acting work

I agree with you a bit there Nicole, but unfortunately, people like you seem a dying breed. Whilst I have just left my teens behind, I still know what it's like to be constantly thrown into a stereotype and been told to 'get real' when I've expressed my intent to be an actor. As a consequence, I've looked real hard at my ambition, and I realise I'm not in it for the fame or the money - just the enjoyment of it. And it's this realisation that has prompted me to further my research and look further into my desired career.

I have not made a single request on any boards I frequent, asking for information to 'make it' - ie, get auditions, agents, noticed, whatnot. I have garnered my knowledge from information from the Internet -a lot from sites which cater for the new actor and give you all the information you need. Along my travels, I have stumbled upon a number of sites which advertise auditions for theatre, student films, and occasionally paid work. I've had to find this all myself.

The fact is, you are the one looking for the work, not the director/producer/casting agent looking for the actor. It's like looking for a job - you don't just post your details on a site with barely anything to support your credentials and wait for the offers to roll in. A lot more proactive people who are similar to you are out there, and are actively looking for work and getting themselves known. Information requests are OK - I have written a detailed post here http://theatre.asn.au/read.php?f=23&i=2205&t=2202 detailing things you need to do to get paid work. This has been all compiled from information I have picked up from the Internet. I'm sure there are other posts like this one which do answer questions.

But most teens and pre-teens that post here are just looking for a quick entry into a highly competitive environment - just look at the types of posts 'I want to be in a movie' 'I want to act in Home and Away' ' Please give me a job in Film/TV etc' . These sorts of posts indicate that Mary-Sue is more interested in the kind of big name fame and money that comes with being an actor than the actual craft - thus the lack of research.

Other requests can't be answered. One, if I remember, was 'What are some good agents in whatevercity?' A lot of people don't know these things, and therefore don't answer.

As for research, I'm sure kids today are being told to think for themselves and I know that researching assignments are actively encouraged and essential. They won't be lazy and ask for information about the hydrogen atom on a forum and expect immediate emailed responses back - they will do the research. Why any different for your potential career?

Besides, not one of the people we have answered has actually replied and said thank you. Or even replied at all. Many have just left an email address and expects us to contact them directly, and don't return to the site. With this sort of gratitude, no wonder we are a cynical, sarcastic bunch. Feedback is a wonderful thing - for anything!

(besides, you shouldn't be too concerned here - from my knowledge, this site is mainly based on WA productions.)