I wrote a song!

My song is finished and up on youtube and I'm really happy with the result...

I couldn't have finished this without my DAILY PRACTICE

Here's the link to my sister and I singing my first original song: "Bring you home"

Please give us some feedback....

"BRING YOU HOME" BY DOUGLAS FABIAN

Here are the lyrics to "Bring you home":

Verse 1:
It's Friday night and you're on my mind
I drove all night just to come inside
You're hiding there in the evening light
Turn around, open up, and I'll bring you home

You're not aware when I look at you
That everything is right on cue
Don't you fear, the atmosphere will clear up soon.

Chorus:
I'll be singin'
Hold on
You're safe the world is never gonna catch you
Look it's the break of dawn
The sun is up, the stars are all around you

Verse 2:
It's Monday now and you can't get by
Your cheeks are soaked, the tears you've cried
You're standing there in the morning bright
Stand up tall, we can fight
To bring you home

Your toes are cold but your hands are warm
Our lives are like the changing storm
Here and now
Is all we have to help us through

Chorus:
While I sing
Hold on
You're safe the world is never gonna catch you
Look it's the break of dawn
The sun is up, the stars are all around you

Bridge:
Winds change
Colors fade
But I'll be your solid ground

The First Post about my book

My Book: Dreamwork for Actors

By: Janet Sonenberg

I find this book so interesting because it really separates what Sonenberg calls the "prepackaged cliched performance of shallowly observed behavior" from the mindful perspective on acting. In other words, it separates fake acting from constructed acting (based on past observations, memories, thoughts, and feelings). The author's main goal is to teach readers techniques that utilize dreams, psychology, and imagination. I am excited to learn these techniques because I am definite that they will help me become more aware of the characters I take on. For example, my character in Carousel is an all around evil individual overcoming horrible conflicts throughout the musical. I am having trouble finding a moment in my life where I was forced to emit extreme bitterness on another individual; however, I hope Dreamwork for Actors will give me techniques in which I can feel this character's pain and depression.

Daily Practice

HERE IS A LINK TO MY DAILY PRACTICE PAGE:

http://dougstacdailypractice.blogspot.com/

Enneagram, Core Values, Issues... woah

I'M A SIX?

SO... I get my Enneagram test result, which states, "you are most likely a type 6 or a 7." The first question that pops into my head is, "I'm closest to the devil?" I sit here wondering if this test is completely accurate or if I am mostly a 7 and have a certain number of type six traits. As I skimmed through the type 6 description, I secretly agreed with a lot of the traits. For example, I am always looking up to someone in authority, someone who I can believe in. The common characteristics I have with this type are my loyalty to friends who can prove themselves honest, the concealment of my small fears, and my hidden insecurities. However, I am not anxious often, I have never taken the dangerous physical approach to a situation, and I never feel robbed of peace in my mind. A type 7 seems to be more like me because I am open- minded, I am afraid of negative thinking, I have multiple skills, I sometimes avoid pain emitted from others, etc. I can conclude that... yes, I am often viewed as a perfect 7 on the outside, but deep down, I have the power to conceal my type 6 characteristics... that's awesome! Okay, thank you Enneagram for digging deeper!

Core Values:

1. Motivation and Influence

2. Achievement (Mastering something)

3. Dreams- Anything to do with dreams: dream analysis, dream interpretation, acting through dream analysis (what I'm currently working on)

Issues:

Judgement

The RIGHT Answer

Time

Perfectionism

Mind and Body Interaction

(Still thinking of more...)

Youth in Revolt: The Truth Behind our Teenage Persona

I've recently finished watching the film, Youth in Revolt starring Michael Cera. I must say, so much plot and meaning was packed into this simple movie. The film follows a vulnerable teenage boy who views society as a monotonous blockade, preventing him from indulging in what he constantly yearns for: freedom and self-awareness. Nick (Michael Cera) comes from a constraining home environment with his divorced mom and her abnoxious boyfriend. Moving to the country side, Nick meets an attractive young woman who lives life with confidence, wisdom, and intuition. He is very drawn to this girl probably because she makes him want to feel free-spirited and ultimatedly rebellious: the characteristics of most teenage minds. The plot takes a twist when Nick finds out that he must create a villainous alter ego in order to win the heart of this girl. With Clint Eastwood mannerisms and evil characteristics, the violent alter ego helps Nick gain confidence and battle against his insipid identity.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this what most teenagers yearn for in life? We don't want to be villainous, but we do want more out of our average lifestyle. We occasionally give into temptations in order to obtain that extra step beyond normality and average living. Isn't this what we all need: a revolt against our repetitive High School weeks and our constant teenage pressure? In reality, everyone has a rebellious side because deep down, we hate aspiring to be perfect and we hate when others block our freedom of expression or opinion. Youth in Revolt taught me to live my life peacefully without worrying about validation or the so-called "ideal lifestyle." I found that we must be independent, free-spirited, and unique to live a life worth remembering.

