Yourcinemafilms.com | Rising star Demmy Ladipo shares how he managed to continue working through the strike and what it was like working with Daniel Kaluuya on ‘The Kitchen’!
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Are you ready for the truth?
Listen on:
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Apple podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-your-cinema-podcast/id1712678244
’Welcome to Your Cinema'
Follow us on socials:
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FunTranscript
00:00 Now everyone's making it in film and TV, but we don't really know how.
00:05 Here we uncover the truth.
00:07 Welcome to the Your Cinema Podcast.
00:09 Welcome to the Your Cinema Podcast.
00:15 Today, this is the place where we explore, you know, the truth about the film and TV industry and theatre.
00:22 And we hear it directly from those who are smashing it in their areas.
00:27 Our guest today, very special guest, he needs no introduction.
00:32 He's a gem in that industry and like, it's been amazing and is continuing to be amazing to watch him grow.
00:40 He's been in Dreaming Whilst Black, The Last Tree, Count Abdullah, Enterprise, Back in the Day, Agatha Christie's Murder is Easy.
00:51 And also the soon to be released The Kitchen by Daniel Kaluuya.
00:57 We've got none other than Demi Ladepoe.
01:00 What's going on, man?
01:02 Wow, wow, wow.
01:04 I need to send some money for that for that intro, but that was really nice, man.
01:08 Thanks, PM. What's good, man? How you doing, brother?
01:11 I'm good, man. I'm good.
01:13 It's amazing to have you on the pod, right?
01:18 And the reason I say that is because it seems like we're watching your career in real time.
01:26 Like there's loads of actors that sort of, it seems like they've popped out of nowhere, right?
01:34 Where like, either they've just come out of drama school, they've done some bits in some projects that we might not be familiar with, but they're still kind of decent.
01:43 And then they get a role in like a big thing. And then all of a sudden everyone knows them.
01:48 But I feel like with our community and I don't want to say this side of the industry, but when it comes to, and I don't even want to say like black culture or underrepresented culture, but there's this, I guess the way I would put it, right, is your journey has been very well documented on socials.
02:11 And I guess that's because of like you and Tom back in the day.
02:15 So there's already that affinity with you and him as well.
02:21 But like when an actor is like fresh, like no one really knows them because how are you going to know unless you know the project?
02:29 But if they've got a really small role, you're not going to know. That's why.
02:32 That's why we're watching your career because you've had a footprint already.
02:39 But I just want to know, right, like, because you're now, like you're a working actor, like, which is huge because I'm sure like for the five of you, it's like, you know, you just want to get like one good role.
02:57 But now.
02:58 Yeah.
02:59 Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
03:01 It's crazy, isn't it?
03:03 It's kind of what you, you know, it's what you obviously it's like what you strive to do is to be a working actor, to be able to go from role to role to role, which is, you know, like, yeah, that's part of the dream, isn't it?
03:21 Amongst other things.
03:23 But yeah, man, it's crazy.
03:25 It's been so interesting, the fact that it's been so easy to track for a lot of people to because if you go straight back to when I first started making sketches to like now you've been able to see pretty much everything that I've done.
03:41 Like, over the last eight, nine years now, you know, I mean, it's been a longer journey than that, but it's really cool that it's been able to be documented up until up until this point and, you know, further.
03:55 It's nice. Yeah. And a lot of people really nice and supportive talking about just like having a lot of people come up to me talk about how they've watched it and how it inspires them, which is a beautiful thing, which just allows me to have the energy to keep on going as well, you know.
04:13 I love that. I love that.
04:15 You know what, right? Given how grounded you are and how aware you are of where you are, if that makes sense, right?
04:27 Like, what's it been like for you?
04:35 It's weird, man. It's just surreal, isn't it?
04:38 Like, it's crazy, man. Honestly, I don't even know how to explain what it's like, because it's just, you set out to do something like, and you like, you envision it.
04:51 And then, like, the stuff that I'm imagining I'm actually doing, which is like, you know, just, it's an insane feeling to, and for it to like work and to actually pay off and to actually be able to see it.
05:06 And what's nice is that it's a very tangible thing that you can actually see. Do you know what I mean?
