NotaPushyMum.Com

Hello everyone!

I have had lots of acting jobs before but they have all been student short films etc but recently I was an extra for a tv series and they moved me out of shot and said 'because shes got spots'. Obviously this upset me a bit and has knocked my confidence. My skin isnt that bad but will it stop me getting professional roles or an agent??

Hi hon, You poor thing that wasn't very tactful of them was it ! I think sometimes they're so busy trying to get the shot, that they forget the extra's are people, with ears !!
As far as spots stopping you from getting cast, I suppose it would just depend on what role it was as to how much it bothered them. The other thing to bear in mind is that for extra work they are simply going on a look. When you're auditioning for an actual acting role then if you are talented and right for the part, then i'm sure they would take the trouble to cover up a few spots !

My dd started to get spotty a couple of years ago and hers wasnt that bad either but it was making her miserable. I spent a fortune on all sorts of different cleansers and spot cream, some from the US, which made very little difference.
I then took her to our GP who was sooo sympathetic. He said it was a good idea to 'nip it in the bud' as it was easier to treat and he prescribed something called DUAC gel, which you keep in the fridge. She gets a large tube of it which lasts about 6 weeks. It's cleared it right up and she hardly ever has a problem with spots now. Much cheaper than all the useless spot cream I was buying too !!
Best wishes and good luck with your acting !

I'm not surprised that knocked your confidence. Having spots might have an influence on your being cast on screen it's true, it depends how bad they are. If they are the usual transient annoying spots (rather than severe acne for example), then I am sure they would be overlooked if you were otherwise right for the part. However, there is absolutely no point pretending that this is not a profession where looks matter (for work on screen) - particularly (unfortunately and unfairly) for females. It also depends very much on what the role is - sometimes someone with a face covered in spots might be what is required!

On stage, or for corporate work and for the many other areas of the profession that actors work in - then no, it need not be particularly significant: I know quite a few working actors, male and female, with less than perfect skin. It certainly need not be a barrier to you getting an agent - they will be considering your long term career, not what your skin is like this week.

What Coco says is very true - I think extras are often treated as though they have no feelings and no ears! There tends to be much more diplomacy employed where auditioned actors are concerned.

Well said !!! I think you both were spot on !!!! Dont mean to be mean but couldnt help myself. I also have a teenager dd and spots are a right pain. Good luck Im sure youll be fine.

Spots come and go for most people, don't they? I would imagine in the course of any filming schedule or theatre run the makeup team will have to deal with anything from occasional spot-lets to major outbreaks. Whoever mentioned your spits was downright rude!

But what's the deal on freckles? My Flo has loads and I think they are super. They give her a very chirpy, cheeky 'look' and are very pretty. But I can't think of actors and performers with freckles...can you?

Deb x

Freckles are great! (I think children with freckles are often picked for commercials).

They quite often fade somewhat as children move into adulthood don't they?

As for successful actors with freckles, well Karen Gillan and Rupert Grint spring to mind!