Cheryl Lisa Bullock is an actress, director, and producer from Nottinghamshire, UK. She’s also a talented martial artist. Cheryl’s moving forward with her career, despite obstacles like the current pandemic. We had the opportunity of speaking to her a few years ago. It’s a delight to touch base with her for an update on her career, projects, and what we can look forward to.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. We’ve had the pleasure of covering your career over the last couple of years. Firstly, for readers who are unfamiliar with your work, how did you get into acting?
Hello, thank you for the opportunity for me to share my recent projects with you. Well since we spoke a few years ago, I have directed and produced 2 online movies in honor and inspiration of The Matrix, which are my fav films of all time also I like Tom Cruise movies too as he also is an action star. I got into acting professionally in 2013 when I passed 3 levels of Drama and Performance, then the same year I was given two roles in two community pantomimes, Aladdin (2013) and Cinderella (2014). Before that, I used to memorize lines from Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves movies as a teenager. Also when I was at art college, the college took the class to the local Odeon cinema to see Matrix Reloaded, that is when I loved The Matrix trilogy even more.
You perfected your skills at West Nottinghamshire College and Sutton Academy. Please share your experience at these institutes and how they prepared you for a career in acting.
At Sutton Academy, I learned all 3 levels of acting including, improvisation, clowning, and practicing monologues with different students. This has helped me be more confident in myself as an actress online, and to pursue commercial roles, voiceovers, and whatever my agent chooses to put me forward for. I have also signed onto an online course to help me understand the acting in theatre more with West Nottinghamshire College which I can’t wait to start.
What do you look for when considering a role or project?
When I get a script or an idea of a character, it has to be interesting, and the sort that relates to me and my life, mentally and physically. I don’t just sign up for a role and hope for the best, I have to make sure it relates to me myself. I consider myself as a female Keanu Reeves. It’s about the level of commitment I make to a project, I can give up time to train for a role.
Please tell us more about your most recent project.
Matrix Isolation (2020) and Expendead (2019) are my current online movies inspired by The Matrix sequels, with martial artists taking part in Expendead and with Matrix Isolation, I decided to make a short during these Covid times.
How has the pandemic impacted you and your projects?
This pandemic has made me stronger within myself and what I really want as a person. I am being more creative in what I love to do, film making and Acting. I have recently joined an agency and my agent is happy with me joining with her and she likes the sound of me and my constant pursuit of acting. That’s a nice thing to say and I’m proud of myself for constantly not giving up on my dream.
You’ve referenced Tom Cruise as being an influence on your career. He’s famously known for being heavily involved in the stunt sequences on many of his films. You’re also a martial arts professional in kickboxing, tai chi, karate, and body combat. Does this interest contribute to your approach and the discipline needed for acting, particularly when undertaking physical or action sequences?
Along with Tom, I also consider Keanu Reeves as an influence on my martial arts. It’s Reeves that has inspired me in these difficult times, with more hunger for acting, voiceover roles, and also martial arts. I am eager to train as hard as these men as they are an inspiration to me.
What other projects are in the pipeline?
Right now, I am just waiting for my agent to contact me for any roles that inspire me, I can relate to, or feel I can put my energy into. I have another online documentary in mind called Isolation Simulation, a reference to The Matrix (again) I know it is a long shot, but I have emailed Keanu Reeves’ agent to see if he is available for the project as it is during these COVID times. I would like him on board to share his ideas and his experience in this MATRIX-style life.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
- https://www.cheryllisabullock.co.uk/
- https://www.vshowcards.com/profile/cherylb/
- https://www.starnow.co.uk/cherylbullock5/
- https://www.mandy.com/uk/supporting-artist/cheryl-bullock-2
- https://www.mandy.com/uk/supporting-artist/cheryl-bullock-2
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