Those of you up north

[tykeylady]

I'm hoping there are more northerners on here who can relate to what I'm saying. We get phone calls at silly times telling us to be in London and it's just not doable. Are others in the same position and if so how do you manage it? We got one yesterday morning to be in London for later that day. There was no way we could do it and I'm utterly gutted as DS was 'pencilled in' and heavily too whatever that means.
Other than buying a helicopter I don't know what the options are. Is it always the case that castings are in London cos it is now costing me a small fortune.
Has anybody got any words of wisdom or just hugs cos I'm so disappointed about yesterday,
Vx

[Irishdancer]

We live near London and at times have not been able to go to recalls and still got the job and we where in Ireland whe ds got recall for EastEnders so thought that was it got a call a few days later to say the ds had been booked ds could not go to recall for Tommy Zoom they changed the day for us then for 2nd recall to meet the dog could not make that they changed that for us as well so dont give up hope if the company liked him and he was 1st chose he will still get it with out recall. If i really c an not make a recall I do not worry any more as I no if its ds they want he will get it.

[Panda]

Sorry, just a big hug, we are in the same position. Would say talk to your agent if you can and explain the situation. We decide now on going to castings purely on either (usually) amount of money paid, who is casting it (i.e. a good one to be seen by) or thirdly just if it sounds fun and something you would do just for the enjoyment. We have had good jobs but then also it seems more and more these days that tvc's have recalls as well so even more cost. We did a tvc in London and it was great but wardrobe was one day, rehearsal 3 days later and shoot 2 days later so either means loads of time off school or paying to stay over in London, both not attractive options.

I think being realistic you have to realise that Northern kids will never have the opportunites the Southern children have, whether this will be slightly better when BBC children/drama move North not sure, unless CD's move up North will still be trips to the big smoke

So, a big hug, look on the bright side, some people would love just to be offered a casting and think what money you are plowing into the Economy thru train fares and what damage you are doing to your liver drinking train tea

[tykeylady]

Thanks both, this is still all so new to us and I'm learning all the time. I think I need to take a chill pill over it all. I'm not stressed in that I'm pushy stressed, I'm stressed in that I want to get there etc but keep finding I can't. It is so reassuring to hear what you have both said. I didn't know the BBC were moving that dept up north so that has made my day, thank you.
I think I need to be more selective too over what we go for. At the moment cos it is all new I was taking him to them all but this just isn't possible now with the number of castings he is getting, roughly 2 a week for the last month and mainly in London. I know I was having a big moan but looking on the positives, aside from the tea lol - DS is so much more confident now and I can see him growing in maturity too, it's wonderful to see,
Vx

[Panda]

I'll go shares in the Helicopter with you xxx

[smg]

I too am in a similar situation, although with no agent am just scouting for auditions for my ds, nothing around if you can't drop everything and go to London.....

[wissymo]

how far up north are you??
we are in telford but have a really good train link from stafford and if you get a railcard it brings the cost
down a bit!
it is still hard when you have more than 1 casting a week though. my ds had a very busy time for the 1st month
and then was quiet for a while and now its picked up again!!

[geordiegirl]

We just moved abroad and now my son goes on tape for auditions. With a flip camera its really easy to do and upload to agent/casting director. If you get a recall to meet director then I guess you have to factor in whether its worth the cost of the travel. Very occasionally - if they really like you - travel and accommodation will be paid for although that is pretty rare.
For all those outside of an easy commute to London I suggest chatting with your agent about self taping.

[titania]

In fairness Geordiegirl your ds has a big agent and already has some big credits so being able to submit video is easier than if you are just starting out.

[fame]

Hi i am based in Derbyshire and do find it hard sometimes to get to London, Tranis are no good for me as i would have to pay for two children as i cant always get a babysitter. I use to get casting though all the time for London, and had to always say no to them. I have now told the agency's that i dont want any casting/audtions for London, but will go down if it is for a job for them which would be though there head/sound/audio that the agent got of them both, anything in the North i am find for. I find that i myself was getting a bit down with it all at the time and now it is lot better as i know if i go to London i dont have alot of other people there who is audtion for the same job. So maybe that is one way you can try.

[smg]

I'm from county Durham - Really got my fingers crossed on the news of BBC studios being a little closer, but I work full time and find that if a London trip is required it means, like you said taking 2 Days off for both me and my ds, aswell as the expense of an overnight stay of course!!

[geordiegirl]

I still think it doesnt harm to ask agents about self taping. I`m sure most would be up for it if the alternative was not to attend the audition at all. All they have to do is forward the link electronically to CD. DS has had some good luck but he started out in Czech Republic and we had to self tape most of the time anyway. In those days the reel of tape had to be fedexed to UK, nowadays its so much simpler and the only cost is the price of the camera.
Of course its not the same as the experience and buzz of actually attending an audition and meeting CD face to face but for some people it could be a very realistic option.

[wissymo]

i know a&j management are looking at doing monolouges to camera for their website which i think is also a really good idea.
that way casting directors have a better idea of who they are calling to an audition so could save wasted trips!
cheaper than showreels and also good enough quality that we can use them on spotlight too.

[Irishdancer]

I do not think A & J doing that will make much difference, most cd do not look at agency sites but look at Spotlight, just means you have to pay even more money to agency. Most cd want to see children, they grow quickly and if the photos and heights are not updated every few month with especially younger children and teenagers who seem to grow every week, then what the cd has seen on Spotlight or even on agents site the child they see could be 3 or 4 in taller and looks a lot older so a waist of time for you and cd. I know some people who do not even put the child's height on Spotlight as there child has grown very tall for there age, they should be going for 3 ages older than they are, so the cd will be expecting a 11 year old boy or girl and gets a child that looks a lot older the parent thinks the cd will like there dc so much any way so will give there dc the role any way, not how it works. So until parents and some agent are totally truthful, cd will want to see the children. when my ds went for agency audition the first thing they said was good he looks like his photo, so looks like they have had a lot of photos of children who want to audition for agent and the photos are not up to date.

[wissymo]

still, A&J are charging very little for the piece to camera and if it is dated the casting directors have a better idea of character than from just a photo
so may not choose to call a child to an audition where they may have otherwise.
it can't hurt for just £30.00 and may save a bit in the futre!