"Adele! What the H€££!"

 It's been less than a week since the release of Adele's latest smash hit album, "Adele 30" and I'm still not sure what to think. It's been 2 days since one of the most pricey and over produced, over promoted  launches ever from Viacom/CBS. The album has some fine, slick production, but it just sounds so 'Adele' it left me asking, 'Where's the growth?' You would think after all the soul vomit that she dumped in Oprah's abundant lap, she would want to thank God (or, at least someone else) for helping pull her through it all. Instead, it was a typical Hollywood 'One Note Symphony' here. (You know, "Me! Me! Me! Me!") Regurge and purge, those Tinseltown' staples were rolled out in full regalia.  Her incredible pipes not withstanding, she sounds much like every other pop artist out there. I can barely tell the difference between her spiel and those of Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber. (Look out, Billie. They're coming to replace your 'Eilish' with 'eyelashes!'). I'm personally interested more in her guts, not her girth or how it was packed into that gown. What about using your influence in a two hour, globally broadcast program to affect some real issues on the planet, besides your dress size. How about some of those things with which that young beautiful boy will no doubt have to negotiate, like global warming, pandemics, world hunger, small stuff, ya' know. Hey girl! How about growing your Consciousness, while shrinking your outfits. You seem to me to have lost some of that 'soul' that made you great. I trust that God is watching and HE will grab her before she falls into the 'Helltown abyss,' at which she is now obviously teetering. What do you guys think? 💖🙏

Dining with the lions on “Mean Street.”

Dining with the lions on “Mean Street.”

I graduated the Neighborhood Playhouse 50 years ago, this past May. My final production at the school was, “The Hawk" by Murray Mednick, directed by a 1st year 'apprentice' teacher named Fred Kareman. I went on to quietly have a long and very successful career as an actor, writer, director, producer, singer and teacher. I'm still in the midst of it. 

I loved working with Fred, Bill Esper, Bill Alderson, but most of all, Sandy. It seems so strange to call him that. To me, he was ALWAYS "Mr. Meisner," even after several years and a string of major roles, including co-starring with academy award winner, Sandy Dennis and James Broderick (also an NP alum) as 'Stanley' in 25th Anniversary the Chicago (where it premiered) revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the tender age of 23. Even, when he called me into his office for a meeting to tell me how insane I was to have done the part, I addressed him as "Mr. Meisner."

He called me on the carpet for attempting to play a role, so iconic that he he said, “No one should EVER play that role, again!” It completely altered the American and the entire World concept of ‘acting’ forever. 

I pointed out that Brando was only 23 when he did it and, in fact, it was he (Meisner) who had instilled in me the idea of "taking big risks" and throwing myself into Any role with everything I had. He sat there quietly, pondering my defense. Then, he looked up at me and said, “That wasn’t a risk, it was tantamount to ‘career suicide.’ He told me, “If that had been here in New York, the lions (critics) would have had me for breakfast.” He then congratulated me for surviving the run. 

I asked him where he had heard about the production. He told me Jimmy Broderick (Matthew’s dad who had played the role of ‘Mitch’ and was a great actor himself, had talked to him. I asked what Jim had thought about my effort. He said, “he thought you were, young.” Then, he released me back onto the ‘mean streets.' 

I thought about what he had told me for a moment or two, then I remembered what Tennessee Williams’ brother, Dakin, had told me after watching my performance on opening night. He said, “You know, I saw Marlon’s ‘Stanley’ opening night and I liked yours more.” After having his words echo in my ear, that “mean street” and Sandy’s critique lost some of their bite. DPW

Hard to believe

 It is hard to believe that we are where we are today. Our Capitol is under siege by our own, 'soon-to-be'  former president, his minions gathering to further threaten our Republic, which they assaulted only last week. The attempted 'coup' vanquished by American democratic loyalists, the Fascist wannabe has retreated to the hinterland to assemble his hoard for the coming conflagration. Horrific as it may be, it pales in comparison with the potential threat of actions for this weekend's MLK Day celebration and the impending Inauguration.

The truly dismaying prospect of an armed insurrection in our Nation's seat of power is the possibility of losing our democracy to an army of infidels whose sole aim seems to be putting a narcissistic autocrat on a newly fashioned throne for life. Beyond that is the realization that this is a concerted effort to overthrow our entire society and all that we have worked at for nearly three centuries, now. There is little doubt in my mind that we are being exposed to the consequences of some of our leaders being compromised by foreign powers, who have gotten their hooks into our highest ranking officials. 

We will prevail and eliminate the threat FOR NOW. But, we can NEVER ALLOW another self-aggrandizing charlatan to 'con' our electorate into giving them  the keys to our coffers and greater treasures without the proper vetting and complete disclosure.  NO  TAXES, NO TICKET! NO TRANSPARENCY, NO EMPOWERMENT! NO OPENNESS, NO OVAL OFFICE! We must make 'Honesty,' NOT ONLY "the best policy," it MUST be made, 'THE ONLY POLICY!' It should be just that simple. 'Nuff said! 

I have been asked to make a blog about how COVID has impacted my industry. I have been in Broadcast & Entertainment (B&E) for 50 years. The ONLY other event vaguely reminiscent of this horror was the “triple witching” event of 1988. It shut our industry down and forced me to shutter a project into which I had sunk a bundle. The WGA dragged on for nearly 6 months. It was devastating.

