Why choose this career?

[ChristineCB]

I would like to read tales about (and from) performance professionals and their career paths.



Aitch's tales always leave me wanting to ask about 1,000 other questions - in other words, I doubt I can get 'too much info'.



In the recent release of the Godzilla sequel, there's an interesting 20-minute clip about the 3 costume-actors which helped popularize the Japanese monsters. After seeing it, I kept wondering, "Why did you guys keep on doing this?!!"



It's a job they enjoyed.



Simple as that. The money was a good reason, too, but paydays are soothing only once a week or once every month or so - the pain can be every second of every minute!



I wonder why other film professionals choose their career paths. Why an extra? Why a star? Why a supporting actor? Why a director or behind-the-camera type?



Voice-actors. Animators. Set designers.



Why those jobs? Why not another one?



Did someone discover they were particularly good at one task and not at others?



Did they wonder if they'd be better at another job if only they had the chance?



And how old were these professionals when they started thinking of a film- or stage career? Who encouraged them? Who DIScouraged them? There are always barriers and limits to overcome, and why did these people succeed (or fail)?



I've had two performance-related 'careers'. One, I was born into with a mother and older sister who were in that industry. The second, I married into. For me, these were doors presented to me, and I merely walked thru them when I felt like it. I can't say I strived or made a deliberate set of decisions to do them.



But I think more people do make some deliberate review of their interests and skills, and do make harder decisions than merely walking thru a presented-door.



Aitch's tales show him up to his well-pressed suits in mud, hats down the Thames, and laughing about it to this day.



Voice actors get little more publicity than some extras but, I suspect, in each of their specific niches, they can be as well-regarded as any scandal-sheet star. Is that thanks enough for contributing to an industry that gives us fantastic cartoons? Fantastic Lenny The Lion types?



I hope so because I always hope more and more will make similar contributions.

[Brett Sinclair]

name='ChristineCB']I would like to read tales about (and from) performance professionals and their career paths.

OK, not a performance pro, but of interest nonetheless?





One of my mother's neighbours is a lovely chap, Robert Cartwright Robert Cartwright I doubt many of you will know the name, but you will know the films he has worked on. Bob is now retired but he started in the industry purely because the studios (Denham) were the local employer. He went from general dogsbody delivering sandwiches and scripts on his bike to draughtsman to Art Director/Production Designer and 4 Oscar nominations.



Up until Bob Hope's death the two Bob's were exchanging Christmas cards each year...and he classes Mel Brooks as a good friend and stays with him on visits to the States.....



Needless to say, I am often to be found 'next door' when visiting my mum.

[harryfielder]

Why chose this career?

I would like to read tales about (and from) performance professionals and their career paths.



Aitch's tales always leave me wanting to ask about 1,000 other questions - in other words, I doubt I can get 'too much info'.



Christine, It was better than working as a timber porter in an 8-5 job for fifty years and talking about a bit of two by one...



Oh it chose me in 1966....(see web)



Aitch,:

[Brett Sinclair]

name='harryfielder']Why chose this career?



Oh it chose me in 1966....(see web)



Aitch,:

You were a staple in my diet of telly and cinema while growing up... and I'm definitely with your grandkids on the subject of you being cool for being one of Daft Ada's henchmen.

[batman]

name='harryfielder']Why chose this career?

Christine, It was better than working as a timber porter in an 8-5 job for fifty years and talking about a bit of two by one..

Oh it chose me in 1966....(see web)

Aitch,:

I was chosen in the 70s and enjoyed a good 12yrs working mostly in the theatre with the odd bit of tv and film thrown in now and again. Although I now have a satisfactory second career I still miss the people and situations that I used to find myself in. I got to meet some fantastic people and managed to avoid the drudgery of 9-5 for a long time. My only regret is that I was too young to be around during the 'golden years' of British film/tv.

[John Llewellyn Moxey]

In a way it chose me! I was invalided out of the army after WW2 and was told to get a job. Dan Burt, an editor, stepped forward and said I could work in the cutting room. I always had a great interest in films, so I jumped at the opportunity. The rest I expect you all know.



That's how it was! John Llewellyn

[ChristineCB]

name='John Llewellyn Moxey']The rest I expect you all know.

Actually, I don't, but I'm kind of curious about what sort of crossroads you faced, and why you chose one project over another.



And if those choices felt right at first, but soon seemed wrong? Or, if you had regrets, were those only born out years later?



Or did you have projects where you slapped yourself on the back, "Boy, I got SO lucky in choosing this project instead of that other disaster!!"



What sort of emotional support (or lack of) did you get from friends and family in those early days? Did they think you should have taken the Bank Of England's chairmanship instead of your film career job? Did they envision some other loftier job for you initially, or was a film-job a thrill to your family and friends?



(I'm relatively happy in my career choices, but I still am awaiting the annointment as Emperess of the Universe, by the way. And I often get ZERO support from these subjects-to-be among my friends and family. That's okay... like Kenneth Mars once said, "They'll rue the day - !")



