Practitioner Profile: Simon Harvey

Practitioner Profile:
Simon Harvey

Your Company
o-region

Your Area(s) of Practice
Theatre Directing. Drama workshops. Acting (theatre and Film). Project
management. Film making. Producing. A little bit of writing.
I also co-founded and help run ROUGHCUT (Cornwall's only regular short film screening event), Second Woods (o-region's contribution fuelled art Magazine) and about to help to launch Future Shorts Cornwall (a new film event, which showcases short films from around the world).
 
How long have you been a creative practitioner?
For about ten years. I co-founded a theatre company (Grinning Gargoyle) when I was twenty, and we produced shows during the summer whilst I completed my degree at Dartington College of Arts. When I graduated in 1997 I began to work on various projects within the arts... though not always paid.

What were you doing or working in before that, and how did you get to where you are now?
I worked in a shop selling skateboards for several years. I also worked as a youth worker in various jobs and help manage Mount Hawke SK8 park. Even when I was doing those jobs, I was always planning or producing a theatre project. I used to work full time, then rehearse in evenings and sometimes through the night. I never want to go back to that. I think that I got where I am through sheer dogged determination.
 
Describe the work you are doing at present, or things coming up in the near future
It has been a really busy couple of years and shows no signs of slowing down. I have recently finished acting in 'Wagstaffe The Wind up Boy' for Kneehigh Theatre, which toured the South West for four months. I am now developing the theatre show ' Laughing Gas', which is the culmination of a collaboration between Creative Partnerships, Brannel School, Nick Darke and o-region. The show will tour in September and October of this year, and I will be directing it.

We are currently organising the screenings of the ROUGHCUT 'Two Minute Silence' Film Competition, in June. The second Issue of 'Second Woods', our magazine is about to be launched next week, as is our new film project 'Future Shorts Cornwall'.

I am working with Creative Partnerships, Denzil Monk and Laura Hardman as well as various schools to devise a new young people led approach to the Young People’s section of the Cornish Film festival.

I am also writing a feature film called 'Beacon' with Mark Jenkin.

Actually, why am I answering these questions? I should be working!

What has recently been the most revelatory or transformational moment for you?
At the risk of making your readers vomit, I would have to say recently proposing to my girlfriend Helen.
Actually, that sounds so sickening, quick, think of something else - ah, I know... finding out that my all time favourite band 'Jane's Addiction' have split up again... I was gutted!
 
Who or what has had the most profound influence on your career?
People who I work with always have a profound effect on me, both good and bad. I like to work with people (be it practitioners, teachers, peers or young people) who are passionate, enthusiastic, talented, energetic, challenging and above all have integrity. Unfortunately, I think that there are some people who lack these qualities, but hide behind a supportive / inclusive atmosphere in the arts and continue to work in the field.

What is the best aspect of your creative work with school children or other adults?
I don't draw a distinction between them. Every element of my work holds the same prioritisation for me. Whether it is a one-off Drama workshop in a preschool, or a year long development of a professional piece of theatre, I try and give it my all either way.
I think that I sometimes come across as cynical, but at my core, I am still naive (or arrogant, maybe) enough to believe that anything is possible – and certainly determined (or stubborn) enough to see things through to the bitter end.

What is your ambition?
I dream of not having to jump through hoops to have to make the work I want to. I would love to run a self sufficient company that can generate its own income and support itself. I am sure that there is a way for o-region to make films that support its screenings, that support a venue, that in turn can support theatre work and education projects and other peoples projects and on and on. The opportunities are endless.
See, told you i was naive - but I'm going to try it anyway!

If you had three wishes for the future what would they be?
See, now the obvious is to go big - world peace, an end to poverty and
diseases etc. And of course, if these wishes were real, of course that's what
I'd go for. But, as they're not, and the purpose of this article is to find out about me as a person, I'm going to go selfish.

1: To bring back Jane's Addiction - make them sort out their differences, and
perhaps let me guest on vocals occasionally.

2: To be financially comfortable (not rich) - clear of credit cards, student loans etc. Perhaps own my own house in Cornwall (actually, that's just too unrealistic - the way things are at the moment, my first list is more likely).

3. To play (and win) a Wimbledon final. (Men or women’s - I'm not fussy).
 
What key thing would you say to creative people setting out on their
careers?
Be true to yourself. Make your own chances. Never rest on your laurels.
Never take anything for granted.

If you are interested in the work Simon and o-region are doing, you can contact him on 07977 640652, check the website at www.o-region.co.uk or email simon@o-region.co.uk.