andrew allen
@mygrayne.bsky.social
Writer, director, actor, creative coach, list maker. Credits include ONE WOMAN ALIEN, YEAR WITHOUT SUMMER, FOUR PLAY, THE CITY OF DR MOREAU, THE HAUNTING OF GABRIEL CHASE
https://linktr.ee/andrewallen
https://linktr.ee/andrewallen
Reposted by andrew allen
Really neat example of how everything about an object—binding, foxing, water damage, annotations—can help us understand it.
December 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Really neat example of how everything about an object—binding, foxing, water damage, annotations—can help us understand it.
Reposted by andrew allen
AI Ghost of Christmas Future: You’re absolutely right, with some minor dietary adjustments and some targeted new year layoffs, you could definitely avoid this fate.
Would you like me to work up a quick five step plan?
Would you like me to work up a quick five step plan?
December 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
AI Ghost of Christmas Future: You’re absolutely right, with some minor dietary adjustments and some targeted new year layoffs, you could definitely avoid this fate.
Would you like me to work up a quick five step plan?
Would you like me to work up a quick five step plan?
I’m not a business guru but this big shake up at Leon (complete with I’ve come back to clean up your mess emails from the Big Boss) feels very wonky. And as for dumping 100s of staff just days before Christmas ..
December 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I’m not a business guru but this big shake up at Leon (complete with I’ve come back to clean up your mess emails from the Big Boss) feels very wonky. And as for dumping 100s of staff just days before Christmas ..
On genres, brands, and commercial legibility: "That’s one reason why promoting a book can feel a bit draining — you have to take the raw product of your random synaptic misfires and package it as something that will appeal to people who like a particular kind of thing."
"Art becomes richer and more interesting when it’s found by people for whom it was not 'intended,' people who find their own meaning in it. The more varied the audience, the more multifaceted the art becomes."
My latest newsletter is about how art finds its audience:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
My latest newsletter is about how art finds its audience:
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
December 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM
If you like overly eager idiots who do internet searches based on what they think you said to them in order to present you with an unchecked response in order to tell you how brilliant you are you’ll love ChatGPT
December 10, 2025 at 9:39 PM
If you like overly eager idiots who do internet searches based on what they think you said to them in order to present you with an unchecked response in order to tell you how brilliant you are you’ll love ChatGPT
Reposted by andrew allen
When I'm scripting I noticed, if the dialogue is pouring out, if it's flowing & terrific, I don't put the brakes on writing panel descriptions/stage directions, I can go back & fill those in.
Same for any part of the process. Don't stop because of format or 'rules' when you've caught some lightning.
Same for any part of the process. Don't stop because of format or 'rules' when you've caught some lightning.
December 10, 2025 at 1:57 PM
When I'm scripting I noticed, if the dialogue is pouring out, if it's flowing & terrific, I don't put the brakes on writing panel descriptions/stage directions, I can go back & fill those in.
Same for any part of the process. Don't stop because of format or 'rules' when you've caught some lightning.
Same for any part of the process. Don't stop because of format or 'rules' when you've caught some lightning.
Reposted by andrew allen
"I'm not in denial, I'm in open rebellion" damn that quote goes hard
“I am so bored by AI. One of the things I love about the theatre is AI can’t do it.”
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
Ethan Hawke is a dude 👌🏻
December 10, 2025 at 5:10 AM
"I'm not in denial, I'm in open rebellion" damn that quote goes hard
OK, fine
Now do your 65 year old with a cat as a profile pic, two photos of a holiday glass of wine and a comment about how the local council are pointless
Cos if anyone needs their phone taken off them
Now do your 65 year old with a cat as a profile pic, two photos of a holiday glass of wine and a comment about how the local council are pointless
Cos if anyone needs their phone taken off them
December 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
OK, fine
Now do your 65 year old with a cat as a profile pic, two photos of a holiday glass of wine and a comment about how the local council are pointless
Cos if anyone needs their phone taken off them
Now do your 65 year old with a cat as a profile pic, two photos of a holiday glass of wine and a comment about how the local council are pointless
Cos if anyone needs their phone taken off them
The last Ironclad Creative CIC Catch Up of 2025 is at the Brighton Dome tomorrow (Tuesday 9th) at 10.30am! Open to all, completely free (we’d love it if you pre booked so we know numbers) and always a great get together!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-c...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-c...
Creative Catch-up in partnership with Brighton Dome
Networking for creative people in partnership with Brighton Dome
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The last Ironclad Creative CIC Catch Up of 2025 is at the Brighton Dome tomorrow (Tuesday 9th) at 10.30am! Open to all, completely free (we’d love it if you pre booked so we know numbers) and always a great get together!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-c...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-c...
Reposted by andrew allen
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
February 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Found when sorting an old drive. I still, very occasionally, say 'not many badgers in the House of Lords' and this is why:
Whenever they work out what they’re doing with the next Bond movie, they should get The Last Dinner Party to do the opening theme song.
December 6, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Whenever they work out what they’re doing with the next Bond movie, they should get The Last Dinner Party to do the opening theme song.
This Tuesday (and next Tuesday!) our last Acting Classes of the year before we take a break for Christmas: CREATING CHARACTER & STORY - scripts, devised work and improv in a supportive and encouraging environment. £17 for prebooks:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acting-cla...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acting-cla...
Acting Class: Creating Character & Story
Join us in Hove for four weeks of improv, acting and script work. Available separately, or all four sessions for a reduced price of £55!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 6:51 PM
This Tuesday (and next Tuesday!) our last Acting Classes of the year before we take a break for Christmas: CREATING CHARACTER & STORY - scripts, devised work and improv in a supportive and encouraging environment. £17 for prebooks:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acting-cla...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acting-cla...
