Clem So knows all about how things look.

As an artist for most of his life, that’s what he concerned himself with but little did he know it was his own ‘look’ that would provide another career for him, and one that meant rubbing shoulders with the likes of Daniel Craig, Matt Smith, Harrison Ford and the late Carrie Fisher.

That’s because Clem is a film extra and a very successful one at that thanks to his unique looks.

Clem got into the film industry through his brother, Tom, who had a very prominent role in the James Bond film, Casino Royale.

He says: “He played Fukuto, who was one of the poker players in the main scene within the film.

“Seeing what fun he was having doing it, I thought why not have a go myself.”

Born in Liverpool but now based in Devon, Clem’s first foray into film was actually television.

“It was a Doctor Who episode with Matt Smith called The Angels Take Manhattan,” he reveals, “but my first film was 47 Ronin with Keanu Reeves, who was such an inspirational person to watch in terms of his work ethic and how great he was with everyone on the set. It was a really interesting viewpoint of a traditional movie star.”

Since then Clem has had an extraordinary run of film roles, including his own James Bond, as a crime boss in Spectre.

“I started in 2012,” he says, “and it hasn’t really stopped since then. I suppose I have quite a unique look that fits in with the sci-fi fantasy model but appearing in a James Bond movie was pretty special. Not quite as big a role as my brother but close enough to Daniel Craig.

“I suppose my favourite has to be appearing as a resistance fighter in Star Wars VII The Force Awakens, especially the age I am and having grown up with the original Star Wars movies.

“It was the scenes on the Ground Base, some of which were shot at Greenham Common and standing right next to me was the likes of Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.

"It was a proper pinch me moment. I remember seeing Harrison Ford’s pistol and holster and thinking, ‘wow, that’s the real thing’ and then outside there’s two full size X-Wing and a fully built Millennium Falcon, and I’m thinking ‘these guys are not messing about, this IS the real thing’.”

As well as appearing in some of the biggest blockbusters in the last five years, Clem has found himself a pretty big draw on the convention circuit as well.

“I certainly don’t think of myself as anyone famous,” he admits, “but I do get to work with quite a few famous people so I suppose that’s quite a big attraction for film fans.

"I’ve been doing the convention circuit for about three of four years now and I really enjoy it, especially the interaction with people who love film as much as I do.

"It’s a real privilege and honour to give them a little insight to the movie industry, well the insights that I can tell them about anyway.”

Because as a film extra on some of the biggest movie franchises, Clem often has to sign non disclosure agreements not to spill any spoilers. Not that Clem would anyway.

“Hey, I’m a film fan myself,” he replies. “If someone spoilt it for me I’d be annoyed and these companies have spent millions on these productions, so they deserve to have their products protected. I complete understand that and don’t mind keeping the secrets at all.

“Also if you want to work in this industry, there’s a certain etiquette, a way of behaving, and I’m more than happy to do that because I really enjoy what I do.”

But when the film’s finally out?

“Oh sure, then I’m happy to talk to people about them,” he continues. “The most common question is what’s my favourite film I’ve worked on? And then what’s it like being on set, and may be every now and again what’s Daniel Craig like?”

Turns out he’s lovely.

So what’s next for Clem, except I already know the answer to that question.

“It’s something pretty big,” he reveals, “but that’s as much as I can say for now.”

Clem So, along with a number of other high profile film extras, are appearing as part of this weekend’s Invasion Colchester.

You'll be able to meet him in Lion Walk shopping centre throughout the day. 

Invasion takes place tomorrow in town centre shopping areas from 10am to 4pm.

Around a hundred key characters from franchises such as Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Harry Potter and the Marvel Universe are on hand to meet, greet and pose for photos with the general public, all in the hope of raising money for two worthy causes, St Helena Hospice and the Cancer Centre campaign for Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity.

There is also the chance to see a superb selection of celebrity vehicles from TV and film, with this year’s automobile attractions set to include the Batmobile, Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, the Delorean Time Machine from Back To The Future and Optimus Prime from Transformers.

The event also provides a great opportunity to showcase local talent, which Invasion Colchester do by hosting a great line-up of live music and performance throughout the afternoon.

The Colchester based musicians performing in Lion Walk will be joined this year by Stagecoach Colchester.

Anyone joining the fun and dressing up as their favourite character will be able to enjoy free bus travel into Colchester town centre courtesy of the Park And Ride bus, and for those wishing to extend the experience later into the day, Firstsite are holding two exclusive cinematic screenings of the classic 1985 sci-fi comedy Back To The Future.

For more information go to invasioncolchester.co.uk.