05:10 Like, you could like watch a film, like with an audience full of people and then actually feel their reaction.
05:16 And then, you know, it's a really nice part of that storytelling.
05:20 So, yeah, man, it's just a beautiful feeling, honestly.
05:24 Like, I can't quite believe it still, like every day.
05:28 That's why even when people like come up to me and talk about like, you know, I've seen you in this or that, and then it's kind of like, wow, it's like, really?
05:36 It's just like, really? You watched it?
05:38 You know, I'm still in that phase where it's like, it's not real.
05:41 Like, I don't know if it's ever going to feel real, but I still feel like it's not real.
05:45 Yeah, I love that. I love that.
05:47 So what would you say, what would you say is different now to when you first started acting?
05:54 I'd say the feeling, like just being unsure of myself, like it's a completely different thing now.
06:07 Like, because in the beginning, it's just kind of like, you know, you're just constantly trying to prove stuff.
06:15 Like, just prove that you're like, decent enough just to like, be seen, let alone get a role and then sort of work and then get more work and then stuff like that.
06:27 So, yeah, definitely my own self-confidence and self-belief.
06:32 Well, not self-belief, but self-confidence in terms of just like, say like when I'm not working or say when I don't get a job.
06:40 Do you know what I mean? Because I still don't get jobs, I still audition for stuff and don't get it.
06:45 Do you know what I mean? So it's not now, it's a lot easier to deal with the sort of ups and downs,
06:52 even though it's still difficult when like, there's a certain job that you really wanted and then you don't get.
06:58 But yeah, I'd say, yeah, definitely the self-confidence, not the belief, but the assuredness in what I'm doing and where I'm going as well.
07:08 Like, you know, it's only with more work, that's like, yeah, you start to invest a little bit more into yourself,
07:15 as opposed to when it's just kind of like this distant thing that you can never touch, you know?
07:22 Yeah, I love that. I love that.
07:25 You know, there's an interview that, well, it wasn't an interview, it's like a segment that we did with you and Tom,
07:34 talking about like your days reflecting before you guys were like on Curtis Brown, right?
07:39 And you two came up, like, getting like one audition a month or every two months or something.
07:48 And it was like for projects with like, Tidal doing this stuff, right?
07:53 I wanted to know, right, in terms of like insight for like, for actors who were on the come up and are looking to you as like inspiration, right?
08:07 What do things practically look like now? Like how many auditions are coming through? Like, you know, self-tapes, all of that stuff.
08:16 So, okay, so obviously we're just coming out of a strike, like as of like days ago, innit?
08:25 Yes.
08:26 So, funnily enough, since the strike has ended, like I've gotten about three or four auditions already, like in the last week.
08:32 So, it's like, it's like kind of, kind of going back to normal in terms of like the amount of auditions.
08:41 So, yeah, it used to be before that strike, I'd say at least two auditions a week, generally, I'd say.
08:53 But some weeks it could be three, four, some weeks it could just be none.
08:57 But like, if you average it out through a month, I'd say probably about two a week.
09:04 And then that can always like go up and down.
09:08 Yeah. So, yeah, it looks like very different to when I was like, you know, trying to get to a Curtis Brown and stuff like that.
09:20 Because, yeah, it's few and far between, once every few months.
09:26 And it's like tiny parts that you're not, you know, not that tiny parts are bad, but it's like to wait so long.
09:35 And then it's for lack of crumb.
09:38 It's a very challenging thing because, you know, you become starved of crumbs as opposed to bread, if that makes any sense.
09:46 Yes. The big loaves.
09:48 Yeah, exactly. Exactly that.
09:50 So, yeah. Yeah. So, very different now.
09:56 A lot more busy. Obviously, a lot more auditions.
10:02 Every so often you get an offer in terms of like, you get offered like a role in a short film or maybe a part where like it's a casting director that knows you and knows what you can do.
10:16 So they offer you, you know, something because it's less a matter of proving your ability because they know what you can do because they've seen what you can do.
10:28 And that's what comes with like doing more work that more people can see and be like, oh, yeah, I loved you in this show.
10:34 So I know you don't need to do this because I've seen you in that, you know.
