World War Z non-story

While visiting friends in Newquay, Cornwall last week, Jen Nelson and I heard that World WarZ was being filmed in Falmouth. Surf was flat that day so we drove over to see what we could see - and maybe become extras. Jen had already seen the casting calls weeks previous and as we drove over, battling the constantly interrupted mobile signal, we emailed the casting agent. ( and to this date, we've still not heard back from her!) Uncertain where this may lead, we determined to go it alone and approach them ourselves!

A Cornwall tourist website gave us our first brake, then a local newsagent (and newspaper) gave us a clearer picture.

All indications were that Brad Pitt would be filming on a ship in the harbour but aside from a large green screen, some wind generators and a helicopter, there was little apparently going on.

We found out that the production had placed small yellow signs around the town to direct crew to various locations and decided to follow, on foot, the signs to the 'crowd base' where maybe we could join them.

2 1/2 miles later, we found a marquee. And a security guard. Lovely bloke, told us we'd completely wasted our time, there was no more need for extras and that we should indeed be at the marina. Ho-hum.

We went back and could see the same old nothing going on, no matter where we viewed it from.

Production moved up to Glasgow this week, too bad, I'm busy right now. Brad will just have to wait!

note the green screen to the rear of the ship

This was the crowd base for zombie extras!

Those Falmothians never miss a trick!

That's a film crew bus - THAT'S how close we came to getting onboard!!!

"I've hung out with Jim Morrison..."

...that's what Terrence Stamp interjected as Christopher Ecclestone wondered what it would be like to hang out with the 'Lizard King' himself..!
It wasn't my conversation either, I was just within earshot of Chris and director Paul Andrew Williams chewing the fat at the cemetery location.

Back on earth and props to a couple of our prop making students whose work was filmed today (Billy and Rachel).

It was my second and final day on set and inhad to make a judgement call as to if, when and how best to ask for my picture to be taken with the two stars.

With anlittle help from my co-stand in, Alan billingham, I have my prize.

Two days with almost unlimited access to a film set and betting paid to do it... life is sweet!

Christopher Ecclestone and me - he's actually taller than me usually

Terrence Stamp took a few moments out to allow me this 'prize'

That's me, on set, being Chris' stand in- I'm sitting down here though

CCAD Hartlepool Entertainment Design Crafts students created this fake grave site

A John for Marion

Did I mention that I had joined an extras agency?
My first audition was postponed and then, I assume, cancelled, so I decided to park up my big Hollywood dream and go for a surfing holiday instead.

Three days before I go, I was offers the job of being Christopher Ecclestone's stand in on a film called 'A Song For marion' - perfect timing!

Today was my first day of two on set. 12 hours in the sun and rain, on my feet for the best part of the time, and every second was a pleasure.
Five years ago, I was an arcitechtutal model maker in Nottingham, wondering what went wrong. Today I was on a film set, working with bona fide actors like Terrence Stamp, Chris Ecclestone and the up and coming Jumayn Hunter - beat that for a name!

The point is that it felt right. Do you love your job? The money it brings? Do you love your life? Right now, I'm loving every minute of it, from every point if view; as an 'actor', a film maker and a movie nut.

If anyone out there isn't sure about what they're doing, I highly recommend trying something different. When it clicks, you'll know it. When you know it, run with it!

Tomorrow I'll be working with Gemma Arterton('s stand in) at a cemetery. It might even be raining. Bring it on!!!

Here's a link to the film:

http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1047011/

John Noble - this face for rent

In order to fill my summer with film-related work, I joined an extras agency a few weeks ago - and tomorrow I have my first audition!

Banker by day, rocker by night; this is very much like a short film I did recently with Writers Block NE called Saturday Night, Monday Morning - here's a link to the film:

http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/film/2116/saturday-night-monday-morning


And here's a link to my online profile:

http://www.extraspecials.tv/xtradetails.cfm?id=2060

Today, I'm mostly wrestling with EXACTLY what to wear to land the job..!

Writers block, Apples and Snakes and 90's nostalgia

At the 'Read My Lips' event today, I was asked to play a couple of quite different parts in other peoples films.
Sarah asked me to play a heartbreaking/heartbroken musician in her film 'Love Beat' and I was an extra in a film about a very nice bloke, filmed by a very nice bloke..!

I modelled my first character on David Bowie in labyrinth - I could just hear him saying 'sarah' so beautifully in that. Sarah the actor/director thought I was playing Russel Brand in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall'... Whatever, it was fun.

I also made a film for myself - 'And Two Minutes Early' - which charted another of my legendary late runs to a writers block event. Shot in only thirty minutes and edited in two and a half hours - most of that time was LEARNING the iMovie software - I was very satisfied with the result.

It went down a storm at the evening screenings, so big thanks to Jen Nelson for filming me, Laura and James for setting it up and helping me edit on a Mac and Kirsten and team for providing the cameras and macs.

Here's a couple of links to Apples and Snakes and Writers Block NE:
http://applesandsnakes.org/page/37/Events

http://www.writersblockne.com/events/2011/05/12/read-our-lips-spoken-word-and-film/

Here's the final film!!!

When I said 'i wanna be a cowboy', I kinds meant more like Clint!

At the Ents/Costume Construction catwalk show last week I modelled a rather dandy cowboy shirt for first year Ents student Harry Peach.
Someone thought it would be a good idea to add a kittle line dancing but didn't factor in the ZERO rehearsal time available this time if year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiBaq4dBOJs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

One outfit change and a quick shave later and I was back on as a martial artist.
I was consumed by the occasion and my inner warrior manifested itself halfway down the catwalk.

Hollywood; consider this a calling card: the Matrix 4, Brokeback Mountain 2 - I'm capable of anything!

Cannes 2011!

Further to my recent right-place, right-time moment getting a small part in Dawn Furness' pitching trailer, last Saturday I had the pleasure of accompanying one of the lead actors, Jen Nelson to the 64th Cannes Film Festival.
It was a lot more complicated than we first thought: it's not just about walking the streets, it's about getting inside, being at the heart if the action and I suppose watching some films, although that was a stretch too far for us.
A requirement for entry was proof you are an industry professional; an IMDB page, a film show online, some form of accreditation. I should have these things but I don't. They could have turned me away but they didn't.
Once inside, I was able to put up hastily prepared posters for 'In The Grand Scheme of Things' on the columns in the basement of the marche du film. That's where everyone puts their pitching posters, hoping to be picked up by a keen-eyed producer.
Time will tell if anything comes off but I aim to use my time at film school to push forward this project so that when I graduate in 2013, I will be pitching it in Cannes for real.
From here on in I'll need all my prop, set and costume contacts, actors and cgi experts.
It's going to happen, don't fight it, please join me and support it!
Check out the link:
http://www.grandschemeofthings.co.uk/