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Hello! I’m Ollie, a 27 London based red-head. Welcome to this brand new blog, if you are returning from my old blog: Hi Friend! Through the realms of multiple identity crisis my pathway as taken sharp turns over the past few years (something i massively regret not documenting). So here we are, on this clean slate (sexy slate at that, thank you James for designing my website). For those old and new i thought my first post should be some sort of introduction so let’s do it.
🍭 5 Random Facts About me
- I am Half English and half Kiwi – yes, I have both passports and no, i’m not living in NewZealand where everyone is living their life, i’m stuck in lockdown 3.0 in the UK. This whole COVID-19 mess has however prompted a new thought process of where I want to put down my routes in regards to bringing up kids etc.
- I Should have Died at 17 – a deadly cocktail of sepsis and peritonitis that started with a burst appendix nearly wiped me out at only 17 years old. Sadly it is as dramatic as the title suggested and to this day remains the most frightening time in my life. The positive of lying in a hospital bed for weeks knowing how miraculous my recovery is after hearing the medical facts from the consultant prompted a pivotal mind change. My ‘career goal’ of either becoming a Barrister or Dentist did not make sense all of a sudden. 10 years on i still have no idea what i want to do with my life, but i’m happier finding my way on my own terms rather than somme one else’s.
- My Background is in TV, Film & Theatre – cutting a long-ish story short (about 8 years of work) I have worked professionally within Television, Commercials, Film and Westend Theatre as: Producer, Assistant Producer, Camera Logger, Runner, Company Manager, Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Lighting Technician, Sound Engineer, Automation Operator, Carpenter, Director, Performer, Model & now… Creator (kind of encompasses them all).
- I Do Impressions – Ok, when I say I do impressions no one has actually paid me to do an impression other than Disney 1x time. 378 impressions to be precise (and counting). Someone over 1 Million people find them entertaining enough to follow. You can watch and laugh at me by heading over to my TikTok.
- Family is my Biggest Goal – Despite being, wait for it… ‘Entrepreneurial’ (cringe) in the mind, my main ‘goals’ in life are actually predicated and orientated around the idea of having my own family. Passive income, self-employment and my own companies are going to be the key to me being able to give my most precious asset: Time. I don’t want to miss anything when my kids are growing up.
🏆 My Top 3 Experiences
- January 2020 – It was 5:00am on a weekday in New York City, one of my favourite brands had flown me out for a meeting (details will never be shared, sorry) and I was running over Brooklyn Bridge back to my hotel to get ready for the meeting. I stopped about half way and looked over Manhattan as the run came up, the light reflecting off the sky scrapers and shimmering across the surface of the Hudson. In that moment, after years of trying and failing I had a glimpse of what i deemed an achievement. A feeling no-one else knew or could feel other than me, in that moment. I felt on-top of the world and will never forget it.
- June 2019 – Toy Story 4 press junket: Disney World, Florida: One normal workday I received an email from Disney. This email invited me to represent Disney UK in Disney World Florida for the unveiling of Toy Story 4 – talk about imposters syndrome! I met creators that i have followed for years, the cast of the film and got to watch a premier of the new film and experience Toy Story Land after hours. Another experience I will never forget.
- July 2000 – The ‘Father/Son’ chat. For nearly 20 years my family regularly holidayed to Port De Pollenca in Mallorca (gorgeous place – go if you haven’t been). Each night on our return down the pine walk back to the apartment we would sit at the Ill’a Dor beach bar for a night cap (wasted on hot choc). One evening my mum and sister, Katie went back and Dad and I stayed and talked about life. I don’t remember much pre 16years old but that is conversation i can remember as if it was yesterday (again, the details will never be shared haha).
❓So What Now?
In the immediate future I am housebound due to the on-going pandemic that we are faced with at the time of writing this post. But, in the spirit of implementing Parkinson’s law (task will always fill the time we allocate to them) I am working on making educational and useful content on YouTube, entertaining content on TikTok and creative content on Instagram.