The difference now is “streaming,” the internet and COVID. Back then, the internet was in its infancy
and “mobile streaming” was ‘non-existent.’ I had been pushing for the development of ‘interactive
multimedia,’ as new technologies were beckoning a new dawn to suit the “Next” and All future
generations. It was a turbulent era that has yet to resolve some very large issues, but at least we had
the, “THEATER!”

Where this series of events greatly differs is the fact that this one is literally a, “life or death” game
changer. It has thrown the breaks on All production of every kind. Will it “end?” YES! Will our $2.7
TRILLION a year recover? One wants to believe that will happen, but only time will give us that answer.

The” good news” is that we are learning to play “differently” for now. Soon, we will see who are those who used this time to discover and explore, “The NEXT NORMAL.” (As if, there was EVER A “NORMAL”to start with. Peace. 🙏

Now Here This! Now Here This!

Now Here This! Now Here This! All hands-on deck! We have moved the fleet! We have hauled anchor from St James Episcopal Church and are now firmly moored at: CoLab 45 St John St, Goshen, NY 10924 Aftspa.org is a 501 c3 corporation (‘not-for-profit’ organization) dedicated to providing the best available training, affordably priced for professionally motivated individuals looking to enter the $2.7 TRILLION a year B&E industry. To better serve our students, we have relocated our training programs to Co Lab and will continue acting and technical training at this location, while we continue to prepare multiple productions in All disciplines with film works (“Shadow Serenade”, “Driving Marilyn Home”, “The Split”, “The Big Ride”); stage works (“Supper with Ja, ”Jesus the Kid”, “The Gin Game” and “Status Quo Vadis”), television projects (“Three for the Road, “Empowering Women Everywhere”) Acting Anyone presents private and group trainings in a ‘series’ of 8-10 classes at different levels in the Modern Meisner Method (‘3M’). Classes are also offered in ‘Speech Level Singing’ (Seth Riggs) and will be adding ‘movement for actors training’ (Graham/Alexander) to help developed greater physical consciousness and grace in performance, later this Spring. All classes are for those interested in being a ‘professional’ and are designed and administered by the principals of Willy-Gilly Productions, Inc., David Patrick Wilson and Nan-Gill Wilson, to maximize individual output and impact. For more information, to register for classes or submit your information to become eligible for casting, you can visit us at www.willygilly.com or Call (845)294-7500 Visit Our Website

Welcome to 2020!

“The year of seeing clearly” and we are talking about everything here. Time to get straight about everything that’s been crooked, out of place, out of Integrity. We at Willy-Gilly Productions remain committed to a world that works for everyone through the creation and production of meaningful entertainment.

In the coming year it is our pure intention to bring to life great stories, great music, and great Truth. With our feet planted firmly in Heaven, we are fully prepared to go where no one else will, if need be. We firmly pledge to All our unrelenting and undying faith in the goodness of humanity and the greatness of God.

 Through the Development, Production, Distribution and Marketing of our many and varied intellectual properties (IP), across all genres, all platforms and in all ‘social climbs,’ we give our word, now and always, to produce the highest quality Entertainment on the planet.

We invite the entire world to join us in celebrating the beginning of this new decade with us. We look forward to a meaningful dialogue with our audience that will give rise to a whole new paradigm for entertainment fulfillment.

God Bless You All in 2020. Know that He is with you, as are we in moving forward to a greater awareness, effectiveness and experience through what we have to offer you.

Sincerely,

Nan and David

https://www.willygilly.com/

Professional Master Acting Classes Offered in the Hudson Valley: Meisner Method Comes Alive

For very nearly 50 years, I have based my entire Life, Craft and Career on the teachings of this man (see left). He was my mentor, my teacher and, I dare say, my friend. His teachings were a beacon to me that showed the way to an extraordinary career and a truly amazing life. 

We have seen his life's work come to dominate the landscape of professional 'actors' training the world over. No one has been more instrumental in the coaching of 'award- winning' talent than, Sanford "Sandy" Meisner. 

More Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, Tonys, Drama Desks, People's Choices, , BAFTAS, et al have been won by 'Meisner Method' actors than ANY others. Major elements of his 'technique' are taught in virtually EVERY acting school, college, university and conservatory throughout the world. 

His 'method' has NEVER failed me. Moreover, it has provided tens of thousands of actors, writers, directors and producers the finest tools with which to craft lifelong success in the most exciting and powerful industry on the planet. To me, it has truly been a gift that has kept giving. 

It is our honor and privilege to carry on this tradition through our 'Acting Anyone' classes and other training at the Academy of Film, Television, Stage and the Performing Arts (AFTSPA.org), a 501(c)3 corporation, now entering our 5th year of operation, right here, only an hour from Broadway in the Hudson Valley of New York. 

We invite Any and All interested in pursuing a career in the Performing Arts to visit and start your own "extraordinary" and 'affordable' journey here with us. Classes are forming now for new sessions. Please, feel free to call and schedule an appointment to see if the Academy is a good fit for you. At that time, we will also schedule you for a FREE ONE HOUR SESSION. 

You can find us at: www.aftspa.org or call us at 845-294-7500. We look forward to meeting with you. Happy New Year!  

Sincerely,

David Patrick Wilson

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0933264/

davidpatrickwilson.us

willygilly.com