ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

6 years, 10 months ago - Zoe Cunningham

Hi Oliver

Welcome to the super-hard world of acting!

Here are my tips (this is the plan I am following myself)
- apply for all unpaid work that you can find (get some good headshot photos before you do this - a friend can do it, just make sure that there is a good background and good light on your face). There is some work on Shooting People and Mandy has loads (and you don't even need to pay for Mandy if you are only applying for unpaid roles)
- go to meetups and make friends with people who are making films and might need actors. Lots of groups do 48 hour projects which are more collaborative rather than a traditional audition set up
- make your own work. Start with a smartphone or any camera that you have to hand, and then scale up by borrowing kit and finding other people to work on your projects with you.

If you are based in London I also know some great places to train part-time. This helps you to develop your skills and also meet people that you might collaborate with - I particularly recommend The Salon Collective https://thesaloncollective.org/.

Good luck!
Zoe

6 years, 10 months ago - Oliver Newton

Thank you Zoe , that really does help ! Definitely a place to start.

6 years, 10 months ago - Francesco Bori

Hi Oliver,
Do you have a showreel?
One other thing crucial is to put your skills to the test, hook up with a self shooting director who can create great quality and knows how to approach actors and get a short reel made - people (directors, producers etc) need to know and see your strengths. The reel will be expanded on as you grow and gain experience but you have to start somewhere. Lot's of self shooters are well connected and that's where you want to be. I might have some tips for you if you direct message me.

6 years, 10 months ago - Bernard O'Sullivan

Hi Oliver!
Plenty of good advice above. I suggest (with repetition):
1. Get professional headshots. There is an art to taking good actors' headshots.
2. Sign up to Mandy and apply for everything that you are capable of doing. I suggest you don't restrict yourself to unpaid work. Pay the sub and go for paid work. You will need paid credits to progress. You can't join Spotlight, Equity or the Actrs Centre without them. I know this works because it's what I did.
3. Do some training. I would point you if in London in the direction of the Actors Centre classes for non-members.There are many other courses.

6 years, 10 months ago - Angela Peters

Great suggestions, and echoing what Bernard said about headshots, a really good headshot will get you into rooms and seen where an amateur one won't. With hundreds and thousands of actors out there, you need to find your way to stand out and headshots are that first step.

Definitely go for non-paid roles and do check out Shooting People's casting bulletin each day. Some of the best roles I did in the early days of my career in the UK were from this site. And I still apply for auditions here regularly. It is a super network of filmmakers. Mandy is a headjam because there's so many actors on there now, but it's still worth applying and seeing how you get on.

And here's some other places to check out to meet, network and/or learn stuff (in no particular order):
Shooters in the Pub
Kino London
Emerging Filmmakers Nights
Monologue Slam
BAFTA Guru
UK Actors Tweetup
Actors Centre
So and So Arts Club
Manchester ADP (if you find yourself that way).

Hope this helps. Feel free to DM me anytime. We all have to start where you're at so I totally get it.
Angela

6 years, 10 months ago - Oliver Newton

Thank you everyone for their advice ! I shall definitely get to work with the advice I have been given. It makes such a difference on this platform where creatives can advise and give you tips. Once again , thank you ,
Oliver.