I’ve just had a peek at your profile and my initial thoughts are ‘Oh dear’.
You have a few seconds to stand out and grab the attention of employers and agents. At the moment your profile is somewhat flat.
I’m just quickly going to give you my thoughts and recommendations as honestly and constructively as I can. You can/might/will probably disagree with a few of these, but take what you like.
Your online presence is absolutely **KEY** in the world of 21st century performers.
Grasp every opportunity to shine as much as you can – that means making sure your profile does you the greatest justice it can.
Let’s start.
HEADSHOTS – these are your greatest tool, and for some reason your shots are all black and white AKA super dated. You need to update with some colour headshots and some body shots if your budget allows and certainly invest in some variation.
I don’t quite understand the picture which features a guy with intense hair and then you in the background. It’s a wasted shot and the thumbnail is misleading as it isn’t you. I’d suggest replacing with something which focuses on YOU.
If funds are low, seek out budding photographers who may be looking to update their own portfolios and who will be happy to collaborate with you on a TFP basis (time for print – ie, you give your time as a model and they give you a CD of your shots).
Files Section
-No showreel
-No Voice Clips.
Nada.
Agents and casting directors won’t often call people into their offices based on solely your ‘look’. This isn’t modelling. You need to prove you are worth their time by providing them with a reason to invite you to audition.
Showreel is imperative, It can take YEARS (literally) to build a strong showreel. For most actors, it is an on-going process of starting with a base scene or monologue if you don’t have any footage, and then adding student film footage, low budget film footage etc.. etc..
I would make a showreel a joint TOP priority with colour headshots.
For now, I would advise filming a scene with another actor or at least a monologue which you can put up and which shows off your voice and delivery style. Something is better than nothing.
‘About Me’ Section.
“London based actor with experience handling complex and challenging roles in theatrical productions”. – Okay, but you only have two credits that are listed. If you’re going to make this statement, back it up quickly with some solid credentials, such as a particular performance.
“Accents include native Standard British, South African, Australian and Standard American .” – Fine, but a little ‘general’. I would suggest moving this information to the bottom of the section and re-wording to “Accents I am able to perform are; Standard British (Native accent), South African, Australian and Standard American.”
“I always aim for maximum delivery in my performance” – What does this really mean? It makes me think of pizza delivery and now my attention is on food and not you as an aspiring actor. Perhaps consider re-wording to make this clearer. Ie: “I am a hard worker, happy to receive direction in order to help me in my pursuit of giving powerful performances.. etc.. etc..”.
”Comfortable handling classical and modern texts, including Shakespeare”. – Great, but I would be tempted to re-word to “ I am comfortable working with both classical and modern text”.
“More suited to playing off the wall and twisted characters opposed to the standard civilian personality”. – Says who!? What you see in yourself by way of casting type is likely not to be what potential employers and agents see. Stating what you are and aren’t can conflict with a role for which you may be considered and in all honesty looks as though you are trying too hard to ‘push’ for these types of characters. Yes, they are interesting. No, nobody wants to be ‘one of the crowd’, but right now you need to be open to getting what you can or risk being viewed as a diva. Personally, I’d DELETE this statement and never let it darken your page again!!
Education Section
Have you ever taken a short course or weekend class? Put it in!
You mentioned in your thread earlier that you have plenty of ‘extra’ work under your belt. This is NOT taboo. Give yourself some credit!! Working as an extra gives you valuable insight into how shooting days work.
List a few of the productions where you have worked as an SA or ‘Supporting Artist’.
At the very, very least, it could be beneficial to add ‘Higher education’.
Additional Information
- Why is this not filed in!?
Consider adding whether or not you hold a full/provisional drivers license and mention if you are happy to travel for work. Mention where you have bases in the UK or abroad – this implies to production companies that you could be a money saver for them if they don’t have to fork out for hotels for you during a shoot.
Additional skills
I’d like to bring up something you wrote on this thread: “I don't really have many skills, I'm actually quite talentless, I can play guitar, but so can the majority of London..”. --- Hello? I can’t play the guitar and I can assure you that not every performer in London can. Write It Down!! You NEVER know what could grab the eye of a casting director or agent.
Acting is about growth and experience. If you feel you are lacking in the skills department, go and learn something that will help you to grow as a performer and add another string to your bow.
Can you dance? What sort of dance? – put it down.
Can you sing solo? Chorus? – Write it down.
Do you have a dog which you are happy to bring with you on appropriate shoots? – Write it down!
You MUST be your own cheerleader and highlight as many things as possible which might make you stand out from the thousands of other 20-something, brown haired, male actors in London.
I will lastly say that your profile should be a TRUTHFUL reflection of yourself as a performer and of your capabilities. For the love of all that is good in the world of performance, don’t ever lie. You WILL live to regret it!
Finally, network and network. Get on facebook/twitter/youtube. They are free tools to help you spread the word of your talent! Don’t pass them by!
Goodluck!
