We were lucky to catch up with Lachlan Mckillop recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lachlan, appreciate you joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

The first dollar I ever earned as a creative has a funny story behind it. One day in class, my teacher, who worked for Fremantle Media at the time, announced she had extra roles to cast for Neighbours. My heart racing, I shot my hand up, breaking every Guinness World Record there was for speed! I was selected to appear in about 10 episodes as an extra. I can’t recall my exact age, but I was around 12 at the time. When I arrived on set, I was rushed to the extra room to put on the school uniform they provided to me. Once dressed, we were called to set one by one, learning how to act like regular humans, drinking coffee at the café, walking when the actor delivered their lines, and even throwing a ball in the courtyard. I was even lucky enough to toss a toilet roll over the camera for a fun shot during a school graduation scene. Three days later, my time as an extra wrapped up, and my pay-check hit my mom’s account within a fortnight since I didn’t have my own bank account. I used the cash to buy a pair of black Nike shoes. Nothing extraordinary, but it was my first taste of earning money in the creative world!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an Actor, born and raised In Melbourne, Australia, and my passion for acting began in childhood when I realised the powerful impact movies can have on people. I wanted to be part of that magic, creating characters that resonate and evoke genuine connection. My journey includes training in theatre, performing in about four plays and musicals, and transitioning to film and TV. I’ve had the privilege of training and networking globally, even spending six months in Los Angeles. Today, I’m proud to have appeared in over 15 films, best known for my roles in “Daisy” (2023), “First Moon” (2023), and “Is This Forever” (2022).

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I really believe we need to embrace the idea that being a creative can be a legitimate and rewarding career. So many of us turn to art, music, film, and TV as a way to escape and find joy, yet there’s still a struggle to fully accept that pursuing a creative path is a valid choice.

To support artists, we could create more resources like grants, funding opportunities, and affordable studio spaces. These would help them focus on their work without the constant worry about finances.

We should also consider the mental health needs of creatives, as they often face unique challenges in their careers. Providing tailored support can help build a stronger and more resilient creative community.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I love this question! Many people tend to focus on what they would change, but for me, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience has shaped me and taught me valuable lessons that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Without those challenges, I wouldn’t have known what to do or what to watch out for in life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lachlanmckillopp/
• Other: https://imdb.me/Lachlan.McKillop

Image Credits

Ally Phillips – Three Portrait Shots
@Alexandraphillipsphotography

Mellissa O’Toole – Daisy BTS
@Splashoflifephotography