It’s 2012 and more and more actors are packing their suitcases and heading for Sydney, Melbourne and in some cases LA! Sounds exciting yes? Well, it would be a lot more exciting if they were more prepared! I have recently been in touch with casting agents, directors and scouts from Sydney, Melbourne LA & NY who are constantly appalled at the amount of actors coming through their doors completed and totally disorganised…As quoted by LA scout “do their realise that they are one of 10,000.00 people arriving EVERYDAY…do their realise they end up being one of the 10,000.00 leaving EVERYDAY!

Lets get real guys…I realise that it’s exciting, that it’s giving you that feeling that you’re off to bigger and better opportunities in bigger cities but it can be a terrible let down when you find yourselves heading back home to Perth wondering what tale to tell to your families and friends who eagerly wait to hear all the “big” news!

Training, training, training! This without saying should never stop, whether you’re in a classroom, short film, tv series or feature film….you’re training!

If you’re setting your heights on leaving Perth, here’s a few things to think about:

1. Showreel – nothing fancy…it doesn’t have to be the production value of “HOLLYWOOD” – Director and casting agents are interested in “PERFORMANCE”…not the fancy shots or editing skills.
2. No more than 3-5mins duration and make sure you save a piece “with no dialogue” and if possible a monologue.
3. Don’t make your showreel MENU driven. Agents and such do not have the time to click on menus to see your work!
4. Your BEST pieces FIRST! You want them to WANT to see more!
5. Your resume – check with the industry standard resume.
6. Your head shots – DONT check to see which photographer is the cheapest! You pay for what you get! As to look at their work first. If possible, go on recommendations and REMEMBER…Agents here in Perth work quite differently than those in the Eastern States and overseas. DO YOUR RESEARCH!
7. Make appointments! Research, call, check, and organise this BEFORE YOU GO!
8. Keep pushing, knock on as many doors as possible. Join acting groups and keep up your research on all productions
9. Get a job! Not all of us have the opportunity of living in another city and not having to work! I hear lots and lots of “two minute noodles” are the go!!
10.LAST BUT NO LEAST….DON’T FORGET “WHO YOU ARE”!!!!

This industry doesn’t wait around for anybody and it WILL be a waste of time “waiting by the phone”….

Just recently a few actors that I’ve had the privilege of training, who have gone on to bigger and better opportunities, gave their views…

“I don’t understand…so many are turning up unprepared and what’s worse is they don’t seem to realise that ‘everything’ gets harder. Jobs, rent, fighting for roles and suddenly now being 1 in 1000s applying! I didn’t realise how ‘strong’ one needed to be to keep it all going and how attitude played such a large role”

Yes, it’s going to be hard…did you really think it was going to be an easy ride? You need more than just PASSION folks! It’s going to take “EVERYTHING” you’ve got! Your dreams and career will depend on it!

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.

KEEP ON KEEPING ON!