10:38 So that's kind of what also changes a little bit.
10:43 I love that.
10:44 Like now. Yeah.
10:46 I love that. I love that. It makes me so happy.
10:51 Now, you touched on the on the strike, right?
10:55 And yes, it's interesting because I was speaking to I was speaking to another actor the other day.
11:03 I just couldn't see how they were doing and stuff.
11:06 And they what they said caught me off guard. Right.
11:10 They were like, bro, like it hasn't been great. And I was like, what's happening?
11:16 And they were like, like no work since the beginning of the year.
11:20 And I was like, oh, because everyone's living their life and no one's going to post that stuff on socials.
11:29 Do you know what I mean? Yeah. So then I was like, that's when I realized, oh, that's how much it's impacted the UK, too.
11:36 Because you guys are going up for auditions for projects around the world, you know, especially.
11:41 Yeah. And it's about the projects with American money tied up in.
11:46 So it could be British productions. But if there's American money like behind it, then due to the strike, it wouldn't have like been going.
11:56 So that stuff, that's on Netflix or stuff, maybe Netflix US because there's still Netflix UK.
12:03 But maybe stuff that's like on Amazon, you know, but it's like a BBC show, but it's Amazon.
12:09 So because of the American money behind it, that money is all frozen due to the strike and stuff like that.
12:15 So, yeah, yeah. It had like a long reaching effect.
12:21 And yeah, it's just like very possible act of life where you can it can be November.
12:28 You haven't worked since since January or February or like the year before.
12:33 You know, sometimes it can be like that as well. That's deep. That's deep.
12:38 So like, you know, for you, right, like what what was that like?
12:46 Just in like a general sense, we don't need to go into like your personal personal business and stuff, but like just like in a general sense, like because effectively,
12:56 like I guess it was kind of different when it's the pandemic because all in like so many industries shut down.
13:02 But this is specifically acting and filmmaking.
13:06 Yeah, it feels like it felt it feels very much like a second lockdown.
13:12 Serious. In a way. Yeah. Yeah. In a way.
13:16 Like because there was still UK stuff happening, which I was lucky enough to be to be working on throughout this year.
13:25 Well, not for that since May. I've been doing all UK work.
13:30 So luckily I've been able to keep working like since since May.
13:37 Yeah, it was it was like a like another lockdown because it's like and the difficult part was not knowing when it was all going to end.
13:48 All the renegotiations like happening and then like failing and then happening.
13:52 And then it's like they're going to come to an agreement and then they didn't.
13:55 So, yeah, it was a difficult one. But luckily, me personally, I was privileged enough to be tied up in a few UK projects.
14:05 So all happening like back to back through the last five, six months.
14:12 Wow. Yeah. You see when you put it like that, that's proper deep, you know, that is like that favour to like, well, you know, well,
14:24 I'm working on another job. OK, cool. Yeah. And another job.
14:28 It's weird the way things kind of fall in place because it's like it's not.
14:34 Two of the jobs weren't like I didn't know that they were happening.
14:39 They just kind of like one of them was like a set of reshoots, which is like just kind of happens by luck.
14:47 You know, it's not like luck, but it's like, well, luck financially for me, obviously for the filmmakers,
14:53 it's not lucky at all to have to reshoot a movie.
15:00 But that's one. And then then the other one, which was Queenie, which was the first thing I did this year,
15:09 that came about through a table read where I didn't have a role in the show.
15:15 It's just I went to the table read. To read in like the parts of the people that were like attending that day.
15:27 And then, you know, I just impressed and like the writer took a liking to me and yeah,
15:34 just kind of aligned that there was something that fit me on the show and then they gave me a part.
15:41 So, you know, that just came out kind of out of just just taking an opportunity to just for me to just read.
15:48 What I like about table reads is it's an opportunity for me to just go and sort of flex my muscles, exercise,
15:55 even if and especially because I don't have a part, it's kind of like, OK, I can just really just, yeah,
16:00 just have fun and, you know, really just dive into everything, all the different characters I get to read.
16:07 And sometimes you can bag some work from that, which is which is really nice.
16:12 Which, yeah, it's been good.
