Dead Man Walking

A forum like this is a place to share, off load, gain advice and support. Yesterday my mom said to me
'Farah, I'm so proud of you. You could have been a doctor, but instead you chose acting. You're such a talented actress and I wouldn't have it any other way....'
Yes, that's right, I'm joking. THAT'S why we need this forum.
Hey Alan, I'm a published author too. I've written two books for toddlers. When my brother saw them (He's ok cos he's a son- Pakistani mentality, not mine) he said 'I could have written them.'
'why didn't you then'. I said

• 13 years ago
• 21

The number of views here I notice have now approached 786. Interestingly, this number has spiritual significance in Islam.

• 13 years ago
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Allan :)

Stick with us please - we're here for you and want to know how things are going, so please don't disappear from CCP :)I can't possibly begin to understand what you are going through, but nevertheless send you my very best wishes and I'm afraid I can't top Fuzz's significant Islamic numbers but I can do a mean Christian prayer. Double whammy together, maybe? :) All the very best - keep posting xx

• 13 years ago
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Dearest Allan,

As I write this I am in pure shock at your news, I came back onto the site after a brief period away and was just catching up on the gossip and chat when I saw your thread.

When I first joined the site I was that green, I can honestly say 'I couldn't have found my arse with both hands' (As my sainted Gran would say…hehe)

From my very first thread right up to now, you have been there every step of the way with me, providing me with sound advice, guidance, support, your precious humour and your incredible encyclopedic knowledge of this great profession of ours…. And I thank you for that.

Allan, I want everyone on here to know, I hold you in the highest regard, and I am very, very proud to call you my friend.

I know I speak for all your friends on here…If you need anything or if there's anything I can do, you only have to ask.

NOW…I can hear your voice saying…OK, Old Son, stop with the babbling and lets get on with it…I fully agree with Alan, G & T's are the order of the day (If Alan provides the Gin, and you provide the Tonic…I'll provide the ice and go on then, the lemon as well…hehe…Oh, and a keen ear to listen to your every word)

I'm away now for a few days filming, and I am typing this at 03:00 hrs (I always wondered what the '0' in 03:00 hrs stood for…now I know…it stands for 'O' my God its early…lol) but we will chat again upon my return…keep your chin up…your best foot forward…your ear to the ground and that twinkle in your eye.

Steve

• 13 years ago
• 24

Nothing much to add that hasn't been said already Allan - thank you for fabulous pearls of wisdom and entertaining insights that have helped me while away days in offices in between acting work (and that goes to everyone else who's posted!)
Keep trudging honey - which reminds me of one of my favourite film quotes:

William: Oi sir, what are you doing?
Chaucer: Uh... trudging. You know, trudging?
[pause]
Chaucer: To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on.
William: Uhhh... were you robbed?
Chaucer: [laughs] Funny really, yes, but at the same time a huge resounding no. It's more of an... involuntary vow of poverty... really.

What a good way to describe the acting world just now!! And obviously made even better when you remember that Paul Bettany says it all stark b****ck naked... :-)

• 13 years ago
• 25

Dear Allan,

As everyone else has stated on here (in a far more articulate way than I'm going to) you're an absolute inspiration!

I want to wish you all the very best for these trying times and just to let you know all my thoughts (positive humorous ones) are with you!!

I think personally you're an absolute legend....I completely look up to you and please don't leave CCP, or the acting world we need you! (I also think along with the others you should receive honorary membership!)

You are the voice of logic, reason, humour, positivity....you name it you provide it. I just wanted you to know you have made a massive impact on not just me (judging by these comments) so we'll be routing for you and I will join the very long line of people who will be inevitably queuing up to buy your book!

All the Best, keep in touch with us...

