15 yr old in Sydney

BERT’S GUIDE TO BECOMING AN ACTOR (Not by Bert) There are a number of steps that I have taken to become an actor. This “Guide” is written TO HELP any body that is hoping to become an actor. It is not for profit or any other cause except to HELP people. In particular, this guide is written to help children and people who are under the age of 18, as these people can be easily mislead, of course I am not saying older people can’t be. You may notice that I am slightly bias towards things that happen in WA, this is because I live in Perth and am based there. STEP ONE: TRAINING. STEP TWO: EXPERIENCE STEP THREE: GETTING AN AGENT/REPRESENTATION THESE THREE STEPS SHOULD HELP TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE INDUSTRY. THEY ARE EXPLAINED IIN MORE DETAIL BELOW. The three steps should not always necessarily be completed in that order, it is the way I have gone about introducing myself to the Perth acting ‘Community’ STEP ONE: TRAINING Training is vital to establishing yourself as an actor. Training not only helps to boost your CV, but also provides the important education so you know what you are talking about. There are places, academies, people, companies that will train and help to educate you further all around Australia. The three most noted ones are; NIDA-National Institute of Dramatic Art, WAAPA-WA Academy of Performing Arts-has a GREAT broadcasting course as well as courses in Acting, VCA-Victorian College of the Arts. Several of Australia’s “Stars” have studied at these academies, including Hugh Jackman who studied at WAAPA. Most reputable agents, will also run classes and run courses (even ones over the holidays for kids), that will help to boost confidence and skill in acting in general. School education (Drama Studies TEE) is one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done, It teaches about the Stanislavski system in depth and delves deep into many other aspects of Dramatic art that are most important. Get training on Movement and voice!!!! In WA: Training for adults: -WAAPA -AFTRS -Most Universities: Murdoch, ECU, Curtin, and UWA. -Total Theatre-Run by Annie Stainer -PAC, Perth actors Collective, run by Annie Murtagh-monks (casting Di) This is by no means the only training available to adults in WA. For a further and more extensive range of training establishments I would recommend contacting your nearest agent or checking out Jenni Cohen’s (Casting Director) Web site, under “Industry Info” I’m not entirely sure about other states, however from what I know I believe AFTRS run courses over East… For children: IN WA -Ali Kelly Roberts, Screen training. -Film Bites -Stagecoach -WAYTCO -Reputable agents STEP TWO: EXPERIENCE It always helps to have experience. Experience will still teach you worthwhile things to know, who to ask for when you arrive at the filming loc. Etc. I always recommend getting experience in both film and theatre/stage; this is because they are (obviously) VERY different. I first got experience from Amateur theatre; there are millions of community and amateur theatre companies throughout Australia. It would take me years to list half of them!!! (But for future reference they can be found on the Theatre Aust. Web site.) This is a fun, easy way of learning in a fairly safe environment, where you can learn and gain experience about many other things apart from acting, including; Set design, Set construction, Lighting, sound, props! Everything involved in putting on a production!!!! Other ways of gaining experience is from Uni short films! STEP THREE: AGENTS AND REPRESENTATION Agents are sooooooooooooo important!! An agent will represent you as an actor. They will be sent audition notices, and if you fit the criteria required for that role, they will send you. How to get an agent: Types up a resume, have casting photos done, learn a couple of monologues (at least two). Phone up an agent, there are usually at least two in most states. Ask for a chance to perform those monologues to the agent. If you’re any good at acting, they will hopefully take you on. If not, bad luck, try a different agent, or perhaps acquire more experience and training. IN WA: Reputable agents include: ACTORS MANAGEMENT: Run by Nerida and Phil Moore. www.actorsmanagement.net This agent also runs worthwhile classes for kids. This is quite a large agency, and I happen to know there are several very good actors mixed in with their talent. ACTorsNOW: Run by Maxine Howell-Price www.actorsnow.com.au This agent runs great classes for kids and adults. This agent is very small; this has created a personal management feel between Maxine and her actors. FROG management: www.frogmanagement.com.au Un fortunately I don’t know enough about Frog, to comment on them. I am led to believe however, that they do represent the majority of Perth’s actors?? If you don’t need or want an agent, the next best thing to do is to; send in your resume and headshot to the Casting Directors in Perth and ask them to send you audition notices. A casting Director is VERY different from an agent. An agent gets audition notices from a variety sources, including from the Casting Directors, they just pass auditions on to their actors. A Casting Director is hired to find a cast, they will audition both represented actors as well as Freelance actors. An agent will usually require payment for their services. This is 10% of the money payed to you from any acting jobs you have done as a result of their help. Take my advice and join a union. That way if you ever have any trouble, with anything to do with acting, THEY can sort it out for you. MEAA, Media entertainment and arts alliance. The MEAA Website is: www.alliance.org.au STEP FOUR: NETWORKING! Networking is a great way to make friends and even more importantly get to know people in the business!!!!!! I met my current partner through randomly talking at the bar after a show at Darlington Theatre Players… As “NA” said: “Go to as many shows as you can, and do your best to chat with people. Don’t ask for jobs; just chat about the show and get your name/face out there. Volunteering for local professional companies and festivals is an excellent way to do this” The more faces you met, the more often you bump into them! It really is weird especially in a small place like Perth or Bris. GOOD IDEAS! This is not the only free website about acting and the biz. Here is a list of other web sites you may wish to use. Many of these sites have audition notices, and helpful hints…look under the forums column/page. The Film and TV Institute: many people put audition notices (sometimes-rarely-Paid jobs…however most of the time they are notices for short films etc.) under the Forums page. www.fti.asn.au/forum The Quiet on set web site is great for those over east! I still subscribed (even though I’m in Perth) to the newsletter… From what I remember a lovely woman called, Lee runs the site?? You can find auditions, job opportunities (not only for actors) and hear about film competitions running in each state (except Perth??). There I a free weekly mail out, tutorial section, and a members notice board which all benefit the reader! www.quietonset.com.au Dare2Audition. I like this site for a variety of reasons, I like the fact that this is a national site; there are audition notices for every state. I like the fact that it does not cost an arm and a leg to join! And you can become a member (to some extent) for free. You can even load your own casting photos up there! www.dare2audition.com.au/ AT2 is somewhat like “Showcast”?? An online casting service. Users are able to upload their casting file and casting photos for a great price (and you know that this web site is not a scam, a LOT of actors use AT2). You can upload voice tracks and a video of yourself. Over 80% of Australia’s online casting happens through AT2. Although I use Showcast I love AT2 aswell. AT2 www.at2.com.au Showcast www.showcast.com.au they are both worthwhile. There is also a web site called “Artshub” They are good to, although I have never been involved with them before… I am told however that they provide an excellent service for a low fee. BOOKS Other then websites there are some GREAT reference books around! These are ones I found particularly benifitual… -“Respect for acting” by Uta Hagan -“The Stanislavski system” by Sonia Moore -“The actor and his text” Cicilly Berry “Method or Madness” by Robert Lewis I will slowly add to this collection of info when I think of helpful hints and tips…In the meantime!!! PLEASE FEEL MORE THEN FREE TO ADD THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON THIS LIST, just leave me a comment after this one! Cheerio!!! Lots of love BERT