Hallo lovely peoples! Nathan is in the lounge! i'm new !

Hallo - just splashing in to say HI! My name is Nathan. Im a performer / model / dancer and singer. I really want to act good and i would be extremely greatful if u can advice me! I luv Reese Witherspoon (she's my goddess!) but i also luv watching other actors. You can help me - i learnt about george or geoff whalley? a friend told me he is tops? who is he ? i also want to try out for a drama school. someone told me about ada. an acting school in the city. I'm always open to getting experience and i am very happy to tell u that i may get a short film role from a director called Jae Finicharo or something like that. anyone know him? if u hav worked with him tell me what he is like. How do i get an acting agent? I need answers. Sweet kisses to everyone - i love performing!

First of all, you may want to update your post to include your location. No one will be able to advise you on a good acting school if they don't know what schools you will be near. Secondly, when you accept acting roles, it is a good idea to find out about the director and producing team beforehand, to ensure that you will not be working with dodgy people. Thirdly, read the FAQ on getting agents here: http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/labrug/finding_an_agent Fourth, I'm guessing you are of high school age (I checked your profile), and my best advice is the same we've said to others - take classes, consider doing a course when you leave school, get an agent, work with local amateur groups, volunteer for as much as you can (including doing tech work or FOH were possible, which will help you get your foot in the door), and most importantly, do your research. Please also do a search on this site for similar threads which may have more comprehensive hints about what you can do. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

I'm sorry if I seem to be a bit ANGRY in this comment!! But every time I look on this website I end up reading at least SEVEN comments exactly like this one!!!!!!! miraculously this one didn't begin with: "Hi, my names Asha. I'm a two year old girl looking to become a star overnight. I'm lazy and Ignorent and really didn't do ANY research before I posted this, I have no experience, no training but look pretty. My mum says I'm a great actor....Yeh...so if you hear of any auditions can you forward them on to me (I can't be bothered to look on the Auditions page under 'WHATS ON'" I'm sorry! IT JUST GETS SOOOOOOOO OFF-PUTTING!!!!!!!!! reading this over and over and over and over and over again! All of them seem to come from kids aged under 15!!!!!! Who don't have agents!!!! Not many people will take you seriously if you have no training and no agent and no EXPERIENCE. LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT: Berts guide to becoming an actor/STAR 1) Get trained: Training for screen is very important. you need to know not to look down the barrel of the camera when auditioning! (Unless the Casting Director asks you to). Little things like that! Get training in stage, on voice, on movement! If you can't do training at WAAPA or NIDA, perhaps your one of those 12year olds I was talking about, get traing elsewhere! In Perth: Ali Roberts Kelly! Great trainer-everything you want in screen training, most agents run classes, ACTorsNOW have classes for kids, as does Nerida and I think FROG. James Hagen! Voice, trains people in voice overs, stage voices and voices for camera. Excellent person to see for Accent training! 2)EXPERIENCE! is critical. Volenteer for radio, (mind you, perhaps not at fourteen), volenteer for Uni films, I have learnt sooooo much just from the auditioning process alone! eg: how to steady your nerves! Acting with community theatre as I like to call it is absolutly GREAT!!!!! Great fun, great EXPERIENCE! you learn so much on the job! If your passionate join a youth theatre co. in Perth; WAYTCO! DTP, Stirling theatre players, There are billions of them!!!! Although you may not get paid for it, ITS ALL WORTH IT. 3) By now most of the uncommited kids have dropped away! YAY! GET YOURSELF AN AGENT!!!!!! These people REPRESENT you, they get all the audition notices! YOU can relax, let them do all the work in finding you auditions (this does not mean you don't keep a wether eye open for auditions yourself). If you don't want an agent, GO FREELANCE (although this requires more vigilance). Send in a couple of pics to your nearest Casting DI!!! 4) HAVE FUN! Do it for the passion of the art itself!!! countless times I hear from kids they just want to be rich and famous! When you enter theatre in particular, there is little chance of you becoming rich and famous...sorry to burst you bubbles guys! There is to much oppersition, as in to many other actors going for the same job.... the chances of you getting a job are about 1 in 12, so for every 12 auditions you go to, your probably only going to get one! AND THERE ISN"T THAT MANY JOBS AROUND!!!! Most actors hold down at least one extra job to keep raking the cash in!!!!! Did you know that one of our very own 007s used to be on the dole?? PLEASE PEOPLE, DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE COMING HERE!!! Yours I could say "Gloria monday", but I see Mr T has already used that one.... I'll call myself BERT. So to all the tiny tots and hopefulls out there, my apologies for breaking your dreams of becoming the next australian star....but thats it! SO STOP POSTING COMMENTS THAT WILL WASTE PEOPLES TIME! Love "BERT"

While I entirely agree with you "Bert", if you take a look around this site, you'll see we've had this conversation many times before (about getting people stop posting on this repetitious subject), as well as not answering these posts, and answering them with reminders to do searches. The fact of the matter is: no one listens, and indeed, I doubt anyone actually reads those posts where we do advise people to do their research. The other fact is that people are inherently lazy (and ignorant) and expect the answer to be different according to their own circumstances; when the truth is the answer never changes, even if you are in a different state or of a different age. (Perhaps I have just left some little hints for others... for those who might be thinking of adding their own 'help me I want a job' post ;)) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

we should all just ignore these posts and hope they go away...?! seriously, why do we (well you) continue to take time writing the same responses each time? Perhaps not replying will tell them more about getting their own backside into gear than us posting long and involved emails that are as likely as not going to be ignored once they pass the 3rd sentence due to the attention span of said users. Sorry- on an impatience vibe today. cheers Nev It's the simple things stupid...

