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How did you get that job?
Name Chidi Chickwe Job title Actor, model and musician. Chidi plays George in Never Let Me Go.
Company represented by Colours Agency
When did you start your job? I was involved in making music long before I started modelling or acting; I studied sound engineering and music production and I’m a classically trained trombonist. I was also in Scottish 80s pop band Win. I started modelling when I was 18, helping out some art college chums,
then I joined the agency and things got pretty busy. I got the Never Let Me Go job in May 2009, although London seemed a long way to go for a casting, but my agency, politely pointed out that I would be insane not to go. Obviously, I’m very glad now that I did.
So what does your job actually involve? A lot of extremely bizarre things. I did a show for Vivienne Westwood where I drove a huge motorbike around the stage, then wandered around with a goat and a llama in tow.
With Never Let Me Go, one minute I was at home wondering what was next, then I’m in a trailer with Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Charlotte Rampling as my neighbours. Carey came bounding into my trailer without knocking, introduced herself, then promptly helped herself to most of my stash of chocolate.
I know there will be plenty of thespians
out there who will disagree, but I don’t think there’s a huge difference between modelling and acting. Acting is just pretending on a bigger scale.
Best / Worst Aspects? One of the best is the opportunity to meet and work with amazing people. On Never Let Me Go I spent most of my time working with Charlotte Rampling, who’s a very interesting character. Her husband Jean Michel Jarre is a composer so we spent a lot of time talking about music and the work she did in the 60s. It was fascinating to get a first hand account of that time. I’d describe her as an adopted posh auntie, her wisdom kept me right a lot of the time on the set. Another positive is the confidence
working in this industry gives you. I found it quite easy to adapt to working on a film set with Hollywood actors and I put that down to the self-assurance acquired from years of modelling. When you are booked you never know quite what to expect so you learn to just go with it. Working with casting directors,
designers, stylists, choreographers and the occasional capricious client, you learn how to hold your own in any situation.
Looking back, what advice would you give to a young Chidi at the start of their careers? Never rule anything out; don’t be afraid to try something new, even if you never thought it would be something you would do.
I was booked to do a photo shoot, but wasn't given much information about the job, probably deliberately in hindsight. When I got there the photographer asked me how I’d feel about being painted gold, and having every inch of my body from head to toe shaved. I didn’t think that was something I’d be
too keen on, and, I won’t lie, it was the fee that persuaded me to give it a go, but the shot is one of the best in my portfolio and people still talk about that image today.
And finally… what are you most looking forward to in 2011? I’m in the middle of converting an old dairy into a recording studio. I’ve been at it for the last two years but hopefully there isn’t much further to go, and I’m really excited to see it finished and start working with and recording some of the talented musicians I know. And hopefully making more films too!
3–31 Mar 2011 THE LIST 125