BUILDER TAKES ON ACTING CAREER

A HOUSEBUILDER put down his tools for a week to star in a new film, writes Laura Scardarella.

Sam Lester, senior site manager at Emmbrook Place in Wokingham, worked as an extra in a reboot of Rise of the Footsoldier.

The Vistry Group employee spent one week on set with the cast and crew for the new film, which is due to be released later this year.

Filmed in Essex, Mr Lester acted alongside Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones, Keith Allen and Roland Manookian.

The site manager said his experience on set was “a different world”.

Mr Lester said: “I loved it – it was a full-on week, but I had a great time with all the actors, they’re amazing and we’d have a drink with them at the end of the day.

“They were down-to-earth guys, who made us feel so welcome.

“There was no looking down at anyone, it was just a great laugh between good people, similar to being on a building site.”

Used to wearing a hard hat and building gear, Mr Lester saw what it’s like to wear different costumes and have his hair and make-up done.

He played a variety of roles throughout the week for some of the scenes that’ll be shown in the film.

After appearing in a group photo on Vinnie Jones’ Instagram, Mr Lester was called by friends and colleagues, all excited for him.

“I had kept it quiet and they all thought it was great, they couldn’t quite believe it,” he added.

Mr Lester said: “I always like to try something once, that’s a little bit different and I hadn’t done any acting before but I was up for a new experience.

“We’re extremely busy at work at the minute, but I had a little holiday to use and Vistry is really supportive in encouraging us to take time for ourselves.”

Mr Lester has kept in touch with his fellow extras and is hoping to appear in more films in the future.