Next Thursday, the 22nd May, I will watch what is effectively my film debut as a lead role. Admittedly it is a short film, and a student project, but I have always known I will have to start this journey from the bottom and work my way up. The film is called Playing Around. It is the final year project of director Chris Goodson, a student at University of West London. It was written by his friend Javed Sohrabi, a tale about a couple and essentially how distrust and secrets can ruin a relationship. Running 10minutes long, it is the sort of project I am trying to get involved in as much as possible right now.
The filming process was incredibly fun, once again I felt at home on set. Chris, Javed and I got on immediately, to the point that Chris rang me hours after I had finished my audition informing me I had the role despite him still having guys to see, that was how confident he was in me being able to bring his character to life, in the way he wanted. The whole team was full of like-minded people, and as such time on set was extremely harmonious. The film was set around my girlfriend and I spending a long weekend in the countryside; Chris had found a picture perfect white-picket fence cottage tucked behind a block of flats in north London. Literally you would never guess it was there, I was amazed when we turned through these rather ugly flats to reveal this quaint little cottage. It was perfect. Katie, the actress playing opposite me, and I had had numerous rehearsal days where we had gone over the script with Javed and Chris. These were vital to Chris who was keen for the two of us to really get into the script, and in fact change it where we saw fit; where we felt the speech didn't quite roll of the tongue, he was happy, if anything insistent(!) on us working alongside him to develop it. I feel this led, to us being as comfortable as possible on set. Speaking of which, on set, as I said, was where I felt my best! I just enjoy it so much! I love the focus that has to be present, from everyone involved. When you know a script, and you have confidence in yourself and your performance, there is nothing better than finally having the opportunity to give it. I genuinely live for those moments right now.
So yeah, next thursday, I will have my first real indication of whether the acting world is for me! I have seen myself on screen before, I did a 45min film at school and a short film at university. But I really see this as my first step on the acting ladder. This is a film I sourced myself, auditioned to strangers, and shot with an overwhelming feeling of a job well done. Im going to sit in the cinema next week with as much judgement as possible. I really hope I walk out with the smile I carried throughout the whole experience still firmly sat across my face.
Despite spending the last six weeks in Cape Town (more on that to come), I have managed to arrive back in London and have two more short films on my plate. Next week I shoot another student project titled Torpor, a horror short, and in June I'll be shooting an independently funded project, again revolving around the issues of relationships. This is all work I am finding myself, either through casting sites StarNow and CastingCallPro, or simply word of mouth. My plan at the moment, is to obtain as much experience and time in front of a camera, similar to, initially, the music videos and commercials I was shooting and now the short films I am becoming involved in, with the intention of making a showreel with which I can hopefully find an acting agent with! Its as simple as that!! To be honest right now that plan seems logical and achievable, and once it is done, I will set out the next plan, make some more goals, and that is how I shall continue for as long as I can.
Peace x
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