Acting headshots are one of the key marketing tools for aspiring thespians. It’s important to get a set of at least cheap headshots done the minute you decide to pursue acting and start applying on casting websites. Snapshots are largely looked down upon, and will make you look unprofessional, so steer clear of having your friend take your “headshot” with an iPhone.

Your acting headshot will be the first thing a casting director will look at when going through submissions. If the headshot catches the CD’s attention, you’ve already passed the first stage; the next stage is to impress the CD with your acting CV/resume and demo reel. Actors with “weak” resumes can still have a significantly hire chance to get an audition if they have an outstanding headshot.

Agents and top casting directors pay close attention to how professional an acting headshot looks, and it can tell them how well the actor understands the industry (read: is the actor an amateur?) That said, the topic of acting headshots can be confusing to budding actors just entering the industry:

• What exactly are headshots for actors, and how they differ from portraits or snapshots?
• What’s the standard size of an acting headshot in the UK and in the US?
• Should my headshot be color, black and white, or both?
• Is landscape headshot better or worse than a vertical one?

In this article on acting headshots, I’ll have these and other questions answered for both the UK and the US industries. There’s no doubt that a good set of headshots can make your career, since casting directors and talent agencies love actors who have acting headshots that stand out, or how they say, “that pop.”

RELATED: Acting With No Experience (256-page acting beginner’s guide)

If you choose to go to one of the best headshot photographers in London, or Los Angeles, or New York, it’s likely they will give you all the details you need to know. If top and most expensive photographers aren’t in your budget yet, and you choose to get a set of cheap acting headshots (we all start there), then you’ll need to know more about them.

Acting Headshots 101
8 Things Every Actor Must Know

1. What’s an Acting Headshot and Why You Need It

It’s very likely you already know that acting headshots, or simply “headshots”, is a photograph of a person/actor from the chest up, with the focus on their head. In the acting business, a headshot is usually known to be a quality photograph taken by a professional photographer, which is not the same as your usual snapshot.

Headshot is a number one actor’s marketing tool. There are many reasons to invest in a set of good quality headshots done by a professional headshot photographer. Headshots are actors’ branding and marketing around the industry; it’s the key toward getting noticed for the audition, and the best way for an agent or CD to remember the actor for future work.

As previously stated, headshot is the first thing talent agents and casting directors will look at. Only if you fit the part based on your looks will they look at your resume and show reel.

Since there’s very little you can do about the way you look, the aim here is to have the most professional lookingheadshotpossible. You would be surprised how easily experienced industry people spot cheap photographs and how quickly they are put off. Your aim here is to avoid having your submission thrown into the trash bin right away.

2. What Are the Standards for Headshots

When it comes to actors’ photographs, it’s all very strict (especially when using color headshots). You and I might not understand every single photography-based technicality that makes headshots look great, but casting directors who see hundreds of them every day love photographs that speak to them and tell the “actor’s story” just from the headshot alone.

This industry has its standards and we must follow them. In this case, the US and the UK markets were different in a few regards when it comes to headshots, but they are slowly blending together (that is the UK industry is catching up with the modern standards of the US).

The key takeaway is to study exactly what the standard acting headshots are in your country’s market, and follow those standards to a letter. This is not the time to be creative, weird and different. All that will do for you is have your headshot thrown into the trash bin because it would be clear to the CD or agent that you’re not up to date on the industry standards.

3. Size and Layout of Headshots

Normally, an actor’s headshot is an 8″ by 10″ (8×10) photograph. This is the standard size for the industry in the UK and the US. Never use a headshot that’s smaller or bigger in size.

A headshot photographer will usually take the photograph in both the landscape/horizontal position and the portrait/vertical position. Both are totally acceptable, and neither is superior to the other. However, there’s one disadvantage of landscape headshots: they are more difficult to use in your online profiles that scale every photo you upload.

It’s good to have both in your arsenal, but I would also recommend to ask the headshot photographer to prioritize portrait/vertical headshots first (so you have more of these shots over landscape).

Let’s take a look at two examples, the landscape and the portrait acting headshots. The below two are good headshots that fit industry strandards:

And here’s a very bad headshot that would make the casting director or agent cringe, see if you can tell the difference:

There are many problems with the above acting headshot: bad lighting, bad cropping, bad background, shadow on the left, the head is turned to the side, etc. Ultimately, the headshot looks more like a highschool yearbook portrait than a professional industry standard headshot.

The post Acting Headshots 101: What Every Actor Must Know appeared first on Acting in London.

If you’re looking to get a start in the film industry

While doing background work may be reward in some ways, it’s important that actors have realistic expectations and go into this for the right reasons.

Some thespians assume that they’re going to be picked up for bigger roles after someone “spots them” among other background performers; unfortunately, that’s highly unlikely. It didn’t work for Brad Pitt or other aspiring performers who attempted this falsely advertised “discover me on set” strategy. Nevertheless, doing extra work on film sets has benefits to you as an actor in a few ways, but more on this later.

READ ALSO: How Much Do Extras Get Paid?

Being an extra on film sets

There are aspiring background performers whose sole focus is to do extra work, and that’s fine if that’s your goal. It’s true that you can make a living by making a name for yourself as a professional background performer, because you’ll just be called more and more often on bigger productions.

That being said, being an extra is not the easiest gig, and here’s why:

• You might often have to get up very early for work and leave very late
• There will be periods of time where you’ll be standing around for hours on the film set doing nothing
• The pay is not the best either, and there isn’t really much of a “career ladder”

Doing extra work is good if you’re a beginner actor trying to see how a film set works. By doing background work, you’ll get a chance to observe how professional actors, directors and the crew work on a film set, what happens during a shoot and learn from it all.

The pros of becoming an extra are:

• You don’t have to audition for parts; you’re only hired based on your looks and sometimes experience.
• It can potentially be a good opportunity to network, but you must be a really good schmoozer
• If you’re into that, you can hang out around famous actors (but not bother them)
• You don’t need to be an actor to become an extra; anybody can decide to be an extra
• It pays the bills

Once you get a grasp of it, you should move onto bigger things as soon as possible. Why? Because if your goal is to become a professional actor, you don’t want to make a name for yourself as an actor. Believe it or not, reputation in this business carries a lot of weight. So, how to become an extra on film sets and where to start?

RELATED: Acting With No Experience (256-page acting beginner’s guide)

How to Become an Extra on Film Sets

The plan of how to become an extra on film sets is pretty simple and straightforward. Here’s a very quick and accurate list of how to become an extra on films sets in three steps.

1. Find Where They Hire Extras

Regardless of your location, it’s likely that there will be at least some companies, whether brick-and-mortar or online, who serve your area and where they find most of their background performers. Find a reputable extras agency and sign up with them. Most of these require membership payments, however.

For example, here are extras agencies and websites in London:

• Casting Collective
• Universal Extras
• Guys and Dolls Casting
• Ray Knight Casting

In order to sign up, you’ll need to provide some kind of headshot. These do not have to be as professional as the headshots for acting, and usually just a clear snapshot will do. Then, you’ll need to provide the extras agency with a few details about yourself, such as age, height, eye and hair color and so forth.

Before you register with any film extra agency and pay them any kind of cash, ensure that they are a reputable place and won’t scam you. There’s a whole bunch of fake sites that will only take your money and never submit you for anything.

Reviews of extras agencies online are usually a great resource, and so is their Facebook page. For example, pick a name of an agency or website for extras casting, and Google “[agency name] + reviews” or “[agency name] + scam” and see what comes up.

2. Get Hired as an Extra

Once you’ve registered with an extras agency, two things can happen, depending on their business model. Either this casting agency submits you for random local work where there’s filming going on, or you have to submit yourself for posted filming ads (the latter option is often used with ‘scam sites’).

At this point, it’s all about the waiting. Once your phone rings (or, more rarely, you get that email), you will need to confirm your availability. Do not hesitate, because casting will go through the list very quickly (which is why legit services will almost always call for your confirmation). Confirm that you’re available, and get the necessary details.

Usually this will be provided, but if not, write down:

• Location of the shoot
• Number of shooting days they expect you for
• Call times
• Pay (also how much they pay for overtime)
• On-set contact’s phone number and name

As an example, there’s a great article on Central Casting in LA – the most popular extras casting agency in Los Angeles, the U.S. and probably the world. Read what the author has to say about the whole process of applying, answering the call for the job and what to do next. This same applies to almost all extras agencies in London, the U.K. and elsewhere.

3. Work and Get Paid, then Repeat

After you’ve confirmed your availability, your next step is to show up on time and do what you’re told. You’ll be guided through the process, told exactly where to go, what to do and what not to do. The job of being an extra is easy in one way, but difficult in another way because it involves a lot of standing around and doing nothing.

Another reason why experienced actors often suggest to do background work no more than 3 times is because after the initial few tries, the magic of being on as an extra on film sets wears off. At that point, all you notice is you having to stand around doing nothing for 12 hours. Nevertheless, you can still chat with others and get paid for this.

When you get to the film set, get in touch with the person who’s your contact and they will direct you where to change, where and when to come. There won’t be too much thinking going on throughout the day, so it’s a fairly relaxed (and somewhat boring) job. After the shoot is over, find your contact again and ask for instructions in case they need you back again.

