My Blurry Face and Back are in Ed Sheeran’s Castle on the Hill Music Video
Sometime in December my sister sent me a pic of an advert. The film company Somesuch were looking for extras for a shoot in Framlingham, Suffolk. Honestly when i first saw it the word that stuck out the most on the ad was “paid”. By no means an actor I thought well why not give it a go and I sent the film company an email and some pictures of my face (they did ask!). A couple of days later the Somesuch crew get back to me with an enthusiastic “great! Can you be at this place at this time?”. 2 things; first thank you for confirming my face as adequate i feel great, and second at this stage I still have no idea what this shoot is for but I blindly agree to go along. The day before the producer phones me to double check everything is a-ok for me to get to Framlingham, going through all the logistical details that needed confirming, formalities. Near the end of the phone-call I’m asked how much I know about the shoot. The truth then unfolds. The shoot is for Ed Sheeran’s next music video ‘Castle on the Hill’. On the phone I’m like ok cool, inside I’m like WHUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!?!?!?!!!. I am asked not to say anything to anyone in case a flurry of fans come and destroy the small Suffolk town or Ed. Then a phone-call from wardrobe (I know right… legit) going through fashion related things which was essentially wear what you usually do.
Next day I get my ass out of bed to drive to Fram College where there are many many people loitering professionally outside a catering van. I ask someone where on earth I am meant to be and am taken to where all the wardrobe and make-up related things would then happen. Apparently I’m devilishly stylish and didn’t even need to get changed… who knew… I don’t even have a mirror in my room at home. Next, face and hair (gosh could take hours). The make-up artists asked if I already have anything on my face. I’m like “umm…. does moisturiser count?”. Stuff is then put on my face. The bags under my eyes were big enough to carry all my personal possessions so I am just glad that got sorted out. Mid make-up a popstar walks in. My glasses are on the table. I am blind without my glasses. I don’t even notice… Someone genuinely had to say to me “Oh Ben, Ed’s here”. I scramble for my sight aid and say hello. It’s pretty cool meeting a global megastar but a “hey man” was definitely suffice. We briefly spoke before he went off to have a cuppa and I finished being cosmetically enhanced. I then met all the others who would be in my scene, some members of the film crew and then we were off. It was a freezing cold morning in front of Framlingham Castle, and a hot water bottle was doing the rounds as myself and the others sat on logs getting to know each other. I was the anomaly (naturally says those who know me), being the only one not to go to Thomas Mills, or to live in Framlingham, but I was wearing a barber jacket so I fit right in. On the subject of that jacket I should probably tell the friend who gave it to me his clothing is now really famous and stuff…
The film crew were busying themselves around us, moving the logs, getting the composition perfect for when Ed arrived. There were so many people there it was like a group of people had been hired to watch us live every moment of our lives. Camera’s swooped in, directions and guidance given to us extras and all good to go. We’re told Ed’s about to arrive and when he does just to do what we’re doing and they will start filming. Brilliant! I can act goofy, laugh and look entertained all day mate. Ed arrives and we sit around chatting about Framlingham, Thomas Mills, Ipswich, being young, with all the usual serious bantz that entails and our scene is done. We hang around waiting for a second scene with the mini-me’s to begin, myself and the older extras trying to spot which one is meant to be our younger selves then head back to base. We’re told we are free to leave, thank yous and goodbyes are exchanged and that’s that. About halfway home I giggle nonsensically to myself about what’s just happened and at the fact that I still have make-up on my face.
You can spot me right at the end for about 9 secs haha! My face is in ultra soft focus aka blurry and then the camera pans away, my green jacketed back complimenting the wintry scene whilst chatting to Ed and the others, sitting on logs.
Big thanks go to Somesuch for thinking my face was an acceptable fit for the shoot! They were all amazing on the day, a great bunch of folk, so don’t forget to give your love to those guys and gals for doing such a brilliant job with the music video.
