at 1927, a multi-award winning independent Performance Company that specialises in combining performance and live music with...
-
C15: Emma Beverley - Producer, Programmer, Director
This week our special guest is Emma Beverley. Emma is a Producer and Programmer of multiple artforms, who has made and presented award-winning artworks in a range of contexts: including the Royal Court Theatre and British Council Showcase, pubs, clubs, cafes and derelict storage units. In 2021…
more -
C14: Kate McGrath- Fuel and Freelancers
In Chapter 14, we hear from Kate McGrath, Director at Fuel (@Fueltheatre) who are an independent proceeding company working with visionary artists to realise groundbreaking work. Artists such as Sound&Fury, Fevered Sleep and David Rosenberg. In this episode, we uncover an unfiltered account of...
-
C11: Contracts - Rebalancing the power
Why is it always the way that contracts are written FOR freelancers and never the other way around? How do we go about addressing this power imbalance? Here, Alex sheds light on a real event which happened to Riptide during the COVID pandemic, it shows the importance of having the right things in...
-
C13: Feel the fear and do it anyway
In our heads we sometimes elevate the consequences of getting something wrong, and this fear of failure becomes one of the main obstacles when making work. In Chapter 12, Alex talks about his mindset when making work and how to overcome the fear of failure but also the fear of success.
-
C12: Move the needle - How to keep going
How do we keep going in the face of lockdown, or a massive mountain of a project? Alex talks about tactics he uses to tackle how to keep moving, how to build habits and how to slowly move the needle. Here he also discusses the 'freelancer guilt' of not working and has an interesting provocation…
more -
C10: Acting, Mentors and forging your own path
Ryan is an actor, film-maker and videographer. Here he talks openly about his own process, specifically how to get and use mentors and tactics he uses to diversify his skillset as well as how to stay creative and productive. A must-listen for any performer or artist forging trying to get their…
more -
C9: The certainty of uncertainty, finding the positives in crisis
In Chapter Nine, Alex opens up about what it has been like in lockdown and offers advice and finds positives to what can be a very stressful and troubling time.
-
C8: How a fish can generate ideas
In Chapter Eight, I interview actor and writer, James Underwood. Interestingly James works across traditional mediums of art and writes for comedy, theatre and film. James is also the co-founder of Arts at the Arms, a performing arts platform for local artists which champions new-writing and work...
-
C7: How to start and hire well
It is the beginning of a new year and what better topic than how to start? This chapter covers key questions that Alex feels are important when starting a project. It also covers the topic of hiring and Alex illuminates his process as Riptide seek new people for their latest project.
-
C6: Touring Bin Laden, doing Edinburgh right & working with venues
In Chapter Six, I interview a director, who is a good friend and someone I have admired for a long time. Tyrrell Jones is a director, producer and writer as well as the co-artistic director of Knaive Theatre. Here Tyrrell opens up honestly about what it is like to set up a theatre company from...
-
C5: Plagiarism vs Inspiration
In Chapter Five, Alex talks about real-life events that have provoked discussion within the company. This chapter explores questions such as; when does something become plagiarism and theft, and when is it taking inspiration?
-
C4: Becoming A Writer: with Chris O'Connor
In Chapter Four, I interview a good friend and talented writer Chris O'Connor to talk about his journey of becoming a writer. Chris writes for the likes of BBC Radio, Red Ladder and Riptide and here shares the reality of freelance writing.
-
C3: How the hell to survive as a freelancer?
This chapter explores what it is like as a freelancer in the arts through the lens of personal finance, and tries to offer up tactics and solutions to one of the hardest things to deal with in freelance life.
-
C2: The F Word: Funding
The Director's Diary continues with Chapter Two: Funding. This explores how to fund yourself in the arts, specifically talking about Arts Council funding, local council funding and crowdfunding.
-
C1: How to start?
This podcast is simple, every week I’m going to share my personal diary with you. I want to give you an open-source insight into what it’s like to make work as an artist, as a director - what it is really like. This is not scripted, this is direct from my diary. I have no agenda. I am not selling...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast is simple, every week I’m going to share my personal diary with you. I want to give you an open-source insight into what it’s like to make work as an artist, as a director - what it is really like.This is not scripted, this is direct from my diary. I have no agenda. I am not selling anything. This is about being open and honest and sharing my struggles and the difficulties I face on a day-to-day basis and how I look to overcome them. My name is Alex Palmer, this is the Director’s Diary. It’s no one’s intention to share a diary, so if you’re listening to this keep it close and use it well.
HOSTED BY
Alexander Palmer
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Director's Diary have?
The Director's Diary currently has 33 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Director's Diary about?
This podcast is simple, every week I’m going to share my personal diary with you. I want to give you an open-source insight into what it’s like to make work as an artist, as a director - what it is really like.This is not scripted, this is direct from my diary. I have no agenda. I am not selling...
How often does The Director's Diary release new episodes?
The Director's Diary has 33 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Director's Diary?
You can listen to The Director's Diary on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Director's Diary?
The Director's Diary is created and hosted by Alexander Palmer.
URL copied to clipboard!