I was actually helping the producers who were putting out an Australia-wide casting net and hadn't found the right guy. My job was to do a casting/audition in the Byron Bay area where I was living at the time. At the last moment, my bro suggested I throw in a photo of myself as I was in the right age group. Why not?
I asked my lovely friend and housemate at the time, Jo, to snap a photo of me the next morning before sending off the package to Tokyo. I remember Joey and I cracking up as I ironically posed for a couple of quick pics while standing pre-breakfast, barefoot in the backyard in shorts and singlet, a borrowed shirt and jacket slapped over the top, just-woken-up-faced with a 'this is kind of silly/surreal/hilarious' grin on my face.
Next thing you know, a week later, my brother tells me over the phone from Tokyo that of the 2,000 people considered, the Japanese director had made a decision...
He insisted on me! No audition, no top three choices - it had to be that long haired guy. He liked the natural and relaxed look, he said, and something in the eyes. I swear I thought my brother was joking when he told me. What were the chances?
Of course, I was thrilled. As well as the shoot days, I spent a full day learning and practicing fly-fishing with a local expert, for authenticity, which was fun. And half a day practicing the flipping up and down of the magnetic sunglass lenses and got to drive the brand new Audi ... being paid for my time, of course. We also did a stills campaign and a golf course based scenario as well.
Including roll-overs, made almost as much money as I have made in my entire art career - which is - I dunno - interesting? funny? sad? Anyway, it was a delightful experience - a gift from the gods of eyewear accessories.