16:17 You said something right. I love I love that, that that idea of play.
16:23 Right. Because the stakes are really high when you're when like the bigger the the more you progress throughout your career,
16:33 the productions only become bigger. Right. And I wanted to know, do you still have the opportunity to play?
16:41 Like like, for example, when you're doing the kitchen. Like, is it like, no, smash this.
16:49 Still playing on set like. Oh, well, yeah, on set, like I'm I'm always playing on set,
16:57 like off camera, I'm always like just high energy having because it's just the best time when it like when you're on set,
17:05 it's just the best time. So I'm constantly having fun, like off off camera.
17:10 But in terms of like, say, through the work in terms of play. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
17:14 It all it all depends on like the project and the sort of character, like.
17:23 The sort of atmosphere that he's like in the world, whether it's like someone that's like,
17:30 and it all depends on the character and whether they have that sort of.
17:34 So in some places I could play like certain types of scenes, certain because, you know,
17:40 my character is trying to bring a certain energy to the film that probably not many other characters say in the kitchen.
17:47 Yes. Have. So my character is kind of doing something slightly different to everyone else.
17:52 So I've got chances to play like within that. And obviously, like with the directors that I had,
18:01 that they could see what my abilities are and sort of put me in the best position to to show that.
18:07 So, yeah, yeah. But what else? I'm trying to think. Dreaming Whilst Black, I get I got loads of chances to play.
18:19 When I was doing Queenie just a few months ago, that was I got lots of I got loads of chances to play on that,
18:27 because because my character was this really it's a really comical sort of character where he doesn't take himself too seriously.
18:35 So I am I'm allowed not to take myself seriously at all.
18:39 So I had a lot of free reign to have fun with that.
18:44 You know, and that's and that's because in the table read when I was reading for Queenie, I was having loads of fun.
18:50 So they could see that, oh, you can do this, this, that and that.
18:52 So it's like it makes sense to let you just give you something that, yeah, like, you know.
18:59 Yeah. So it's just about placing it in the best place so that it makes sense.
19:05 Yeah. Because sometimes it doesn't make sense. You have to be really sort of like, you know, certain way.
19:10 Sometimes you you can just play around.
19:13 I got you. I got you. So, you know, you know, the kitchen, right?
19:18 What was that like? Because, mate, that's all I'm going to say, mate.
19:27 Yeah. Hey, look, it's it's like, yeah, mate, I mean, it's like it was just amazing, man.
19:36 It was just surreal to be like, oh, this is a Netflix movie, you know, and then like you get this letter from Netflix.
19:44 And then that when you first go into your first day, you get this nice little letter.
19:50 I'm going to say thank you for that. It's cool. It's just like, oh, shit, Netflix.
19:54 Like, because obviously when I was like pursuing, not when I was pursuing that, I'm still pursuing it.
20:00 But when I was like coming up, like Netflix and chill became a thing.
20:05 And it was like, oh, like to be on Netflix is like because every obviously now you look at the world now, we all watch Netflix.
20:12 You know what I mean? But when Netflix was just becoming like when it became like Netflix and chill, then it was like, oh, Netflix is like the place.
20:20 Then, yeah, but coming like I mean, not becoming, but having a Netflix projects was like a goal in it.
20:29 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah, to be doing the Netflix movie was crazy.
20:35 Daniel Kaliya, Oscar winner is is like, what is that?
20:41 That's that's crazy because. That means in the casting process that.
20:47 They chose you, do you know what I mean? So that's like a very big validation personally, because I really respect his work.
20:57 You know, I think he's one of the finest actors to ever come out of this country.
21:01 So. So for someone like that to be like, yeah, you.
21:07 I want you on my project, my first ever project that I'm directing and writing.
21:13 Yeah, that was an amazing, amazing feeling.
21:17 And then working with Kano, who I respect so much from from his performances in Top Boy, that was a that was another amazing thing.
21:26 And then some of the other great people working on the show and some of the great young actors that I met.
21:33 Yeah, man, it was just a beautiful experience from that from start to finish.
21:36 And I can't wait for people to see it. I hope people enjoy it.