If you’re signed with an agency, then you’ll get paid by that agency rather than the production itself. Every agency runs their ship differently so make sure to check with them on how you’re getting paid, and ask about taxes, related forms and such. Those who are planning to make a living by doing background work need to start taking this seriously from the get-go.

READ NEXT: 10 Types of Acting Classes

The post How to Become an Extra on Film Sets appeared first on Acting in London.

There are tons of places to stay in London once you come here

We’ve talked many times before that if you want more acting opportunities, you should move to London. Moving to London itself is easy, but once you’re here, there will be a lot of things to take care from, from finding the best neighborhood to live with other actors to finding acting classes, auditions and familiarizing with the city.

The best way to find a good flat in London is by going through local ads on websites like Gumtree and visiting the apartment before you sign a contract. It’s not advisable to rent or lease a flat in London without having to see it. This means that you’ll need to stay somewhere for a week or so while researching.

This is especially true if you’re moving to London from overseas. After you’ve sorted out your visa (if you need help with visa, see our book here) and have made all the plans, it’s time to make a list of best hotels in London that are cheap and affordable.

There are so many hotels, hostels and B and B’s in London that it can get very overwhelming, very quickly. In order to help actors moving to London with their search for a place to stay while they’re looking for an apartment, I’ve sniffed out some of the best hotels in London as well as other accommodation in London on every budget and to suit every style of travel.

RELATED: 1-Year Plan to Live On The Cheap In London

10 Best Hotels in London
(and other affordable accommodation)

Best of Airbnb in London
(it’s not just budget – it’s culture)

Some standard Budget options include the Hotel Ibis and the Travelodge. Here, you know what you’re getting and both chains have hotels across London.

For me though from experience, I’m a fan of Airbnb. Whether it is renting an entire place or taking a room in someone’s home, it’s a sure fire way to meet and hang out with locals, get to know neighbourhoods, and not just the tourist spots of London.

If this is your first time in London, make sure you practice safety and security, trying to avoid scams. The same applies to travel safety in London and just generally being aware.

RELATED: How to Live Cheap in London on £40 a Day (Or £1,200 a Month)

Now, here’s five of the best Airbnb ‘superhosts’ in London and without fail, cheaper than a hotel, even a budget one.

1. Sunny Studio with Private Garden (Croach End, North London)

• The Basics: studio, 2 guests, 1 bedroom, 1 shower room, £20 cleaning fee.
• Selling points: good location for socialising, private patio and a hammock!
• Why stay here: This studio is well-kept, situated in the host’s garden with a private patio. Previous guests recommend it for couples specifically and cannot speak highly enough of the hosts. Everyone says how well-located the apartment is with easy access to the restaurants, bars and cafes of Croach End.
• Extras: other apartments available sleeping up to 8 people.
• Cost: £49 per night
• Find them here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/5804727?guests=2&s=XA14-Xdi

2. Self Contained Double with Ensuite (East Dulwich, South East London)

• The basics: room and en suite in host’s home
• Selling points: self-contained room and en-suite shower room gives privacy but staying in the host’s home gives you access to their knowledge. Many previous guests gush about the host and her attentive service, accurate information and homely feel.
• Why stay here: East Dulwich is an up-and-coming area full to the bursting with cool restuarants, cafes and bars. You’re also right next to Brixton so you can check out the market and the transport links are great.
• Extras: the host has a dog
• Cost: £45 per night
• Find them here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9675732?s=fDUPXqJH

3. Peaceful King en Suite with Shower (Hackney)

• The basics: private room, en suite bathroom including a shower, sleeps 2.
• Selling points: The place is located right on the canal and this definitely counts as a USP! As well as this it’s very well connected to Central London. Only a short distance from the cool spots in East London like Shoreditch.
• Why stay here: The hosts provide all your linens and you can help yourself to a selection of hot drinks. You have access to the house amenities and lots of outside space. The hosts have loads of positive feedback about how welcoming and helpful they both are, particularly about how comfortable and at home guests were made to feel.
• Extras: The hosts have a little boy who is generally well behaved and also they have another double available in London as well.
• Cost: £50 per night
• Find them here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/390002?guests=2&s=vQFXQxMY

4. Stylish Oasis and good price double (Walthamstow)

• The basics: private room, shared bathroom, sleeps 2, cleaning fee £10
• Selling points: A family and home that opens its arms to their guests for a truly ‘homestay’ experience.
• Why stay here: The hosts love to meet new people and guests feel like they are part of this vibrant family. Other guests are often staying so you get to meet people from all over the world. Everyone has commented on how open and friendly the hosts were during their stays and loved being part of such an interesting life.
• Extras: They have other rooms available in their home if your party is larger. Walthamstow is a bit further out but it’s still well-located and the price is a good incentive along with the family vibe.
• Cost: £29 per night
• Find them here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/377707?guests=2&s=vQFXQxMY

5. A Bright and Large Studio (Streatham Hill)

• The basics: studio, 2 guests, bedroom/kichen/diner, 1 bathroom, £30 cleaning fee
• Selling points: Connected to transport with bus and train, includes a kitchen and a bath!
• Why stay here: The opportunity to stay in a Victorian style house should not be missed and even though this is a new listing so is yet to be reviewed the space looks great value for money. The house rules seem very friendly, with the host asking guests to treat the flat as their own and have a good time. This is sure to increase in price once people start reviewing it.
• Extras: You can get to Brixton really easily and check out the market.
• Cost: £42 per night
• Find them here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9675732?guests=2&s=9vuF690k

Best Hotels in London
(more convenient, but more expensive)

Of course, there is something beautifully luxurious about a hotel stay and there are some obvious perks. The hotel bar, the cleaning services, staff to help you whenever you need it. And I don’t always use Airbnb, I love a hotel too.

So if I were coming to London and if I were staying in a hotel, these are my top picks for where I would love to stay and also include places I have stayed myself for work.

1. Artist Residence

• Location: 52 Cambridge St, London SW1V 4QQ (Google maps)
• Why stay here: I’ve stayed at the Brighton one and it’s lovely. Super quirky and of course, very arty and inspirational. If you book early, you  get a decent discount. Rooms per night start from  £202 for the small double and from £261 for the loft which is beautifully finished in chick panelled wood, a desk area and open plan bathroom. If you’re feeling flash, the suite and grande suite are stunning with plenty of space for leisure in comfortable sofas starting from £324 per night.
• Extra info: Cesar winner Good Hotel Guide 2016
• Website: http://artistresidencelondon.co.uk/

2. Radison Blu Edwardian Grafton

• Location: 130 Tottenham Court Rd, Fitzrovia, London W1T 5AY (Google maps)
• Why stay here: I stayed in this hotel for work a few years ago and found the rooms to be clean and spacious. The hotel is beautifully finished with a postmodern take on traditional Edwardian style so they are not just boring square boxes. The restaurant food is top-notch and I highly recommend it, especially if you have been out all day and just want to be somewhere quiet.
• Website: http://www.radissonblu-edwardian.com/london-hotel-gb-w1t-5ay/gbgrafto/home

3. The London Edition (Marriot)

• Location: 10 Berners St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3NP (Google maps)
• Why stay here: The newly opened Edition is the ultimate in London luxury. Located in Fitzrovia, it is perfectly placed for shopping, nightlife, dining and transport. The bar is outstanding offering a dizzying array of tipples to tempt any palette.
• Website: http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/loneb-the-london-edition/

Best Apartments in London
(perfect for long-term stay)

Somewhere between hotels and Airbnb is the new trend of apartment style hotels. Benefits usually include consistency, WiFi, optional housekeeping and sometimes an on-site bar. Here’s two of the best:

1. Fraser Place

Location: 80 Boardwalk Pl, London E14 5SF, UK (Google maps)

Why stay here: You cannot go wrong with the deluxe apartments at Fraser Place, they are high-standard and super stylish. Cooking facilities include a microwave and fridge plus there’s complimentary wifi. Upgrades are available that include two complimentary cocktails at the W XYZ bar which is a very on-trend venue.

Website: http://london-canarywharf.frasershospitality.com/en

2. Think Apartments Tower Bridge

• Location: 169 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 3LF (Google maps)
• Why stay here:  Situated next to the iconic Tower Bridge, the Think apartments offer an excellent location to explore the city. They also have a little bit of history thrown into the mix: the previous occupier of this Grade II listed former warehouse was Sarson’s vinegar!
• Website: http://www.think-apartments.com/locations/

READ NEXT: 5 Things You’ll Need To Do Before Moving to London

The post 10 Best Hotels in London and Cheap Accommodation appeared first on Acting in London.

Actors who researched drama schools and classes in London already know

According to most recent data, students studying on a three-year course in the UK, including drama schools, sometimes have to find up to 40,000 GBP to cover fees, living expenses, accommodation and travel. That is an awful amount of money, but it shouldn’t put you off following your dream of becoming an actor.

The good thing about London, even though it’s extremely expensive, at least it’s not as expensive as studying drama in the US. In America, just the degree alone will usually cost you anywhere from $80,000 up to $200,000. With books, travel, accommodation, the whole four year studying may come close to $300,000 total.

Back to London. There are ways to help you find the funds to pay for your acting classes, drama school training and otherwise fund your dream. With a little bit of effort and thinking outside of the box – we’re creatives, so that part we can do – it is possible to raise a good portion of the money you will need.

