What an interesting year it’s been.
In April I was down in London auditioning for the central Lead role in “The Murder Retrial” – a 3 part primetime miniseries for Channel 4. It was an absolutely terrific show to pitch for and I was extremely proud of the work I put together for it. I came a hair’s width from landing the part but, alas, it was not to be.
I did wonder whether that would be my last major audition for the year – lead roles don’t drop into “jobbing” actor’s inboxes often. Indeed, much of my year has been filled with commercial auditions and day-player pitches, which are the bread and butter of acting.
Then, in August, came an unexpected email from my agent: to tape for the Lead in Peter Pan: Neverland Nightmare – an internationally theatrically-released horror movie. Yes, me as an older Peter Pan being an utter meanie on big screens all over the world.
I taped strong and the director loved what I did (I had a very flattering chat with him after – wonderful chap). Sadly, again, it wasn’t to be. It did lead to a straight offer of a small role in Pan’s sister-production, Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, which I filmed in September.
Expect to see me on screens from Tokyo to New Jersey, Paris, Sydney and beyond in early 2024. I hope to bring news from the Red Carpet soon.
There was an odd pause in auditions across the summer as productions dialled down due to the SAG/Aftra and Writers’ strikes in the USA. The industry is still gearing back up and there’s a feel of expectation for early next year when many on-hold script-level productions finally go before cameras.
This lul in activity drew me back into producing my own work.
In February I was having a long chat with a producer when I casually mentioned a kids’ show I’d had bubbling away in the back of my mind – a part-puppetry entertainment TV idea. I asked them if they thought there might be an audience for it and they were blazingly enthusiastic.
When it became clear that there would be a dry patch, I did what every single actor should do in that position: I sat down and thought what I could produce myself, and that conversation popped up in my mind. I commissioned two puppets and set to work.
Using equipment I already had to hand for taping, voice work and green screen presentation, I co-created a 28 minute long Pilot for the show which has been doing “the rounds” and collecting feedback for the last few months.
The show hasn’t yet gone into series production but there are plans for 2024. Watch this space!
(Also: I’ve not really spoken about the show here yet! I know! But it’s kinda a proprietary idea and I don’t want to let cats out of bags too early, before things really kick into gear. Patience, dear reader. Patience!)
We’re a long, long way from production so I remain a free-agent, working actor looking for work. It’s something that remains a possibility, as are other projects with Rough Magic Theatre which are currently on the back burner.
As ever, there’s been plenty of work from long-time partners to keep my bank balance from imploding – work in medical roleplay and chasing Dinosaurs around the country, as well as the work I do as a Copywriter and Public Speaking Coach.
I’ve also closed out the year with a slew of commercial castings, many of which are still to report back.
What will 2024 bring?
Come back in a few short weeks and find out,…
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