Plug-In: The Car Monologues

As we continue to enjoy each week of The Car Monologues, created by Bob Towers, author of 'Vodka and Mushrooms' and mentor for Likeminded Production. In my opinion its an addictive series of intimate and intense monologues. Inspired by Peter Kay's 'Car Share,' The idea of telling stories in close quarters sparked a desire to create a similar platform for characters to explore their deepest thoughts and experiences within the confines of a car

We highly recommend taking the time to watch the recently released episodes, with three more yet to come, showcasing local talent at its finest. In this special Plug-In, we will delve into the inspiration of the project, explore its characters, and gain insight into the creator's plans for the future. We also had the privilege of speaking with a few of the cast members about their experiences being part of this  series.

“Monologues are such powerful tools for actors, they all love a monologue as it is something where they can really show their skills. Additionally, I loved the Peter Kay TV series 'Car Share' as this was performed in the small confines of a car and I wanted something like that. Finally, I wanted to branch out into short filmmaking, something that would be edgy, hand-held, and shot on a phone camera which we could then put out to a larger audience through social media.” . - Bob Towers

Bob Towers' passion for The Car Monologues springs from a genuine love for the power of monologues in storytelling. As someone who has performed in a one-act play, 'The Man with No Identity' (Likeminded's very first show), Bob deeply understands their potential to bring personal and emotionally charged stories. The decision in doing The car monologues on social media was Strategic. Bob explains: “The decision to share this project on social media was a thoughtful one, aiming to connect with the Instagram and TikTok generation, making the most of the immediacy and accessibility of these platforms”. As for the different characters featured in The Car Monologues, Bob draws from keen observations of people's lives. Bob Explains

“The inspiration for the characters come from my observations of people's lives and the issues which we face in a variety of situations. I love listening to people, observing their actions and how they deal with the various challenges that life has for us all. Some of these characters have already appeared in my book of short stories, Vodka and Mushrooms, others had popped up in poems I have written. Some are funny and some are quite tragic but all of them contain that element of human empathy.”

We had the opportunity to speak with a few of the actors. Firstly we asked Abbey Fitzhenry, one of the characters featured in the series, to share her thoughts on the overall experience. She expressed,

"Trying to get your work out there in a budget-friendly and quick turnaround manner can be quite a challenge. However, Bob's ingenious concept of car monologues addresses this issue perfectly. People have a natural inclination to observe others, and driving alone often becomes a cathartic experience where one might find themselves speaking aloud or reflecting on life's happenings. I believe viewers will find these videos enjoyable and possibly even resonate with a story or two. It's impressive how Bob managed to bring together individuals from various walks of life to share their narratives. All in all, it's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

Mikyla Jane Durkan also shared her experience working on The car Monologues:

“ I read through the script and I thought Bob Towers treatment of the subject matter showed a different perspective and the less than perfect lives people can find themselves in - it showed a complex and quite heartbreaking situation affecting a whole family. The filming itself was probably the most memorable as Bob was on the back seat throughout and then half way through I thought we were being followed and then realised it was the film crew just as I was about to panic !! I'm such a dope! Hello McFly”

finally we spoke To Andrew Games who was part of the series and also adviser on the project, expressed his overall experience on the project:

I had a great time on the car monologues. The shotgun, guerrilla style of shooting pushes you to be sharp and aware of your surroundings. Especially when driving, too. Great challenge.

He added,

It was lovely to play a different sort of character. I’ve played a lot of big personalities over the years, whether that be Marty from Dandilicious, or reserved, yet charismatic gentlemen like Brian Epstein from The Moondogs. But it was a nice change to play just a normal bloke, even if he is over dramatic about Dave.

Bob has carefully evaluated responses before deciding on the next step for The Car Monologues. Bob Says:

“Before committing to the next stage or series. Currently, I think there are a number of options including couples in cars (maybe Car Dialogues) or Taxi Driver, which can feature a taxi driver and the unusual passengers that may be encountered. I would also like to get other writers involved, so there are a few options for the next stage of this but nothing will happen now until the New Year at the earliest so please watch this space.”

Finally, we asked Bob if he was happy with the final product, and gave us great insight into the behind the senes of went on and creative team who was behind The Car Monologues.

“Me and Andrew Smith just tested out the equipment once, then booked dates and actors to shoot the series. Then we just released them as and when they were ready, whilst both working in our 'day jobs'. We could have talked ourselves out of this or delayed it or spent more time planning, but this is how projects are stifled. We just said 'Let's do this now' and see what happens. Nobody got hurt. 

I couldn't have done this on my own, but I can write and I know good actors. Andrew can make things happen and can make good use of equipment. So together we bounce off each other and create something new. Andrew Games, who knows loads about filmmaking, appeared in one of the monologues but he stayed and became an adviser and a supporter and he really improved the final product. So you meet good people on the journey.”

Bob added,

“The reaction was nice but low-key, largely because I didn't know what I was doing in terms of promotion, but this network of contacts and sharing has been building and after the release of Caring for Mum (episode three), it has just exploded. The reactions have been growing with people contacting me commenting on the content, wanting to appear in a Car Monologue and others wanting to write an episode.

I have also been approached by people who want to upgrade the production in terms of more cameras and sound equipment. When you write something it only exists in your head, but when you hand it over to an actor to interpret the story, it becomes something tangible and takes on a life of its own. I am lucky enough to have worked with actors at the top of their game for this series. This has greatly exceeded my expectations for what was essentially a couple of people talking about an idea for a project over coffee one day. It has really encouraged me to do more.”

The Car Monologues have really brought storytelling to life within the close confines of a car and with three more episodes to go we can’t wait to see where The Car Monologues go from here. Well done Bob and the team!

Words by, Amy Brennan