Below, I will give you some tips and information on the most popular ways to pay for drama school training, because drama school is the most expensive option for an actor to choose to learn acting. If none of the below are viable for you, then you can take the approach we’ve outlined in the book Acting With No Experience, and just get out there without drama school training.

Now, here are a few suggestions and handy links to get you going with funding drama school degree. I also hope this will give you some inspiration as well as find quick ways to cover the costs of studying.

RELATED: 1-Year Plan to Live On The Cheap In London

How to Pay for Your Drama School Training
(7 possible options)

1. Student Loans

If you have chosen to go to university or college to study drama, there are student loans available to help you pay for fees and to get some financial support for living expenses.  There is a full package available to students that covers tuition fees and maintenance loans. The amount can vary depending on your circumstances.

For example, if you are living with your parents you may get less than someone who is living independently. Your loan is not paid back until you have graduated and are earning a certain amount of money. It also depends on where you are studying as you will get more for tuition and so forth if you are studying in London.

It also depends if you are studying with a private course provider as you will get less for this than if you were studying on a public course. These links will explain in detail what you could receive, where you need to apply and how much you will need to pay back after you have graduated and gotten a job.

• https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/finance-and-support/undergraduate-tuition-fees-and-student-loans
• https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview

There’s some great advice here – very applicable tips regarding paying back loans, combating the myths regarding student loans and gives overall advice on student loans in general. Money Saving Expert website is pretty good in general for anybody who wants to be more financially conscious and find ways to save money, so check it out further.

2. Career Development Loans

A Career development loan is an option for students that are not studying on a degree course at drama school. They are low cost loans that the government pay the interest for you while you are studying.

The loans are affiliated with the government. They are the far better than just a traditional loan due to the fact you do not pay the interest while you are studying. The government have information on career development loans and information on how to apply for them here.

3. Studying and Working

Although studying will take up a lot of your time it is still possible to work some hours as well. Many students work a few hours at weekends and some take evening jobs as well. Remember you also have trimester holidays which will free you up to take temporary work as well.

Even earning 50GBP a week will help towards your materials and food expenses and during term holidays it is possible to double, if not triple this amount. Lots of companies take on students during holidays as students do not mind temporary work contracts and are usually available to take on seasonal work during the summer or busy periods such as Christmas.

It’s a good idea to make contact with local student bars, local shops and local venues and get your CV in before term time starts. Many universities also employ students for various job roles as well throughout term time and they will advertise these positions on their university website.

Make sure you keep an eye on these as the positions get filled quite quickly. There is also a website dedicated to jobs for students that you can find here.

4. Find Sponsors

This is where your imagination comes in. Start thinking about getting individuals to ‘sponsor’ your training. This can include family members, friends, businesses, media and anyone else you can think of. To do this you need to get people to believe in you and to become aware of your talents. A short video of you performing and a well written letter or email can get you a lot of notice.

If can find 100 people to sponsor you just 50GBP a year you will raise 5000GBP. That maybe half your tuition fees paid. You need to think of what you can offer your sponsor back in return.

You can give them an end of term letter with a report on your grades, invite them all in groups to watch any performances you are giving and send them photos of yourself throughout the year performing. Some companies might sponsor you if you wear a tee-shirt with their logo on during any public events that you take part in for example. Use your imagination.

Lots of people will believe in you if you are passionate and believe in yourself. There is also a database of sponsors targeted towards the performing arts. You can find that here.

5. Scholarships

Many prestigious drama schools offer scholarships for talented students and have details of these on their website. Each drama school has their own rules for meeting the required criteria. Dance and Drama Awards also offer scholarships to talented students.

DaDA hold auditions for these scholarships and students are not expected to pay the money back afterwards. For details of DaDA and what they offer visit this link.

To keep up with the latest news, applications and success stories regarding scholarships for actors visit this page.

6. Charities, trusts and foundations

There are a vast amount of charities, trusts and foundations that will also help students and individuals in the performing arts. Some offer bursaries, grants towards tuition fees, help with audition costs and many others. The best way to see if they can help you is to contact them all individually.

Write a letter to them and make it as personal as possible. If you have been offered a place at drama school but your finances might prevent you from taking the place offered then tell them so in the letter. Tell them why you think you would benefit from some assistance and why you think you can achieve at drama school.

For sources of drama charities and trusts visit this page.

7. Personal Fundraising

Fundraising is not as difficult as it seems.  For example, you can organize a raffle at your local theatre if you can get them to donate a free ticket as a prize for example. People are likely to participate in fundraising for a good cause. If you have friends that have a band and you can find a venue, see if they will do a gig for you.

Perhaps you could run a marathon or do a bungee jump and get sponsorship money. As long as you are clear to people that you are raising the money to get yourself through drama school most people will support whatever event you are doing. You could even ‘auction’ yourself off for the day to the highest bidder and do chores around someone’s house if they bid the highest.

There are numerous ways to fundraise so don’t be afraid to try anything that might draw in the crowds.

In conclusion

As you can see there are ways for you to pay your drama school studies, you just need to be prepared to get yourself out there, apply for whatever is on offer and don’t give up. Lots of pennies quickly become pounds so good luck and follow your dreams.

However, in some cases, none of these ways on funding drama school training may be a good option. In that case, my best advice to put off drama school training altogether (at least for now), and instead focus on your acting career from the get go, without going to a reputable drama school.

If you’re starting acting with no experience and training, read this book and then take small actions that don’t cost you a lot of money. Get a survival day job, join a cheap acting class in London, start auditioning actively for anything to build up your credits and move forward this way. Try to get a talent agent and a manager at some point.

After progressing in this direction, you may have saved up enough money after 1-2 years for a drama school credit, plus you will also have a lot more experience and credits, will be a much better actor and – most importantly – may not even need to go to a drama school at all.

READ NEXT: 25 Top Casting Directors in London Actors Should Know About

The post 7 Ways to Pay for Your Drama School Training appeared first on Acting in London.

Acting training is the first step towards launching a career as an actor

We’ve previously discussed the difference between acting classes and drama schools. You should know that either option has its pros and cons. In particular, an acting school with evening acting classes is great for people who cannot afford drama school training, or have other commitments (like work, family, etc.) and are unable to attend a full-time acting training.

If you’re looking to become an actor and have no experience, starting with acting classes is the cheapest and fastest way to see whether acting is something you truly enjoy doing. You don’t have to depend on auditioning and getting a chance to be a part of a theatre play or a film set; simply join a class and test your chops there.

However, there are many different types of acting classes out there, some more important than others. Today, we’ll discuss all the types of acting classes that exist to give you a better idea on what you should choose as your first step towards acting training.

If you’re in London and want a full list of ALL acting classes, drama schools, acting universities, acting schools, drama clubs and more, then take a look at our London Acting Training Directory that contains every possible option where you’ll definitely something to your liking. In the meantime, here are all the acting class types you need to know about.

RELATED: Acting for Beginners 101 – The Ultimate Guide

10 Types of Acting Classes

I’ve listed the below ten types of acting classes in the order of importance, and noted the level of importance under each acting class type. However, note that some of these entirely depend on your personal case, so this is not a “one size fits all” ranking of importance.

Also, note that some acting classes (like Body and Movement) may have been ranked as “Low” in importance because the talent agent will unlike to care much about these on your resume. However, for you as an actor, these classes are usually just as important to polish your skill set and become a better, well-rounded actor.

1. Acting Technique Classes

Importance: Highest

These are the most common acting classes that every actor takes, or at least must take. If you’re not going to a drama school, an acting technique class should be the first one you should take.

This type of on-going class can be labeled as actor’s foundation in the world of acting schools. It’s usually taught in many different ways, depending on your teacher and the approach they take (for example, Method Acting, Stella Adler, Meisner Technique, etc.)

Each acting teacher has their own take on how an actor can become better at this craft and their own techniques they’ve learned from their own acting teachers. You always have to choose which method you connect with the most, therefore, it’s best to audit several different classes and see where you connect the most.

In an acting technique class, you will learn all the basics of acting by using a specific method. The skills you learn here is what differentiates you from someone who doesn’t know how to act and someone who has some skill in acting.

2. Audition Technique Classes / On-camera Classes (Screen)

Importance: High

Just as the name suggests, audition acting technique classes focus on the art of auditioning itself (which – as most working actors will tell you – is different from the art of performing).

It’s always a good idea to include a course of audition classes in your training, because auditioning is not easy by any means and can sometimes be even more difficult than the performance itself. Most actors dislike auditioning because they’re not good at it, and there are many ways to either screw up your audition, or succeed at it.

For example, auditioning classes teach actors how to break down a script (script analysis), what to do during an audition and how to get approval from the whole casting panel. Most teachers will get down to the very basics, such as “should you sit or stand when auditioning in front of casting directors?” or “should you mime that you’re talking on the phone?”

Note that I’ve also included the “On-camera classes (Screen classes)” title here. This is because depending on the acting school, an audition class may be labeled as an On-Camera class, meaning that the teacher will put you on camera as you’re practicing your audition to review it later. However, this title is more common to classes I mention below.

3. Scene Study Classes / On-camera Classes (Screen)

Importance: High

Just like the two types of acting classes above, this one is also often recommended for most aspiring actors just starting out. Even if you’ve trained in a reputable drama school, chances are you didn’t have enough professional on-camera training with real filmmakers, or haven’t broken down enough scenes. Here is where you fix this.

