Actors like me know the script when it comes to surviving on a tight budget

Patrick Murphy, who played likeable rogue Karl in Love Hate, has just appeared in a multi-award winning short film and has two feature films in the can. He says that actors could teach us all a thing or two about budgeting through a financial crisis.

What have you been up to?

I’m in the short They Make You Grow A Beard, a comedy-horror about how hipsters seem to be taking over the world. There’s a lot of running so you could say it’s fast paced. In one day’s filming I was basically running from 9am to 5pm. It was like a marathon. It won lots of awards – there’s no room on the poster any more. Having done the rounds of all the film festivals it’s now on YouTube.

Have you got something against people who drink coffee out of jam jars?

Maybe they need to get over themselves a little bit sometimes.

What else have you going on?

Killers Within – a Tarantino-style action film about a tiger kidnapping of a family (that is no ordinary family). Justice For One, another action film, is also in post production.

Are you a spender or a saver?

Definitely a saver. I never know when the next pay cheque will arrive. Sounds tough. Have you got any tips for making ends meet? You have to keep grafting. I ran acting courses. I also direct music videos and show reels for actors. I’m always busy.

How’s your budgeting?

You learn to budget because you really have to. Actors know how to survive on what you get.

Is it worth it?

Totally. There’s no greater feeling than making a film. For me, you have to have a passion for what you do.

How did you fare in the crash?

Like most actors, it was just business as usual. People in creative industries always have to be economical with their money. We could have told everyone years ago how to get through a financial crisis!

Have we changed much?

We’ve grown up – a bit. In the Celtic Tiger everyone was flaunting their wealth. Then people learned to be more frugal. Once bitten twice shy. Before the crash some people wouldn’t be seen dead in Aldi or Lidl. Even though the boom is coming back, people are still more careful with money.

What mobile deal are you on?

I own my own phone so I’m on a rolling monthly Three contract with unlimited calls and data, which is a good deal for €30 a month.

Ever been scammed?

Nearly. I have had some guy ringing me up to tell me I have a problem with Windows, looking for remote access to my computer. It’s an old trick. But no, I’ve never been caught. I’m well aware of the scams.

Any vices?

As an actor I can’t afford to have any.

What’s your bank of choice?

My friends are always talking about new online banks. They say N26 is good for money transfer. But I’m a regular-bank type of guy so it’s Ulster Bank for me.

Craziest thing you’ve done?

I was in full zombie make-up for a movie, lurching around Glasnevin Cemetery, while people were visiting the graves of their loved ones. I got a few funny looks.

How do you like to unwind?

I live in Portmarnock right beside the beach and have a dog. There’s nothing I like better than getting her out down to the sea with an audio book on my earphones, walking for miles on the velvet strand.

Any good audio books lately?

I recently listened to Artemis. It’s set on a city on the moon and is excellent. I’m really looking forward to a big screen adaptation of this one.

What would you do if you were a government minister?

Stop the waste water plant that will apparently discharge water into the sea near Portmarnock, and deal with the housing crisis. Rents are going crazy but there are so many empty buildings that surely could be used somehow. Winters seem to be getting brutally colder so we need to secure housing for homeless people fast.