Ed Sheeran Look-Alike Stars in Berlin Film Fest Movie!

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Watching Austrian filmmaker Florian Pochlatko’s first full-length work, “How to Be Normal and the Oddities of the Other World” (Wie man normal ist und die Merkwürdigkeiten der anderen Welt) at the Perspectives section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival might leave you scratching your head in disbelief, thinking: “Could it be Ed Sheeran starring in this film? But how on earth did they manage to get him?

It’s not by chance that Pochlatko’s movie delves into questions like what constitutes reality and what’s considered normal.

The film’s main actors include Luisa-Céline Gaffron (from ‘And Tomorrow the Entire World’), Elke Winkens, Cornelius Obonya, Felix Pöchhacker, and others. The character Pia encounters who appears similar to Ed Sheeran is actually portrayed by Wesley Byrne, a street cleaner residing in Greater Manchester. His character’s name is Ned.

The main characters of the movie are Luisa-Céline Gaffron and some others like Elke Winkens, Cornelius Obonya, Felix Pöchhacker. The guy who looks like Ed Sheeran in the story isn’t really him; it’s Wesley Byrne who plays that character, and he’s a street cleaner living in Greater Manchester. His name is Ned in the movie.

In an IMDb listing, they’ve attributed him as Wesley Joseph Byrne in the movie. However, during an interview with THR, the 32-year-old simply stated, “Wesley Byrne is acceptable.” Over Zoom, he also chatted with Georg Szalai from THR about his Berlinale film appearance, instances of being mistaken for the music star, his preferred types of entertainment, and his encounter with Sheeran.

The director of “How to Be Normal” discovered you online and noticed that many people often confuse you with Ed Sheeran. He believed you would fit perfectly into his film’s world, which is somewhat unusual. So, how did the filmmakers manage to persuade you to join their project?

As a gamer, I wasn’t easily swayed, but when someone approached me through Facebook, sharing intriguing details, I felt compelled to verify its authenticity, given my encounters with the odd online characters. After confirming its legitimacy, I initiated contact, eventually connecting with Florian. Before I knew it, they had flown me over there, ready for a new gaming adventure.

What did they tell you about the role? Did you get a script?

Florian shared a small script with me. Since I’m not an actor, I don’t have much to add. He provided the entire script and we chatted via Zoom about it. It seems that he appreciated my feedback.

You never acted before?

Before this? No, never.

Were there any major difficulties you encountered while acting back then, or were there things that seemed especially challenging when you started out?

or

What was the most significant hurdle you faced during your acting career, or what initially appeared to be a tough nut to crack in your acting journey?

These variations aim to maintain the original question’s intent while providing alternative wordings that are easy to read and understand.

As a gamer, I’ve certainly had my fair share of tense moments, but there was this one instance where I had to glance ever so slightly above the camera. My mind was screaming, “Keep your gaze up, keep your gaze up! The camera is directly ahead!” It felt like I was teetering on the edge of a cliff, every fiber in me begging not to look down.

Prior to and following – Wesley Byrne prepared for a shirtless scene in the film “How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World“, adorning fake tattoos to resemble Ed Sheeran more convincingly. (Courtesy: Wesley Byrne).

You weren’t just making your debut in acting with this film, but it also included a intimate scene for you. How did you find that experience?

I’m quite open-minded. We had an intimacy advisor present during filming. Prior to that, we discussed our comfort levels. Nothing too extreme happened. To clarify, the coordinator wasn’t physically involved in the scene. It was just a clever camera technique. Explaining it to my girlfriend afterwards made for an interesting conversation!

What was the strangest or most ridiculous thing you had to do for the film?

Most likely, it was the unusual sounds related to intimacy. The peculiarity was that I had to record them individually. I found myself lying there, having to produce the soundtrack within a confined space. Florian instructed me, “Now tell her she’s beautiful and say this.” I was trying hard not to chuckle.

Was it interesting to design a scene inspired by The Matrix, with your voice playing a crucial role?

I recently found myself standing still, speaking into a microphone. Florian reminded me of the moment in “The Matrix” where Neo attempts an escape. Trying to embody Morpheus’ spirit was my goal, although I’m not Lawrence Fishburne, I gave it my best shot.

Would you be open to taking on more acting roles?

