Left school and tried to get on my local drama cousre. Was turned down as I ws working full time as a bouncer and the other students were funded by their parents.
Tried again this next year and this time I was told my lifestyle 'wasn't cindusive to the course or other students'.
I think the tutor just didn't like me.
I felt my dreams were over before they had begun.
A lost decade ensued as I drifted from one job to the next, unable to settle into anything as I wasn't following my dram.
I was a builder, taxi driver, soldier, care worker, cleaner etc
I became quite self destuctive but when I was 31 I knew I had to do something fast as my lif was going nowhere.
I auditioned for the same course as 13 years earlier, this time I was successful and was placed on the degree course.
It ws difficult as I was working full time as a care worker and bouncer, as well as going back to full time education but I did it.
I passed and tried to get an agent but soon reliased I would have to make my own opportunities, so I decided to write a play, something I could stage with ease.
I had to experience of writing a play , I just sat in my room for 3 days and typed away, I came up with a play called DOORWAYS that was based on my 20 years of experience as a bouncer.
It was about a younger bouncer who turns up for his first night and he's teamed with my character.
It deals with topics that are close to my heart like lost time, lost goals, friendship, self destrution etc.
I promoted it locallty in the paper, on the radio and put posters up everywhere. The first 3 nights were sold out, it was the greatest experience of my life and made me believe in myself and instilled thye confidence in me to let me know that maybe I could do something.
I then staged a play on my time in the army called SEARCHING.
I was fortunate to win a writing scholarship with The National Theatre and also one with The New York Film Academy.
I bought mmyself a taxi so I could work around the clock as I needed to save cash to live in New York for a year.
I even entered a cage fighting tournament as there was a prize of £7,500 which would have aided my course considerably but I ended up breaking my leg.
But every cloud has a silver lining and I knew I would have to make my own opportunities again so I decided to turn my play DOORWAYS into a feature film, which I did with no experience or finances.
People sniggered at me but i accomplished it. It was like self given apprenticeship.
I wrote-co-produced and acted in it, raisning monet=y from local businesses, i only directed as I couldn't afrford one.
I then went on to make my second feature MY SAVIOUR the same way which was shown at The Romford Film Festival and I was nominated for best director.
Now I am in post production on my third RELENTLESS.
Feature films and cinema are my life, I am chasing my dreams with eveything that I am.