Where to see great Short Films?

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Act The Maggot

fadein The way to view film and video content has changed so dramatically in recent years. Apart from catching the latest shorts at the Dublin Film Festival, it is difficult to find examples of good short films that are being made today. There are heaps of Facebook groups you can join. This website is a favourite – an amazing short films website hosting all the major film festival winners in the short film category. Happy viewing. Elsewhere, here is a cool site showing some quirky and interesting shorts films made in Ireland.If you are planning on writing your first short screenplay, it is important to study some of your favourites. Choose ones in the genre you wish to write in and study their dialogue, story arcs and the timings. You can also consider joining us at Act The Maggot in Temple Bar for our Beginner’s Screenwriting class. Working with a group helps get the juices flowing and the cross-pollination of ideas can get you really into your own story.

Wednesday Poem

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Act The Maggot

ADVICE TO WRITERS

Even if it keeps you up all night,
wash down the walls and scrub the floor
of your study before composing a syllable.

Clean the place as if the Pope were on his way.
Spotlessness is the niece of inspiration.

The more you clean, the more brilliant
your writing will be, so do not hesitate to take
to the open fields to scour the undersides
of rocks or swab in the dark forest
upper branches, nests full of eggs.

When you find your way back home
and stow the sponges and brushes under the sink,
you will behold in the light of dawn
the immaculate altar of your desk,
a clean surface in the middle of a clean world.

From a small vase, sparkling blue, lift
a yellow pencil, the sharpest of the bouquet,
and cover the pages with tiny sentences
like long rows of devoted ants
that followed you in from the woods.

Billy Collins

Congratulations!

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Act The Maggot

boom Well done to the maggots who have just completed their six-week beginners’ creative writing course tonight. An excellent bunch of writers in all with so many interesting characters and stories. Watch this space! Congratulations is also due to last week’s bunch who completed their six weeks in beginners’ acting. A rowdy lot they turned out to be once they got to know one another! A great time was had with both groups and we look forward to the follow on courses as well as launching our new introductory courses in drawing and screenwriting. Oh yes, it’s going to be a very creative spring here at Act The Maggot. Sure we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wanna write for the movies?

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Act The Maggot

robertmckee Act The Maggot is thrilled to announce a new departure in our creative writing department. We are offering a brand new six-week course in Screenwriting at the end of April. This course is designed for the film and TV buffs among you. It is specifically aimed at those of you who have never tried it before. Here’s a thing. Imagine how alarming it might be if you did the maths on how many hours you actually spend watching feature films, short films, sketch comedy and episodes of TV shows per week. Content is everywhere now. We cannot avoid it. All is not lost, though. Let’s throw our oars in and make our own content. Let’s put those hours to good use and get creative. Imagine how much you have already learned about character and plot without really thinking about it. Yup. It’s time to tell the stories that you want to see up there on the screen.

NEW March/April evening classes booking now.

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Act The Maggot

tootoot Newsflash. Act The Maggot is offering a bunch of new, fun evening classes at the end of March and after Easter, 2017. Take a look around if you are interested in Creative Writing, Beginners’ Acting or try our brand new Introduction to Screenwriting. Also, if you have some acting experience already and fancy getting up on stage, consider joining our Improvers Acting class where you can focus your energies on a character and work on a monologue for performance. Later in the Spring, we will be introducing a new Acting – Level 3 class and a fun Drawing for Beginners class. There is also talk of a Creativity Retreat somewhere beautiful in Ireland. C’mon join the Maggot Machine! Keep your eyes peeled for our posters about town and on our Twitter and Facebook feeds for more news and info on creative happenings in Dublin and beyond. Happy Weekend. Read our testimonials to help make your decision.
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Friday Poem: When I Met My Muse

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Act The Maggot

When I Met My Muse

I glanced at her and took my glasses
Off –- they were still singing. They buzzed
like a locust on the coffee table and then
ceased. Her voice belled forth, and the
sunlight bent. I felt the ceiling arch, and
knew that nails up there took a new grip
on whatever they touched. “I am your own
way of looking at things,” she said. “When
you allow me to live with you, every
glance at the world around you will be
a sort of salvation.” And I took her hand.

Stafford, William, An Oregon Message, 1987

Last-minute Maggots apply here!

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Act The Maggot

So we are almost ready for lift off with the 2017 maggot machine and we are excited about the numbers and variety of people signing up so far. There are a few remaining places on next Thursday’s Beginner’s Acting class and the following Tuesday’s Creative Writing class. Read up on us and take a look at the testimonials to inform your choice. Each course is six weeks only and costs €180. Send us a mail to actthemaggot@gmail.com if you want to hop aboard.

Five good reasons to take Creative Writing with Act The Maggot

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Act The Maggot

quote1-w 1. You will be exposed to lots of different styles and will write a lot but the emphasis will be on having a fun, relaxed time.
2. You will increase your vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
3. You will increase your self-confidence through sheer productivity and by learning to give and receive constructive feedback.
4. You will meet like-minded creatures and may even form lasting friendships.
5. You will widen your social network. Never underestimate people power and knowledge-pooling. You may help one another with current jobs or be of assistance in finding new opportunities.

Read more about our next beginner’s creative writing class starting on Jan 31.

Drop us a line, actthemaggot@gmail.com if you want to sign up.

Writing Tip for the day!

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Act The Maggot

“If you can tell stories, create characters, devise incidents, and have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter a damn how you write”. – Somerset Maugham

We like this quote from novelist Somerset Maugham. It’s true. It’s all about story and character. For those starting out, we often say, if you can talk, then you can write. It’s a simple as that and the quote underneath is particularly poignant when it comes to writing. quote4-w

Consider Joining our next beginners’ creative writing class. Fancy embarking on a new, fun hobby this winter. It’s laid back and it’s a lot of fun. You will get to write in every class and read out what you have written if you want. Come on, let’s get those creative juices flowing. You’ve tonnes of things you want to put into words right? Let 2017 be your year.

actthemaggot@gmail.com

New Year, New You!

Posted on December 29, 2016 by Act The Maggot

Yes indeed. Only a few days now before another new year dawns. What are your resolutions for 2017? Have you often thought about trying an acting class? Would you like to try creative writing? Want to go on stage? Did you know that tapping into your creativity will improve your mood and your productivity? So many Act The Maggot students say they can see the difference in how they approach their work and their personal lives during and after the beginner’s acting class. In just six short weeks, you can build confidence, meet new people and have lots of fun to kick off 2017. Try it. Go on, surprise yourself!

actthemaggot@gmail.com to book your spot.
Read more about the Beginner’s Acting class in Temple Bar (six Thursdays) starting January 26th.
Read more about the Beginner’s Creative Writing class in Rathmines (six Tuesdays) starting January 31st.
Read more about the Improver’s Acting class (Level 2) in Rathmines (six Tuesdays) starting January 24th.

Read our testimonials

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Category Archives: Creative Writing