Yes, I know... I'm a sucker. But I also know that I appreciated getting responses from people when I wanted to learn stuff about the industry. I'm trying to pay it forward. As for ignoring them - I don't think it will stop the posting; it will just encourage the view that the industry is circular and elitist. This is also why I was advocating a more obvious FAQ or sticky posts; so we can answer the q's without actually having to answer them individually. Perhaps I should have a Word doc from which I can cut and paste my response :evil: (PS. Patience is wearing thin too) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

by a number of google searches eg "teen audition", "thirteen year old audition" etc you enter via the faq section... Grant put this in a few years ago when the teenage "I wanna be a star" postings reached epidemic levels. Believe it or not this is mild. I used to answer each and every one of the little stars individually, but I got old and tired and frustrated. Kimberley

And we can't forget someone that's completely new making their first post such as the one above- they're not going to read through thousands of threads. Especially about other people wanting an audition, a part or whatever. They want one. The other thing is because of the large amount of titles saying 'I want an audition' at the moment maybe these new members think it's the right thing to do, that maybe it works. Posts also say things like '6 Replies', a new member might think- wow that person asked for an interview and got 6 replies, I might post one! Drama at school hasn't taught me to get an agent, or how to audition etc. (Although school plays have helped with that). Drama has a course structure that has to be followed in the limited time we have at school year and it's more about acting than how to survive in a world of theatre. So don't get angry when young people aren't sure of what they're doing, they in general don't know. When I self produced my show this year I had no idea about insurance or anything like that! And that was a challenge to work out. But I got help from members from this website- because I asked. We are to help each other don't forget- that's the community part of our website. Although these posts appear quite often, nothing is forcing you to read them or even answer, a new member may not know where to start here, I know when I first 'logged on' I was confused, but found lots of help from some of the great helpful positive members here (angry posts don't create that same warm sense of welcome), a younger person may also not know how to go about things like auditions and agents and that big world (just a look into the 'Oh Dear a Bad Agent' files which seem to be growing on this site as well, shows that younger people need help before they get caught in a trap.) They may come from a community that doesn't have drama classes, or parents that are trying to help their child but have no idea- don't forget the internet can be accessed from all over the place- some people may not know what theatre groups are in their area so they research... So don't be angry- yes they pop up often, but take a breath, count to ten, let the anger drive away. You're not helping yourself or others by posting angry comments towards new members who may have no idea where to go. ...and that's my five cents (as I'm not old enough to ever been able to use 2 cents) And best of luck Nathan with all your ambitions in the future, I hope it goes well. Sean ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

I couldn't have put it better - thanks Sean! (PS. I can lend you two cents. I have a couple stashed away... even a one cent and a one dollar note! :)) Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

Hello Im also a fifteen year old, drama student who would love to work in performing arts. Sean B is right at school we are not taught about the tough industry or how to get work, but about creating drama. I can understand your frustration at what you simply see as lazy dreamers but please know that although this is true in some cases alot of the time we just dont know whee to begin. Also, know that not all of us expect things to be handed to us on a platter. I have spent hours reading through forums for any helpful advice, as well as saving every penny to participate in holiday classes trying to get as much experience as possible. Finally, please continue to give your helpful advice because every extra bit of knowledge is truly appreciated.

reading the above I had a small nostalgic moment (sorry to hijack the post Nathan). I can remember when 2 cents bought a very small bag of mixed lollies from the corner shop. 5 cents bought even more! Sigh!! Must be getting old, can anyone else remember Cobbers (choc covered hardish toffee)? I used to get at least two in a 5 cent bag along with other lollies. "Papa, where is Mama? They tell me she has gone away, where is she?"

