The Quest for Stardom

It was about a year ago that I had my showcase at the end of my time at drama school. Lots of things have happened - maybe not as many big things as I would have liked - but lots of things. I found something i wrote at the time that makes me realise thank God I'm not back there again:

It has been three days since I had my London Showcase – symbolising the end of my acting training and the start of my career. I am back in my home town; at the first theatre I ever performed in dressed in a colourful ‘Andy Pandy’esque outfit with brightly coloured make up sat at the side of the stage wondering if this really is: ‘showbiz’. I have been a children’s party clown for years and years: a fun Saturday job for my teenage self and now a suitable stop-gap whilst waiting for my ‘big-break’. The company also puts on theatre shows and I have been roped into performing in an anniversary performance under the slight pretence “all the old guys will be back”. A grand total of two out of approximately twenty have turned up and I am left wondering if I’m a bit soft...

Until 5:40pm yesterday I had not a single call from an agent and I was feeling pretty worried. Other members of my group (generally male) had various calls as soon as we had come of stage, yet all I had was a concerned feeling as in my head I had thought, “I am AWESOME, people will be clamouring to sign me if these other guys are having interest”. Thankfully an agent I had met previously as a mock interview through my drama school the previous month was still interested and wanted me to meet them again the following Tuesday. Of course since then I have been worrying that the other agents will wait until next week to get in contact and I will have already given this one an answer! I have luckily since snapped out of it, realising that firstly this one hasn’t actually offered as yet and secondly, the phone is not ringing...

The Quest for Stardom

My word I have become Slack Alice. I apologise for not writing for ages then I follow it by not writing for ages. So what's been going on?
I attended a course on new musical theatre which was really good, I directed Little Women the Broadway Musical in a week then went to visit Bath and Cornwall and now I am back and about to record a demo CD. Thunderbirds are GO!

Bath is amazing - I just hope the next time I am there it is because I am filming a period drama! And I hope Rupert Penry Jones is near by....

Talking of which he was in the dire 'Match Point' last night - for ONE whole scene! Oh Rups!! Mind you I think i would take a part with one scene to be opposite the beautiful Johnathan Rhys Meyers. Although I would have to hold back the laughter from the terrible acting. Shouting does not a King of England make.

Anyway enough of this nonsense. Everyone must take notice of a fabulous young composer called Michael Bruce. He worked with us on my course and he is destined for great things - there is a concert of his work in London on November 1st which I won't get to see as I'll be in Norfolk working but please go!!

New headshots came through this week - I'm really happy with them but my word where are I finding the money??? Becoming an actor is so expensive....

The Quest for Stardom

So this week amongst my various jobs (babysitting, teaching drama, childrens entertaining, working at a creche, promotional work...) I tried to work out what various courses to do to improve my skills.

Yes leaving drama school does not mean you are a finished product, oh no!

I have taken up various instruments this year (EVERY job wants actor musicians at present!) I have taken various classes at the Actors Centre and tried my best to get to Pineapple (you have to pay in cash for that though and it is so much more painfull letting go of actual real money isn't it?!) I have even gone back and joined in with some dance classes at my old dance school surrounded my young mums and the elderly (surprisingly good fun!)

I have tried to work out whether at present it is worth doing a showcase course at either the Actors Centre or maybe a shoewreel course Pinewood or maybe just a course on acting for TV/film to try and learn/brush up said skills before being introduced to important people. (I did decided on the latter option). The big thing with lots of the courses is they get big names in for you to network with but I am not sure if it is wise to be seen whilst you are still learning the techniques they would expect of you.

The big thing though is that this all costs MONEY

ARGH!!!

One must invest in one's career (although how many actually make back all they spent out in the first place...?)

M x

The Quest for Stardom

'You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between'

This was a song made popular by singers such as Bing Crosby in the good 'ole days but something very worthwhile to keep in mind.

We all have our ups and downs along the yellow brick road to our dreams yet recently it has felt like a downward spiral for some. I have heard myself in recent conversations with friends sounding very down and negative about auditions and my career in general and this is not a good trend to set - although it is hard for everyone in the current climate. I know that myself and my friends have probably made each other even more down just by discussing our issues rather than the good things going on in our lives.

Negativity hangs around you like a cloak and it's too hot and sunny at the moment for one of those!