Need advice on auditions?

[sweetiepie456]

Hello, I'm 13 years old and an aspiring actress. I am very new to this and have no experience. However, i do go to a local drama school and regulary appear in school drama shows and my drama shool's shows. Also, my drama school does exams so i have certificates and badges.

I really want to pursue a career in musical theatre or film/television. I don't know how to go about it. Do you have any advice on what to do to build up a proper acting CV?

Also can you get acting jobs without experience? If so, is there anywhere i can go that regularly update auditions near London/Surrey area? How do i know i can trust casting call adverts and they aren't fake?

Thank you so much x

[nancyboo]

We all contact our local theatres, star now, mandy.com, talentcircle.org to gain unpaid work, which you can add to your cv as proof of experience, aswell as your awards and certificates and the place where you are training, you should get quite a good cv together quite quickly. You are ideally placed in London to gain most work and some great agents - you should apply for an agent as soon as you're able. They take on totally inexperienced people, it goes on merit, plus you do have experience in that you are having training! Good luck!

[missmoneypenny]

Hello Sweetiepie456,

nancyboo has already given you good advice on where to look etc, but would like to add that you should get an adult to look through and OK these with you. There are a lot of genuine agencies and casting calls out there, but sadly, as with most things, there are the dodgy ones too. Are your parents keen to help you with this, as you will also need them, or a guardian, to chaperone you to castings and jobs.

It sounds like you are within an hour of London, which is great when applying to agencies - a few to try are A&J, Abacus, Jackie Palmer, Mark Jermin and CS Management - all are reputable and take on under 16's.

Lots of luck to you - read these boards as they are often up to the minute re auditions x

[nancyboo]

Yes, sorry, I didn't know anything about that side of things, but I knew someone else would!

[sweetiepie456]

Thank you very much Nancyboo & Missmoneypenny You both helped alot x
My parents are definitely 100% behind me .. but we aren't loaded with money for lessons or a more well know stage school etc.
But your tips and advice have really helped

[nancyboo]

No, well, there are many people not loaded with money and dont worry about that - it isn't absolutely essential, although it can seem to be. If you cant afford a top drama school, a smaller one is better than none at all - on your cv it will show commitment. An agent too doesn't have to cost the earth, especially if you shop around and ensure you get a well respected one, meet them, ensure you can talk to them and believe they are right for you - there are loads of posts on this here and recommendations. As you are already in London, you really wont have the large cost of travel, which some of us have to pay. To get you started, you could look at students, ask the local uni, for your headshots. Starnow does cost money, although it is quite cheap, if you can afford it, but the other sites mentioned are all free to join and very good. Your parents being behind you is a huge plus and a great support. With your own belief and their support, you really need nothing else to get started, so give some of the advice a try, as stated, it doesn't cost, a lot of it's free and it will give you what you seek. Good luck!

[ceri]

You should get Contacts if you want to find an agent. There are loads of agents in there and mostofthem are based in London.