These acting acting classes differ slightly depending on the teacher and the school, but usually it’s either on-camera scene study class, or simply a scene study class where you don’t get to work on camera and only analyze and practice acting scenes.

General scene study class: In these ones the group and their teacher explore all kinds of scenes for plays, television and film. Normally, teacher gives you the material, people working on it read the material, block it out, rehearse it, act it out and then present as a finished acting scene.

Moreover, scene study classes are usually based on some kind of acting technique you learned in your Acting Technique class (discussed above). It could be Method Acting, Meisner Technique or anything else. Based on the theory of that particular technique, actor is taught how to truthfully act out a scene for a play, film or television, and it’s up to you what you use.

On-camera scene study: These are the same as above, but the only difference is that after you break down the scene and practice it, you also get to be put on camera, which is extremely useful and gives you a chance to get used to performing in front of the camera.

Actors in an on-camera scene study class will learn how to control their vocal levels, how to know where to stand and where to go, and all other on-camera acting technicalities of which there are millions. Trust me, 9 times out of 10, new actor will need to take this class, and a director on a professional film set will thank you for taking it.

4. Cold Reading (Sight Reading) Classes

Importance: Medium

Known as cold reading in the US and sight reading in the UK, these types of acting classes delve even deeper into the auditioning process and explore just one single part of it – reading from the script, analyzing it and doing it right in front of casting directors.

The main thing you’ll learn in a cold reading class is how to quickly prepare the text: how to read it, break it down and analyze it, memorize your lines and deliver them. This class is particularly useful for actors going out on a lot of commercials, as those types of auditions usually give you much less time to prepare, but the class is good for any aspiring actor in general.

There are many golden rules to cold reading. Such sight reading class will teach you how to get to the main part of the scene, what are the right questions to ask, how to understand your character, your obstacles, etc. You will learn to accomplish all these basic things very fast so that you have more time to think about your actual performance rather than figuring out what the text is about.

5. Improvisation Classes

Importance: Medium

Just like the acting class title implies, improvisation classes will teach you the skill of improv. While I labeled the class as of “Medium” importance, improvisation is actually a very highly valuable skill that will make any actor significantly better, whether you do drama or comedy, whether you do just commercials or film and theatre.

Improv class are not required for actors auditioning for film, television and theatre, but they’re almost a must for actors pursuing auditions for commercials. This is because improv is not only about comedy timing and being funny; it’s also about getting out of your head and being able to think on your feet, fast.

Commercial auditions will often ask you to improvise. In fact, every commercial auditioning you’re going into, you can safely assume that some improvisation will be required, which is why most acting schools with Commercial Acting Training classes either already have improv in them, or have a separate class that’s recommend for actors to take.

We have a whole article dedicated only to explaining improvisation training.

6. Commercial Acting Classes

Importance: N/A (case by case basis)

Here is another essential class for actors who are pursuing acting jobs in commercials but – unlike improv classes – is not that necessary or even useful for actors that don’t go out for commercials. Ideally, you should have both – improv and commercial class training on your resume. However, if you were to pick just one, it should always be improv.

So what’s the difference between commercial acting classes and improv classes, or auditioning classes? Good question, because there is difference.

Audition Technique acting classes teach actors how to behave during an audition, and they focus on the whole auditioning process in general. Improv classes teach you the basics of improvisation and how to get out of your head and think on your feet.

Now, commercial classes will teach you everything about commercials – from auditioning, to reading scripts, to improvising, to behaving on a commercial shoot, and so forth. Note that commercial acting is not the same as acting for film, theatre or TV; it’s very different (which is why you never put commercials on your acting resume/CV).

7. Voice/Vocal Classes

Importance: Low

We are slowly sliding into a “not very necessary” territory as it applies to your acting resume and how talent agents and casting directors see your acting training; however, in general, it depends how important a Voice/Vocal class may be for you as an actor.

Naturally, if you want to pursue acting on West End or Broadway, these types of classes are a must and would be first on the list. However, most musical theatre actors come from drama school training, which is where they spend three years singing and training voice, and it’s unlikely you’ll go far in musical threatre without drama school training.

Vocal classes will teach actors how to use their voice to the best of its ability, how to breath properly, how to control it; there will also be singing lessons. You will learn how to be more aware of your vocal abilities, which is a great skill to have regardless of which acting path you’re taking.

If you have the money and the time, it’s always a good idea to take vocal training classes, even if you’re not auditioning for any musical roles and focus on film or TV, for example. This is why British actors are considered much better than, say, Americans – most of them gone through 3 years of voice classes as part of the drama school training.

8. Body and Movement Classes

Importance: Low

This is the exact same situation as it is with vocal classes that I’ve described above. What vocal classes do to your voice, body and movement classes will do to your body. You will become more aware of every limb you have. You will explore physicality of every part of your body that you are able to move.

While some classes may be called exactly that, most of these classes will not be labeled as “body and movement” and will have different names depending on which background they are based on. They will have something in the title to imply that it’s that type of training, however.

Furthermore, some acting schools can use specific techniques to improv actors’ movement techniques. For example, the most popular (and probably most useful) is the Alexander Technique, but occasionally it can be something as simple as yoga. These classes can be extremely useful to an actor for an overall skill set and becoming a more well-rounded performer.

9. Classical Acting Classes

Importance: Very low

Unlike the above two classes on voice and movement, this one is considered less useful to actors not in this area of performance. Unless you’re auditioning for a part in a Shakespearean play or you specifically have dedicated your acting career to stage, and you haven’t had drama school training, classical acting classes will not be of much use to you.

Just as you probably have suspected, these types of acting classes teach students of various historical and period acting techniques. They’re perfect to learn Shakespeare and how to do it right. They teach voice and movement techniques, reading Shakespeare and other classical literature, and how to perform it according to standards.

However, if this is your primary aim, training in drama school would be much more beneficial, as these classes are incomplete and usually not long enough to learn anything substantial. But again, if you have the time and money, and you’ve taken all other classes mentioned above, this may be something useful to explore to become a more well-rounded actor.

10. Voice-Over Classes

Importance: N/A (case by case basis)

Voice-over classes aren’t the same as vocal classes. We’ve talked a lot about voice-over acting career on this website before – it’s a great path an actor can try when all the other options are slow to pick up, or if it’s something you’re passionate about. However, voice over acting is completely different from film/TV/stage acting, and is normally considered as a different career.

Voice over classes are only necessary for actors who want to specialize in voice overs; for everybody else, they’re pretty much useless and you better off spending your time elsewhere.

Voice over acting class will teach you all the technical skills you need to have to become a voice-over actor, and there are a lot to learn. Many actors falsely assume that voice over acting is easy and there’s not much to know, but the opposite is true. So if that’s the career you’re after, voice over classes should be first on your list.

For everybody else, it’s better you spend your time and money on any of the above listed types of acting classes.

In conclusion

As you can see, there are many different acting class types. You can pick one or two to focus on what you need to work on at the time, spend a few months to a year studying in that class, and then switch to something else to continue improving as an actor.

There’s no question that technique or foundation acting classes listed as number one here are the most important ones for actors with no experience. Everything else can be extremely useful and generally recommended, but your technique is what makes you good.

What you must know is that some classes will run their course and you’ll be done with them. This also applies to your technique class – once you’ve learned everything you can, it’s generally good to look for something else to get out of your comfort zone and continue to improve.

There’s only one class that you should continue taking on an on-going basis, while keep switching and learning from every other class. That ongoing acting class is the scene study class – make sure you’re always, always in a scene study class (it’s better if it’s on-camera). These classes are cheaper and they will keep you on your toes, always improving.

READ NEXT: Online Acting Classes – Are They Worth It?

The post 10 Types of Acting Classes (and what you must know about them) appeared first on Acting in London.

While talent agents are know as gatekeepers into the industry for actors, casting directors (CDs) are the gates

On top of that, building good relationships with casting directors are one the key aspects to advancing in this industry. As it has been said many times before, especially for actors with no experience, it’s all about who you know and who knows you if you’re looking to climb the ladder in the entertainment business.

Today, we’ll talk about the top casting directors in London, list a whole 25 of them and I’ll give you links so you can keep this for your record.

Who are casting directors?

For the uninitiated actors, a casting director (often referred to in writing as “CD”) or a casting associate is a specialized person/role in productions such as film, theatre, TV show and so on. Casting directors are responsible for majority of the pre-production process of finding and casting the right talent – actors.

Depending on the size of the production and its needs, there may be only one casting director or several. Sometimes, top casting directors will have their own assistants who are responsible for casting smaller roles while main casting directors focus on lead and supporting actors.

Casting directors work either as freelancers on a per project basis, building their own relationships with directors and producers, or they are part of a casting agency, and are then assigned to the production upon request.

How do casting directors work?

A casting director (or casting agency) contacts a number of acting agencies, talent agents, managers, and in some cases, individual talent, submit those people for specific auditions on the production based on the talent needs of that specific production being cast. Smaller productions will use casting directors to also select actors from casting websites.

