Not getting work

I would give your agent at least six months and then think again about alternative representation. 3 months isn't very long at all.
I would lose all but your favourite headshot (I like the colour one with the black t shirt best) because rather than show a range of different characters or looks they only show a range of different shirts, you look identical in every one which might work against you "he can't even change his expression!" if you see what I mean.
Your use of language/sentence structure is a little strange in the typed sections of your CV, does this reflect a strong accent that might restrict your casting away from RP or British regional characters? So that you are only able to be cast in a very small percentage of available roles?
If you can't get other people to give you work create your own. Find a product you can sell and make it happen, one Man show, TIE, street theatre.
You're going to have to accept that at the moment your CV isn't very strong and the competition is enooooooormous so you can't expect the world to come beating a path to your door it will take time patience luck and a truck load of hard work

• 9 years ago
• 1

My friend I know exactly how you feel but I wouldn't doubt your Agent (if you're listed on Spotlight) because the amount of people being put forward for jobs on spotlight to those who are actually seen are incredibly low. On spotlight your limited to a very specific CV template and incredibly difficult to stand out among the thousands of actors who are put forward. Trust in your agent and they'll always back you.

In regards to CCP and Starnow this is well within your control. If you can show off as much versatility and as possible your chances will be drastically improved. What I'd recommend is trying to compilate a showreel by looking for jobs even if it's low or unpaid that can show off the strengths you want people to see because that's what'll make people respond.

Also The Actors Company LA's casting workshops tend to give magnificent advice for Actors to stand out and get results.

• 9 years ago
• 2

Just watched your showreel this morning Ankur (can't see them on my ipad upstairs :-)
You're a good looking guy and I would imagine that for TV roles in a particular field you would be ideal but switch the clips round as you hardly speak in the first one and people turn them off fast.
You don't mention your agent on your CV here? Give them a break! :-) if they see you're not acknowledging them on here that won't go down well in the office with them, as it looks like you don't want to share your time with them or have no confidence in them.
You aren't on spotlight according to your CV here, you'll need to change that if you want to be taken seriously. The same goes for equity.
Just looked online and I see from the internet that you are with an agency with the word EXTRA in the title ( I won't name them on here as you haven't) but that will mean that you are unlikely to be put up for parts anyway, casting directors don't go looking seriously to self proclaimed extra agencies for parts. So maybe ignore my previous advice and look elsewhere if you want parts, you need an agent that does more than just specialise in extra work.
I think you stand every chance of getting good roles in soaps and fantasy and period dramas.
You do appear to have a strong accent from your showreel this might limit you for some roles but it also gives you your unique selling point and sets you apart from the rest of us.
Your website is fab! really modern and interactive and nice to look at, way better than mine which I get through another casting service. Who set that up for you?
Hang in there, work hard and who knows like the rest of us if you're very lucky you might almost make a living at it :-)

• 9 years ago
• 3

Its a slog!!!

• 9 years ago
• 4

Thank you Nigel for taking the time to analyse every bit for me and for the generous feedback. I get your point about the headshots and will remove the repetative ones, would also try getting some more in different expressions. I cannot do a British accent, and have worked to dissolve mine and get a neutral one. I am planning to start working on American accent next to widen the possibilities. Do you think I need to be more elaborate in my CV as well, since most of it quite to the point?
That website I registered as an actor, added the 'extra' bit somehow. I am trying to edit it or as a last option remove my registration from there to be on a safer side.
My website was set up by a friend of mine. If you need any work to be done for yourself, you can contact him using getinfo@sastaservers.com and give him my reference if needed. Also, he is very competitive with the rates.

Thank you Adam, I have planned for attending The Actors Company LA's casting workshops in june after your advice.

Thanks Michael Dacre,you are right.

• 9 years ago
• 5

Hi hon.
I sympathise entirely with your situation - it's really hard at the start. I left a great Drama school without an agent and didn't so any paid work for 4 yrs, and at the same time watched my friends from Drama school film leads with Woody Allen & Peter O Toole within a year of graduating.

