Boy Swallows Universe’s rising star

Albany Creek’s Jake Cockburn is in demand following his role in Boy Swallows Universe earlier this year.

The 12-year-old played the role of young Gus in the Netflix series, which was released in January.

The series, based on the Trent Dalton novel of the same name, was set in suburban Brisbane during the 1980s.

Mum Leanne says Jake told her he wanted to be a famous actor when he was five years old.

She got him involved with talent specialists Agency 888 and he had done a few commercials before auditioning for the role in Boy Swallows Universe.

Since its premiere, Jake has appeared in a television show, a short film and an Indie horror film.

He appeared in a children’s show The Actually Really Very Difficult Show, which is screening now on Channel 9/Go.

“You’ve got to talk about fun facts. It’s kind of like a game show and in between each break the main actors have a break and me, or some other little kids, talk about animals and what they do and all that kind of stuff,” Jake explains.

He also starred in a Griffith Film School short film, Message to the Author, which recently won three awards, including Best Griffith Short Film.

“That was really fun. I liked that one a lot. It’s kind of like Gus (in Boy Swallows Universe), but this time I talk and I’m in it a lot more,” Jake explains.

Jake played the main character, a 13-year-old boy named James who discovers a mysterious book that seemingly gives him the power to control his life.

He uses it to take revenge on his unknowing bully, but after learning the true meaning of the book, he seeks to mend their broken relationship.

“James has been scarred because his parents always fight and he has no friends and his brother bullies him at school. He finds this magical book and whatever he writes and draws in it comes to life.”

The film will now be screened at short film festivals.

Starring role

His biggest opportunity has been to appear in the Indie film Halfturn as the character Luken.

“It’s in apocalyptic times about this kid who is half-zombie. He has to survive on his own and he’s fighting off evil. It’s good versus evil but evil’s taking over slowly and sometimes he has these episodes and he eats bats, he eats people,” Jake explains.

“There’s a lot of emotion. It was very challenging for me as an actor. It took two hours to get the make-up on and an hour to get it off. Getting it off was even worse because there were four people attacking me with brushes.”

The creators of the horror film are trying to attract funding via the Indiegogo online platform.

“Fingers crossed we get to make a feature film out of it,” Leanne says.

Next, Jake will work on a wildlife conservation program. He says he’s enjoyed the challenges of the past few months, experiencing new things and developing his craft.

“I want to grow as an actor and all the work is helping me, bit by bit, get to the standard that I want to meet,” he says.

“I want to be Australia’s No.1 actor. That might seem really big but I’m being serious. I want to become an actor who can do everything – can do stunt work, musicals, theatre, comedies … all of that.

“I just want to experience all of those genres and do it all.”