I first performed on stage when I was about five, it was in a school naivety and I played the part of a shepherd. My mother made me a little outfit from a stripy 1970’s pillow case and the silky lining from a dressing gown, I also had a felt beard. At the time was hair was very dark and stuck out at weird angles, I thought I looked amazing and I loved every minute of being on stage.
Another girl who was a few years older than me had had a couple of days off school to film a Campbell’s Soup Commercial and I remember thinking “wow you can actually do this as a job” that’s when I knew I wanted to act. I went on to do many school plays including playing a ballet dancer who was clumsy and kept falling over and the Owl in The Owl and the Pussy Cat, I had a beautiful costume for that, although it was very old and smelt of moth balls and I was allergic to the feathers. My first appearance on film was in the pink Floyd film “The Wall” where I was mushed up in a giant mincemeat machine.
indieactivity: Did you study what you do?
Dawn Funnell (DF): I had always acted in school plays and then at the age of about eleven my teacher suggested I take drama and dance lessons at the world famous Italia-Conti School in South London. I didn’t know it was such a big deal at the time but found out later that I was following in the footsteps of many great British film, stage and television stars including Noel Coward and Margaret Lockwood.
Dawn Funnell Show Reel
Every Saturday I would go along with a packed lunch and learn the basics of improvisation, voice projection and ballet and tap dance and I loved it. I went there for two years and then auditioned for a place for the full time school, competition was fierce but I got in on my second attempt. I trained for three years at the Italia-Conti full time school and then went on to study acting for two years at the Richmond Drama school as I knew I really wanted to be an actor more than an entertainer or celebrity. I had small walk-on parts in TV and film throughout my time at school.
My first speaking part was in the BBC’s Only Fools and Horses – Christmas Special in 1989. Several years ago I went back to study at Night school and The Open University and gained a BA and a Cert Ed. I think having a good education is invaluable in the acting industry especially in the Theater. I also learnt a lot about Method acting, physical theatre and characterization during my time at The Richmond Drama school, which was run by a lovely couple called Jane and David Whitworth.
They used to arrange for some of the actors who were performing at The Orange Tree Theater to come along to take Drama workshops with the students there. When I left I gained experience working in London’s Fringe Theaters, which were mostly dark little back rooms above pubs, and in Theater in Education. I also did a few walk on parts in film and TV. It’s much easier to be proactive these days and use the internet rather than purely relying on your agent to deliver the auditions.
How do you combine acting, producing and writing?
Dawn Funnell (DF): I also teach. You have to be as flexible as an actors as possible, just to make a living and sometimes it’s difficult to fit in everything you want to do and remain energetic. I kind of fell into teaching Drama in between acting work and this lead me into Directing, writing and devising plays with children and young people. I am currently working on a children’s book. One chapter at a time. Early mornings and late nights and sometimes saying no to social occasions to fit everything in. Unless you are very lucky.
How did you get into the film business?
Dawn Funnell (DF): Through my Performing Arts school which also ran an agency and got some of the children acting auditions. So I had walk on parts on quite a few TV shows and a couple of films in the early 1980s.
Explain your writing process?
Dawn Funnell (DF): I travel a lot and I am inspired by many things around me. Keep writing through the rubbish. Then go back and edit. I find I have an idea bubbling around for months and then I just need to get it onto paper.
What writing tip or ideas can you give young writers?
Dawn Funnell (DF): Keep at it and if you face a brick wall, leave it for a while and come back to it. Write down things which inspire you. Little ideas you have so you don’t lose them.
