Born and raised in Perth, Connor obtained his begin within the business on the age of eight when he started formal performing coaching after being impressed by his cousin’s efficiency in a play. Performing rapidly grew to become a means for Connor to precise himself and to flee into a unique world. He rapidly gained consideration for his pure expertise of bringing depth to characters which led to him being scouted and touring the States as a part of an performing tour on the age of twelve. He started to ebook initiatives and continued to review his craft in depth all through his highschool years earlier than enrolling on the prestigious Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts the place he acquired a diploma in Display screen Performing.
Connor’s checklist of credit embrace a number of theater roles together with “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Bugsy Malone: The Musical” and quite a few shorts together with “The Little Astronaut,” “All within the Hood,” “Shine Vivid” and “No Bus.” He may also be seen as ‘Rex’ within the characteristic movie “3rd Evening” and as ‘Tommy’ within the tv sequence “What We See.”
Music grew to become one other artistic outlet for Connor at a younger age and he has since self-taught himself to play the drums, piano and most lately the guitar. He’s additionally an avid gamer and enjoys lengthy distance working. Connor hopes to make use of his rising platform to advocate for psychological well being consciousness for males.
Connor, how are you? Welcome to OLC! Wow your from Perth, I’m additionally from Perth! So inform me how you bought began and what impressed you into performing?
Hello OLC! I’m effectively, thanks for asking. It’s good to know somebody who first off, even is aware of what Perth is, however secondly is from there! I suppose what sparked my pursuits into performing was rising up watching movie. I all the time wished to be just like the characters on the display screen, notably Spider-Man. I imply, I nonetheless need to be Spider-Man however when my 6 yr outdated desires had been crushed and I realised tremendous powers had been out of attain, I performed with the thought of being the actor.
It wasn’t nonetheless till I used to be 8 and I noticed my cousin in a theatre present that impressed me to start out performing. I used to be enticed within the story and washed with feelings, leaving me with new views, concepts and ideas. I knew from that night time that I wished to provide the identical feeling to others. So I enrolled into performing courses with my cousin and I suppose that’s the place the entire journey started.
So what path did you are taking to get thus far in your profession?
I used to be doing performing courses as soon as every week on the Ali Roberts Studio for 4 years, after I was requested to be part of their U.S Performing Tour. Mainly there was 10 of us invited to journey to the states to workshop with LA and NY casting administrators, administrators, actors, and so on. Performing up until this level was merely a pastime for me. I didn’t have any need to pursue it as a profession or wouldn’t have even recognized what that will appear to be, I used to be 12. While in Los Angeles, Ali Roberts launched me to Invoice Perlman and Darci Value (Basis Media Companions) who they then launched me to Paradigm Expertise Company, each nonetheless my present U.S administration group and agent. They had been those to inform me that if a profession was one thing I desired, it was one thing I may obtain. Their perception was what motivated me to take my performing a little bit extra significantly.
So, I continued doing courses each week on the studio for the subsequent 4 years, began auditioning for initiatives, and even signed with Actors Administration Worldwide (based mostly in Perth) by Ali Roberts and Peter Gunn. By the point I graduated highschool, I wasn’t fairly certain what I wished to do. Whether or not to move for the states and shoot my shot or proceed my coaching for a little bit longer. In the end, I selected the latter which was the appropriate alternative because the pandemic started a couple of months later. To proceed my research, I made a decision to take a diploma in display screen performing on the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). By the tip of it, I had discovered myself as an artist. I knew what I wished from a scene and how much tales I wished to inform. Nevertheless, I additionally discovered myself burnout. So a few years of performing coaching had worn me down and I had come to peace with deciding to placing it on maintain for a couple of months. Nevertheless, that was till shortly after making that call, the audition for Resident Evil got here by way of. I believed “ah, let’s simply do that tape and be carried out with it”. A pair weeks later, I obtained a cellphone name from my group telling me I booked the half. Fairly insane timing, if I do say so myself.
I do know somebody who’s from Perth who would additionally like to get into performing, what recommendation are you able to give them or perhaps a place they may begin?
For those who’re beginning out, enrol into some courses. Get a really feel for it to see if it’s one thing that pursuits you, nonetheless it’s vital to be affected person. Performing is extremely subjective so it could take time to seek out what “performing” means to you. For those who’re assured in your potential, begin pitching your self to companies with some images, tapes (of you performing) and a bit about your self. These are the fellows which might be gonna get you auditions. Simply keep in mind you deserve an agent that’s going to work laborious for you, don’t let your expertise be under-appreciated. Lastly, simply when it comes to the craft itself, the 2 most vital notes I imagine I can provide is to seek out your self and be affected person. End up as an actor as a result of that’s what will make you completely different to everybody else. Uncover what you need out and in of a scene, what tales you need to inform, the place you need to go in your profession, and so on. There are a lot of completely different strategies to performing, simply discover your methodology. When you’re there, now it’s nearly being affected person. There’s little or no management on this business, notably for actors who haven’t had their ‘“break” so to talk and it’s a lot more durable for Perth actors to get their break. Be assured in your potential and know that your time will come however it could be in 30 years, it might be tomorrow, you simply by no means know. The primary factor is to be variety to your self all through the journey. Your psychological well being is extra vital.
You star within the upcoming sequence ‘Resident Evil’ debuting on Netflix July 14th I imagine? So inform me a bit in regards to the present and who you play?
