Being Seen - An Interview with Sharni Pitcher

Once a month, we will be interviewing people with learning difficulties and/or autism within bemix so you can hear their stories.  This month, we hear from Sharni Pitcher.  A member of our Music, Media and Arts projects.

Hi Sharni!  So, tell us about what you do in bemix.

I do lots of bits and bobs. I do drama and performing arts on a Monday, Music on a Tuesday and Media on a Thursday. I help make songs and work on music but I am mostly passionate about acting. I use the work we do to add to my coursework, I'm working on a qualification in music and media.

What acting are you doing at the moment?

One of the members of the group, Nigel, has written and is directing a film called Pain and Shame. It's about someone being bullied and hating themselves.  I play the bully, a really nasty girl called Daisy.  I love playing horrible characters!

I'm also playing Mrs Silver in an audio storytelling version of Esio Trot by Roald Dahl. Carmen is narrating and directing this. 

What is it like to play the horrible characters?

I like playing Daisy because she's so nasty.  It's really important to act bad and stay in character. Daisy doesn't care about anything or anyone apart from herself. She uses other people to make herself feel better. Her parents don't care about her and make her feel bad. So she does this to other people because that's how she's been brought up.

Last year, we made a film called Pushed.  I played a character called Harry - he was really vicious and arrogant.  I also had to do the sound effects of walking up the stairs.  I had to slam my hand down hard on the table - I got a few bruises doing that! 

How do you get into character?

I practice over and over again.  It's important to know how the character is feeling.  When I played Harry in Pushed, he was angry and aggressive because he got kicked out of school and had a bad family life. I learn the characters' back story so I can understand how they might feel.

I also watch films to see how other actors perform.

What are your dreams and goals?

My dream is to be an actor in horror films - I love horror!

Mrs Silver is not a horrible character.  How does it feel to play someone so different to the characters you usually play?

I have to be lovely, sweet, kind, posh and with good manners.  It's quite difficult!  I'm used to playing bad characters.  I have to get my head into it.  I think she's kind and caring, open and expressive.
It's a love story. She doesn't see it coming but she really cares about Mr Hoppy.

What does bemix mean to you?

bemix is a special place. We are a big circle of people.  People come here to learn and express their feelings.  It doesn't matter what other people think - bemix helps people to follow their dreams.