Jack of all trades, Arnold Ocheng aka Snakeyman, has been making big movements in the underground film and music scene. Online Editor, Monique Todd, had a little chat with the maverick to find out more
“You know, I’m a very likable guy; I don’t start any trouble! If any one says to you, ‘ay, I got beef with Snakeyman – I don’t like him’ … you gotta ask them why!”
And why would anyone actually dislike Snakeyman? The young talented actor/musician has enjoyed a pretty successful career, bagging roles in ‘Adulthood’ as well as ‘Demon’s Never Die’. If anything, there’s only room for jealousy: “you’ve got to take criticism – I’ve learn’t a lot in the industry – you’ve got to just strive through it basically”
It looks as though Arnold has had plenty of fun playing such sinister and comedic characters. Whilst reminiscing on his past roles, he lets me in on the time he really wounded a fellow actor during rehearsals for ‘Demons Never Die’.
“In the opening scene, my character Curtis who is the main bully in the film had to slap another actor…but the camera had to be placed at different angles so I had to slap him literally with full force, probably about 30 times! It got to the point where I was feeling so bad because he was getting red and I was like ‘bruv…I’m so sorry’. It was good in the end because it looked realistic but, I just felt so bad!” Perhaps this is the only reason someone would have beef with Snakeyman, the guy is heavy handed!
With a shining resume, its easy to see why he’s so pleased with his work, but he is still very keen to branch out and play roles that are out of the ordinary; a little bit unexpected. In fact, he still thinks he has much to prove. “This year, I’m focusing on characters that are totally different to who I am, like I wanna play a Lawyer, or maybe a superhero, something that’s not typecast as a typical role for a black guy, you know what I mean…something out of the box, like an 18th Century monarch”
…Snakeyman as King George the III – could be a good look!
Having acted in so many urban films, some of which centered on the violence of youth, I couldn’t help wondering whether he thought it is time for a more positive representation of young London. Whilst most of the films and programs are entertaining and well produced – how long before we see the good that young people are doing?
“We need people to write scripts that are not only about the streets… I mean you could even write about a farm – You could write about anything and put young people in it, they’re are so many more stories that we can write about and that needs to come to the forefront to be honest.”
With much talk on scriptwriting, you would think he might as well start writing some himself right? Well, he’s already on it. He’s more than ready to continue the pursuit next year, but he knows it isn’t as easy as it looks. “I’m finding it difficult, my background is in music and acting – I’ve always had to wait for a script to be put in my hand. Although, I did buy this program called Final Draft, and it cost like £300, but it has the proper formats that everybody writes from, even Steven Spielberg writes in this format, so you know, I’m trying!”
So, we get that SnakeyMan has his acting down, but rest assured that he is still on the music. In 2008, he won a UMA award and has been quite busy in the scene ever since, with work on his new album underway. He’s even started his own Talent Management Company ARG.
“ARG, stands for Arnold, Ralph and Gavin, the latter are my two business partners. The company deals with talent from different spectrums – whether you’re an actor, dancer or singer – we’ll take you on if your good basically”
So if he didn’t do acting, music, what alternative route would Snakeyman take?
“You know what…I actually have no idea! This is all I know. Like if I fail and don’t get anymore acting jobs then I’m kind f*cked! But you know, I did pass my A levels…like I got an A in English Literature so I could be an English teacher.”
There is no end to this guy’s talent, is there?
Have a listen to an EXCLUSIVE track ‘Soldiers’ ft Ghetts – release date yet to be confirmed…
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