Category Archives: Sheffield

I’m Live Streaming – MOCKDOWN! a new weekly show!

Acting, Actor, Canada, Coronation St, Covid-19, Emmerdale, History, ITV, Sheffield, showreel, stage, theatre, TV, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hi folks!

Hope you are all keeping well and retaining sanity during these strange, strange times.

I was delighted to help friends set up the technical side for a couple of Live Streaming shows over the last few weeks, so taught myself to use StreamYard, an amazing bit of free Chrome-based goodness that allows you to broadcast to the world.
And so decided that I too wanted to add to the self-broadcasting scene.

I hosted a lot of radio when I lived in Canada, so I love the buzz of hosting a live show, though this is all very different, clicking on the computer to add guests, sources and images…. I could do with a studio crew.

The first show went live last Sunday… there’s a link to view it on YouTube below. But if you’d like to keep up to date and receive notifications and links to future shows, please follow my actor page on Facebook, ROWE DAVID McCLELLAND. The show will air Sundays at 8pm  on Facebook, and I will put them on YouTube after the event.

Here’s the show from the weekend… three lovely guests, Jo Swain – Sheffield actor, known for the Full Monty, now running Hello Velo, a super B&B/Bike hire place in the wilds of France, TV Director Neil Alderton in Manchester – if you love a TV soap, chances are he’ll have had a hand in it – and Phil Yarrow, a Northumbrian exile now living in That London. Actor, Puppeteer, Improviser and dad, with a passion for Theatre For Young Audiences.

______

Many freelance artists are struggling during these Covid-19 days.
If you are able to donate a little to the EQUITY BENEVOLENT FUND, or any of the links mentioned in the show, please do.

Another streaming show you may enjoy is hosted by my lovely friend in Canada – actor, writer, director (and so much more) Charlie Rhindress.
The Charlie and Heather Show airs 8pm on Sundays in Canada (that’s midnight here in the UK), so if you’re a night person, please tune in, there’s a lovely mix of chat, stories and songs. I was a guest on the show May 31st/June 1st, so check it out on the show page or below….

 

And finally, I’ve taken some time to update my acting showreel…. Take a look…

Stay safe folks… and don’t trust the Tories….
D x

 

April Lockdown Update

Acting, Actor, Barry Pigeon Protects, comedy, Covid-19, Dogs, Film, Filmmaking, Humour, Sheffield, Short Films, , , , , , , , , , ,

Hello my dears

I hope you’re all well and staying safe during this pandemic. I don’t know how it’s impacting on you, but for me, I seem unable to concentrate on computer stuff, hence the long wait since my last post. I just don’t have the willpower tou sit at a screen. I’ve had to force myself to write this today.

Similar tale with TV. I can sit to watch a show and I’m constantly pausing to check for phone updates. And I fall alseep a lot in front of the telly, despite sleeping well at night. It’s different ways of reacting to the state we live in I guess.

I’m trying to be creative, done lots of garden work, tidying, weeding, planting. I make lots of videos, dog walks, bird song, etc. More of that further down.

A couple of things I’d like to promote though… 5 years ago, I worked on a web series called Barry Pigeon Protects, all about a night security guard sharing his life via webcam. Lovely project written/directed and produced by Kurt Brookes and Andrew Birtwell.

My old mate Doug Thorp asked if I could rekindle Barry as a guest for his Broken Biscuits  Online Cabaret.

I asked Kurt and Andy, and within a week we had it written, shot and edited. Due to lockdown, I shot at home with a green screen, and my old security cabin office magically appeared in editing.

Here’s Broken Biscuits Online No. 2. Barry Pigeon is the final artiste in the show… It’s well worth the watch as an alternative to the assault of information we have these days.

For those who want just a dose of Barry Pigeon, here’s the new episode….

And good new Pigeon fans, more Barry is likely to be forthcoming 🙂
I’ll update when I can.

Other bits of creativity overcome me. The opening of David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs album, the spoken track Future Legend, is something I committed to memory at age 16.
The words kept coming back to me recently, so here it is, performed as a monologue…

I have another favourite song committed to memory that I plan to make a video for. A more complicated production, but hopefully coming soon.

As mentioned earlier, I’ve been filming my daily dog walks, and sharing on my Facebook feed as Virtual Dog Walking for Shut Ins. I also post my daily Twitter Feeds… the sound of bird song captured in the park.

I’m putting these on to my YouTube Channel now, so here’s a link to my Virtual Dog Walks Playlist….

Norfolk Park Twitter Feed

Okay, hope you enjoyed the walkies and the birds. I’ll keep adding to the Playlists so keep checking back.

Stay safe, love your friends and family – and tell them you do.
We all need it right now.
I hope to update again soon.

D x

On Stage and Screen

Acting, Actor, BBC, Doctors BBC, Labour Party, Politics, Sheffield, stage, theatre, TV, , , , , , , , , ,

Hi folks! November already!
Time flies….

