CAREER IN ACTING (UK)?

Question

Has anyone got any tips on how to pursue a serious career in acting/presenting?

I'm asking on behalf of a friend who has more potential than he realizes; he has completed GCSEs & A levels in Drama but has done little since to chase his dream.

I want to help him out but literally have no idea about what it takes to make it in the business.

Anything would be appreciated - useful websites/portfolio info/your own experiences etc etc.

We are currently located in Bristol (South West) UK.

Thank you in advance!!

Answer 1

Look on the website www.thestage.co.uk.

This is the main UK site which published open auditions and opportunities for representation.

It also has tonnes of expert advise on how to become an actor, get auditions, agents, resume's etc...

You sound like a great friend...  I hope he gets where he wants to be..

:)

Answer 2

He needs to get himself a headshot and a professional looking resume - he also needs to get as much experience as possible - once he has a decent looking resume he can send his details off to an agent - if the agent accepts him he should be absolutely fine!

Good luck to him!! =)

Answer 3

just film ur self n send them to different comanys

Answer 4

If he is CUTE...and I suppose he has an accent...(TO ME)=p and he can dance and sing on top of his acting skills then. Well then heck yeah. People in America would probably eat'em up! Ah course that doesn't mean Hollywood. And that doesn't mean celebrity or fame. I guess it's probably about the same in the U.K. and here. He's obviously educated and you say he has an enormous talent, SO the question for you is...has he done ANY professional work of any kind with any professional theaters? And more importantly has he auditioned or been in any Professional plays or films (tv and film I don't know much about). If "NONE"(x_x) Then having him take a class on proper auditioning etiquette and practices for different types of auditions would be GREAT. Ah course, educated they've probably talked to/ taken him through these processes before and told him what supplies he needs and to always have many monologues and songs that match your age, physical appearance/physique, and even personality (although we ARE acting. lol.) at your disposal.  So basically if you have the means and knowledge necessary then AUDITION! AUDITION! AUDITION! get that EXPERIENCE! to go with the EDUCATION, to go with the TALENT! Everyone has to start somewhere, after all, you DID say it was his "dream" and dreams ARE attainable so....let him...go for it! If this is what he want to do now. IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY! I'm sure you've already figured for yourself. I mean you ARE on here asking very good questions. And I'm not psychic and ya never know=p! lol. But  if and when you have time and money to invest...ummm...talent agents/managers can also, of course, be of help, although an investment. Ummm...and make sure you know what kinda genre of a play you're getting your self into before auditioning for each require many different talents and perhaps just...personal things that they may ask of you that you might now be comfortable with. So do yer research. Choreography will be thrown at you and your forced to learn quickly so they can see how fast you are on your toes and with memorization. Ummm...and...be ready for them to request you to do some pretty random things, be quick to adapt and take "direction."  If he's reaching for TV and MOVIES...He should still be out there auditioning auditioning auditioning as well. for me I mostly just know a bit about "live" theater. But Still, the Experience Earned with a Professional CO., with his Education, and his Talent will help him build his way up and when he starts to, I hope he keeps going higher and higher for a good while. BREAK A LEG!(^_-) Oh yeah. Always make connections within the field. Alot of it can be who you know. So keep track of names and number and stuffs and remember to always try your best cause the someone you working for just might know someone you want to work for. That's all I got. Probably stuffs you already knew, but what'ev. Hope I was of at least "some" help fer make'n ya read this much. lol. And again! BREAK A LEG!(^_-)

Answer 5

Direct him to look at the National Council for Drama Training Website.  On it's student pages there is a wealth of information about auditioning for drama school and courses available.  Unless he has the push to get into the business without training (and it doesn't look like he has), training would be the best start for him.  It gives techniques in acting and helps to start building contacts within the industry.  The UK is not like America where it sounds (mostly from information from Yahoo Answers) that all you need is a head shot and your career is up and running.  He needs to get experience and the best way is to train.  He might not even want to pursue theatre as a career.  You will have to respect his decision if this is the case.