First of all you have to realise that I am much older than any of you. I have watched Hugh Laurie throughout his career with appreciation of his towering intellect, humility, musicianship, writing and acting skills but only mild interest otherwise. HOUSE is something else. Something else entirely. It is though he was created for the role and the role created for him. Hugh Laurie as Gregory House has reminded me that I have hormones.

This is the first time I have read fan fiction and by now you would all realise the respect I have for the writers who are members of this website. There is a passion in this writing which is often now gone from the formulaic plotting of television drama.

I worked in the media for over three decades in UK and Australia. I started as a film cutter, cutting television news and current affairs before becoming the producer/director's assistant for The Queen Elizabeth II second Royal Tour of Australia. In England in the sixties and early seventies, I worked as a unit publicist on major films at Pinewood, Twickenham and Lee International Studios. Films included KES director Ken Loach, THE VIRGIN AND THE GYPSY director Christopher Myles, PERFECT FRIDAY director Peter Hall and WATERLOO director Sergei Bondachuk. I also wrote articles for THE GUARDIAN, OGGI, TODAY'S CINEMA and NOVA. In Australia I have written over 100 hours of television drama two stageplays and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. Credits, a few of you might recognise, include THE SULLIVAN'S, CARSON'S LAW, THE FLYING DOCTORS, and HOME AND AWAY. Wrote the Episode of ZOO FAMILY which was nominated for an INTERNATIONAL EMMY. Nominations include 1984 AWGIE (Australian Writers Guild Award) for Best Serial Script, 1986 Greenroom Award for Best Australian Stage Play and have won two PENGUIN AWARDS. I have mentored and trained script editors, publicists and writers. In 1991 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forced me to relinquish my career.

I did not write a word for ten years and then something happened. On October 19, 2001, when a tiny boat sunk north of Australia, 146 children, 142 women and 65 men died. A frisson of grief and understanding shot through me because the terror of a slow and painful death in violent and treacherous seas is not outside of my imagination. In 1941 an entire squadron took off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier and never returned. They ceased to exist. The oldest airman was 22, he was the only married man, and his wife was pregnant. His child was born three months after his death. I am that child.

The 353 seemed to cry to me from the sea and allowed me to grieve for the first time for the father I never knew. And for the first time there was something I could do to honour the memory of my father who also lies in an unmarked watery grave. Every life is equal and every life should be acknowledged. My father was alive for me as never before when I founded JANNAH THE SIEVX MEMORIAL http://sievxmemorial.org/ and I started to write again.

That's some resume, Magdala, wow.

Glad you found something out about your father and I hope it helps. I only spent a week in Darwin but I remember visiting a museum which featured their maritime history and your site is very interesting.

At the shallow end (sorry!)- you worked on Home and Away! I loved that show when it was on here- I still say to my dad 'Rack off, I'm goin' to the City' if he starts on an AlfDad trip. The Sullivans- we had an Aussie au pair when I was really young and she was hooked on it, although I seem to remember being scared of the theme music for some reason.


Glad you've joined us! :)


Benj

Absolutely agree about the shallow end. And the theme from SULLIVANS used the scare the hell out of me when I was three days past the deadline and hadn't even written the first scene. TRMSILEs (The reason my script is late explanation) is something of an art form during my time the 'dog ate it' was upgraded to 'the computer ate it' ... and 'do you want it now or do you want it good' stopped working early on.

When I was editing one of the silliest I heard was:

WRITER: Darling. I'm in hospital just out of the aneasthetic. Did you like the script.

ME: God are you okay?

WRITER: They reckon I'll be out of here in time for the next plotting meeting ... the script, darling?

ME: Nothing's come in love.

WRITER: What ... I gave it to the theatre sister.

He gave a convincing groan.

ME: Now don't upset yourself.

When I heard his dog barking in the background he was sprung. His hand went over the receiver and I heard him yell "Shut up Blue"

ME: Vet do the operation, darling?

The conversation ended with.

ME: If the script isn't here by Thursday, Darling ... we will be gelding you on Friday.

Magdala,
Age is but a number when it comes to House Passion! Your comment about the hormones made me smile :) I am glad that you have chosen to share your background with us. You have accomplished a lot and have a great deal to give.

Hm, there may or may not be a few older members here than you. We have a few who are decidedly NOT teenagers.

That's quite an introduction, either way. Glad you like the stories here. I have a few up somewhere around here. I think. If they've been put up on the new website yet. Otherewise, they're on fanfiction.net,just search for telegramsam.

Well, enjoy your stay with us!

WOW :o That is a very impressive resume!! <runs over to removed my embarrasing little scratchings :blink: >(Kidding!)

So glad you found us and that you feel welcome and comfortable! We are glad to have you!

I've got your site marked and will explore more on a cold wintery night (Probably in the next week here! :lol: ) It sounds very interesting and from what I have looked at I am intrigued.

Thanks again for joining us.

Oh and on the age front, I know of a few here that might give you a run on that! Plus I think many are older than we appear, we're just kids at heart here and it shows!!!

And as my grandfather used to say, age only matters if you're cheese (or wine dpending on his mood!)

Welcome! That's quite a story. I am glad you foud this board and are willing to share your passions. I am pillpopdoc, please let me know if you need anything.