Theatretrain Braintree student Paul has recently appeared in an episode of ‘Black Mirror’ on Netflix.
‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’ is the first interactive episode from Charlie Brooker’s dystopian series and allows viewers to choose how the story pans out. ‘Bandersnatch’ follows a young computer programmer in 1984, who is adapting an adventure into a video game. Sadly, he’s plagued by delusions as the lines between reality and fantasy blur into one.
Paul played Robin and loved every minute of filming, so we could up with him to find out more
When did you Join Theatretrain?
I was six at the time so it must have been roughly 2007. It’s been my most consistent form of training throughout the years.
Have you always wanted a career in acting?
Yes, that and writing. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been wanting to go out and perform in front of people or making up stories in my head so it was almost inevitable that I’d go into acting.
What was it like being on set of Black Mirror?
I was already a massive fan of the show so it was absolutely amazing! Particularly as I was on a set surrounded by old computers from the 80s so I really got to flex my nerdy side. Charlie Brooker and Annabelle Jones (the show runners) came on set briefly and I got to talk to them for a bit about the show and old video games.
What stood out most to me on set was the enormous amount of people behind the camera. There’s a whole world of industry professionals that the public doesn’t see, sound crews, makeup artists, runners all of whom are absolutely crucial to the running of a show. I gained a real respect for those people.
How long did you have to keep it quiet? Was it hard?
I filmed the show in April and I had to keep it quiet right up until December. It was torture! I knew all my friends loved it and I was dying to tell them but I had to keep it pent up right up until the day before it’s release. I couldn’t even tell my family with the exception of my parents who also had to keep quiet.
Any advice for anyone looking for a career in acting?
Don’t feel scared to put yourself out there. Whether it’s a drama school audition, an agency audition or even just an amateur dramatics audition, the worst that will happen is you’ll be turned down. You have to be in the audition room to have a chance. Also, don’t feel intimidated by the directors or producers, they’re just normal people like you.
What’s next for you?
I have a small part in a film called “Days of the Bagnold Summer” directed by Simon Bird, that will be coming out at some point this year.
Where can we find out more about what you are up to?
I do post vlogs of all my experiences on the sets of my other jobs (including the Simon Bird film) on my YouTube channel. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC9kEEXHn7PhmI7K_dsqEzbA/videos
