There is a big difference between no credits and no experience. It's important to capitalise on your strengths. Don't let someone undermine you because you have no credits. Highlight what you do have going for you. Whether that great training, a great ability or a great look.

Watch a lot of films and TV shows. Analyse your favourite scenes and what choices the actors make. Record your own performance and watch it back.

Research your favourite actor / the actors who's career you'd like to emulate. What training they had, which agent they have, how their careers progressing etc.

Sign up to a Supporting Artist website (for the experience). Casting Directors might see something in you and put you forward for a bigger roll. Most agents won't mind if you do SA work as well, as long as you're upfront with them. Some of the best SA agencies are, Alessi Harrington casting, Casting collective, Impact casting, Phoenix casting, SG casting (sign up for their mailing list) and Uni - versal extras.

Enrol in as many workshops / acting classes as possible. A perfect one is IAMPro which does online acting classes, that'll you be sble to fit in with every day life.

Sign up for IMDBpro and Spotlight. Follow Casting Diectors and as many industry pros as possible on Instagram.

Have an idea what you want to do, adverts, Film, Theatre, TV or voice over acting. Don't limit yourself to only one genre, try everything that comes your way. Step out of your comfort zone.

To all the Dads, Step Dads, Bonus Dads, Dads - To - Be, Father figures and Pet Dads...

Happy Father's day 💙

● Be prepared - know your lines and your cues

● Listen and take direction

● Respect everyone

● Be easy to work with

is the process of planning and rehearsing where and how actors move on stage during a scene or musical number.

It includes:

• Where actors stand

• When and how they move

• Gestures, posture spacing

The director usually gives the blocking during early rehearsals and the stage manager records it in the script

Understudy;

is a cast member who us responsible for learning the role of a principal (lead) character and steps in when the main actor is unable to preform - due to illness or injury or time off.

Unlike a swing (who covers ensemble tracks), an understudy usually:

• Performs in the ensemble regularly

• Is ready to jump into the lead role if needed

Swing;

is a performer who doesn't regularly appear on stage each night in the same role but instead is trained to cover multiple ensemble roles - often several !!

Each of these roles is called a 'track ' (meaning a specific ensemble number's cheography, lines, costume changes etc.).

So if someone in the ensemble is sick, injured, or away the Swing jumps in sometimes with only hours' notice and performs that track.

The Rehearsal;

A tech rehearsal is when all the technical elements of a production are added for the first time.

This includes: Lightning Cues, Sound Effects and Microphones, Costumes, Props and Set Changes, Scene Transitions.

It's often the longest and most detailed rehearsal in the entire process.

Sitzprobe;

is a special rehearsal in musical theatre where the cast and orchestra rehearse together for the first time - but without staging or movement.

Why it's important;

• The cast finally sings with the live orchestra (instead of piano tracks).

• The music director adjusts tempos, balances and cues.

• It helps everyone sync musically before adding technical elements like blocking and lights.

Quick change;

is when a performer has to completely change costumes (sometimes hair, shoes, even makeup) in a very short amount of time - often under 60 seconds, sometimes just 10 - 15 seconds!

These changes usually happen:

• Backstage or in the wings

• With the help of a dresser or wardrobe crew

Getting started on your way to Spotlight membership...

Becoming a Spotlight member gives you access to the best acting work out there, as it is used daily by the biggest names in casting. If you've keen to join, but are having difficulty gaining the required experience, here's some ideas that might help you on your way.

1. Start with a great headshot;

Having quality headshots is a vital first step. Your headshot is your first impression for a potential job, so it's important that it is professionally taking to give yourself the best possible chance.

2. Brush up on your auditions skills;

Auditions are nerve - wracking to the best in the business, so there's always room to grow and get more comfortable with them - if you've managed to land a audition, make the most of your shot in front of the casting director.

3. Write or direct your own material;

Creating your own work can be a great way to get the ball rolling to help secure your first professional paid credit. It can be a lot of work to write, direct and star in your own work but if there isn't much work coming your way, making your own work can be a great idea for getting started. Get in touch with local theatre schools or local schools to get involved in student films. Equity (actors union) recommends you get a contract when working on any film, you could receive payment retrospectively if the film becomes successful.

4. Consider professional training;

If you prefer to take the training route. Weigh up the pros and cons of taking training professionally or getting stuck straight into the industry, (remember acting classes are just as good as drama schools, and cheaper).

5. Look for a variety of work;

This can now include voice over work. Approaching small theatre companies is another great way of getting your foot in the door, and being involved in your community is vital for any up and coming actor.

6. Be patient and persevere;

Rebound from rejection is so important because if you allow rejection to knock you down, it's such a hard road. Rejection just needs to become part of something that you deal with and learn from and not be wallowing in self - pity. Also, you know it's important to maintain a sort of level playing field for yourself because if you believe your own hype and you wallow in the criticisms and rejections, it's so exhausting. Just do your thing and don't ride the wave of emotions. Don't let yourself fall like that. Protect yourself.

2. Protect your energy;

After all, it's only you that can do that. You've got to look out for yourself. You have to be able to pace yourself, because everyone wants you to do something --- everyone wants you to do everything --- which is great and you want to do everything to the best of your ability. But also, it's knowing that it is only you who's responsible for giving a good performance night after night, so the thousands and hundreds of things that you get asked to do, do what you can but also protect your own energy. Only you have to make it to the end of the week. So you have to say "You know what, I actually can't do that," and that's OK. Know that's OK to say.

3. Commit for the long hall;

"Commit for the long hall" is a really good one because this is a career that you want to do forever, and sometimes you have to make decisions that actually will give you longevity. Right now you might take a job that feels like 1/5 of the money of another job, which --- in the now --- might seem like a crazy "why would I do that" thing, but actually sometimes those decisions pay off in the long run. Maybe because they're artistically interesting decisions. (It's easier said than done because we've all got to pay our bills). It's also self - discipline, and goes back to protecting your engery. You have to do the show, eight shows a week for a year, potentially.

Happy Easter x 🐇 🍫 🐣

1. Don't forget the audience;

Think of the audience as your reading partner. Make sure they can see, hear and understand you.

2. Act with the voice AND the body;

How does your character stand, walk, gesture ? What kind of character does the audience see ?

3. Pay attention to your voice;

Be aware of your diction , articulation and volume. All three are necessary in the theatre!

4. Stay in character;

Even if you forget your lines or get horrible stage fright, stay In character. If you're always in character the audience will never know there's something wrong.

5. You are NEVER invisible;

Headshot and CV; having a decent headshot as your cover with your CV on the back of it shows Casting Directors the type of actor you are

To all the Mums, Step - Mums, Bonus Mums, Mums - To - Be, Mother Figures and Pet Mums...

Happy Mother's day ❤️

1. Working 'normal' jobs to pay your bills

2. Having time to relax after working hard all day

Happy International Women's day 💖