Hi all, feeling a bit down at the moment as I just feel that every door is closed to me at the moment. As you may know from the odd posting from me, I've been out of Mountview since 1996 now. I've got the odd job here and there, but always chasing agents to come and see me in stuff, without success. At a rough estimate in the last decade or so I've written about 1400 letters to that effect. To date, I've had two interviews from that lot. The most recent, early this month. I've just rang them up as I hadn't heard back. They said that they don't feel they could get me work.
Which makes me think that, if they can't get me any work, what chance have I got on my own?
I send off for jobs both in Castweb and CCP, about two a week. The last casting I got from an application was a year ago.
I look at my C.V. and practically all of it is work with my own theatre company, or things that I got from knowing the people involved, or one-person shows that I've written myself.
But that counts for nothing in a casting director's eyes if it isn't one of the larger theatres or a network TV credit.
So the conclusion I come to is that you need one of the things off this list to get a paid casting:
1. A high profile agent
2. One good credit
3. A good industry contact
4. Be a recent graduate
5. NOT be a caucasian brunette
6. Have a regional accent
Afraid I can't tick any boxes!
And the agents know that. They're not stupid. they know how a casting director's mind works.
So I've come to the conclusion that I'm just umemployable.
But hey, given the quality of the stuff out there- is that all bad? I'm going to concentrate on my writing and my production company and just do my own stuff from now on.
Forget about agents as they're not going to help me. Think of the postage I'll save!
Thanks Nadia, I will check them out. I used to go to Rocliffe New Writing Forum a while back and drifted away from it. Sometimes when I'm up here in the East Midlands I forget that I need to keep one foot in London. It's a fact of life that London's where it's at, but the commute's not too bad and the beer's cheaper here so it's no big hassel. Plus it's amazing how many creative people I've discovered in a supposedly "barren" area like Lincolnshire. House prices are, I think, starting to create new pockets of creativity elsewhere in the country.
Anyway, I digress.
I'm going to be doing an extract from one of my monologues at Forbidden Theatre's "Freestyle" event on the 2nd June, along with other people's new work that they're trying out.
It's at the Tristan Bates at 6.30pm if anyone's around, it would be great to see you. Check out www.forbidden.org.uk for details.
And thanks to yet more lovely messages of support- this forum really is the best tonic for anyone who is feeling disheartened. We all know that us luvvies like nothing better than a good old whinge when we get together, but the positivity that shines through from so many of you gives me real hope for the future. Apathy is a cancer in this business and it can kill off a theatre company in weeks. (I know all too well)
So keep the faith everyone!
Absolutely. This Forum is great and I have so much respect for other actors. I do wish I could get everybody work sometimes (including myself! ;-). I'll try & come along Sharon. C.Gdn isn't far for me. Will see if my agent can come too. She is quite newly established, but has a heart and a brain on her and has got a few people some nice castings. Try & target a few c.dirs too (u can do a search on the casting directors guild - see whose offices are in that vicinity - probably loads..) & agents too.
Just wanted to re-iterate that you're not alone and you're definitely not the only person to feel this way. This may sound a bit weird and I'm really sympathetic to anyone who feels this way, but it does me some good to know that there are others out there and on this board, who feel the same...makes me feel as though I'm not alone!
I agree with the comments. At my drama school we were taught to treat our acting careers like a business. We had to write our own business plans. It seems as if your career is not going to plan....so write a new one. Outline what you want and realistic ways to achieve it.
Also, when you've been writing letters and stuff for so long it is easy for it to all get stale.
My partner (who is also an actor) gives me some advice when I get into one of my 'i'm never going to make it moods'. I don't thank him for it at the time but after a bit of thought it always makes me more determined. When I whinge he asks me if I honestly think I'm doing everything I can to promote myself as an actor. The answer is always 'no'.
It's tough but it works. Keep at it.xx
Just thought I'd say-I think it's brilliant that you are writing your own stuff and still managing to do something your passionate about, even if you feel that agents/casting directors etc arn't taking notice.
I, like many others also find it a struggle, and have sent so many applications that have been unanswered, rejected, or not even viewed- but I wouldn't know where to start with writing or producing my own work, and really admire people who are doing that.
I only hope that when I am older
(that is not meant as offensive!)I will be confident enough to create something myself, and still be as driven and positive. You should look back at what you have achieved,not just what you havent because if I'd written/performed my own work I would be very proud-and you should be!
Thanks you guys,for all the advice, support (and poems!) OK, so no-one as far as I know came to see me on saturday, but that's no new thing. The place was full, still and it was a great show. If I just carry on doing what I'm doing, someone, somewhere will take notice one day. And you're right, Susannah, I can always be doing more. (And I will!)
The great thing about saturday was that there was so much good stuff being produced. Not only by people I already knew, but also new people that I now know.
I'm really lucky that I can earn a living (selling jewellery)which doesn't often get in the way of doing exciting work like this. Of course, we all crave recognition, or at least a few high profile jobs now and then, but I'm still working and creating. Not many people I know, apart from the ones with "an independant income" can do fringe work at all, as they can't afford to work for nothing.
This way, I'm doing the work I want to do. Quite possibly a lot more challenging than the work I often apply for!
Shucks, Shinything. You do sound depressed, but hey, you can't say that you didn't know the risks!
I'm writing a full length film script at the moment called 'Spinning Wheels'. I've bookmarked your profile and will give you a shout when I'm ready to do auditions. No, of course there won't be much money, but it's gonna be different and perhaps controversial, so I hope you'll pick yourself up and keep at it. Acting like writing has always been a tough game.
Cheers Nick- feeling a lot better over the last few days. Always good to pick up indirect castings here and there!
To quote Marge Simpson-
"It's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease" !
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