Over the 50 years that I have been in this industry some of the very best actors, I have worked with have left the industry because they just can't make a living from it.
Other excellent actors have spent their lives in the industry but they have never really had that lucky break and they have had a so-so career. Two come to mind Connie Merigold and Stanley Lloyd. None of you will have heard of them but I worked with both in the early 1970s and I could not understand why they were not working more.
I have also worked with many actors, who have modest talent but who have had that lucky break and have gone on to be stars.
Every now and again, I come across a story that gives hope to all actors.
In September 2019 a film I made was invited to the 30th Dinard Film Festival. Even though it was my fourth time in attendance at this enjoyable festival, a celebration of British film, it was the first time I was there as a director. I, therefore, found myself having lots of photo calls at the Grand Hotel and on the red carpet along with other directors there like Michael Caton-Jones, Adrian Shergold, James Watkins and actors like Emily Beecham, Freya Mavor, John Henshaw, Larry Lamb, Marion Bailey, Phil Davis, Lesley Sharp, Jane Horrocks and others. A new experience for me.
I spotted Kris Hitchens across the balcony of the Grand while we were all changing photographers and interviewers. There was something about him that stood out. I was not sure what.
When we talked later, I wondered if it was that for an actor, he seemed different. Along the way, in this industry, all of us change. Whatever we were before we started kind of gets lost. Kris reminded me of all the boys I went to secondary modern school with in Leeds so long ago now. He was very grounded and down to earth.
I would later find that he had a small part in a Ken Loach film in 2001 and that Ken had wanted him for the lead, but Film Four had overruled his casting because he had little experience. After that, he decided to return to being a gas fitter, plumber, and I think other jobs.
Then a few years ago, he decided that he would have one last try to follow the dream and become an actor.
After playing a few small roles in CORONATION STREET and others TV series and leading parts in short films, and lots of interesting and probably low paid theatre work, he found himself being put up for the new Ken Loach film SORRY WE MISSED YOU.
This time he was given the lead, and no financier would veto him.
Because of the success of the film and his outstanding performance, he is now being offered other jobs, and lots of them it would appear.
It's the kind of break every actor dreams of, and although they are few and far between, they do happen.
For over 90% of all the actors I have met or worked with it's surviving in the meantime and hoping you don't suffer the disgraceful treatment Kate Jarvis sustained at the hands of the Daily Star recently who belittled here for doing a security job in a shopping centre having been in EASTENDERS for a couple of years.
She was doing what the vast majority of actors do when they are not acting - paying the bills.
Please don't buy the Daily Star.
