Website Interview: Part 2

Here is the second section of the long interview Tom did for the website, focusing on his acting.  

PART TWO

Acting

What advice would you give someone trying to break into your profession?

Don’t look for rhyme or reason, sense or justice. It’ll drive you mad. Just be persistent, choose as wisely as your achievements can allow, and find ways to be satisfied within yourself rather than letting yourself become defined by the industry you want to be part of. Just because I can give the advice, mind, doesn’t mean I can take it!

Did your degree in English Literature help to analyse the language and the texts you work with, or did that come more with the training at LAMDA?

Both were incredibly useful – the degree as a shortcut towards breaking down text, particularly with stage work or having to cut to the heart of a character for an audition – and LAMDA for opening my eyes to routes towards approaching work I never necessarily knew existed. But a lot of the time, when the pressure’s on, it ends up boiling down to instinct. Instinct built on the basis of previous education, but instinct nonetheless.

What is the best and the worst thing about being an actor?

The best? The acting itself. The worst? Everything else. 

Do you still have to audition a lot, and are you always up against the same actors?

Of course, I think it’s only when your presence has the power to get a movie made, or to make sure bums are on seats, that you stop being vetted as to whether you’re the right choice for the director. And yes, same crowd – on both sides of the pond. Always overlapping and stealing jobs from one another.All really nice guys, professionally and personally.

Do you have a wish list for a director or co-star that you would like to work with?

A few years back an ex-girlfriend bought me a wall-clock with a blackboard rim that I used to write the names of every actor and director I wanted to work with on. I still have the clock somewhere, though the (very long) list has mutated and changed over the years. Some of the people on it I hold in such admiration that I doubt I’d do my best work when on set with them though. I’d probably just stand there open-mouthed. And point. Until I’m removed by security.

Do you have a preference for stage, TV, or film work?

They’re such different worlds. I love the rehearsal process in the theatres, the thrill of those first few weeks live onstage and the chance to really refine a performance, but I don’t mind admitting that long runs can get a little dull if you’re heart’s not 100% in the character. Whereas I’ve always been obsessed with the magic of films and cinema, from a really early age, so I guess – if pushed - that’d be my preference.

Any dream projects?

Many. Something very personal I am working on right now, with far more creative control than usual might just be the definition of a dream project, but I daren’t jinx it by talking about it. Although I probably already have. Expect to never hear anything about it again! 

Are you interested in directing/writing/producing yourself?

Definitely. I won’t say anymore for fear of the little jinx monkey.

What draws you to a role?

The writing. It always go back to the writer. For Wickham, Guy had created such an interesting twist on the character and a really unexpected arc that would throw new light on an old role, whilst still remaining in the realms of the possibilities Jane Austen had laid out. It was an incredible feat on his part and therefore incredibly tempting to bring to life. Every actor wants the chance to just play roles that are full of light and shade, ambiguous and interesting, but occasionally jobs are taken in order to spend time with a friend, or to be close to home - and sadly, because the bills are stacking up and in order to keep following as choosy a path as possible, you need to do something that you hope nobody will ever find/see! Personally, I tend to be drawn to the challenge, more than anything else – although that doesn’t necessarily mean I eventually secure the part… 

We realise we will never see No Heroics, but can you describe your costume to us or tell us more about it?

Not sure how much I can say, to be honest, as Mickey Mouse still has it locked in the dungeon of the Disney castle, and it may go on to have a life elsewhere. But both the superhero outfit and the casual day-wear were probably the coolest costumes I’ve ever worn for any job and I miss them.Almost as much as I miss the fantastic cast.There are photos knocking about, as well as the pilot itself which may leak one day – and if I ever officially hear that the embargo’s been lifted then you guys will be the first to see them.