Casting directors will often select the talent they feel are most suitable for the job based on the talent’s marketing material. Here are the three main things a casting director will look at, ranked in the order of how they view them:

• Actor’s headshot – if the first impression is good, they will proceed to investigate this talent further.
• Actor’s show/demo reel – if the demo reel is available and the CD likes it, an audition may already be locked in.
• Actor’s CV/resume – while credits and training is important, it’s the last thing that a CD will look at.

After this actor review process is done by the casting director, then they contact the actor’s agent, manager or the actor directly to schedule them and hold auditions. There may be several rounds of auditions, depending on the size of the production and the role being audition for.

The success of getting cast in the role will depend on getting the CD’s attention in the first place through your demo reel, headshots, acting credits and good acting training. But it all comes down to giving a solid audition that blows them away.

While casting directors often have the power to make a decision on who’s getting cast for the film or theatre play, the final call – especially for important lead and supporting roles – comes down to the director and/or producers.

Casting directors play a huge role in the industry and knowing who they are is important for actors, mostly because it should be your goal to build good relationships with them. With all that being said, here’s the selection of the best known top casting directors in London (in no particular order, so disregard the numbers).

26 Top Casting Directors in London

1. Amy Ball

Amy has been the head of the Royal Court Casting since 2007. She has cast for over 30 main productions. To find out more about Amy Ball and the work she does at the Royal Court regarding casting visit:

• https://royalcourttheatre.com/about/whos-who/
• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/amy-3/

2. Andrea Clark

Andrea Clark casting was founded in 2006 and Andrea and has cast roles for major commercials for company’s including T-Mobile, John Lewis and McDonalds. She has cast in numerous television shows including Trial and Retribution and She also cast roles in the films Dog Soldiers, Keeping Mum and Hellboy to name just a few.

• http://aclarkcasting.com/

3. Angela Grosvenor

Angela is well known for her casting work in television. She has cast roles in The Bill, The Worst Witch and My Parents are Aliens to name but a few.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/angela/
• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0343796/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/angela-grosvenor
• http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/noticeboard/6241/screen-acting-with-casting-director-tv-actress-and-coach

4. Briony Barnett Casting

Briony works in casting mainly for theatre and film. Some of her casting work for theatre includes the plays Handbagged’, the Olivier nominated ‘The House That Will Not Stand’ and ’A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes’ starring Lucian Msamati. She also cast for Paul Andrew Williams’ highly acclaimed debut play ‘Ticking’. She has also cast for films such as The Knot, Common People and Final Prayer.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/briony/
• http://www.unitedagents.co.uk/briony-barnett

5. Candid Casting

Amanda Tabak of Candid Casting has worked extensively casting roles in Urban Drama, Commercials and music videos as well as some film. Her credits include The Honeytrap, The Children, Specsavers adverts to name but a few. She has cast a host of talent including Heather Graham, Martin Freeman and Nick Blood.

• http://www.candidcasting.co.uk/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/candid-casting

6. Capataz Casting

Capataz casting are a group of casting directors working in TV, film and commercials. The team have cast roles for a host of well-known multinational commercials for companies like Carlsburg, Skoda and Nutella. They have also worked with a host of directors such as Chris Palmer and Michael Gondry.

• www.capatazcasting.com
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/capataz-casting

7. Carl Proctor Casting

Carl Proctor Casting have cast actors for films such as Blood Creek and Son of God. They also cast for theatre, TV and commercials.

• http://www.carlproctorcasting.com
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/carl-proctor-casting

8. Fruitcake Casting

Fruitcake casting agency cast actors in a host of industry areas including film, television, commercials, photographic, or A&R.

• http://fruitcakelondon.com/

9. Chris Snode Casting

Chris Snode is a world leading Sports Casting agency and have a range of awards for some of their commercials for companies such as iPhone, Adidas, Argos and Samsung.

• http://chrissnodecasting.com/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/chris-snode-casting

10. Crowley Poole Casting

Suzanne Crowley specializes in casting for theatre and film casting actors for films such as Urban Hymn and Chariots of Fire. She also cast for Spooks and White Queen to name but a few.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/suzanne/
• http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/profile/crowley-poole-casting
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crowley-Poole-Casting/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/crowley-poole-casting

11. Gail Stevens Casting

Gail Stevens has cast talent in films such as Slumdog Millionaire, Severance, Trainspotting and 28 Days Later plus many more famous films.

• http://www.gailstevenscasting.com/GSC/MAIN.html
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/gail-stevens-casting

12. Irene Cotton

Irene casts in theatre, film and commercials and has 100’s of credits to her name. Irene also offers free advice to actors and  you can find her advice by clicking this link.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/irene/
• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2459891/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/irene-cotton

13. Janis Jaffa

Janis Jaffa casts for TV and film shorts and her credits include the Mill and Meet the Magoons. Janis also took part in a ‘surviving actors’ seminar, in which she gave advice and ran an open question and answer seminar. You can read about that here.

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1805489/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/janis-jaffa

14. Jill Trevellick

Jill has been emmy nominated five times and she specialises in theatre and film. Her credits include Fish Tank and Vanity Fair.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/jill-2/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/jill-trevellick

15. Kate and Lou Casting

Kate and Lou have 1oo’s of castings under their belt, casting in a wide range of different areas.  Previous projects include Cusp, The Mute and City Lights.

• http://www.kateandloucasting.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/kateandlou/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/kate-and-lou-casting

16. Leila BertrandCDG

Leila specializes in film, TV, theatre and commercial work. Leila also runs various casting days’ workshops and showcases and you can find details of these via the links below.

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1059991/
• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/leila/
• http://www.castingdays.com/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/leila-bertrandcdg

17. Lucy Beavan Casting

Lucy’s most notable casting projects include Beauty & The Beast’ ‘Snowden’ ‘Cinderella’ ‘Maleficent’ ‘The Hundred Foot Journey’ ‘An Education’ ‘Quartet’ and ‘Casual Vacancy’. Lucy Bevan’s movie credits also include Pirates Of The Caribbean and she also gave Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston their first big-screen breaks. To read a recent interview in the Independent, click here.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/lucy-2/

18. Marilyn Johnson Casting

Marilyn Johnson has over 100 credits in film and television. She has cast roles for A Touch of Frost, The Woman in Black and Sugar Rush plus numerous others.

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0425736/?ref_=nv_sr_2
• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/marilyn/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/marilyn-johnson-casting

19. Maureen Duff

Maureen has worked in casting since 1992 and has cast actors in a wide range of roles in film and television. Her credits include Shine, The Flying Scotsman and The Habit of Beauty. She also worked on Calendar Girls and 28 Days Later alongside many other famous names.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/maureen/
• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0240400/?ref_=nv_sr_1
• http://www.shooting-stars.eu/en/CastingDirectors/21084/Maureen_Duff
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/maureen-duff

20. Nicky Bligh Casting

Nicky has worked as a casting director for the BBC, SKY, Channel 4, and Comedy Central. He has worked with many top production companies including Tiger Aspect, Hat Trick, Universal Films, and the BBC with some of the UK’s top comedy talent including Rebecca Front, Julia Davis, Jack Whitehall, Jeremy Dyson, Sharon Horgan and many more.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/nicky/

21. Nina Gold Casting

Nina is known for her casting work on Game of Thrones, Star Wars – The Force Awakens and Martian as well as many others. Nina also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. She also revealed in an interview recently that it is the casting directors that make all the big calls, not the directors. You can read about her and see some of her interviews in the links below.

• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002274/?ref_=nv_sr_1
• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/nina/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Gold
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/nina-gold-casting

22. Pipa Ailion

Casting includes roles for musicals, drama , TV , commercials ,pop promos, corporates. Pipa has also cast for 160 international productions including many for the west end.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/pippa/
• http://www.funnygirlthemusical.co.uk/creative/pippa-ailion-cdg-jim-arnold-cdg/

23. Sasha Robertson Casting

Sasha has cast roles for a host of films and TV. Her credits include Shifty, Harley and The Davidsons, The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo and her most recent casting work was for A United Kingdom.

• http://www.sasharobertson.com/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/sasha-robertson-casting

24. Suzy Korel Casting

Suzy specializes in theatre, film, T.V, commercial and corporate casting. She has worked in the industry for over 30 years and some of her work has been shortlisted for various nominations. She has cast roles for films such as A Reason to Leave, It’s a Wonderful Life and the TV sitcom Small Shoes.

• http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/suzy-2/
• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1097687/
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/suzy-korel-casting-cdg

25. Unconventional Productions

Unconventional Productions team of cast directors have cast roles in many famous commercials for companies such as Ceaser dog food, Holston Pils and Specsavers.

• http://www.unconventionalproductions.com/#/production/casting/1
• http://www.kftv.com/country/uk/profile/unconventional-productions

26. Chris Snode

Chris Snode (CDA) specializes in sports castings. He is London-based but casts throughout the UK and worldwide.

Chris is one of the longest-running and most experienced casting directors in the industry. He has cast and advised on many award-winning commercials over the last 30 years, including the Guinness/ AMV BBDO “Never Alone” commercial which won Gold in the 2016 Cannes Lions Awards.

After competing in the 1984 Olympics as a World Champion diver, Chris returned to the UK and founded Chris Snode Casting and built a reputation for casting exceptional sports commercials. In the early 90s, Chris began to develop a significant international network, giving him access to remarkable talent from the Americas to Asia enabling him to fulfil challenging briefs both locally and worldwide.

