DD is 16 & looks younger - could this work for her?

[Katymac]

She was a bit interested in a few of the 'open' things that have been on here but was only 16 on Thursday

I pointed out that for one (a young lady living on the streets) her braces would be a bit of a problem!

But is it worth trying to get her 'work' or is it fairly pointless as we live in Norfolk & she has GCSEs & a pretty busy schedule?

[pg]

I would say that open auditions are generally a waste of time. That's just from the arithmetic. There are vast numbers who attend - and often (usually?) the eventual casting turns out to be someone with a track record/experience. If you/she want to pursue the idea of professional, paid work then I would recommend trying to get agency representation. A good agent will help to get castings where the director/CD already know they want to see the actor - they have selected them from many submissions: thus the odds are better. Most auditions/castings will be in London and there is often very little notice. It can be very disruptive and expensive. Hit rates from auditions can be pretty low - regardless of talent. The type of work available is likely to be quite limited - there might be lots of commercials, but these are a lottery and you may go to dozens of casting and never get one: that's quite a lot of money (travelling) potentially down the drain. As you are some distance away, you would also need permission for time off school to enable you to get to the auditions - would the school be keen? The opportunities for drama (screen and stage) are far rarer - but if an agent is interested and took her on they would certainly try to get her seen for any work there is. Not all agents get to see all opportunities.

In your dd's current situation (applying for courses, living where she does, exams etc) I would be tending to discourage the idea of pursuing professional work. She is intending to train for professional work as an adult - I think it's better to concentrate on that (and her exams). It makes sense to make the most of any opportunities you come across (amateur and professional) but to be honest, I wouldn't count open auditions as much of an opportunity.

[Katymac]

That's exactly what I thought; it's nice I can show her someone else suggested the same.

I can't see her maturing much in the next year so things will be the same if she is in London & not doing GCSEs

Thank you!

[pg]

Also, if she is in training, she may well find that she is not allowed to take on professional performance work while she is on a course. In some cases this applies even during the holidays (it can be part of the terms and conditions). It depends on the school. Obviously students often take on outside work to pay bills (bar work/catering/office/other casual work) but any performance work needs to be cleared with the school first.

Both RADA and Oxford had very strict rules about this and others may be similar.

[Katymac]

Thanks for that PG - something she should check with colleges at Audition as her performance group was expecting her to come home when available

Unless unpaid work is different?

[pg]

It might be different for unpaid work - but she should definitely check. Unpaid work during the holidays may well be ok - and in some cases there may be permission granted for paid performance work too.

If her courses are anything like the ones I did, or DS, or any of the others I know who have attended drama school, then there will be very little time to do anything other than the course during term time. I know that Welshmum's DD had even longer hours than DS and I did - and our days were around 9 hours (not including travel time) plus extra hours (evening and weekend rehearsals sometimes) when in rehearsal for productions. It was very difficult to fit anything else in - though many did manage some bar work or other casual work in the evening and at weekends. The course work is very demanding though - so I think it's important not to squander the training opportunity by being too tired to make the most of it! For most of us, the money-earning work was largely limited to holidays. It may be different for dance courses, but there was homework/preparation too at RADA and OSD.

Lateness was not tolerated. The door would be shut at the start time of the lesson and students would not be allowed in if they were late. If you were late more than three times, you risked being thrown off the course. At OSD, even one minute late counted as late... For some students the discipline came as a shock to be honest. I think it depends on what you have been used to.

That might sound alarming, or it might not. Of course, the course your dd ends up on may not be run like this - but I think a lot of them are!

It's a very different experience from many University courses (especially Arts courses at Uni).

[Katymac]

I think it will be like that & tbh I'm not sure a job would even be possible with the hours & commuting

But again someone else saying what I have said (unprompted) will help my argument

Thank you

[Flosmom]

But again someone else saying what I have said (unprompted) will help my argument

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has this experience with their DD. I swear I have lost the capacity to express a valid opinion since Flo started high school

Deb x

[islandofsodor]

Many schools & colleges won't even allow their dancers to perform as a guest at their old dance school - it's to do with avoiding injuries etc

To do anything, paid or unpaid dd has to obtain written permission from the Principal.

[Katymac]

Good job I'm a fan of life long learning.....'cos I keep doing it