A quick word with: Duncan Armstrong

Duncan Armstrong. Photo / Supplied

Well Duncan you are no stranger to TV cameras anymore, but what made this experience special?

I loved learning my lines, working with a team and making new friends, and working with actors and a director I have watched on TV, (and playing cricket on set with the crew).

When did you start acting?

I was in shows at primary school, then at secondary school I did drama for 5 years from year 9 in 2003. I got credits in drama for NCEA level two, and I was in lots of plays and musicals.

Are you at all like your Nothing Trivial character Robert?

Yes I am a bit.

Can you briefly explain your scenes?

Robert has lost his job at the supermarket and he gets to help Mac on an ad campaign for a disability group that's like IHC. When Mac gets to know Robert and his mum, it makes him think about what's important in his own life. At first Robert has a fight with Mac's partner at the ad agency who puts him down, but then they learn to respect each other and they win the ad contract.

What was the most exciting moment of being on the show?

When I first arrived - the 'read through' where we all met each other and sat down around a table and read all the scenes and the story came out. And then the fight scene with Jason [Hoyte] and Shane [Cortese].

In your opinion, is show business as glamorous as it seems?

Not glamorous but I like it because we all work together.

How do you manage to fit acting and music into your busy schedule?

You mean with my job and my computer course and being on the WCC youth Council and going to the gym and my basketball team and Youth group and my dance group and my band and my advocacy work?

It's hard but my family helps me to get organised. And performing is my dream so acting music and dance come first.

Have you ever been to a pub quiz? Do you specialise in any areas of the quiz?

Yes I go to our local Monteith's pub quiz with friends. Our team is called 'Far Call' . My specialities are sport and music. Also sometimes I get the Shakespeare questions, like who killed Macbeth? A couple of weeks ago James and I won a $50 bar tab by naming all the teams in the Rugby World Cup.

This show is all about adults learning things about themselves, what do you think they can they learn from young people?

Be yourself and ask your friends for help.

The main characters in Nothing Trivial are also overcoming difficult periods in their life, can you identify with that? Do you have any advice for them?

Follow your dream....
Now you have starred in a major TV series, what's your next big goal?

It would be good to have a long story about Robert. And I have a couple of friends who are hoping to get funding for films, I'm hoping to get a film part if they get the money.

Who: Duncan Armstrong
What: stars on Northing Trivial this week, Wednesday 8.30pm on TV One.

-TimeOut