21:41 And yeah, man, it was a dream.
21:44 It was that was a dream. And that's not that wasn't my first ever movie.
21:48 But I was like. It was just a different experience, because what I did last week, that was like it does an independent film.
21:55 So, you know, very different machine. So, yeah, this was a next level experience.
22:03 I love that. I love that. So like a while ago. Right.
22:08 When when when we did an interview with Angela Griffin, right, she mentioned that she like really struggled at the time.
22:17 You know, it may not be the case now, but at the time she was that she really struggles with not working like she gets anxious.
22:24 And then it's like, you know, where's the next role going to come from? And she's been on our screens for years.
22:30 Right. Like I wanted to know, like what are some of the things that like you find difficult or have found difficult in your career?
22:40 Like at the moment. It's like so there's certain types of rejections that are difficult.
22:57 Like, you know, sometimes you can have like a great audition and then the casting directors like, wow, you know, casting directors.
23:04 Sometimes look, casting directors, sometimes they do too much.
23:07 Sometimes in terms of like the praise that they give you, it's misleading because.
23:16 Obviously, us actors, we're coming in the room looking for approval.
23:19 So if you give too much of that approval and they don't get the part, sometimes it's like it can it can, you know, weigh a bit heavier because you kind of felt like, oh, my God.
23:32 Like, you know, they loved it. So that means I've got it.
23:34 Obviously, you know, it goes through it goes through a lot of people.
23:40 The casting process is not just a casting director that says, yeah, I want them.
23:44 And then you've got the part. It's like a director has to agree.
23:47 Producers have to agree. Streaming services, they have to approve you.
23:55 So, yeah, yeah, yeah.
23:58 I remember when I got, so funny, when I got the kitchen, I'm going to get a walk.
24:04 Go for it, mate. When I got the kitchen.
24:09 What happened?
24:11 So just before I got the role, I remember they were like, yeah, we're just waiting.
24:19 We're waiting. We're waiting back on Netflix approval.
24:22 I was like, approval? I was like, what?
24:25 What are they like? Are they doing like a background check on me or something like that?
24:28 So I don't even know. Maybe they are doing a background check. I don't really know.
24:31 I don't know what the approval means, but that's what was said to me.
24:35 So, yeah, yeah, that's an interesting one.
24:41 What was the question again?
24:44 No, that's it. You answered it. You answered it.
24:46 OK, cool.
24:48 Yeah, yeah, yeah.
24:49 No, that's very insightful.
24:53 Now you have a family, you have a child, you have a lovely son.
24:58 Yes.
24:59 And also a partner. How do you balance your family life, especially working, working, working, working?
25:10 Oh, man, it's, you know what, it's about knowing why you're doing what you're doing.
25:21 I'd say, because obviously, you know, for the first, between January and May, I didn't have any work.
25:34 So for five months I was effectively at home, which is like a part of the business sometimes.
25:44 Like you will be out of work.
25:46 So sometimes it's like a blessing in disguise, that sort of stuff, because, you know,
25:51 especially at the age that my son's at, I've been able for the first couple of years of his life to pretty much be there
26:01 pretty much like the whole time, give or take weeks out, weeks out here for work, weeks out here for work.
26:09 But yeah, yeah, it's like, I don't know, so far, I wouldn't say it's been like, I feel like childcare's been one of the main, like, sort of issues in terms of like,
26:26 I'm working and then you're working at the same time. So where's he going to go?
26:32 And then it's like nursery, and then starting off nursery.
26:37 And then there's like a whole separation anxiety thing going on there with when you first start dropping your child off to nursery,
26:44 because, well, for me, my child, he was really against, not against it, but he just didn't like the handover.
26:54 Yes, I can imagine.
26:55 You know, so that was like, that was tough. So it's just, it's just the everyday sort of life difficulties that you have,
27:09 plus it's like, oh, I've got to go to work for like X amount of hours.
27:13 So it's just about trying to find that balance. And then also understanding what the other person has to do at the different times, you know,
27:27 because that's the main thing. If you understand, if we all understand what we're here to do, what we're trying to do,
27:35 then it should, you know, it should work smoothly. But life doesn't work that way.