The character work is something in itself. Who knew the innocent Michael Cera could play such an intimidating corrupted role? I was drawn in by this new side to the actor. If sweet guiltless Michael Cera took on such a nasty character, I should be able to do the same in the spring musical, Carousel. It's not every day that your evil twin helps a great amount. Five stars, go see this movie!

A Petrifying Improv Session

I was struck by various unfamiliar emotions yesterday, during our STAC improv session. Based on my recent studies of evil character roles, this was ultimately a large step forward for a happy guy like me. I realize now that walking across the stage in the beginning was helpful in building a character I hadn't planned in advance. I chose a grumpy old soldier towards the beginning, which evolved into a frustrated middle-aged man desperate to seek his son. I don't know if this happened to anyone else, but as I was sitting in the audience, I began to black out a bit, lose my sense of self-awareness, and tune out all of the good in my heart. Everything in my mind was focused on finding that damn thing I lost! Actually rising from my seat, pushing through the other students made my frustration rise, along with the anticipation to find my son. Honestly, I started to picture Daniel Day Lewis' villainous features and mannerisms as Luke started to interview each of us. I may have planned a little too much only because I wasn't used to these type of character traits.

The big step for me was not thinking so much in Douglas' mind, but more within the characters body. During my first few questions, I was devastated and anxious to leave that auditorium in search of my son. I couldn't even look up at the speaker because I was petrified to admit a mistake, I personally didn't make. Where was this wall (shielding my real emotions) coming from? When I finally did look up at Luke, I saw him as a stranger searching through my abstract past as if he didn't know me at all. The anger built because he was blocking me from getting to what I wanted and I felt that he was validating my (or my character's) sense of helplessness. Then, I began to feel my eyes get red because I was no longer able to grasp onto a happy memory, or a familiar face, or a common setting. The emotion didn't feel like acting at all because I wasn't thinking of anything else but what I yearned for. Lizzie and I agreed, it was a struggle to get out of character towards the end of our interviews. Usually when I act, I become so distracted by the audience or characters on stage that my mind becomes focused on impressing, rather then character awareness. I still continue to search for the simplest strategies (like this one) that help reverse my usual character roles and master the art of emotional expression without trying too hard.

Songwriting Potential Activity: Created by Douglas Fabian

SOO... I was searching through my Itunes library today, while strumming on guitar, and humming various melodies in my head. Suddenly, I was struck by lightning.... no! I thought of a quick writing strategy that I decided to test on a blank piece of blog paper...

First, take about three or four lyrics from one of your favorite songs (one that potentially "speaks to you") and write those lyrics out. My lyrics, "A Beautiful Mess" were taken from one of Jason Mraz's originals.

Now, I take these lyrics, put them on the top of the paper and start a poem without that much brain work (let emotions guide the writing):

Beautiful Mess

you are inching towards my core

Partnered with distress

you erase your sensible path

leaving a speck left to laugh

Do you indulge in masks?

Do you bare what words make you tear?

I'm surrounded now by your skill

fascinated by your strategy

we're here, we're always here

We just keep on waiting for your sound to be heard

______________________________________

Analyze your poem for a minute...

Next, I took my favorite line from this poem and started another, and so on...

To take it one step further, I tried turning this poem into a new song, with a total different melody and rhythm. It transforms the meaning. I really hope you can all give this a shot! It's fun, especially with an instrument nearby.

I find that this activity is really intriguing. The artist isn't just sitting down and writing a poem out of the blue, he/she must take lyrics that can be related to and combine those lyrics with inner expression and emotion. We all put our trust in music to take over our minds, so why not let music have a mind of its own and analyze our inner-self. Try it out!