Belfast-born actor Martin McCann – star of TV Series ‘The Pacific’, ‘Titanic: Blood and Steel’, and IFTA nominated ‘Jump’ – spoke to IFTN this week about his first break as an actor, his character in ‘Jump’, and he also gave us some advice for any up-and-coming actors.
Mr. McCann, can you tell us a bit about how you got your first big break in acting?
My first big job was the Richard Attenborough film 'Closing the Ring'. I was 21 and doing mostly local theatre since leaving school at 18. I was playing 'Alex' in a stage adopted version of 'A Clockwork Orange' in Belfast. They were casting for the film and I was lucky enough to have one of the producers from the film in the audience. I auditioned for Richard Attenborough and he took a chance and gave me the role. I had a very limited screen experience before this.
Did you receive formal training as an actor, and if so, where?
I never received any formal training before this, although I'd been doing theatre since I was 11 years old with an amateur drama group called 'The Rainbow Factory' in Belfast.
What appealed to you most about your character in ‘Jump’?
My character in 'Jump' was a normal guy that loved his brother and wouldn't stop until he finds out what has happened to his brother. Anyone that has a brother can relate to this.
What do you find most challenging about being an actor?
There are a lot of challenging things about being an actor. Firstly, the work is scarce, and you have to accept this and just remember that there will be down times and there will be up times. All you can do is work on what you do and love what you do and try to get by. You’re a lucky person if you can make a living by doing what you love, so I guess this makes all the difficulties and stresses worth it. Also, being away from family, friends and home for long periods can be difficult, but hey, you’re working while this is the case.
What do you enjoy most about being an actor?
I enjoy the process of getting a role and realising it. There is a great satisfaction in this; most actors do it for this reason.
How do you make yourself stand out from the crowd in auditions?
I'm not sure if 'making yourself stand out in the crowd' is the approach I'd take to auditions. I see and listen to people try their hardest to entertain producers and directors with funny stories, trying hard to make them 'like them'. I can't do this, it would drain me too much. I try to focus on the role, be prepared and be off book if I can. These are the only things I control in the room. When I'm finished with an audition, I'll throw the sides or script away. It's done, I move on. If I get a recall, it's a bonus, and I'll re print the script!
Is there anything you can reveal about the next project you’re working on?
I'm working on a project now called 71. It's got a great cast from the north and south. Brilliant actors such as David Wilmot, Killian Scott and a brilliant new young talent called Barry Keoghan, he has a very bright future ahead of him.
What advice would you give to anyone wishing to become an actor?
Advice to anyone trying to become an actor? I suppose just enjoy what you do, get an agent, go to auditions and see what happens. Take the work seriously, have fun, and never be late!
'71' is currently in production and tells the story of a British soldier trying to survive the streets of Belfast at the height of The Troubles when his unit accidentally leaves him behind. The disorientated soldier is then forced to spend the night in a hostile environment and must survive through any means possible. Martin McCann stars alongside Jack O'Connell, Sam Reid, and Irish actors Charlie Murphy, Richard Dormer, and David Wilmot. '71' is directed by Yann Demange and written by Michael McCarthy, John Cairns, and Gregory Burke.