• http://www.chrissnodecasting.com

In conclusion

As you can see, there are many influential top casting directors in London. It’s good for actors to be aware of these people because these London casting directors are always on the lookout for new and fresh talent for the productions they’re working on.

I’m not suggesting you stalk these people or bother them on social media on a daily basis, but it would be well worth your effort to follow them on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and where else is possible. See what they are all up to in and around London.

For a complete list of all London and UK casting directors and those that work in casting business that are based in the London area specifically, please visit: http://www.thecdg.co.uk/members/

The post 26 Top Casting Directors in London Actors Should Know About appeared first on Acting in London.

If you have already moved to London to pursue acting,

As someone who’s been born and lived my whole life here in London, I take pride in knowing all the best street food places in London, where the artists gather and what’s cheap enough to eat for actors on a budget.

Street food has quickly become the trendiest way to eat in London, particularly in the last decade, and it won’t break the bank. Whether you’re on-the-go to an acting class, or dining in with your fellow thespians, or at a street food market looking for something tasty, it’s a great way to get sampling and often a cheap way to socialise with other industry folks.

RELATED: How to Eat Out in London on a Budget?

Best Street Food in London

Borough Market

It’s been a landmark of London trading for one thousand years! One of London’s most famous market places, Borough Market is not just traditional butcher, baker and green grocer. There are plenty of stalls to get your hands on some tasty street grub at lunchtime. Check out a full list here [http://boroughmarket.org.uk/lunchtime]

Here’s my favourite street food vendors at Borough Market.

Balkan Bites. They offer something a bit different serving up a fine array of traditional Israeli food using his grandmother’s recipes handed down through time. Not to be missed. Trading Monday – Saturday in Green Market area. To vist their restaurant in Croach End check out their website, they also do a great Sunday Bruch and it’s all vegetarian.

• http://www.balkanbites.com/

Gourmet Goat. Influenced by her Mediterranean roots growing up in Cyprus one part of the duo that run Gourmet Goat, Nadia prepares her delicious dishes with traditional flavours of the eastern med. Goat is also super sustainable and they sell a range of fresh cuts for you to try at home. Trading Weds-Sat in Green Market area. The souvlaki and kohlarabi salad served in a handy box comprises of chunks of marinated goat meat, with yogurt based dip and a tastytraditional salad. The perfect street food.

• http://www.gourmetgoat.co.uk/

Gujarati Rasoi. Another family affair, the Parvais’ mother and son duo bring us dishes that have been passed down through generations from the street food stalls of India. This is authenticity at its best. Tuck in to samosas and slurp down a lassi and if you’re feeling really greedy, tuck into a traditional thali. Trading Mon-Sat in Green Market area. If you love them, visit their restaurant in Dalston.

• http://www.gujaratirasoi.com/

To find out more about what’s going on at Borough Market, check out here.

Brixton Market

Brixton market is a bit special. As a community market, they pride themselves on giving back to the Brixton community and offer a diverse range of events. On weekdays, there’s always a food market, giving you a chance to sample some great food and there’s also Brixton Village Market  and Market road with permanent street-style restaurants. It’s just great here.

Round the corner there’s more and you could accurately say that the ‘real’ culture of Brixton can be found outside the newly renovated market spaces so head around the corners and into what I like to call ‘old’ Brixton to check out halal butchers and West Indian culture and then you really feel like you’re in a proper old-school style London.

To find your way around you can download the famous Brixton Market map (PDF).

Here’s my favourite street food at Brixton Market and around.

Inside the market:

Okan, for Japanese style pancakes, edamame beans and delicious fried noodles. Lots of veggie options too like the cheese, sweetcorn and ricecakes.

Homade thai food, situated on the corner inside the market this family owned and cooking using electric cookers all in front of your eyes in an open kitchen. Great classic dishes such as red and green Thai curries.

Honest Burger,  now with restaurants popping up across London, check out how this cool little burger joint serving fresh and honest produce (as well as gluten free buns) started.

Around the market:

Ultimate Jerk Centre, 397 Coldharbour Lane. This is Brixton streetfood at its most classic and at its best. Daily mini-meal deals for £2 and of course amazing jerk chicken, the daily queue speaks for itself.

Jeff the Chef, Brixton Station Road. I remember the first time I went to Brixton to check out the new food market for lunch. I got really lost and ended up in circles unable to find my way until I was lured by the BBQ smoke coming from Jeff’s, I didn’t even make it to the new market before I’d scoffed on this delicious jerk chicken. An absolute MUST.

Chinatown

Chinatown is arguably the original zone for street food in London with many rip-off joints close by around Leicester Square and Cambridge Circus, don’t be fooled by them, go straight to Chinatown and flock with the locals.

Here’s my favourite street food in China Town.

Baozi Inn, 25 Newport Court, WC2H 7JS. Sichuanese, western-Chinese street food for an authentic taste in a tidied-up venue decorated in Maoist style propaganda. For chilli-lovers try the noodles with ground pork and chilli oil and also try its namesake, the baozi, delicious and fluffy (cash only).

Café TPT, 21 Wardour Street, W1D 6PN. A tiny Chinatown staple that’s always packed. It’s one of the best places to get Chinese roast duck and their prawn dumpling noodle soup is a bargain.

Berwick Street Market

It’s doubtful you’ll find cheaper fare than at Berwick Street, dated back to 1778, it’s one of London’s oldest markets. To top it off it’s slap bang in the middle of Soho and you won’t find cheaper, tastier outdoor fare than this. What’s cool about this market is that the vendor roster changes regularly so there’s often something new to try as well as regular staples to hit your cravings.

Here’s my favourite street food at Berwick Market.

Jerusalem Falafel is one of the greatest falafel stalls selling massive, filling and tasty flatbread wraps.

Savage Salads is the best stop-off for fresh but filling tasty salads, especially in the Spring and Summer months when you don’t want stodge!

Freebird Burritos reminds me why I LOVE burritos. Their burritos are always consistent and their gauc is always fresh and flavoursome.

Tandoor do curries and wraps but I’d opt for the curries. Always fresh and delicious with good veggie options.

Best Street Food Events in London

There are always street food events going on in and around London so it’s good to keep an eye out. Check your trust TimeOut to keep in the loop but here’s a few of the coolest:

StreetFeast, London. Regular street food events held at various locations across London by Streetfest. All are free before 7pm and £3 after and all celebrate food, fun and socialising often with live music and going on way into the night! It’s the new way to get clubbed. My favourites from Streetfest are:

Dinerama, is held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Shoreditch. Don’t worry about the winter or the rain, it’s completely undercover. 5pm – midnight.

Hawker House, is an indoor night market at Canada Water set over two floors. There are 14 street food traders and 8 bars, so this is the spot for a party mentality. 5pm – midnight. Every fri/sat until 18/19 december. It’s free to enter before 7pm and £3 after.

Model Market, is held in Lewisham at an abandoned 1950s indoor market but it’s now been transformed to accommodate StreetFest., It will be returning in the Sprint 2016 from April-October, 5pm – 1am.

For more information check out here.

Best Street Food Vendors in London

Finally, here are my three favourite little street food vendors across London.

Hanoi Kitchen. Vietnamese with a European twist.

Check out Hanoi Kitchen for tasty Banh Mi, a Vietnamese inspired sandwich that’s street food-tastic! Follow them on Facebook to find out where they are and what they’re cooking!

The Bunnychow. Takeaway street food on 74 Wardour Street.

Check out the ‘bunny’ – gorgeous artisan rolls with little ‘pit’s dug into them and filled with sumptuous fillings such as the most innovative breakfast in the UK, the Full English Bunny. Fill your face! Follow them on Facebook for their latest news.

Snackistan Café. It’s at Persepolis, 20-80 Peckham High Street, SE15 5DT.

Tiny little café inside a Persian deliin Peckham is excellent value for money serving a selection of meze and sumptuous puddings, the Turkish delight sundae is a total winner!

READ NEXT: 6 Best Places for Doing Yoga in London

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When it comes to advice for actors

Hopefully, you have enough emotional maturity to grasp that the “agents” being referred to are not the ones running around in The Avengers or Men In Black (although, admittedly, talented acting agents do sometimes sneak beyond the frontier of enemy lines to get you a desired role).

This article is aimed at clearing up the mystical air that agents for actors have surrounding them like wispy smoke, by explaining what they do, and why you should/shouldn’t get an agent. For more on this topic, I recommend you also read the following articles:

• 7 Tips on How to NOT Get an Acting Agent
• What Are Agents Looking for in Actors & How to Get Signed?
• How to Approach Agents and Make a Good Impression?
• How to Write a Cover Letter to Your Agent

To find the best talent agencies in London for actors, look here: Top 10 Best Acting Agencies in London

Who Are Agents for Actors?

So, who talent agents are?

Talent agents, acting agents, or “agents for actors” are the people who make sure that instead of staring at directors and actors through a misted studio glass door, one eye on them and one ear pressed to the cold glass, you’re actually in the studio giving it your all in an audition.

Talent agents juggle several different tasks for you, including legal representation (e.g. when signing a contract), plus introducing you to other people in the business. This latter part is of particular importance, as in the acting industry, knowledge is king, and experience is something most established agents have in abundance.

READ ALSO: Acting for Beginners 101 – The Ultimate Guide

Why do you need an agent?

