Profile Description

Gordon Lamont is an experienced Producer, Director, Writer and Actor, now offering Consultancy and Training services. Over many years his clients have included BBC Learning, BBC Academy (training), Discovery Channel, Historic Royal Palaces, Parliament Education and many others. As a Director he’s worked with some of our finest actors and writers including Sandi Toksvig, Terry Jones, Adjoa Andoh, Tom Baker – and who could forget Brian Blessed! Gordon writes: ‘I’ve worked both sides of the glass, experienced much technological and cultural change and still have a deep love for our profession which I take great joy in sharing with others’

Books include Drama in the Primary Curriculum (BBC), 100+ Ideas for Drama (Hodder), The Confidence Book (Sheldon), Living with Birthmarks & Blemishes (Sheldon)

Video

Video 2

Photos

Address

Sittingbourne, 86 UFTON LANE, Sittingbourne, Kent, United Kingdom, ME10 1EX

Location

Interview

Describe what you do as a creative:

I make learning programmes and resources, drama programmes, and face-to-face consultancy and training. I'm also an actor - hero roles in TV and cinema commercials, and character roles in feature and short films, and audio productions.

Tell us briefly about yourself so we understand where you come from. What’s your family background?:

Born in Croydon then we moved to Crawley New Town when I was one year old. My brothers tell me my cot was a draw in the sideboard and they delighted in closing it! I've lived in Lincoln, Nottingham, St. Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Bexley and now Sittingbourne.
White British - still proudly European. I have a prominent Port Wine Stain facial birthmark which affected my confidence for many years. For acting auditions I wear make-up supplied by the NHS as so few jobs specify a birthmark and the first task is to get through the door...

What did you want to be when you were growing up?:

An astronaut, an actor, a TV director. Two out of three - not bad!

Can you remember your earliest experience with art?:

I made an undersea scene. I used an old wind-up walking Frankenstein under a cloth to create a sense of movement.

Why did you start doing what you do? What are your reasons? What's your story?:

I love to create - always have. Drama, either side of the glass, is in my blood. It brings me joy.

How did you begin doing what you do? How and when did it start?:

I was a drama teacher and saw an opportunity to work with Nottingham Playhouse TIE and Community Company. There I started to direct and got my EQUITY card. Then I talked my way into a Producer role at BBC Schools, after twelve years I left to freelance as a Producer, Director, Writer and Trainer, latterly as an Actor too.

What turns on your creativity? What triggers your need to create?:

Humans are creative - we can't help it. From mixing a new ingredient into our food, to dreaming up a product, a story or a future. Creativity is always there for us. I devised a workshop for the BBC - developing creative content. It was just one day of unlocking those unrealised and unrecognised creative dreams.

What do you like best about your work?:

The magic of growing something both solo and with the creative energy of others.

When were you most satisfied in your work? What is your golden moment so far?:

Making my first Radio Drama. Getting my first book published, Making my first TV programme, first acting job, first feature film role... Firsts are terrific and there are more to come.

Describe a memorable response to your work? How did people respond to your work?:

I was part of a BBC BAFTA-winning team. That was pretty special and gave my career a boost. In the end, its not 'how did' but 'how will people respond'. So, off to the next thing.

What is the most exciting part of your work at the moment?:

At the moment its the next thing- currently a talk and workshop on being an actor in later life. By the time you read this, it'll be something else. It always has to be the next thing.

What is your dream project?:

To work with David Lynch - I'm waiting for your call, David.

Which artists / creative people are your heroes or inspiring figures?:

It has to be my teachers - John Challen (RIP) who took a lost child and found him a home in drama, and Joan Lewis who was Head of Department for my first teaching job in Nottingham.

What art/creativity related book should everyone read?:

David Lynch, Room to Dream.

Your idea of happiness ?:

Sleeping, dreaming, waking with new realisations.

Tell us a lesson life has taught you:

I am blessed with a special relationship. Its love. Its real.

Anything else you would like to add ?:

Well done for reading all this!

Gordon Lamont