Alison Richards – Coach and Mentor

Now offering private mentoring and coaching in Dubai and Vancouver

What I can do for you

 

I am an award winning director and producer with over 20 years experience in film, television and stage productions. I have taught at leading schools in Hollywood California and Vancouver Canada. I recently relocated to Dubai to assist in developing and nurturing the entertainment industry in the Middle East.
I can guide you in a process to obtain these basic mental skills. I can help you achieve an “acting state of mind.” When you know how and what to focus your mind on, fear just becomes part of the job. If you really want an acting career or if you just want to experiment to see if you can do it and love it, I can equip you with the essential tools.

Flexible times that fit with your busy schedule. Group classes available with certain limitations.

Bring your own material or let me provide it. Tailor make a program with your interests and needs in mind.

The past year has brought be around the world and back again.  I had lots of adventures, both good and bad, and decided to share the experience with fellow artists in a project to create a film about my pleasures and perils.  Problem is that I don’t have a happy ending… So, opening myself up to suggestions on how and where to find one.

More info is available on the website and you will also see that I have set up the live streaming video for my webcasts.  The first event will be Noni’s 50th Birthday on October 29th.

I am looking for participants for this project so spread the word!

Alison (AKA – Noni)

I was out for my daily “power walk” and on the way back home I noticed a beautiful bird in the garden along the pathway. Since I have only been in the Middle East for a month I am discovering all sorts of new species of creatures including; lizards that come out at night when temperature cools and the prey is asleep, lots of creepy crawlies and too many cockroaches and an plethora of gorgeous birds.  Some of the birds are very similar to those found in North America, starlings and little chickadees while this was like none I had ever seen before.  When it saw me admiring it, it seemed to respond by cocking his head toward me and raising the crest on top.  Then when I had had sufficient time to absorb this feature the bird took to flight revealing an amazing pattern of back and white stripes A bit of research on the internet revealed that “Hoopoe” it is the National Bird of Israel and also called a Hudhud in parts of the middle east.  The bird is included in an ancient lesson in Islam. (see story below)

Use your all Powers to bring Humankind to the Right path

In spite of his wealth, glory, and vast empire, Prophet Sulayman (as) remained a humble and devoted servant of Allah (swt). He spent his nights in prayers and fasted during the days. He used his power and might only in the way of Allah (swt) to bring humankind to the right path. For his livelihood, he used to make baskets and sell them in the market; and with the money he obtained, he bought food and shared it with the poor. One day, when he was inspecting the birds, he noticed that a bird called Hudhud (Hoopoe) was not present. He said, “Where is Hudhud? I will punish him severely if he remains absent without a good reason.” Shortly after that, Hudhud arrived and told Prophet Sulayman (as) that he had flown over the land of Saba (Sheba) where he had seen a beautiful woman ruling over the people. Her name was Bilqees. She had plenty of wealth, a strong army and a throne made of gold, diamonds and other precious stones. He saw her and the people worshipping the sun, instead of Allah (swt). Prophet Sulayman (as) was very pleased with Hudhud and gave him a letter to deliver to Bilqees. Hudhud flew to the land of Saba and dropped the letter in the lap of Bilqees while she was in the palace. When Bilqees received the letter, she called her advisors and said, “I have received an honorable letter from Sulayman. It begins In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful and it reads: “Accept Allah (swt) and worship only Him. I am his prophet, believe in what I say and accept my command”.

On my my list of must dos in preparation to move to a foreign country; Get proper documentation to drive. I’m fortunate that I took the time to read the “fine print” on requirements for driving in Dubai. I figured no problem, I’ll go to AAA and get a IDP… Here’s what I found in the FAQ section on the AAA website :

I have a U.S. driver’s license, but I am a citizen of another country. Where should I obtain an IDP?

The IDP must be issued in the same country that issued the driver’s license. In the case of a driver’s license being issued in the United States, the IDP must also be issued in the United States. Contact your nearest AAA office to obtain an IDP.

Further investigation led me to information which saved me from being doomed to buses and taxis for months. (As I write this i began to think… What’s the traffic like in Dubai?) I heard that the traffic was crazy and the drivers worse… I decided to look on Google Images, I type in Dubai traffic… from what came up, it’s not looking so good. I guess the rumors are true.

Traffic in Dubai

So, back to the issue of driving in Dubai; in order to rent a car you’re required to have an international drivers permit. However, the permit must be issued from the country that issued your passport. Now this may seem like a no-brainer for most of you, but I happen to have two passports.

So what! How can that be a problem? Well, I hold both a Canadian and a UK passport, but my drivers license is from the state of California (where I have been living and driving the past 12 yrs) I can easily get a permit from AAA but I can’t use it in Dubai because it must also match my passport.

Solution - Head home to Canada, reinstate my license which expired in 1999  by surrendering my California permit and paying the $75 fee.  Then 7-10 days later I will receive my permanent card which can be taken to BCAA (British Columbia Auto Assoc) with 2 passport style photos and $15 and viola!  IDP that matches my Canadian passport.  I doubt I will ever drive in the UK but the permit will allow me to drive in most countries in the world.  The IDP is valid for one year from date of issue.

As for the traffic?  Well, as long as I have air conditioning and my ipod…

Many of you may already be privy to my plans for escape from LA. If someone had told me that I’d be staying in La La Land for 12 years I would have thought they were totally insane. But the fact remains that I did stay in my cozy little beach house just seconds from the Venice boardwalk for an undeniably long time.

So Cal weather was the big factor in my hesitancy to leave. It’s pretty much the most amazingly perfect climate of any place I could choose to live. Sunshine day after day after day… Cool breezes off the ocean make air conditioning unnecessary and friends from Hollywood and the Valley marveled at the comfort they enjoyed just 30 minutes from hellish heat.

Odd then that I’d decide to make the next city I grace with my film production endeavors to be one of the hottest places on earth. The Middle East. Dubai, UAE is one of the fasting growing cities in the world and has attracted my attention and captured my interest. As a leader in many industries and a HUB for world trade and technologies Dubai presents itself as a shining jewel amidst a storm of sand and simmering temperatures.

One of the fastest growing cities in the world

I stumbled upon Dubai by shear fluke. I was planning on filming a documentary in a variety of locations in SE Asia, Africa and parts of Southern Europe. After a few trips to Google looking at the map of the world I quickly noticed that Dubai was smack dab in the middle of every place I had ever dreamed of visiting.

More investigation led to my researching the city, it’s history, culture, people and the booming business there. When North Americans think of the Middle East we think of oil. Trust me, there is much, much more!

What I discovered was that the city boasts the tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai which is slated for completion in 2009, underwater hotels, indoor ski-slopes and building that move and change shape.

The sprawling landscape features incredible architecture and offers a unique glimpse into the next century.

Dubai boasts many tops, firsts biggest, best… and its ruler His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is one of the richest royals in the world. I was impressed with his plans for Dubai and decided to experience the expansion and growth firsthand.

This will be a first for me too. The first time I have traveled to an area in the world where the culture, climate and workweek is different.

Stay tuned for details to come.