Wayne Bassett

My acting story began when I saw the power acting had to move serious people to laughter and happy people to tears. Like most people, though, I only talked about it rather than doing it so apart from my lead in a school play (I got to drink a shandy and kiss the lead girl, Terry Evans – wow!) I did nothing until a lovely German flatmate, Nina, talked me into attending a beginners acting class in Sydney. Luckily (I thought) the class was fully booked – but, she signed me up for the next term! It was run by accentric Pole, Andrzej Siedlecki and led to long friendships and a play, “Marat/Sade” or “The Persecution and Assassination Of Jean-Paul Marat As Told By the Inmates of the Asylum, Charenton, Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade” – the tickets were big! I played an inmate and got fully into the role by slashing at my arms with a razer on stage. I was told the blood looked very realistic! To combat nerves, I took to drinking vodka before any acting, though between that and the blood loss, I felt quite faint! A spectator then decided to audition me as a quirky male nurse in his horror feature. Despite the 6 vodkas beforehand I managed to land the role. As I celebrated (with a drink) I was told that World War 3 was starting – the twin towers had come down. I should’ve known then that I was in for a rocky ride! The night before the first shoot, I decided my hair wasn’t short enough so took out that trusty razor and tried to trim my sideburns. A mistake as a huge chunk of hair came out and led to me having to redesign my hair and spend the next year (it was along weekends only shoot!) looking like a dodgy mushroom. I was single that whole time! A small part in another feature led to my first pay packet ($200 – yay!) and (when filming was delayed and meant I had to rush straight to the changing rooms before jumping on stage without heading to the bar first!) curbed my drinking before acting! Helping found Sydney’s NAFA (Networking Action For Actors) lead to short films and a first lead role (and first award) and to my first agent. They say it takes 10 years to be an overnight sensation – I’m still waiting! I did have a few blips along the journey, one when I contracted a stomach illness, lost a lot of confidence (and weight) and another when I met a Brisbane girl, moved here and had to start all over again. The things we do for love. Actually, most of my acting is done for love, let’s face it. Love or deferred love! The first Brisbane “Short & Sweet” led to more lasting friendships and the beginning of The Actors Gym and more roles. I’m not rich or famous but I’m still having fun and have some great memories - and the story's not over yet!