I'm really pleased that multi-talented Michael agreed to take part in the first post of 2013. I had the pleasure of meeting him through his work at Red Rose Chain a few years ago and we've kept in touch via twitter.
Well depending on who you are, you'll know me by one of two names! To all my family, friends and current work colleagues my name is Wayne, but to all the people that I used to work with in theatre, I'm known as Michael. Wayne is my first name and Michael my middle; when I was at drama school my tutors suggested that Wayne wasn't a good name for an actor (with connotations of Wayne Rooney!) so suggested that I use my middle name as my stage name! I worked in theatre as an Assistant Producer for three and a half years, but had always wanted to work in TV. In 2012 I applied for the BBC Production Talent Pool and was successful in gaining a place. The pool offers entry level roles into media jobs. I worked as a Runner on series 10 of Strictly Come Dancing, helping to film the couples in training. I have also started to create my own web content for children. At the moment I'm focusing on creating short stories and I'll soon be adding simple crafts too. You can take a look here: http://www.youtube.com/user/LingeMichael/videos?flow=grid&view=0. You'll see there too that I use my stage name, but I don't really mind if you call me Wayne or Michael, I'll respond to either!
2. What was your favourite tv programme as a child? When I was really little I remember a programme called Greenclaws. I just remember it being really engaging and exciting to watch. I also remember loving SuperTed and anything to do with arts and crafts; so Tony Hart, Art Attack and Blue Peter were firm favourites too!
3. Who inspires you? There are lots of people who inspire me. Through my work in theatre and TV I have met so many different people that it would be impossible to single one person out. In theatre I worked with a lot of children and young people when running drama sessions in schools and weekly youth groups. They were always inspiring times as the children would always give it their all and just have fun with it.
4. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? I think it would be to do a job that makes you happy. You spend so much of your life at work, you have to do something that you enjoy getting up for in the morning!
5. What are the top three things on your bucket list? I've not travelled a lot and I have friends who emigrated to Australia when I was a child, so I would like to visit them.
I'd like to complete a marathon run as the sense of achievement must be amazing. To be able to use that to fundraise for charity would also feel like I'd really accomplished something.
I'd quite like to own a little property in Greece! Nothing particularly lavish, just somewhere to relax and wake up with the sun shining and within walking distance of the sea.
6. Describe yourself in 5 words... Strong work ethic. Dog lover.
7. Which 4 people, dead or alive, would you invite for dinner? My four grandparents. I didn't know them all particularly well so I'd like to have that chance to find out more about their lives and experiences. It would be interesting to hear the stories that they could tell me about my family too!
8. Has anyone had a particularly huge impact on your life, good or bad? The biggest and most positive impact on my life has been my mum and dad. They have always supported my decisions in life, never tried to influence my career or choices and have always been there for me! I don't think I've ever said that before - so mum and dad, thank you!
9. What do you like to do in your spare time? Spare time at the moment involves writing, filming and editing the short children's stories for the web. If I have a few minutes in the evening then you'll find me on Twitter - @wmlinge - (feel free to say hello!). At the weekend I like to walk Bolli (our dog and my inspiration for the stories) and see friends and family. I have three nephews who I don't see as much as I should. It's always fun and full-on when the family meets up at my parent's house of a weekend! I usually have all three children trying to hold a conversation with me simultaneously!
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Still working in TV hopefully. I love working in entertainment TV and would love to work on some TV drama, as that would tie together my love of TV and theatre. Maybe I'll have achieved that marathon and be saving for the house in Greece too!
I was really honoured when Michael asked me & my eldest two children for feedback on his children's stories. They loved them and we look forward to seeing Michael (or Wayne!) on CBeebies in the not too distant future :-) Take a look and make sure that you subscribe to his YouTube channel as he'll be adding new videos all the time.
Bolli's Big Wish
Bolli and the Book Mouse
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