Beth x

• 13 years ago
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Have just arisen, once more, from the Slough of Despond .. to find that CCP have gone ahead with this month's membership .. and here's me thinking I had put up a good case for NOT needing CCP. After all, an Actor with a voice above a croak ... and no voice projection above a whisper, doesn't bode too well for future engagements, especially when intermingled with Hospital visits virtually every 3/4 days.
Difficult to make auditions, never mind the actual gig.
Now ... you wouldn't be taking advantage, Lads ... would you ?. You wouldn't kick a man when he's down ... would you ?. Nah ... you wouldn't do that.
A thought has suddenly struck me, with the speed of a dollop of cold custard ... I need help with my web-page, maybe you can help me out with that .. and that will help keep the status quo.

• 13 years ago
• 27

Yay...nice once CCP.

Whilst I am not a huge fan of "some" of the directors wobbly camerawork ...here is a lesson in "how to deliver a monologue" from "Tiger" O'Keef!

http://vimeo.com/12571630

• 13 years ago
• 28

Allan, I hope you beat the cancer and I hope your book is a wonderful success.

• 13 years ago
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Woke this morning in complete clarity ... so must get something done, before I start to garble again.
This is really , a moment of clarity ... for having gone back through all the wonderful messages of support that you have sent me .. it is very noticeable that there is not one word of support from the CCP TEam .. it seems that their Public Relations is bordering on the criminal. They have a Duty of Care, and a Legal obligation for their Members ... yet all they are interested in .. is their monthly fee.
So ... as you have already taken my subscription ... I will stay with CCP until the end of August ... then please rescind my Membership. I can no longer be a member .

• 13 years ago
• 30

Hey Alan, one day at a time hon. We all rooting for you.....actor....auuuuthor.. x

• 13 years ago
• 31

Whaaat?

...C'mon everyone at CCP Towers... give our pal Allan a free life membership please... huh?

All those in Favour say... aye!!!

• 13 years ago
• 32

AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 13 years ago
• 33

Free Memberships all round!!!!!! Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye,Aye,Aye,Aye, Aye....

• 13 years ago
• 34

Definitely. There are always exceptions to the rule. 'The spirit of the law, NOT the letter of it!' I've been following this thread all along, and you are very much in my thoughts and prayers.xx

• 13 years ago
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Yay!

xx

• 13 years ago
• 36

Aye aye. None of us can take the treatment for you Alan but we can show our support. I know from friends who have been in your situation that emotions can be a rollercoastet with all the drugs coursing through your body. What I do know is that even at the darkest times there can still be light at the end of the tunnel.

Your post came as a shock to us all. I thought you had been a bit quiet lately. Stay on here (hopefully with the help of CCP) because not only are your comments and advice always welcome but hopefully you wlll also enjoy keeping in touch with all the crazy people in this business. You may even get more material for your book! Good luck Alan. Illegitimati non carborandum.

• 13 years ago
• 37

CCP I have never had the pleasure of meeting Alan, but as an agent do drop by this forum regularly to keep abreast of the issues Actors are facing. In browsing the forum, I have always found Alan to be a source of inspiration and reality to many young actors entering this profession - his advice is sound and his CV is aspirational to many.

I was deeply saddened to learn of his recent ill health, and moved by his inspirational post to others.

I, like so many others, would be keen to see Allan remain an inspiration and a sounding board to young graduates entering this profession and am therefore compelled to ensue he remains an active member of this forum.

To that end I would like to add that Liz Bisset Management (who have no affiliation to Alan whatsover) would be delighted to pay his future subscription fees to CCP to ensure that his advice, stories and experience are still available to others utilising the valuale CCP forum resource.

CCP, I understand that you may have concerns about opening the floodgates to free membership, but this is a genuine offer, please contact me to discuss.

PS Alan you have toucvhed the lives of many people who's names and faces you do not even know, you are an inspiration and a professional in an industry that is crying out for Actors with your standards and mentality - i wish you well in all that you do. Take Care!

Lee @ Liz Bisset Management.

• 13 years ago
• 38

You beat me to the idea Lee. What a very generous gesture to offer. I was going to sugest a whip round amongst the members and offer that to CCP to cover Allans nexy years fees.

• 13 years ago
• 39

Let us know, Lee, what happens and then if your offer isn't taken up, perhaps we can go with Mark's suggestion.

• 13 years ago
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