STAGE

Been a busy few weeks. This past weekend I was on stage at York Theatre Royal in the TakeOver Festival with the lovely short play, THE SYLVIA SWING, written by Melanie Hopkins. If you’d like to see it, the video is below…

In October, I returned as Undertaker Albert Holdings in the play TRUMPET, based on the novel by Jackie Kay. Directed by Amanda Huxtable and produced by Shirley Harris at Vanitas Arts.

We had an R&D session on TRUMPET earlier in the year. The latest session was Digital Testing; adding the multimedia layers that bring the show to life. Plans are for a full production next year.

SCREEN

Coming up on November 25th in your living room – I will be in DOCTORS on BBC1. Smashing part I filmed a couple of months ago. I can’t wait to see it 🙂

So kids, that’s it for this update, stay warm and safe, vote wisely, VOTE LABOUR, and I’ll be back soon

Dave

VOTE LABOUR 2019!

 

 

I’m now available on Audible…

Acting, Actor, audiobook, Sheffield, TV, Voiceover, , , , , ,

Wow. It’s been ages since my last post. My apologies. I hope my Instagram updates and Twitter feed have kept you informed on my life in my absence.

So, it’s been over a year… Busy with life I guess. And that has involved a couple of big things… a house move last year, and a car accident just before Christmas.

I love the new house. It’s closer to Sheffield city centre and I love being able to walk into town. It’s an area of the city I didn’t really know before and I’m really enjoying walking everywhere.

As for the accident – well, I was in the middle of a multi-car motorway collision – it wrote off my car, but I walked away with only aches and pains. Car replaced and all okay.

Acting work has been slow of late (though there are a couple of very exciting things coming soon) but I’ve expanded my narration work. And my first release for Audible is now available.

So, would you like to take me to bed? Or anywhere nice and quiet so you can have me in your ears?

It’s a lovely, dark, funny and emotional collection of poetry by artist and poet Justin Aerni. It’s been a privilege to bring his words to life.

Follow the link. Justin Aerni’s Bitter Batter Brains

You know what to do…. ❤️

Justin Aerni's Bitter Batter Brains
Justin Aerni’s Bitter Batter Brains

If you’re a reviewer, let me know, I may be able to sort out a review promo code for you.

COMING SOON…

I’ll be on the telly…. and in a video for a great indie band. More soon…

Defend the Tree Defenders!

Actor, Film, Politics, Sheffield, Trees, , , ,

I love Sheffield.

Born and bred here, I love the city. The hills, the lifestyle, and the trees – the green ribbon that brings the countryside into the city.

But as many already know, Sheffield City Council, in partnership with Amey plc, are chopping down many of our street trees as part of a controversial 25-year PFI street improvement program.

Ordinary people who campaign to save our trees are being hit with huge legal bills.

Defend the tree defenders. Stump up! is a Crowdfunder campaign to raise £27,000 for two of those tree campaigners. And I’m proud to be part of a campaign to help them. I present the Crowdfunder video, and met out two heroes on one of the threatened streets.

Please visit the Crowdfunder page and help out if you can.
Every pound is appreciated.

Local council elections are coming up soon. I have supported Labour at every election since I was a lad.

I’ve walked the streets. I’ve talked to voters.
But I cannot honestly support a Labour Council that engages in this sort of behaviour against it’s citizens.

Sheffield Councillors –  Your time has come to do the right thing.
Listen to the people of Sheffield and ditch this contract with Amey!

Where has January gone? TV and radio stuff…..

Acting, Actor, BBC, Family, Film, Girlfriends, ITV, Radio, Sheffield, TV, , , , , ,

Hello folks! I hope you’ve all had a great start to 2018!

Mine has been (generally) a good one and I had a significant birthday as well, so it’s been a  month of celebration. Thank you to all the old friends who shared my birthday, it was really lovely to re-connect with people from all the different periods of my life – school, work, Canada, film, TV… Magical.

My episode of Kay Mellor’s GIRLFRIENDS aired (I’m in Episode 3 if you want to catch it on ITV Hub here). Nice scene with Miranda Richardson and Zoë Wannamaker. I’m really enjoying this series, what a great writer Kay Mellor is!

Miranda Richardson, Zoë Wannamaker – and me!

I was on Radio Sheffield yesterday – a nice interview about First Loves with Rony Robinson – I’ve put the clip on my Bandcamp site to make it easier to listen to my bit…

Right, I’m off to enjoy this last day of January, have fun and be kind!

Dave x

Christmas is coming. New video, new pics, and on TV in January

Acting, Actor, celebrities, comedy, Family, Filmmaking, friends, Girlfriends, health, ITV, Music, Parody, Photography, Sheffield, Short Films, The Yorkshire Teabaggers, TV, , , , , ,

Christmas is almost here!
We’ve had the first dusting of snow on the Sheffield hills, my cards are sent, presents mostly bought, now I’m making lists for food shopping for the big day.

I’ve also been busy on the business side, getting new actor headshot pics and making a new video to share with you, so lots to tell you about in this update….