So in my experience it takes absolute guts and perseverance not to quit and give up. Time, like most things is the answer to everything.

I started by doing unpaid student shorts etc - and even then I couldn't get seen at first, but eventually I got one (after about a year and a half of spending my temping/waitress wages on head shots and postage back on the day - I'm 32 ;) and then another etc etc.

I wouldn't think bad of your agent necessarily. Three months isn't that long - not for a young actor. But to check call up and ask them to show you a breakdown of what they have submitted you for in the last few weeks. Have a mtg with them - and in it ask what you can do to assist them; is there anyone you can write to etc, do they think you should be gathering extra skills/accents etc. I'm a firm believer of the proactive actor. Agents take only 15% of the wage, we get 85%, therefore the efforts should reflect that.

I agree with Nigel. You are a good looking bloke and can play roles with middle eastern heritage; both will go highly in your favour.

Having said that,it's absolutely essential that you learn an RP BBC English accent when working in the UK as an actor. You are doing yourself a massive disservice if you don't. I Would put efforts into learning that instead of a US one. Unless your planning to do the whole trying-for-a-green-card-pilot-season-in-LA-shebang then there's enough native American actors in the UK for casting directors to go straight to then if they want a US actor.

Chin up dude - and patience!

Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

• 9 years ago
• 6

Oh - Ps - being on Spotlight is 100% essential.
equity however is not despite what people tell you. Most actors I know that are doing super well are not with it.
It's not a strong union is like SAG in the US and until it gets stronger I think it's a waste of money

• 9 years ago
• 7

Thank you for the inputs Emma, respect your patience and emphasizing on the aspect of a proactive actor.
I agree with your point of learning to do a RP, would start looking out for good affordable courses. I am also planning to start with screen combat classes alongwith.

• 9 years ago
• 8

Hi Nigel
I too am in a similar position and I have been an actress now for many years. However, it is hard to see yourself as an actor when you don't work. I agree with the previous suggestion 'create your own' so if you ever fancy a chat about putting on a fringe play in a London venue, let me know! Otherwise I do readings for organisations like Liars League, and classes at the Actors Guild.

• 9 years ago
• 9

I'm up in the north west Lisa so I'd only be interested in working with northern actors on a project for it to be viable.

• 9 years ago
• 10

Hi Guys
Wow you have all given such relevant feedback I am in pretty much the same situation as don't seem to be able to secure any paid work from CCP a few bits from Starnow. I also have an agent but have only been put forward for one commercial but it has only been 2 months.
If any of you have the time I would really appreciate any feedback on my head shots and showreel
All the best
Marian

• 9 years ago
• 11

I am in the same boat too! I've had an agent for a while now ( since November) and haven't had any work since being with him. However, his always putting me forward for stuff and I have had about 5 auditions over the last couple of months. All with very positive feedback, but unfortunately didn't get any of them. Sometimes I think to myself."what the hell is the problem?! I do everything I possibly can?!". Many people say to me, hang on in, this happens, your young. But it is such a hard industry to stay positive in! Any advice people pass around on here is so useful and a great help!

• 9 years ago
• 12

Dont worry about it, Ive applied to many things on here. I rarely get a reply and I dont know why. Whos your agent? Im currently looking for one my self.

• 9 years ago
• 13

I agree with Nigel about the showereel. I think it's the most important and effective tool we've got and you have to nail that! Start with a scene that favours you and that is very well shot and performed. Then go to a contrasting one. you don't need more than that, really. nail that and I think things will work for you. I don't have the perfect showreel but it seems to work just fine as I often get auditions, and I am invited more than I apply for jobs.
But that's not enough because getting and audition doesn't mean you are going to get the job, so I stringly suggest you to get together with people that are willing to devise a piece and hit the road!

Plus, I knoq people that don't have an agent and prefer that. I friend of mine just got a 10k VO without an agent. I also auditioned for that and it was goint to be 15k, and no agent. So, it is all relative, mate. Once again, have a stronger Showreel and I think things will work better for you. Avoid music and video, music in the video is fine though.

Good Luck!

• 9 years ago
• 14