1. They charge commission

Commission is a percentage fee deducted from your earnings.

In a career where the costs easily can get out of hand – acting classes, union fees, you name it – this means more than you might initially think. Usually, the fee goes at about 10%, give or take, which in the bigger picture can be seen as a lesser sacrifice.

2. They get you places

Can you count all the directors and screenwriters you know (Internet stalking doesn’t count)? Yes? Do you know more of them than you have fingers on your hands? Probably not. But a good agent does. They’ve got their hands in the cookie jar, so to speak.

One slight problem with these wonderful Cookie Monster-like creatures, is that they tend to swarm around similar cookie hotspots, like London and Los Angeles. If you live outside the US or the UK, finding an agent may be more or less difficult, but in the UK and the US at least, this can mean you needing to consider moving.

You need to ask yourself critically and honestly if you’re prepared to make this kind of sacrifice, as this is the point where searching for an agent can end up costing you.

Why shouldn’t you have an agent?

1. An agent will not manage you

Make no mistake, the word “agent” does not come defined in any dictionary as a form of certified babysitter. Agents often (and should, if they’re good at their job) have multiple clients, and thus they do not serve as your secretary.

If you’re looking for someone to attend more closely to your needs as an actor, then you’re actually on the hunt for a manager, and that’s a completely different story.

2. They need to need you to want you

Because agents charge their clients commission instead of upfront fees, every time they sign with an actor, they’re taking a risk. This fact doesn’t go unnoticed in their process for selecting clientele. Make sure that you’re well researched on what a certain agent or agency is looking for, and take a look at the paragraphs below for basic tips for getting an agent.

3. They do not get you places

There are no guarantees when hiring an agent, but then again, this probably isn’t news to you, as you’ve signed up for the least guaranteed career choice of all. Fret not; this doesn’t mean that when you select an agent, you’re in for a gamble which will bankrupt you.

Instead, view it as an investment, in the sense that it can promote your career, but still needs careful consideration. Also, you need to recall that when hiring an agent, you’re still required to work equally as hard as before at trying to get contacts and auditions. Perhaps more or equally significant, is the fact that an agent cannot improve your actual acting. That part’s all yours, I’m afraid.

What qualities should I be on lookout for in acting agents?

Agents come in almost as many shapes and sizes that actors do. This means that they can have worked as actors themselves previously, or maybe they studied subjects at university which makes them qualified to work with both the marketing and legal aspects of an agent’s job.

Either way, it can be difficult to determine the professionality of an agent, but there are some key things to look out for, including the following:

• Price: The agent should not demand an upfront fee. This is an absolute no no. Plus, the agent should not stray that far from the 10% commission fee.

• Sign with a franchised agent: Unfortunately, there’s no such thing in the UK, but if you’re in the US – SAG-AFTRA’s franchised agents are agents who have signed to follow specific rules, which serve as a form of protection. Check out SAG-AFTRA’s website at http://www.sagaftra.org/ for more info on how signing with franchised agents can provide a guarantee.

• Professionality: Since being an agent is essentially a marketing job, the professionality of an agency’s website or social media page serves as a quality stamp. If the website isn’t organized, attractive, and helpful, then what are the chances that the agent will be?

Here’s a great resource: How to Get an Agent – The Ultimate Guide for Actors (this is by far the best article out there on talent agents, what they do, and how to get one).

How do I get an agent?

Think of getting an agent like applying to a job. You’re going to need to be armed with a résumé, professional headshot, website or blog about your acting, and recommendations which you can hoist as your shield when you go to meet a potential agent.

There are several ways of going about getting an agent. The old technique of “knowing-someone-who-knows-someone-who-shook-hands-with-someone-important” is one of the necessary ingredients to a successful agent hookup, but there are other methods.

For example, you can search for them on the Internet (but keep in mind that you will need to meet the agent in real life at some point). Go to the above link on “How to Get an Agent) to find agents in nations like India and the USA.

Once you’ve found an acting agency, then it’s time for the difficult part: initiating contact. Remember to address the agent you’re writing to by their name, as referring to them by their agency makes the letter sound depersonalized and also makes it sound like you haven’t done your research.

Probably someone’s already told you this, but the acting business is a place unlike any other where first impressions can either build you or burn you. Even if you haven’t gotten a reply after approximately a month, it can be good to send a follow up letter, as this makes you appear more invested.

READ NEXT: What Is Equity? All About the British Actors Union in the UK

The post Who Are Agents for Actors and Why You Need One? appeared first on Acting in London.

You moved to London to pursue your acting goals

We’ve created a quick list of thirty things to do in your first 30 days in London. You can stretch them out, but this should give you a good idea of how to get settled in the city and begin working towards your goals.

I also recommend reading the following articles:

• 5 Things You’ll Need To Do Before Moving to London
• How to Live Cheap in London on £40 a Day
• 9 Best Neighborhoods in London for Actors
• 20 Tips on Living in London (From Londoners to Newcomers)
• How to Be an Actor in London: The Daily Grind

30 Things To Do in Your First 30 Days in London

1. Travel like a Londonder.

Take time and the bus from the airport into central London, not the train. It’ll be twice as long, but half the cost and ten times more pleasant. More importantly, it will give you some flavour of your new home.

2. The immediate priority will be to find a home.

Sensible you will have already done on-line research; if really sensible, you’ll also have arranged viewings of prospective flats (apartments) or flat-shares for the first days after arrival.

3. Buy an Oyster stored-value card.

It provides contactless access to the Underground rail (the ‘tube’) and bus networks at a big discount. You can also get an Oyster app for your mobile ‘phone (cellphone). Both are available at: https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do

4. There are other ways to get around. 

For shorter journeys, get an access key for ‘Boris bikes’, the self-service public bicycles introduced by Mayor Boris Johnson and available at over 700 locations across London. They’re perfect for sight-seeing and acclimatisation, as well as for keeping fit. More details here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles

5. Find your way to the nearest supermarket.

Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s are the leading national chains and offer better value than local shops and small chains. Get a loyalty card from the one you like, use it every time you shop there, and save even more.

6. Locate the pubs near your new home.

They are quite unlike American bars, more like social centres. Many offer quiz-nights, live entertainment, big-screen sports viewing, and other distractions. If applicable, take your new flat-mates to your ‘local’ for a bonding round of drinks as soon as possible.

7. Register with the local library.

It not only lends out any books you might like or need, but is also a quiet, warm, and comfortable place to work, do research, or learn a part you may have won. Wi-fi access is available, free.

8. Check what other cards you can take advantage of.

For example, if you’re under 31 and registered with a drama school, get an International Student Identity Card. You’ll get big discounts on travel, tickets for events, and many more items, including Council Tax, the local-government levy paid by every resident. You can apply here: https://www.myisic.co.uk/isic-online-application/

9. Open a sterling bank account.

You might be able to do this with the London office of a US bank, but that won’t offer the same benefits as signing up with a UK provider. Do some on-line research to find the most appealing. If you’re a drama student, you can get special terms and services.

10. Now that you’re settled, see the sights.

London is a world-class tourist destination, so you’ll have no problem – apart from the crowds – in finding the popular places: Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Camden Market, Portobello Road, Petticoat Lane, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, and so forth. I’d like to suggest others, more esoteric, less frequented.

11. Start by finding your nearest street-market.

Most London boroughs, even in central areas, have at least one. The best are entertaining as well as being cheap sources of fresh food, clothes, and just stuff.

12. Don’t get stuck – explore.

If none can be found locally, try Shepherd’s Bush Market for an eyeful of amusing tat and a multi-cultural experience. On a grander scale, there’s Borough Market, although it’s now getting on to the tourist trail.

13. Spend a sunny afternoon in one of London’s many parks.

All are free to use. There are the famous ones – Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park – but most boroughs have something green and spacious that’s non-touristy and reflects the locale. Take a book or simply enjoy, as the Small Faces sang in Itchycoo Park (actually, Little Ilford Park, in north-east London), resting your eyes in shades of green.

14. Go to the theatre, using your student card to get a discount.

London is the world’s home of theatre and every variety of venue and production is readily available. However, get away from the obvious West End places and check out the Tabard, situated over a pub of the same name in Chiswick, west London. Get the details at: http://www.tabardweb.co.uk

15. Remember to explore your industry.

To see how American enterprise has expanded London’s theatre experience, visit the Shakespeare Globe, a replica of an Elizabethan-era wooden theatre, founded by US director, Sam Wanamaker. See: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com

15. Do what other Londonders do.

Register with Time Out’s website: http://www.timeout.com/london. It has details of just about every event of any kind in London.

16. Visit the Troubadour in Earl’s Court.

It’s a renowned live-music spot for more than 60 years and the inspiration for Doug Weston’s eponymous West Hollywood venue. Many of the greats have played there at some point in their early career; some still come in, unannounced, to jam after a London gig.

It does good meals, too, and its informal seating encourages mingling and meeting. Book a table at: https://troubadour.co.uk or just turn up for a coffee or a glass of wine at any time, day or night.

18. Or try other options.

If your taste runs more to jazz (with latin and R&B also in the mix), visit the 606 Club for a meal and a performance. It, too, has a long history, albeit in different locations, but it’s for night-owls only. Go to: http://www.606club.co.uk

19. Go to the church of your choice.

I don’t mean for worship (but you might want to do that, too), but for the beauty of it. Everyone knows Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral, but you’ll pay at least £16 ($25) to enter them.

