Artefact

The idea for my Artefact came through my literature research. As I was researching the subject 'Audition preparation for performers' at the 'Summon' website; an article came up which navigated me to this website http://www.backstage.com/

I then thought that we as performers in the UK don't have a specific site that includes all the information that we need in order to succeed in the Business. Most sites are missing important info and in order to find it we have to navigate to several sites. This is very inconvenient for us as we have very busy lifestyles; we don't have the time to search through multiple websites in order to find the information that we need, so I had this idea of designing a Website which will include:

• Audition Preparation Advice from Professionals*
• Advice on how to sell yourself in the Business (ie CV preparation, Web design, Showreel etc)
• How to Prepare for the real world after Graduation (ie How to find the right Agent for you)
• How to Network
• How to have a long term career without part time jobs
• How to keep on top of the game without having to spend a fortune for classes
• One to One Discussions with Professionals 
• List of Companies etc that Performers should avoid working for in the future
• Up to date Articles/News about the Industry
• Seminars, Audition Workshops with Experts from the Field
• Interviews with Professionals
• Advice on how to approach Casting Sites

And  many more...

My goal is to design this Website in a way that looks as clear and easy to access as possible. I also want every performer to be approached individually regarding their question, problem or concern.
In other words this will be a place where Professionals from the Performing Arts Industry can use to Network, Find specific and valid Information from Experts and Get Advice from Professionals.
A small fee will apply in order to use the website, this is because In order to give away valuable and important information from Experts inside the field, it requires some funds.   

* Industry Professionals who are either ex performers in the Musical Theatre, Commercial or Film/Theatre Industry, Agents, Directors, Current Experienced Performers who will be selected prior depending on their backround including training, credits, years of experience and some other factors not specified yet.

Do you have any thoughts or advice about my Artefact?

Sandra Bullock Defies ‘Gravity’ (and What She Knew About Acting)

http://rt5vx6na7p.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info%3Aofi%2Fenc%3AUTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=How+do+you+prepare+for+auditions%3F&rft.jtitle=Back+Stage+East&rft.au=Sarah+Kuhn&rft.date=2008-04-02&rft.issn=1930-5966&rft.volume=49&rft.issue=13&rft.spage=6&rft.externalDBID=BACS&rft.externalDocID=1461844271&paramdict=en-US

Don't give up the day job - how artists make a living 'The Guardian-article'

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/jan/24/artists-day-jobs

This is a very interesting article about each of us that's trying to make a living as an artist.
It discusses how essential is a part time job for an artist and how it can affect your career.
Can you have a family as well as a career? Unpaid work- the elephant in the room.
At least two-thirds of actors are out of work at any time, according to the most recent survey by performers' union Equity.
What are the official numbers of what an artist earns?

Reading this article made me question if I made the right choice entering this career; but performing is what makes me truly happy, just because I'm not a doctor or a banker doesn't mean I can't make a living out of it. This is what my inquiry will be focused on. How can we as artist have a stable, successful career in the Performing Arts, that we can make a living out of it without having to do part time jobs.

Attracting Dreams and Success with Law of Attraction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YrTDgfSbaQ

How to Network

http://spotlightuk.podomatic.com/entry/2013-08-12T08_23_21-07_00

 Holby City star and TriForce Promotions Creative Associate, Chizzy Akudolu, talks about how to get ahead in the performance industry by networking.

An interview with New York casting director, Scott Wojcik

Spotlight's Emma spoke to Scott to demystify the casting process for actors, and what he looks for in a performer.

1.    Emma Dyson (2013) An interview with New York casting director Scott Wojcik, London, The Spotlight Podcast Link  

 

Scott Wojcik started out as an actor; he was working as a freelance assistant for some Casting Directors whilst he was trying to do his own acting work. After a while it became a full time job and now he’s been working as a Casting Director for 5 years.