I usually record a video each Christmas of me reading A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS (‘Twas the night…). I used to read it to my children on Christmas eve in the pre-divorce days, but I never see them to read it now, so I started recording it for them.

This year I decided to record an audio version for them and put a bit more into the production side, with sound effects and such. I’m very pleased with the results.

I’ve put it on YouTube with some family photos and videos under the audio, here it is….

If you’d like the original audio version in it’s full glory, it’s here to listen or download…. or buy if you wish to send me money.

 

I’m going to be in your house in January!
Earlier this year I recorded a lovely episode of GIRLFRIENDS, Kay Mellor’s new drama for ITV. A couple of nice scenes with Miranda Richardson and Zoë Wanamaker. The series begins Weds January 3rd. I’m in Episode 3. It’s a lovely cast, please watch.

Here’s some of the new pics of the new slimmer me (over 80lbs lost now) – and with new glasses too. I’m hoping the new slimmer look leads to more TV work as directors move me from the obese to hunky casting category 😁

And here’s a final Christmassy treat for you, the first Yorkshire Teabaggers video. Our parody take on one of the most popular of Christmas songs.

What a lot of Christmas goodies eh?
So, now I’ve unloaded my sack on you, I will bid you a Very Merry Christmas and the Happiest New Year.

Stay warm, stay safe, help others, spread the love and be good to yourself.

Love always,
Dave x

 

A very short film at the festival….

Acting, Actor, Film, Filmmaking, Horror, Sheffield, Short Films, , , , ,

Had some brilliant news today, a very short film I’ve made has been chosen as a finalist to be shown at Celluloid Screams, the Sheffield Horror Film Festival this coming weekend.

INSIDE, a short ‘bumper’ film, has been accepted as one of the finalists in the Celluloid Screams Film Festival Bumper Competition this weekend in Sheffield. Bumpers are 30 to 60 second short films designed to play before festival feature presentations. The winning Bumper will be announced at the close of the festival.

You can preview all the bumper competition entries, including mine, at the South Yorkshire Filmmakers Network SHOWROOM SHORTS at The Showroom Cinema Tuesday evening, 9pm.

Mine is a very personal little film, so I hope you can see it either Tuesday night, or at the festival this weekend in Sheffield.

Dave
xxx

September…

Acting, Actor, BBC, celebrities, comedy, health, ITV, Photography, Sheffield, showreel, TV, Voiceover, , , , , ,

Hello folks! Quick update and some new pics….

Since the last update I had a great day on a new ITV drama, GIRLFRIENDS, written and directed by the lovely Kay Mellor. Had a lovely scene with Miranda Richardson and Zoë Wanamaker.

Had a couple of meaty auditions for a lovely soap stint and a new musical tour, but no luck on either. Sad Dave. But keeping busy with Showreel updates, so if you’re an actor looking for a new reel, or want to refresh the one you have, give me a shout!

Had a nice photo session yesterday with an up and coming photographer, Samantha Devine, and I’m including a few below. Click to full-size them….

 

The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice there is less of me to feast your eyes upon…
I’m delighted to say my weight-loss routine is going well, I’ve lost over 50lbs since this time last year. Feeling great and buying new clothes to fit the new me.

And finally, coming up, a BBC animated sitcom, STICKY, starring Tom Hardy. More on that when I get the details. You’ll have my voice and an animated version of me!

Stay tuned!
Dave x

Post-election….

Acting, BBC, Broken TV series, Filmmaking, Labour Party, Politics, Sheffield, Short Films, TV, , , , ,

Wow, what a couple of weeks we’ve had.

Terror attacks, horrific fires. And May holding on to power by her finger tips.

I was very pleased with the Labour result in the election last week. Yes, a straight win would have been better, but things may change in coming weeks as May collapses. The Grenfell disgrace may just be the thing that finishes her off, so roll on the Queens speech and subsequent parliamentary vote next week.

I walked the streets delivering leaflets and knocking on doors for this election, and I have to say there was a great feeling of support for the Labour Party. When the time comes to go to the polls again, and it could be soon, I hope you’ll see we can actually win this thing, get out there and help turn the tide against austerity.

Since the election, I’ve been kept busy on the latest production from WellRedFilms, a left-leaning, Sheffield-based group of filmmakers.

The latest video, shot on Thursday evening, released Friday and online now, takes a topical look at the aftermath of the election and looks at various campaigns we still need to continue.

I took the production lead on this one, working 5 cameras, edited it all together once I returned home, suffering technical issues and internet problems. I’m very pleased with the end result. I hope I can develop more work like this.

In other news, BROKEN on BBC1 is getting great reviews and I return for the remaining episodes as Christopher Kerrigan, brother to Sean Bean. Not a huge role, but loved it. Jimmy McGovern has written a timely piece on British society, the cast is incredible. It’s not easy viewing, have a tissue handy, but you can’t stop watching.

And I had some good news about an upcoming project. I can’t say more now, but it’s a nice role in a new series from another hugely respected writer.