So I've turned my hand to modelling

Most actors will tell you they don't really do anything other than acting - perhaps just the odd bit of this or that during down times but the way I see it, we need to be as versatile as possible to stay on top of things, especially with cuts in funding, less being made and the increase in bollocks tv shows such as 'The Only Way is Essex' or 'What Peter André Did After Breakfast.' If I've offended you, then I urge you to stop reading immediately, consult an anaesthesiolgist and beg them for an overdose.

Anyway the more we can do that adds to our employability -whether it be honing a skill, keeping fit, training further - we ought to do it - and if it brings in the Benjamen's in the mean time - great!

Now I'm not going to kid myself that this next casting of mine is going to set the world on fire - but a smart man from our industry once told me that "Nothing in this industry is for nothing," by which he meant that you get something out of even the smallest venture - be that a contact, some money, an appreciation for another artform or simply life experience.

I have a friend who is an extremely talented casting assistant/director Leanne Flinn who often casts music videos and films, adverts and also finds time to sing in the kickass Blues Brothers Banned as well as having her own films shown at Cannes. She recently asked me if I would like to put myself forward for a hand modelling project and whether I had any experience? I answered the only way an actor can, when a casting director asks such a thing:

Casting Director

"Oh, and how are you at ...... {the Mongolian Anal Flute}?"

Actor

"{Mongolian Anal Flute} you say? Oh Grade 8 ... Yeah ... My parents wanted me to go pro actually ...
I won the School's National Championship in 2007."

Thankfully she only required a couple of photos of my hands rather than a rendition of the above so instead of sending in the boring photos I thought I'd put together a short clip of my skills in action, to show that I really can point at stuff all by myself.

The following montage, and many of you will find this hard to believe, was produced entirely in-house (literally) ... all the way from the creation of the concept, through to scripting, story-boarding, casting, direction, lighting, sound (including ADR), manicuring and shooting to everything else in post such as grading, editing, foley and special effects, all within 15 minutes.

I am incredibly proud of how the finished product turned out - at times I never dreamed it would ever be finished, and I couldn't have done it without my girlfriend who stood beside me the whole time (again, literally) without whom none of it would have been possible (I couldn't hold the camera and point all at once). I hope you enjoy it. N.B you will need the sound up to appreciate the oevre to its full effect. Those without flash player (iPhone and iPad users) view here.

Well there you have it folks, I gave a little more than was asked of me and (for whatever reason) I got the job. I film for a week (an entire Week!!) for this commercial and it sure as hell beats working for a living. I can't think of many other professions that allow you to do the sheer variety of things I get to ... It just goes to show that 'nothing is for nothing.'