Thomas Clatterbuck is hoping to build on his six seconds of fame.
Clatterbuck, 32, of Oak Harbor, recently won an online contest that sent him to Los Angeles to star in a six-second video directed by a famous Hollywood director.
He and a friend flew to Los Angeles last month, stayed in a four-star hotel, then met with director Judd Apatow to create the “vine,” a six-second looping video clip.
The contest was part of an online auction in which Clatterbuck invested $100 for the opportunity to have his name drawn and rub shoulders with Apatow, who has directed or produced several popular big-screen comedies, including “The 40-year-old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.”
Apatow auctioned off his time to direct the short video clip for Comedy Central’s Night of Too Many Stars autism benefit.
The auction was made available through Omaze.com, a website that gives ordinary people a chance to win a dream experience with celebrities to benefit charitable causes.
Clatterbuck, an aspiring actor who has performed in many productions at the Whidbey Playhouse, was allowed to bring one guest with him to Los Angeles and picked friend Jeff Lindgren of Oak Harbor.
They flew to L.A. on Dec. 9 and met with Apatow at his office the next day.
“I was quite nervous meeting Judd,” said Clatterbuck. “He has 25 years in the industry. I expected him to be high class and very serious minded when he came in. When I normally see pictures of Judd, he’s dressed in a suit.
“He came in very casual, his hair unkept and he was wearing a rock band T-shirt. It was not quite what I expected. I immediately felt at ease.”
Clatterbuck’s admiration of Apatow grew. They met for about 30-to-45 minutes to discuss ideas and shoot the video.
“When we were collaborating, it was so very easy,” Clatterbuck said. “It wasn’t like working with a 25-year director. This is a guy who loves doing his work.
“This is how I have been describing him: He takes his work seriously but he doesn’t take himself seriously, which is fine with me. I have the same philosophy.”
The video was shot with Apatow’s cell phone, includes his voice and stars Clatterbuck and Lindgren.
Vines generally involve humor.
“It’s hilarious,” Clatterbuck said.
Clatterbuck, who gravitates toward comedy roles at the playhouse, is interested in more acting opportunities and hopes this experience might open some doors. He said he steered away from talking too much about his own experiences in theater with Apatow, not wanting to sound overly eager or opportunistic.
“The last thing I wanted to do was to sound like I was desperate for acting,” he said. “I figured I would just enjoy the moment.”
And that is something he did immensely.
“I keep telling people it will be either the start of my career or the highlight of my career,” Clatterbuck said. “I’m desperately hoping it’s not the latter.”