(Actually, I think he said something like, "Mmdfhgjhrtl dfjdfjlwirtoi oitroiuwer" at first...)

[ChristineCB]

(I don't mean to single out John, of course. I'd love to read about choices that were made and evaluations of them now from everyone.)

[harryfielder]

name='John Llewellyn Moxey']In a way it chose me! I was invalided out of the army after WW2 and was told to get a job. Dan Burt, an editor, stepped forward and said I could work in the cutting room. I always had a great interest in films, so I jumped at the opportunity. The rest I expect you all know.



That's how it was! John Llewellyn

John, and the industry is glad you took that path....Well done



Aitch,

[kelp]

A very difficult set of questions Chrissie. I began in the business as a chorus boy/dancer with a dancing school in Birmingham. We did all sorts of shows, mainly at the "B" run theatres, eg, The Aston Hippodrome and The Windsor Theatre Bearwood, and so on. A lot of the kids I worked with left the business, whereas I sort of stuck with it. I think my main work was in radio very early on, at BBC Radio Birmingham (now Radio WM) and then doing bits of freelance for BRMB (another local to Brum Station) Odd bits really Chrissie, I did the commentary for the Race around the City, that pre-empted the Birmingham Grand Prix, I waited all night to get an interview (for one of the stations) with Ken Dodd, who I genuinly thought had forgotten me, because it got to 1a.m. and I was still outside his dressing room door. Then he finally appeared and gave me a great interview. The acting kinda crept up on me, doing background work on stuff like "Prudence & The Pill" down at Brands Hatch circuit, and bits and pieces of TV, whilst watching and learning my craft. My first venture into actual Movie Making was whilst my co-conspiritor and mentor JACK WOOLGAR was playing Carney in "CROSSROADS" at ATV. We would finish the day by loading all the equipment into the back of a van on Friday and go off and do our own filming, then get it all back into the studio by Sunday night! Whilst at the same time I was doing my own act, and was entered in "NEW FACES" under the name of Mark Lee, and so on and so on, a completely mad exsistance! I cannot ever recall anyone encouraging me to behave in this crazy way, I just sort of ended up doing it (?) The voice over work and the voice characterizations came, I suppose, as a result of doing JERRY LEWIS at school. Why? Well to be honest Christine, it got me attention from the girls. One of the voices that I used to mimic was Tony Curtis, and they loved him of course. But it was Jerry that really started me into the impressions, and I still am the voice of Jerry lewis in a touring show "The Rat Pack Live". I do a lot of work these days for corporate CDs and the like, it's a job I love doing. I think, like Aitch it's the people in this business that I love so much. We may not see each other for months, and then you'll bump into them on a shoot or coming out of a studio, and go and find the nearest pub and just chat over a few beers. Regards your asking WHY? I honestly don't know. Unless ,If I'm completely honest, its wanting to be the centre of attention...maybe....? There are times Chrissie, when I have literally thrown all Jerry Lewis stuff in the proverbial bin, and said Sod this for a job, and gone out and started to look for a job, and then.......that old urge comes back, you know..."I'm not going to waste all these years, all this talent, this gift i have...etc; etc;" and all of a sudden your calling your agent and your back on the road again. hey, I'm taking over, sorry. I could ramble for England.

[image45]

Yes thats a good one indeed!!!

[smiffy]

I read ERIC SYKES autobigraphy last year and it took me back to what I thought was a golden era especially for TV comedy.One thing that struck me was Eric's candour and humility and his thankfulness for doing something that he still loves.

It also made me think that a lot of people who think they are in this industry through sheer luck ,may have needed a little in the first place but it takes talent to stick around for a long time.

I know Eric had the odd pot shot at the beeb which made me think about TV and FILM executives and the power they wield without actually having any talent or flair themselves,apart from knowing what we all want to watch (And they get that right every time don't they) So to the likes of AITCH and mr LLEWELLYN MOXEY even though you may think the job found you I would like to think that as in the case of ERIC , you were born to do it and long may it last

PS IF I DON'T WRITE IT NOBODY ELSE WILL , A bloody good read

[ChristineCB]

Smiffy, absolutely true. I love reading the anecdotes. I'm smiling thru all of these. Kelp's "for the girls" brought out some out-loud laughing, too. Great stories, one and all.

[harryfielder]

FOR KELP....



PRUDENCE AND THE PILL…Director…Fielder Cook…

Cast Inc…Deborah Kerr…David Niven…

We spent a nice few days filming at Brands Hatch watching a girl stunt double for Ms Kerr crossing the race course as the cars flashed by at break neck speed.

(Rather her than me) For some reason I like the directors name.

Happy youthful days....



Aitch,

[kelp]

Aitch.... the stunt man on the film was Valentino Musetti. He and I used to race together many years ago. Unsure about who the girl was?

PS Val is still working as a Stunt Man and was one of the famous Mini Drivers on "The Italian Job".