A Havelock North actor landed his first lead role alongside Dolly Parton last year after 18 months of audition denials.
Cameron Jones, who shot to fame for his role as Dallas Adams on Shortland Street, was cast as Uncle Billy in the Warner Brothers and National Broadcasting Company television film Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
Mr Jones, a former Havelock North High School student, said he still has to pinch himself.
"In Havelock no one does acting so when I wanted to in Year 13 everyone said just do it on the side and get a degree. I can't believe where I am now."
The film explores Dolly's early life and Mr Jones's character Billy spots her talent with music and wants to take her into the big world.
"She comes from a small town vibe where you stay in that town so I try and break her out. I am like that rascal uncle who is the favourite with the kids but has friction with the parents."
The audition for the role took place on a Monday morning and after so many audition denials Mr Jones did not hold high hopes.
"I was so nervous when I walked in and they asked me if I could play guitar and I have dabbled in it but just told them I could."
After his audition Mr Jones felt good but said you can never tell how they go.
"When I think I do the best ones I don't get called back but then I'll get called back on awful ones."
He got the call to come back for a producer session then a screen test in front of the producer, director, executives of Warner Brothers and NBC, casting directors and writers.
"They worked me and I thought I had blown it and was gutted for weeks. The days after I kept thinking what I should have done."
About a month later while Mr Jones was eating a kebab he got the call that he landed the role.
"I was so excited and I had a month to prepare so I literally went furious on guitar lessons. I played about four hours a day."
He spent one month filming alongside people like Dolly, Disney's Kelli Berglund and Ricky Schroder.
Mr Jones said the cast were like a family and he has become great friends with the producer.
"He has been a mentor to me on a professional and personal level."
Prior to his big break Mr Jones was living it rough struggling to pay rent with little income.
Despite going from a comfortable lifestyle in Auckland Mr Jones never had the desire to pull pin and give up.
"I don't know what kept me going as it's not like New Zealand where acting is niche. There are a million good looking guys who are all talented so you need that something else."
"Thousands give up and leave and I just needed to be that guy that doesn't and I was not going to until something happened."
Mr Jones's hard work paid off as he is now under contract as they hope to grow the franchise and turn the film into something else.
"The ratings did well and there were 15 million views, which is unheard of these days with television films. The signs all point to success."
Mr Jones said the next stage would be Dolly and her Uncle Billy on the road.
"The stories of these two together are so fun and the adventures they had would be great to turn into a series."
Mr Jones is now waiting in Hawke's Bay and has faith and trust in whatever the franchise decide to do.
"Regardless it has been an amazing franchise to be a part of and I should find out early next year what the plan is and I will go from there."