As primarily a screen actor, I self-tape. A LOT. 

Pages slid from an old printer, choices made, I set lights, hit marks, shoot scenes and send it all into the ether. 

Sometimes I’ll shoot a lot of takes (Kubrick style) but I find, if I really connect with the character (which doesn’t happen every time), the first take is usually the right one (Clint Eastwood Style).

I have learnt, and learn, so much from self-taping. Authenticity, emotion, angles, timing, lighting, hitting marks, technical tricks and more. 

So it is my hope that by writing this blog I may learn things about myself: my process as an actor, my likes & inspirations and how I’ve been shaped by my journeys as person, actor, magician, husband, father & friend to cats.

It is very much for me but... if you’d like to peak behind the flats and duck under that C-stand in the corner, you may find things of interest. As a magician in London, research has shown me that the great (& therefore subtle) secrets of magic are often buried in a short sentence from a huge book or accidentally discovered through the attrition of experience.

Acting wise, I’ll try to write about what I’ve learnt from Casting Directors, Directors, DOP’s, Sound Recordists, Editors, Focus Pullers, Whole Film Crews and Acting Heroes of mine - from what they’ve told me or what I’ve seen them do in scenes, with me or otherwise.

I’ll sometimes withhold the names and sometimes I won’t.

Some of these "secrets" may seem uninteresting or obvious. I guarantee those will be the ones I've used most or fall back on in a pinch.

If that sounds a little heavy to shoulder -  it will also be full of other nonsense (and probably cats?) which may be amusing.