Time ticks and the pathway evolves!

Have no fear my friends- I have not gone off hiding in a cave and given up on the acting career that lies before me. I have been a busy chap in other areas- mainly Bite the Ballot as I really put my heart and soul into that last year.

That’s become my baby, for want of a better expression, and I have enjoyed taking that to new levels, I really believe we can make history with this movement and it is the most meaningful thing I have ever done. I see the difference it makes to the lives of others and it makes all the sacrifices worthwhile.

I am meeting and working with some really great people too, which will lead to more opportunities in the future, ones that could see Michael Sani appear in the credit list of a cinema near you!

I know I have evolved as a person over this last year and I guess that’s what this journey is about- I am patient, I am enjoying the chase and the hurdles because I know when I make it, I will miss these days.

I am approaching the five-year mark now, that’s when I got home from travelling and decided that the acting path was the one I was walking down.

Even the way I approach my networking has changed now, in the early days I used to be desperate to tell everyone I was an actor and now I just enjoy sharing interests and news of current projects and suss out whether there is a chance to work together in the future. My manager has been organising lots of generals and I have been meeting some new casting directors of late, which is great and I am extremely thankful for the relationship I have with my manager- he is in this for the duration as am I and we share a common vision of all the exciting experiences the future holds.

I have rolled the dice and tried my hand with a new agent- one that has seen me link up with an old friend in the search for more auditions and work. This now means I have an agent and a manager- very posh ay?

I still hope to bring you Frank James and develop his journey over many episodes and seasons of Safe Light 19. He is such a great character and one that I feel I know inside out, even to the extent that I often ask myself “what would Frank do in this situation?”

For me that’s the beauty of doing what I do- I have many different aspects of my life, from teaching to inspiring a political revolution, but each week I go to my acting workshops to master my craft and escape from my life to become someone else’s- its an indescribable feeling and you always search for the next one, that alone will ensure I am in this for life- giving up just isn't an option.

An actors Insecurities

It is a well known stereotype that all actors are insecure... where those insecurities lie in each individual can be different. For some it's in their relationships, others in their work and for some others it's in the trust they hold with friends and colleagues.

I woke up on Tuesday morning following an amazing evening with a great team and audience that played a role in our pilot show and I laid there, worrying about some of the most stupid things rather than how amazing things are for me right now.

The world is an amazing place and I think sometimes it is easier to see the bad than all the good. Naturally when you work under pressure and for no financial reward you will step on each others toes and feel let down by those you trust. That said though, when you take a moment to allow life's roller coaster to pass you by and take in all that's around you, all those you are lucky to know and work with, you begin to see that in fact everyone has tough times and it's those tough times that make you more determined to succeed.

To dare to believe that your life can fulfil the lives of others and to remain a good person full of love and positivity is all that's on my mind! You have to work the way your made, the way your instincts and morals guide you to and you cannot possibly please everyone, every time. You have one life, you must live it to the full, never waste a smile and always see the good in those around you, even when it is easier to see the bad.

I am a firm believer in the law of attraction, it was introduced to me when I was travelling and it's basic premise is to bring to your life what you are thinking about, so, in simple terms if you constantly worry, you will attract more worry, if you think of the good things in life, then they will come more and more. try it.

In the words of Winston Churchill

"I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else".

To the future! ching ching....

No time to relax when there's work to be done!

Good morning sports fans....

Sorry it has been a while since I wrote, it has been manic, with its fair share of stress, ultimatum and excitement. Those of you that have followed me for a while (some with a choice, some without) will know I have been experiencing some real firsts as my four and a half year journey continues.

Those firsts included a trip to Paris to premier Safe Light 19, a Q&A and a signing session.. what a buzz that was and my thanks again to Darren S. Cook and all involved with Safe Light 19. I look forward to growing the beard again soon for some more instalments of Frank James!

I am off to LA LA again at the end of this month thanks to my amazing friend and publicist Catherine Lyn Scott, you may have seen some of the press she has been attracting which saw yours truly feature on Yahoo, E Entertainment and many more. It is an amazing industry to be part of and even though I am four and a half years in, I am forever learning how to play the game. You see there have been times when I have been available but no phone call and now I am beginning to get busy, there is an increase in demand. Crazy, but that's the way it is. I guess.

I am still working with my acting coaches Michael Duvall and Stephen Cranny, been with those guys now for over 3 years and really enjoy mastering my craft with them. I see that as my time to escape everyday life and become a new character or characters for three hours on a Wednesday!

Now, as some of you know I have become, over the last 15 months, a slight Political Activist working with a growing team of young people to inspire others to believe in the power of their vote. That campaign is called Bite the Ballot and it is one of the best things I have ever worked on because it is a real challenge to try and break the growing trend of non voters! That said, I am working with some tremendous people that do not understand the word impossible and we are cracking on.

Even today, as I finish this blog I am sitting inside Studio 2 at Maidstone Studios because we are making our own show. Yep... Stu and Ben, two of the core team approached Geoff Miles with an idea for a show and three months later we are making the final preparations before filming it.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me on all projects, thanks to my family and friends for riding the highs and lows with me, couldn't do it without you.

Onwards and upwards...

Speak soon ;)

Paris here we come

Ok so the first episode of Safe Light 19 is almost in the can and I am over the moon to say that we are headlining ComicCon Paris next weekend.

A convention that will attract 190,000 people from around Europe and Safe Light 19 launches there. On Saturday 2nd July 2011 we will be showing a special screening of Episode 1, followed by a Q&A with the Director and some members of the cast and then we end it off with a signing session. This will be a new experience for me and after 4 years of working within the industry I am delighted to be experiencing this for the first time with this particular show.

It is full of great actors and friends of mine and the crew are brilliant, this really has been great to work on. So until then I'll brush up on my French and practice my autograph... hmm do you think they will let me use potato letters and poster paint?

Safe Light 19 - on set and making it happen

Last weekend was my first night filming for Safe Light 19. I have experience in night shoots but this one was like no other. (Although I wonder if that's something you say every time?)

We were shooting at the A1 Truck Stop, American Diner in Grantham. It was an amazing shoot with so many of the cast and crew needed for this venue I got a true insight as to how many great people are involved with this project.

I met director Darren S. Cook around two years ago and believe it or not it was then when he said I would be perfect for the role of Frank James in Safe Light 19. Now we are actually making the series and it is amazing. I look forward to updating you as we progress with the show and the exciting details of the launch.