27:44 It doesn't go to plan all the time. So you just got to roll with the punches, man.
27:47 Honestly, there's no great tip that I can say in that regard, because it's like for each different person,
27:55 it's all going to unfold the way it unfolds, innit?
27:59 Yeah.
28:00 Yeah, just remember why you're doing what you're doing. Like work isn't everything, you know.
28:07 So you work for a purpose. So just remember the purpose. That should be the main, main thing.
28:15 When we look back at your career, right, because you've been doing this, or you've been pursuing it, let's say, for quite some time, right?
28:25 And you've had an interesting career in terms of different avenues and different types of roles and different types of projects
28:35 and probably different mindsets as well, right?
28:38 Yeah, yeah, definitely.
28:41 Are there any things that, like, you regret, you think?
28:49 You know,
28:50 Or would do differently?
28:52 No, like, no, honestly, no. At this point, like, everything, like, it's all been for a reason, like, so far.
29:03 Like, the way it's gone for me personally, it's like all the different people that I've met, the different opportunities I've had,
29:13 like, all the different avenues I've been down and like, like, the thing is, it took a good while, it took a good while for anything to happen in the first place.
29:24 And I wouldn't change any of that, man. I wouldn't change any of it.
29:29 Like, I feel like it's all because the thing is, what I feel with acting, especially the fact that I haven't gone to drama school, nothing like that.
29:37 It's, it's, it's, what it is for me, it's like how you interpret life, how you interpret emotions and stuff like that, and how you can convey that.
29:48 And that's just through, like, your sort of perspective on the world and your life experiences.
29:54 And my life experiences have led me to, you know, all of them, good, bad and otherwise, have led me to be the person I am right now.
30:04 The person that I've been through all those different stages of my journey.
30:10 And yeah, I see, I see value in all of it, even the stuff that I'm not so proud of in terms of just like all the different, you know, the mistakes that you've made in life and stuff like that.
30:22 You know, so yeah, I wouldn't, I don't, I don't regret, I don't have any regrets.
30:30 I love that, I love that, you are such a great, you are in such a great, you know, the, like, at the stage that you're at now, and it's only going to get bigger and better.
30:44 Are you, are you like at that stage where like you're turning down roles?
30:50 And if you have like turned down roles, like what, what, what has that been like or the reasons behind it, you think?
31:00 I haven't, okay, I've turned down like some, I've turned down like roles where I just feel like the opportunity just wasn't of any sort of
31:16 tangible worth to me at that point in my career or something like that.
31:22 So it might be like a play at a theatre that I like, I don't feel like I need to perform at this theatre, do you know what I mean?
31:32 So certain theatres, it's like, oh, you know, I need to, that's a renowned theatre or something like that.
31:38 I want to be on that stage, do you know what I mean?
31:40 So, yeah, a couple of things, like just for more for like reasons whereby, is this like bringing me any sort of, do I like this project?
31:54 Do I feel like I have to tell this story or do I really want to work with these people?
31:59 Do I really want to work, like those are the things that will attract me like now.
32:07 So, yeah, yeah, I've turned some stuff down and it's just mainly for stuff like that.
32:13 I've turned like auditions down for certain projects where maybe I don't want to like play a certain role,
32:22 or maybe I just feel like a role doesn't quite suit me or doesn't align with what I think,
32:32 with what I think I should be doing at that stage in my life, you know.
32:38 So, yeah, yeah, it's mainly those things.
32:44 Yeah, yeah, I say that's pretty much how I kind of operate with that sort of stuff.
32:51 And then I also have to think, oh, like, can my parents see this?
32:58 I have to think like, if my parents saw this, will I be okay with it?
33:02 Or will I be like, oh, mum, you don't understand the word.
33:07 But sometimes it's like, you know what, you don't get it.
33:10 But sometimes it's like, hey, I don't ever want to field this conversation ever.
33:16 So it's like, yeah, I'm not doing this role. Do you know what I mean?
33:22 I love that.
33:23 I can't shame my parents so that when they're back in their journal, people are saying,
33:28 is that what your son is doing?
33:30 [Laughter]
33:35 Oh, man. No, I love that. I love that.
