How about another interview? I was happy to get to talk to a multi-talented young man recently. Cai O’Leary has several appearances in TV series under his belt, including Blodau, Deep Cuts and more, along with several short films like Johnny Oneline and a film he wrote, directed, produced and starred in entitled Man Is Beast, which is a Chinese language film. Let’s get to know a little more about Cai, shall we?
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1) How did you get into acting? Did you always want to be an actor?
I was 19 and had just returned from a gap year in Australia where I was coaching rugby at a school. I had deferred my place at University in the UK where I was due to start a Law Degree, in order to travel. When I got back I told my father that I would prefer to pursue my childhood dreams of becoming an actor. Luckily, my father is an artist so he was over the moon with this decision and I have not looked back since. I think coming from a small quarrying vilage in North Wales, becoming an actor didn’t even seem like an option that was open to me. I had never even heard of drama school. Apart from a run in the local drama club (there was only three of us there) there was zero opportunity. It was only when I was in Australia and I met some actors out there that I realised I could make a living out of it.
2) Tell us about your latest project…
My latest project Is another short film, which I wrote. This time it is a love story between a homeless couple on the streets of London. It follows the story of ‘Ariel’, a transwoman who is used to the hard knocks given to you as a homeless person. She finds love and this comes in the shape of ‘Paul’, an Irish man. It is quite different to Man Is Beast, more poetic and I have tried to dig into how society has a way of placing people. Actually in saying that, I guess it is quite similar to Man Is Beast. There is a hierarchy in Society whether you are human or an animal.
Other than this I am currently penning my first feature film. A Chinese language action Thriller which takes place in China and London. Much more light hearted and easy to watch!
3) You wore many hats in Man is Beast: Actor, Director, Producer and Writer. Which hat was the hardest to wear, and why?
4) If you could be in any existing film playing any character, which would it be?
Jason Bourne. I love action films and for me the Bourne films are the best. Obviously Bond is huge as well and has now caught up but for me the earlier Bourne films led the way.
5) I know that you’re a skilled martial artist. Could you be the next Chuck Norris? (On the lighter side – What’s your favorite Chuck Norris joke? Mine is: Before he goes to bed every night, the Boogey Man checks under his bed for Chuck Norris.)
Ha, yes. No I don’t think I am the next Chuck Norris. I am more of an actor who happens to have a lot of experience in martial arts.
Quotes… oh there are so many… urm, I think I will have to go with ‘Why are there no Chuck Norris lego’s? Because no one can take Chuck Norris apart.’
6) If a film was made about you, what would it be called and who would play you?
7) What can we expect from you in the rest of 2016?
8) Tell us a fun fact about you, something that our readers might not already know about you…
I am trilingual, I speak the worlds three most influential languages. English, Mandarin Chinese and… Welsh 🙂
9) And, last but not least, do you have any advice for young, up and coming actors?
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