SNOWMEN MAKE MOVIES
Day 1 of 24
JAWS (1975)
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Day 1 of 24
JAWS (1975)
Dir: Steven Spielberg
December 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
SNOWMEN MAKE MOVIES
Day 1 of 24
JAWS (1975)
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Day 1 of 24
JAWS (1975)
Dir: Steven Spielberg
I’m not interested in moaning about the Christmas Day TV schedules; viewing is very different from what we had 30 years ago (and actually the line up in reality isn’t that different)
But it’s mildly stunning that the ITV Christmas Day movie is Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
But it’s mildly stunning that the ITV Christmas Day movie is Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
December 3, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I’m not interested in moaning about the Christmas Day TV schedules; viewing is very different from what we had 30 years ago (and actually the line up in reality isn’t that different)
But it’s mildly stunning that the ITV Christmas Day movie is Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
But it’s mildly stunning that the ITV Christmas Day movie is Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Advent Calendar Of Things That Bring Me Joy, Day 3
I didn’t pay attention to detectorists when it first came out; it didn’t hook me. And - perhaps naively - I had no real interest in whatever the Office alumni did next. I didn’t know who Mackenzie Crook was, outside of Gareth. (1/2)
I didn’t pay attention to detectorists when it first came out; it didn’t hook me. And - perhaps naively - I had no real interest in whatever the Office alumni did next. I didn’t know who Mackenzie Crook was, outside of Gareth. (1/2)
December 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Advent Calendar Of Things That Bring Me Joy, Day 3
I didn’t pay attention to detectorists when it first came out; it didn’t hook me. And - perhaps naively - I had no real interest in whatever the Office alumni did next. I didn’t know who Mackenzie Crook was, outside of Gareth. (1/2)
I didn’t pay attention to detectorists when it first came out; it didn’t hook me. And - perhaps naively - I had no real interest in whatever the Office alumni did next. I didn’t know who Mackenzie Crook was, outside of Gareth. (1/2)
Seems like an accurate summation of the years listening. Although Youth Theatre sessions have sneaked a bit of Stray Kids into the Top 5 #CatBurns #BoredAtMyGrandmasHouse #Kokoroko #ShakespearsSister #SpotifyUnwrapped
December 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Seems like an accurate summation of the years listening. Although Youth Theatre sessions have sneaked a bit of Stray Kids into the Top 5 #CatBurns #BoredAtMyGrandmasHouse #Kokoroko #ShakespearsSister #SpotifyUnwrapped
Reposted by andrew allen
I have a Patreon where for £5 a month, you get access to a huge collection of writing advice, behind-the-scenes stories on the writing of each of my books, a monthly newsletter, a chat forum, and general updates and early warnings of new books and events.
www.patreon.com/cw/GarethLPo...
www.patreon.com/cw/GarethLPo...
Gareth L. Powell | Patreon
writing novels and encouraging aspiring authors
www.patreon.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I have a Patreon where for £5 a month, you get access to a huge collection of writing advice, behind-the-scenes stories on the writing of each of my books, a monthly newsletter, a chat forum, and general updates and early warnings of new books and events.
www.patreon.com/cw/GarethLPo...
www.patreon.com/cw/GarethLPo...
Reposted by andrew allen
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
December 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
Advent Calendar Of Things That Bring Me Joy, Day 2
I think I only saw Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner in the last year or so.
I think I only saw Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner in the last year or so.
December 2, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Advent Calendar Of Things That Bring Me Joy, Day 2
I think I only saw Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner in the last year or so.
I think I only saw Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner in the last year or so.
Reposted by andrew allen
I read this every Christmas and the excellent BBC radio version is still available:
December 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I read this every Christmas and the excellent BBC radio version is still available:
Nothing like reading a two star review from The Stage for what sounds like a perfectly reasonable production where everyone looks like they’re having a lovely time to reinstill a bit of I Should Really Be Submitting More Work energy
December 2, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Nothing like reading a two star review from The Stage for what sounds like a perfectly reasonable production where everyone looks like they’re having a lovely time to reinstill a bit of I Should Really Be Submitting More Work energy
Rewatching Gremlins, spotting something interesting about Don’t Feed After Midnight. Not the time zone thing, we know that. But! These Mogwai are mischievous enough to steal food themselves, but they don’t: they sabotage the clock so Billy feeds them.
They abide by the rules themselves.
They abide by the rules themselves.
a close up of a gizmo from the movie gremlins looking at the camera
ALT: a close up of a gizmo from the movie gremlins looking at the camera
media.tenor.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Rewatching Gremlins, spotting something interesting about Don’t Feed After Midnight. Not the time zone thing, we know that. But! These Mogwai are mischievous enough to steal food themselves, but they don’t: they sabotage the clock so Billy feeds them.
They abide by the rules themselves.
They abide by the rules themselves.
Clearing the decks from the last Cast Iron Short Play Night and preparing for 2026 - lots planned: more short plays, acting classes, and improv drop ins - you in?
For now tho it’s an Acting Class tonight, working on duologues the actors themselves have penned …
For now tho it’s an Acting Class tonight, working on duologues the actors themselves have penned …
December 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Clearing the decks from the last Cast Iron Short Play Night and preparing for 2026 - lots planned: more short plays, acting classes, and improv drop ins - you in?
For now tho it’s an Acting Class tonight, working on duologues the actors themselves have penned …
For now tho it’s an Acting Class tonight, working on duologues the actors themselves have penned …