I’m improvising as I speak, without a clear plan or script. My memory is not great in the short term, making it difficult for me to recall even simple phrases I’ve said earlier. It’s fascinating how some people can memorize entire scripts, but for me, I had to keep re-reading my notes on the flight over.

When did people start mistaking you for Ed Sheeran?

He became well-known much later, long before his role in The A-Team. Approximately a decade (or more) has passed since then. On one of my earliest encounters with him, I found myself at an Iron Maiden concert, completely unaware of who he was. And there was this woman who looked at me and exclaimed, “What on earth are you doing here?!” To which I responded, “What are you doing here? I don’t understand your question.

Do you sing or make music?

No, I can’t sing, I can’t play anything.

How annoying do you find it when people ask you for an Ed Sheeran autograph or selfie?

I find it particularly bothersome when my girlfriend and I are out enjoying a meal together, and strangers interrupt us. However, most other situations don’t bother me much. I take things as they come. If something really got to me, I would consider shaving my head as an expression of frustration.

How do you let people down and tell them that you are not really Ed?

Many times, I simply provide them with an image and then they cease bothering me. Attempting to elaborate on every detail prolongs the process. Giving them what they seek and letting them depart is less complicated.

Or

Often, instead of explaining everything in depth, I offer them a picture and that seems to be enough for them to leave me alone. Trying to go into all the details takes too much time. It’s simpler to give them what they want and let them move on.

Were you often mistaken for Ed Sheeran during your trip to Austria for filming, or were there any amusing incidents that happened instead?

At the same hotel where the winners of Eurovision 2022 for Ukraine were residing, I happened to be lounging as well. In the hotel’s spacious lobby, I had the pleasure of spending some time with them. We simply sat and shared drinks for a while.

Have you ever met Ed Sheeran himself and, if so, how was it?

Indeed, I stood in for him during the making of a tomato ketchup commercial. He displayed an easy-going demeanor throughout the shoot. All he did was express gratitude for my presence. Without a doubt, he is a genuinely kind individual.

Ed Sheeran is on the right side of the photo, while Wesley Byrne is on the left. The image was provided by Wesley Byrne himself.

Have you seen him in concert?

At the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, I attended the event alongside my sister and my niece, and surprisingly, we were upgraded to the VIP section without charge.

How come?

Security apparently intervened as there seemed to be an excessive number of photographers present. In truth, there was quite a line stretching up the grand staircase of the stadium, leading to some minor inconvenience.

What kind of music do you like?

I’ve got a diverse taste in music. While my heart generally leans towards rock and metal genres, I occasionally explore various realms such as classical, pop, and hip hop. I also appreciate songs in different languages.

Do you like movies too?

Absolutely, I enjoy a wide variety of shows. Unfortunately, I recently needed to part ways with my entire DVD collection due to some structural issues with my storage unit. However, I managed to hang onto my Blu-ray discs and box sets. That’s the extent of what I still have.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Probably Avengers, because I’m a big comic book nerd.

If they offered you a role in a future Avengers movie, any character you’d love to play?

Due to my current physical condition, I can’t participate in any of them. Upon learning about this movie, I shed approximately 15 kilos since it was clear I’d be required to go shirtless. As a certified personal trainer, I understand the strategies for shedding weight, building muscle, and so forth.

I was told that you expressed an interest in going to the Berlin Film Festival for the premiere of ‘How to Be Normal’ and ‘The Oddness of the Other World’, but unfortunately, you couldn’t make it. Could you share your reasons why you weren’t able to go?

I informed my superior a month in advance about my departure, but they refused to grant me time off work. I wished I could assist the team more and generate more exposure for the film. They did their utmost to accommodate me. Frankly, it’s disappointing that I can’t be around for them. Unfortunately, the premiere date coincides with my girlfriend’s birthday, and our plan was to celebrate in Berlin on her special day.

Anything else you’d like to share?

To be straightforward, the entire cast on the movie was incredibly kind-hearted. There was no trace of arrogance or ego among them. Most notably, everyone had acting skills, except perhaps myself. Yet, they all made me feel extremely at ease. They were all genuinely friendly and kind. We even went out for drinks together. It felt as though I’d known them for a long time. Frankly, I have no negative remarks to make about the experience. All I wish is that more people watch this movie, and I hope it becomes a success so each member of the cast receives the recognition they deserve.

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2025-02-17 10:25