Published: Wednesday, 13th August, 2008 12:30
Hollywood beckons for Alloa actor
By Nicola Findlay
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Cameron was spotted by a top American producer while singing in a karaoake bar in LA.
HOLLYWOOD beckons for Alloa actor and singer Cameron Neilson after being spotted by one of America’s top talent managers and producers.
Cameron (23) has been given the biggest break of his career so for thanks to a chance meeting with Jerry Silverhardt, who helped launch the careers of superstars such as Tom Cruise and Dylan McDermott.
Cameron now hopes to take America by storm with industry insiders dubbing him as the next Scottish Zac Efron, who was propelled to stardom through his lead role in Disney’s smash hit film High School Musical.
The former Alloa Academy pupil was spotted by Jerry when he was out with friends in a bar in LA and is now back home organising his Visa after a number of successful meetings.
Cameron told the Advertiser, “Jerry heard me singing in a karaoke bar when I was out with friends and gave me his card.
“I didn’t really know anything about him and when he said he had discovered Tom Cruise I didn’t think he was being serious.
“But after speaking to other people I realised just how big he was and I phoned him then went to his office.
“I only went out to LA to see what it was like and I never imagined this would happen. It’s a massive opportunity for me and a dream come true.”
Jerry was impressed not only by Cameron’s singing voice but also his acting skills and believes there will be a huge demand for the young Scot.
“A lot of the time people can either sing or act but its unusual they can do both,” Cameron went on.
“The studios are looking to re-make musical films such as Fame and Footloose and that is something I would love to do, and Jerry is looking to put me forward for lead roles.”
During his time in LA Cameron was also followed by a camera crew for a TV pilot called Cameron’s LA Dream, rubbing shoulders with celebrities along the way.
Cameron has already enjoyed success in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, touring the UK and Scandinavia taking on the lead role of Rusty on several occasions during the year-long tour.
“I played Caboose in Starlight Express but was also understudied the lead role of Rusty,” he said.
“The guy who played Rusty got injured so I got the lead for several shows, including the final leg of the tour at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
“Up until now that has been the highlight of my career. I was performing in front of more than 3000 people in Edinburgh and my family were there to see me. It was just amazing.”
Cameron trained at Stow College in Glasgow and at GAMTA (formerly known as The Stage School of Scotland) before completing a degree in musical theatre at the acclaimed London-based Arts Education School, landing the role in Starlight Express before he even finished the course.
Cameron went on, “I really believe that you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it and the harder you work the more success you get.
“I used to get put down for wanting to do something different but I would say to any young person who has the same dream to keep going as there is nothing to lose.”
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