33:39 My final question, because I know you've got to go, is like, so, you know,
33:47 a lot of actors that are coming up, they'll definitely have you as like a reference point
33:54 and as someone who's paving the way because you just are.
33:59 We're definitely in like a new phase of our industry where roles and productions
34:05 are becoming a lot more varied.
34:08 And, you know, the stereotypical roles, we're seeing a lot of them like dissipate
34:13 and things are becoming a lot more exciting.
34:15 And you're really part of the wave that's at the forefront of that.
34:19 But I wanted to know, like, what are some of the misconceptions from that up and coming
34:25 actors have of like what it's like when they get to where you are?
34:34 I don't know. Maybe like they might think like it just becomes easier or, yeah,
34:50 you're just going to start getting like loads of roles or you're just going to start
34:54 getting roles just because you've done this, this, this.
34:57 You've still got to work. You've got to work hard, actually.
35:02 You've got to work harder, I think, because if you're about, like for me,
35:09 I'm trying to, you know, constantly improve and go get to like the next level.
35:15 So it's nice to be, to get to a certain point.
35:20 But then if you don't still work hard to improve, get past that point,
35:26 then you will just be where you are.
35:28 So a misconception could be that, oh, yeah, it becomes a lot easier when you start
35:36 to get work a little bit more regularly.
35:39 Whereas I think that's more like when you get to like, you know, the Caprio and stuff
35:45 like that, then you probably just never, ever audition again.
35:48 But I just like to think that you just have to be in the trenches.
35:52 That's what I call it.
35:54 You just have to be in the trenches for forever.
35:59 Until you win the Oscar.
36:02 But that's more of a mindset, isn't it?
36:05 Like, you know, things do slightly change, but yeah.
36:12 I think any other misconceptions?
36:17 Yeah, that you're going to be rich.
36:19 That you're going to be rich.
36:23 You know, you make good money.
36:25 Like, you know, you make a living, a good living.
36:28 But yeah, you're not rich.
36:30 You're still, you know, still bills, still hurt.
36:33 [Laughs]
36:36 You know, so what were you saying?
36:38 I heard you say something.
36:39 I was asking whether like you still train, because you spoke about like being
36:44 in the trenches and getting better.
36:46 And I was like, so how do you do that then?
36:51 It's so weird for me.
36:54 So I feel like working is training as well.
37:00 Definitely.
37:02 For me, one big thing, like I'm going to the theatre in like 20 minutes or
37:09 something like that.
37:12 Like watching stuff is for me one of the biggest is my homework.
37:16 That's how I've learned.
37:18 It's watching stuff, watching people, looking at the acting that I love,
37:22 the scenes that I love, and understanding the feelings that are being
37:29 conveyed and thinking like this is how I can also convey in my way.
37:34 So yeah, watching, like watching stuff, watching TV, film, theatre.
37:43 What's nice is that I've been able to do like some workshops and improv
37:52 classes as well here and there.
37:55 I don't get to do like too much like training, training, which is a shame.
38:00 But hopefully I can, because any actors that can just carry on training,
38:06 you know, it's better than not training, you know what I mean?
38:10 But yeah, luckily through work and then through watching, that was like my
38:16 main training sort of elements.
38:19 And obviously like self-taping and auditioning, that's also training.
38:25 - True. - Yeah, definitely.
38:28 Definitely, definitely, yeah.
38:30 Because it's constantly asking you, can you, you know, can you do this?
38:34 Can you do this? Can you do this?
38:36 That's like what every script is pretty much asking you, can you do this?
38:39 You know what I mean?
38:40 That's what you're asking yourself.
38:41 So every time you self-tape, you're training.
38:46 I love that, I love that.
38:48 - Well, my bro, thank you. - Yes, brother.
38:51 It's amazing, it's always to see your journey and, you know, you rising.
38:58 Like, bruv, I love it, I love it, I love it.
39:01 - Thank you, my brother. - Thank you.
39:03 Thank you, thank you for your time.
39:04 Thanks for having me.
39:06 And as you know, I'm always going to come back to your cinema.
39:09 So I will see you real soon, man.
39:13 [Music]