I agree that the public schooling system for Drama Studies is not perfect and does not prepare students for acting in the industry but rather teaches them HOW and different techniques to act. The way I understood it, was that you learnt to act at school, then completed further training at say...WAAPA, where the learning was focused more on the industry... I would also agree that not all young people ask for things to be given to them on a silver platter. HOWEVER, let us not forget that competition 'Starpower' went, basically unanswered by the youth of WA!!!!!!! After all the planning and time that went into it...no one could be bothered to send in the forms?? Where were they?? I started off in the acting community at aged 16. I didn't start after school, I jumped straight in at yr11 (probably ot the wisest idea as I was doing 6TEE) I recieved no help in the beginning from my parents, and like a lot of other kids these days, my head was full of dreams for stardom. I was lucky enough to know a man named Mr Hood, he used to work for ABC, I think at one point he trained voice overs?? Hewas also a family friend. I asked this man how to become an actor. He told me all the basic things of getting an agent etcetc. I guess the trick is: ASK. BUT ASK IN THE RIGHT PLACES!! The net is full of people trying to rip you off. Photographers, net agents, etc etc. Dont trust people over the net-they are probably dangerous! I got ripped off to begin with...an expensive little lesson...don't pay more then $300 for casting photos... My advice is: Start little. Join a community theatre and go from there. Most people involved in Amature theatre will know a fair bit about the industry, and probably won't mind giving you a hand up. That is where I started, the WAYTC (WA YOUTH THEATRE CO.) the teachers there gave me excellent advice (for free) and I even gained some experience! Im not saying don't ask, I'm saying BE WISE, think before you post...especially if your under 16!! Check all options open to you. One last note: not all young actors will join of there own accord. Many actors under the age of 15 have started acting as a result of there parents being involved in the industry somehow...My mum was a graphic designer, and I often got the role of being the child model...as much as I hated it... However in my teen years I found I loved acting! I Beg forgivness if this message is a little unclear. I'm rushing to get to the airport... I don't think that if we ignore these posts they will go away...much like my dirty laundry....therefore I have taken the liberty of creating a step by step guide to becoming a teenage guide for hopefulls which I shall post as a comment under all future enquires. I hope I have not offenden anyone, if you think I have said something wrong/incorrect leave a message under mine! Bye bye, I'm off to Sydney!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I take issue at the following: "The way I understood it, was that you learnt to act at school, then completed further trainingi at say...WAAPA, where the learning was focused more on the industry..." I think you'll find that many higher education courses do not in fact, offer basic advice on where to find insurance, etc. Courses do generally offer short sessional classes (maybe 3 hours worth over the entire course period) on things like contracts, CVs and resumes, etc., but are entirely NOT an introduction to the industry. When I was at uni, I asked my lecturer where to buy public liability (for techies). He told me he didn't know, because he couldn't afford insurance himself anymore (this was just after HIH etc.). While at uni, we had an assignment which was to produce a show (write, direct, act, tech, everything) by ourselves. It was in no way a realistic example of how to create theatre on our own. The fact of the matter is that there are too many lessons that MUST be learned outside of an educational facility, and too many lessons that should be taught there but aren't. It is thanks to the encouragement of my lecturers, and the very few people in the industry, who took the time to actually give me advice and direction, that I am able to work professionally in theatre. This is why I continue to try and answer the numerous posts about jobs and auditions, etc. The fact of the matter is that this industry is secluded, exclusive, and secretive. It doesn't matter how well informed you are at school or uni - it won't do diddly out there in the real world unless you do your own research, ask the questions, and when no one answers, find out yourself. "Find a way or make a way" Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

And there I think (from the limited industry experience I have) is the main part missing. We have the 'skills' training, but not the logistics training- if you get what I mean. Self producing a show in school was easy- the background details of them covering my insurance, getting me a venue etc that I didn't really see all happened around my plans of just getting a good looking show on stage. Then putting on a show outside of school was a whole different kettle of fish. Because of the different kettle the show we produce lacked a fair bit compared to the one at school because there was SO much more that we needed to worry about. (Not to mention self producing at an under 18 age isn't easy...it's parents signature on the dotted line for a lot of things). Negotiations took place in rehearsal time, rehearsal time was uhhh whenever we got a chance inbetween chasing things up. However next time I know where to go straight away- not spend hours phoning insurance company and another and another. Here's my metaphor- gaining the experience for me has been a treasure hunt- you search around a bit, you get an answer, and another, and slowly more and more pieces are revealed, so next time you go looking you can jump closer to the 'X' than the last time! However something I want to be part of in the future (after skills training at Uni etc) is a group that aids young performers wanting to learn how to put on a show. Because I know how much I needed the help. (Cockiness only lasts so long haha) Sean ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: A nice break before jumping into my next project.

There are NO short cuts to become an actor

Someone in management sould post: Berts guide to becoming an actor/STAR Somwhere permanently!!!!! :-)

When accepting his academy award - (sorry about the paraphrasing) "You all say that I am an overnight sensation...Yea a 30 year overnight sensation" There's no shortcuts, if you think it might be fun, then think about something else! If you arts/acting/theatre/film yen doesn't drive your soul then you haven't got what it takes. Don't bother trying, you'll be wasting your and everyone elses time! But ...if it DOES drive your soul, and beleive me it will need to for you to stay in the game...then take then postive advise you read here and GOT FOR IT!;-)

See Labrug's blog about creating an FAQ for the uninitiated. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

JUST DONT REPLY PEOPLE. its as tiresome as the initial posts. YOUR FEEDING IT.