There’s more charm in visiting some of the 50 churches designed by Sir Christopher Wren to replace those destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. There’s also the pleasure of having them pretty much to yourself for the cost of a small donation.

Look for those little affected by later modifications, such as St Margaret Pattens or St Stephen’s Walbrook, although the latter does have a (beautifully) rearranged interior layout, with an altar by Henry Moore.

20. Be a real tourist.

Take a river cruise on the Thames (pronounced ‘tems’), a relaxed way to view the city’s skyline and waterfront at reasonable cost. I like the one that starts at Tower Pier, close to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge – three attractions for £16.20 ($25.50). See: http://www.citycruises.com/city-cruises-sightseeing-prices-timetable.aspx

21. Join a demo.

If you’re to be a true drama student, you should march with others in London for a good cause. Big or small, there’s a chance at least one will suit your particular brand of outrage during your first 30 days.

22. Give something back.

Try joining a local charitable organisation that provides outreach services to London’s homeless, impoverished, or otherwise disadvantaged.

Alternatively, help your career and give something back by volunteering at The London Theatre Workshop: http://londontheatreworkshop.co.uk/category/get-involved/

23. Go window-shopping.

Try Oxford Street, Regent Street, and among the bespoke establishments of Savile Row and St James’s Street. Marvel at the consumerist wonders – often unique – of what Napoleon called ‘a nation of shopkeepers’.

24. Expand your worldview. 

If you’re a petrolhead (gearhead) and your first 30 days include August, take an evening stroll along Brompton Road, Sloane Avenue, and adjoining streets. Watch Middle Eastern playboys showing off in new Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Koenigseggs, and the like. It’s a free motor show, but with moving, full-throttle, exhibits.

25. Visit a stately home.

England is famous for its grand country houses, but London also has them. Here’s a selection. Most are now museums, but not all. My favourite is Ham House, an unspoiled gem in Richmond.

26. Try local food.

There are jellied eels, fish and chips, tripe and onions, roast beef, pie and mash, and, of course, afternoon tea. Go to: http://www.eatinglondontours.co.uk/blog/traditional-british-food-london-restaurants/

27. Visit a London museum.

There are, literally, hundreds, from the national and comprehensive to the minuscule and esoteric. Several big ones offer free entry to their permanent exhibits; many also have pleasant, affordable, cafés. This is a good list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_London

28. How about some sports?

London is crazy about football (soccer). Catch a game at one of the many clubs in London, from Premier Division to non-League. Here’s a full list: http://www.myfootygrounds.co.uk/AreaMap.asp?view=LONDON

If that gives you the football bug, get your flat-mates and friends together for a game in Hyde Park. It’s free but you must book ahead.

29. Go clubbing.

London is one of the epicenters for good nighttime clubbing. And even though the club dance scene has tailed off in recent years, you can still have a ‘massive’ night if you know where you look: http://www.ilovethenest.com

30. Just wander.

London is immensely varied and walk-friendly. Take a long walk wherever your instincts point your feet and soak it all in.

Bonus:

31. Finally, get out of town!

Use your student card to book a coach (long-distance bus) day-trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace. It takes just two hours to get there and a return (round-trip) ticket costs about £10 ($15).

READ NEXT: Why American Actors are Moving to London?

The post 30 Things To Do in Your First 30 Days in London appeared first on Acting in London.

Joining an acting class is the very first step towards building a career as an actor

It’s important to pick an acting class that’s right for you and your goals. Be sure that you’re learning the good stuff and not acquiring any new bad habits which will be difficult to remove later. Ensure that you click with the teacher and understand what you’re taught.

If you’re in London (or moving here), and need help finding the best acting classes, drama clubs, drama schools and other acting communities, I recommend you take a look at London Acting Training Directory which has everything regarding actor training that London has to offer.

It’s exciting once you have picked your acting class and are getting ready to attend your first session. On the other hand, you may also feel a little overwhelmed and not know what to expect from your first class. Not to worry, because virtually every new aspiring actor feels the same about their first acting class.

Below, you’ll find some advice and tips on how to make sure you are fully prepared for your very first acting class, and know a little bit about what to expect out of it.

READ ALSO: 10 Different Types of Acting Classes

16 Ways To Prepare For Your First Acting Class

1. Stop imagining the worst-case scenario

The first thing to do is to prepare yourself mentally and this means overcoming those nagging doubts, worries and worst case scenario images that you will probably be imagining.

Your first acting class is your first step to achieving your goals – to become a better actor, to learn new acting skills or to gain more confidence in your own abilities. We all tend to imagine the worst when we are trying something different so don’t allow your fears to take over.

Stay positive and think positive. Tell yourself you will enjoy your first acting class and it will be a great experience.

2. Familiarize yourself with drama games

Even if you have studied acting at school or have taken part in drama games before it is always better to familiarize yourself with them again.

Most acting classes use drama games as a way to enhance actor’s focus and concentration and encourage creativity. They are often great fun. Here is a link to give you some ideas of drama games that are often used in an acting class.

READ THIS: 15 Games & Exercises to Improve Acting Skills

3. Be prepared to learn breathing and relaxation techniques

Most drama classes begin with warm up exercises that involve working on your breathing so you learn to take in a lot of air and use it to its full potential for example. Breathing exercises also help to control anxiety, which is a must for an actor.

Muscle stretching exercises eliminate tension form the body which allows looser movement and will help you familiarize yourself with your body. Trying some of these exercises at home before you attend you your first class will help you get used to them and help to prevent you from feeling awkward.

4. Familiarize yourself with the teacher/school/other students beforehand

If it’s possible, it can be a good idea to meet your teacher prior to your first acting class or visit the drama school beforehand to get familiar with the surroundings.

People tend to feel more comfortable in surroundings that they have been in before and knowing what room you will be in or meeting your teacher for a few minutes before your first class will put you at ease.

5. Be prepared to try new things

Becoming a good actor relies on using your knowledge of emotions and experience to portray them realistically. Therefore, it is important that you have experienced feeling uncomfortable, angry or sad.

Sometimes you may be asked to take part in an activity that you are not sure about, or have never attempted before, but this is a vital part of becoming a good actor. If you are mentally prepared to take on any new challenges you are faced with you are likely to just get on with it and see what happens.

6. Get comfortable with showing others your skills

Many people think that actors are full of self-confidence, however this is not always the case. Many actors can be quite shy and sometimes even struggle to perform in front of others. Overcoming these feelings is all part of learning how to become a good actor and there are things you can do before a class to help you.

Perhaps you could read a monologue aloud to a friend or family member that you trust, or even recite some dialogue with some movement from a favourite movie scene? Little things like this can help you get used to ‘performing’ in front of others and may lessen your anxiety if you are asked to do this during your first class.

7. Be prepared to work in a group or individually

Teamwork is an essential part of acting and even if your first class is a private lesson with your teacher you will probably have to carry out activities with her.

Many people are more comfortable working and learning alone while others prefer to be in a larger group, so preparing yourself with the idea that group work and individual work might be required will mean you are ready to try any activity asked of you.

8. Be ready to express your emotions

You may be asked to take part in a role play activity that will require you to draw on your own feelings or experiences of a situation.

Sometimes during role play an actor can get so involved in the scenario that they display real anger or even cry. This is absolutely fine and shows an ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes. So, don’t think you can’t express any real emotions during your class, you can.

9. Be prepared to make mistakes

Making mistakes is an integral part of the learning process and it’s expected. If you always expect to do everything perfectly all the time you will end up feeling like you have failed and that will take away anything positive.

Be ready to make mistakes and don’t worry about it. You will learn what not to do the next time.

10. Familiarize yourself with improvisation

Improvisation is a well-known and well used drama technique and it’s an activity that you might be asked to do during your first class.

Get familiar with what improvisation is and what you can learn from it.

READ: Improvisation Training for Actors

11. Become as comfortable as possible with your own voice

Your voice is an essential tool and over the course of your acting classes you will learn how to use it well. Even during your first acting class it is very likely you will be speaking and there are a few things you can do at home to help you with this.

Record yourself saying something, then play it back. Try the same again speaking in another tone or accent. This will help you get used to projecting your voice and prevent you from feeling embarrassed about speaking clearly during your first class.

12. Practise talking to yourself in front of a mirror

This simple exercise can be done whenever you have the time and it will help build upon your confidence and ensure that you do not feel self-conscious about speaking aloud in a group or on a one to one with your teacher.

13. Remember why you signed up for acting classes

First time nerves can sometimes take away the enjoyment if you let it, so every time a niggle of doubt or worry about attending your first acting class, remind yourself why you want to go and what you hope to achieve at the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6URUyeDFZT0

14. Plan what to wear beforehand

Feeling comfortable in the clothes you wear to your class is very important.

Some students prefer to wear gym clothes to a class so they can move freely, whereas others wear their regular clothes. Think about what you will feel more comfortable in before the day and that will take away a last-minute panic.

15. Don’t panic and tell yourself you will have fun

Lastly, try not to panic. Many students report that after they have attended their first class they realised they were worrying about nothing. It’s important that you are learning new skills and techniques but it’s just as important to have fun as well.

READ NEXT: Online Acting Classes – Are They Worth It?

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