Sure, the present shall be accessible on Netflix July 14th! I received’t give an excessive amount of away however the present follows the Resident Evil storyline from the video games, set after the occasions from them. It takes place in two completely different timelines, one pre-pandemic and one submit. It’s an thrilling continuation with a brand new story! I play a teenage boy named Simon who helps his newly discovered pals on their journey, who’re in want of his expertise. That’s all I’ll depart you with ahah.
How did you get the audition and was the character of Simon the one you initially auditioned for?
So my brokers had been those to cross on the audition to me and sure, that audition was for Simon.
How a lot preparation did you place into the position? Have you ever seen the movies and even performed the video games?
I had little or no info on the present and even my character solely till a pair weeks earlier than filming as a result of it was fairly confidential. As soon as I found it was Resident Evil, I used to be very excited. I’m an enormous fan of the video games! Or perhaps it’s extra acceptable to say my era of RE video games. My first expertise was after I performed Resident Evil 7 after I was 15. Completely cherished it and it’s nonetheless one in every of my favorite video games. I then performed the remakes of two and three, and Resident Evil 8 as they got here out. I did return and play the unique Resident Evil (1996) and as a lot as I loved it, that recreation hasn’t aged effectively in comparison with my generations gaming expertise ahaha. But it surely’s secure to say I’m actually a fan of the franchise and I’m actually trying ahead to the Resident Evil 4 remake!
Getting again on subject, having the information from these video games gave me a lot background info on the story and my position. Having the historical past behind all the pieces was extremely helpful. Probably the most quantity of prep that went into Simon although, was his accent. I initially auditioned for the position in an American accent however solely every week or so out of filming, manufacturing selected a British accent for the position. I wasn’t educated in a single so you can think about my misery ahaha. Nevertheless, I labored intently with an accent coach for the week that we had and managed to seek out Simon’s voice for the present.
What’s been essentially the most memorable moments so removed from being on set?
I actually simply keep in mind having a lot enjoyable! I used to be lucky sufficient to turn out to be actually shut with my co-stars so I simply keep in mind a number of laughing and encouragement. It made the general expertise very comfy which enabled me to study a lot as effectively, as a result of this was my first gig on this form of scale.
You additionally did a number of theater performing, how completely different or difficult is it to being in entrance of a digital camera versus being on stage?
For me, I’ve all the time put it merely that in theatre you’re performing and in display screen you’re behaving. To make any sense of that, in theatre you’re placing on a present for the viewers in entrance of you, performing for them, and in display screen there is no such thing as a viewers. You’re performing for nobody however your self and/or the opposite characters within the scene, which makes it for me extra like behaving than performing. Primarily you’re suspending the disbelief a lot you’re purely being, imitating life. That’s why I’ve all the time gravitated in direction of display screen greater than theatre as a result of, for me no less than, it entails deeper connections.
Theatre nonetheless brings such an exhilarating expertise that you would be able to’t get from display screen. We’re all entertainers on the finish of the day and to obtain reside affirmation from an viewers brings a lot pleasure and pleasure. Plus the circulate isn’t interrupted. You undergo an emotional journey from begin to end and it simply makes you’re feeling full. Movie and tv doesn’t convey that as it’s important to do each scene no less than a couple of occasions if not many. Nevertheless, display screen captures the depth. These are the tales I need to be part of.
The place are you based mostly now? And when your off filming what do you miss most about Perth?
I’m really nonetheless based mostly in Perth! Planning to journey both to Canada or the U.S within the subsequent yr or so, however I’m fortunately nonetheless in Perth for now. Which is one thing I by no means thought I’d say as a result of I actually couldn’t wait to depart. I used to assume Perth was too quiet and boring, nonetheless now having travelled to a number of locations world wide, I adore it right here. I really like being so conversant in all the pieces. Probably the most remoted metropolis on the planet is now a title I’m pleased with ahaha. I suppose it’s a bit tacky however Perth is and all the time shall be my dwelling. Largely although, my household is right here. They’re are simply what I miss most after I’m away, however I all the time know they’re ready with welcoming arms for after I come again.
Will there be a season 2 of Resident Evil, and if there’s would you like to be again?
I’m really not sure a few season two. Though, if I used to be requested to return again I believe it will be laborious to say no.
For those who had the chance to working with anybody in Hollywood previous or current who would you select and why?
Tom Hanks has all the time been my largest inspiration. I imagine he’s the king of genuine story telling and I might simply love to have the ability to watch him work after which higher but, have the chance to work alongside him. Nothing is best than doing a scene with one other actor that evokes you and/or challenges you. I imagine Tom Hanks can be among the best companions on this case.
What’s subsequent for you after this, do you might have any upcoming roles you possibly can inform us about?
Actually, I’m simply taking issues daily. I’ve been blessed with the chance to work with high-grade members within the business and get a stable foot within the door. Now it’s nearly persevering with to construct the craft and ready for the subsequent alternative to come up. Luckily, this mission has made me realise that for one, I’m able to doing this, and for 2, proven me what the business is like at that stage. I received’t lie, it’s extremely daunting. Nevertheless, I’ve learnt now and it’s vital to notice that you would be able to’t management the ocean, you simply gotta journey the wave. That’s what I plan on doing.
Is there something you’d like to say to all of the individuals in Perth and everybody in OLC! world?
To everybody, simply keep in mind to be variety to yourselves. Thanks 🙂
