YOU RECENTLY STARRED IN SUNSHINE ON
LEITH, HOW MUCH FUN WAS THAT TO WORK ON?
Really amazing job! The best yet I
reckon, so much fun. Great cast, great people, all working towards the same
thing which is why the film works so well, no ego’s no nonsense, team effort.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Also, as a life long Proclaimer’s fan it was quite unique
for me and very exciting! It’s something I’m immensely proud of and delighted
to be a part of something that was such a huge deal! Hopefully that is enough
superlatives!!
DOES A FILM SET HAVE A DIFFERENT FEEL
WHEN YOU’RE WORKING ON A MUSICAL?
I guess it
does and it doesn’t. We were in new territory in that SoL is a Scottish Musical
which didn’t really exist in cinematic genre (until now!). We were keen to keep
the people and the world as real and true as possible (as much as you can
before bursting into song!) I think the feel on set very much reflected what we
were all about as Actor’s...so much of the energy and buzz on set came for
Dexter – an incredible facilitator on a set and that is why he will become one
of the greats in my opinion. He had us all in the palm of his hand, cast and
crew alike. He knew everyone’s name and made everybody feel just as important
as the rest.
WERE YOU NERVOUS AT ALL ABOUT THE
SINGING AND DANCING ROUTINES?
Nervous?
Aye! S**t scared? Completely! We were given 4 weeks rehearsal time before
shooting so that broke the back of it. Myself and George had each other’s back
on the Singing and Dancing front so we never felt completely naked doing
it...which was good. Also, Freya and Antonia have such different and beautiful
voices that there is a real distinct sound to each and every track. Paul
Englishby and Chris Traves (The Music Men!) made such a bloody good job of the
music. We had every support going and everyone’s backing so had the confident
to just go for it! Dexter’s first thing in the audition room was...let’s get
actors that can sing as opposed to Singers that can act.
YOU’VE MANAGED TO HAVE A VERY VARIED
TV AND FILM CAREER, DO YOU PREFER ONE FORMAT OVER THE OTHER?
Thanks man.
I’ve been very lucky to get certain breaks at certain times that have allowed
for a variety in the roles that I’ve gone on to do. It’s a mental thing, you
don’t really plan it job by job by meeting by meeting and audition by audition,
after that its outwith your control. I love the difference between all the
formats. If I’m on a film set I look
forward to the stage, when I’m on stage I want to be a film-star. Grass is
always greener I think.
TWO DOORS DOWN WAS A MASSIVE HIT AT
HOGMANAY. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE LIKELY HOOD OF SEEING THE FAMILY
RETURN IN A SERIES?
Good
question! Yeah, it went down really well and is something I’m really proud of.
I had a great time doing it and with such a great cast! I really hope we get to
see the Baird’s again! Maybe a summer bbq? Eric’s 50th (or 60th?!)
I’m sure there is scope somewhere.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP NEXT?
I’m working
on a short film at the moment, The Trench, we’re shooting in Surrey and Ipswich
(I think). A short about the Trenches in WW1. Really beautiful script and
something I really wanted to do. Then I’m going onto another comedy/sitcom but
at this stage can’t say much more than that I’m afraid. I’m signed on to do
Sunset Song with Terence Davies at the helm, later in the Spring.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
Aww
nightmare. Erm. The Last King of Scotland? I probably couldn’t live without The
Departed. Huge Aladdin fan also.
WHATS THE LAST FLIM YOU WATCHED AND
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT?
In the Name
of the Father was on last night. Daniel Day-Lewis & John Byrne. Immense.
Watch it!
HAVE YOU EVER WALKED OUT OF A FILM?
IF SO, WHAT WAS IT AND WHY?
Yeah. I
think so. It was so bad I can’t even remember the name. Something to do with
robots ...
IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARACTER FROM
ANY FILM, WHO WOULD YOU BE?
Ewan
Tavendale. Then Peter Pan.
IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE ‘HIDDEN
GEM’ FILM THAT PEOPLE PROBABLY OVERLOOKED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The
Illusionist (French Animated film about a wee lassie fae Edinburgh and a French
Illusionist.)
My Brother
is an Only Child, Italian film about Fascism versus Catholicism. Incredible
performances.
MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR
FAVOURITE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES OF ALL TIME BUT WHO DO YOU CURRENTLY GET EXCITED
ABOUT SEEING WHEN THEY HAVE A NEW FILM OUT?
George
MacKay is going to be huge I reckon. I always look to what Peter (Mullan) is
doing and I’m a huge Emma Thompson fan.
SOME PEOPLE SAY, “THEY DONT MAKE THEM
LIKE THEY USE TO?” – DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS SENTIMENT AND IS IT NECESSARILY A
BAD THING?
I don’t
think they do. Not in the main frame of Hollywood, but then film making is
fashion really isn’t it, it’s about what’s in and current and (bla bla
bla)...but I reckon at the heart of a good film is a really brilliant story. I
think as long as there are good stories to be told then there will be good
films to come out of that.
MOST PEOPLE HAVE A GUILTY PLASURE. A
FILM YOU SHOULD PROBABLY HATE BUT YOU CANT HELP BUT ENJOY IT. WHATS YOURS?
Aladdin. Or
any Disney classic for that matter. Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid are
up there.
PITCH A FILM IDEA IN 10 WORDS!
I have one
but it aint finished so I cant.
10 words.
boom.
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