What Scott is looking for in performers is a ‘Package talent’; someone who has a physical appearance that matches the energy that they present when they are on stage and together those things crystallise character.

Considering audition pieces, he’s advice is to choose short, comedy pieces delivered with a lively, focused, defined energy.

Photos are very important, he’s opinion is to keep them simple with bright eyes and smile but also have a question behind the eyes with a thought process in mind. Full body shots are important too; a casting director has to be able to see the proportions of the actor. Stylistically outdoor and natural, sometimes more urban backgrounds with the use of brick work great.

A showreel has to be short, around 1-2 minutes. I casting director or agent want to see you speak; they want to see you in something recent. The long length showreel belongs on your website.

A website is great for your representation as a performer. It’s packaged and you can use it to promote yourself directly.

He’s advice for graduates, is to do their research and remember that they have to be smart consumers in a Business environment. ‘‘Be proactive, ask around other performers in auditions; ‘’Where do you go for classes?’’, ‘’Where did you get your   headshots from?’’. Know what’s happening right now in the Business by watching TV, seeing shows and reading articles and magazines. You should be researching your type; if anyone compares you to an existing working actor/performer do some research to their past and see what got them started to being that famous person that they are now.’’

In regard to auditions, Scott mentioned that you should know your craft and have already researched the roles that you are suitable for, so that if you have a last minute audition call you are prepared. ‘‘At auditions you should always take ownership of your talent and the product that you are presenting. Have your material ready, be honest and real, figure out who you really are and be polite to everyone. If you didn’t get the job don’t take it too personally, you did your best for the day and you are putting a seed on the ground for a job in the future. A last advice would be to understand that you are auditioning for your career and to make sure that you shine brightly when you are given a chance in the Industry.’’

Is there a reason for having Plan B when there is Plan A?

Some would say yes there is, what if Plan A doesn't work? 

Have a look at Augusto Pinaud's blog http://augustopinaud.com/%E2%80%9Cthere%E2%80%99s-no-reason-to-have-a-plan-b-because-it-distracts-you-from-plan-a-%E2%80%9D/

Augusto's Plan A was to become a Writer. He left Plan A to the side and decided to go with Plan B, but what did he discover? Plan B might have given him a secure income but there was no deeper satisfaction about it because it simply wasn't Plan A, it wasn't his dream.

Plan B distracted him for some time until he felt the need to fulfil Plan A. He is now living his dream and he is a Writer, he has goals and he is fully focused on his dream because this dream is what he wants to die for.

Are you living Plan A right now or are you settled with Plan B? 
If you are living Plan A do you have a Plan B in mind? If yes Why?

 My inquiry somehow links with Augusto's blog and here is why. When you have just graduated as a Performer some of the thoughts that run through your mind are; Am I going to be successful? Will I find a job in the business? How am I going to support myself financially? Shall I have a Plan B in mind just in case?

Recent graduates tend to be optimistic and work hard towards their dream. They didn't have as much taste of failure as the more experienced Performers in the business. My goal is to keep that fire lightened up in their mind before they change Plan A to Plan B with the first, second, or tenth 'No' that they hear.

I recently did an interview with Tom who works as a banker. We met at the Actors Temple were we did an acting class together.
He expressed how sad he feels at work and that working in a bank isn't something that fulfils him. He said; ''This job is not what I want to do, is just a way of paying the rent and bills; what I really want to do is to be an actor!''. I could feel how passionate he was about acting and how hard he worked in the class to improve his skills.
When I asked him ''So do you have any further plans about acting in the future?'' he answered ''Yes! I decided to quit my job and become a full time actor! I realised that unless I commit to it 100% I'll never reach the standard of actor I want to be.''

Tom chose to commit to his passion knowing that he has to face some concequences. He wasn't afraid to leave his daily job and fulfil his dream! Now he doesn't have Plan B distracting his Plan A but do you think leaving his daily job was a mistake, knowing that he is not an actor with  experience in the Industry?