Confessions of a Struggling Actor

Back in the office today and obviously I'm ecstatic to be here!  I'm feeling a little tired still after last week's exertions.

The filming just got better and better each day.  I got into it more and more and am certain it's my best performance on celluloid...well, video actually, but it doesn't sound as cool.  There was plenty of variety in what I had to do.  At different points they had me just in my boxers, eating cold pizza, dancing salsa, chatting up women and drinking beer.  Tough life.  Actually, it was bloody knackering.  It was all I could do to get home and sleep most nights.  It's the concentration levels that get to you.  It's so different from theatre, where you can get into a flow and keep momentum.  It's so stop start and you have to be aware of your surroundings, the camera angle, the continuity as well as the words and actions.  Still, my ego was boosted with the feedback from the director, producer and other actors. After 5 shorts since November, I've only got 2 more that I've committed to - one of which is voice over only and the other should only take 2 days and will be shooting in April after my Shakespeare debut.

I got the email this morning offering me the roles of Richmond (later Henry7 - fight scene with R3 at the end and a couple of good speeches) and Rivers, who is killed by Tricky Dicky and was played by Robert Downey Jr in the Ian McKellen film.  Very excited, but means that I miss Biz's stag and a golf day in the 'Deen.  Once the show is over, it'll be plans for the 2 weddings this summer and trying to keep my bank balance under control.  I was hoping to get either Clarence or Buckingham, but they did say that I was young looking compared to the Richard they were considering, so mustn't be greedy.

Socially, it was a great weekend.  After finishing shooting late on Saturday, I made it down to Clapham for last orders to see Biz, Mark and Sue.  Biz was on form but it was a pity that I didn't get a chance to catch up more.  Sunday gave us Stuart and Rachel in town on their way to Disneyland Paris.  Much laughter when hearing tales of the exploits of Dougie, Simon and Moray 'Bruce Forsyth' Barber.  Mark and Sue were there and Schmoo and I ended up staying in the pub for a couple more drinks after everyone had left.  It was really good to catch up with her as it's still weird that she's not working here any more and i don't see her every day.  We were both saying how much we had grown in confidence recently, through my acting and her new job respectively.  She was looking good and sounding more positive than I'd heard her for a while.  Football was cancelled, which was a shame, but there might be a friendly organised soon so we can give Pete a chance to play up front.

I'm hoping to get on top of my domestic chores finally this week.  I have 5s tonight, film rehearsal tomorrow, Luke round on Wednesday for the Arsenal game, the first official meeting for the theatre company on Thursday and my sister down from Friday.  Will be busy but not mental I hope.  No cash to go out with til the 13th, so should get plenty done by this time next week.  Still this weekend will be the first with no plans.  Wonderful!!!