Theatre Australia

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Becoming an actor in Sydney, Australia?

Wed, 9 Feb 2011, 08:56 pm
DazedNConfused8 posts in thread
I'm 19 and have wanted to become an actor for as long as I remember. I have a lot of modeling experience, am comfortable in front of the camera and have taken acting classes in the form of NIDA short courses. Most of the big agencies here won't take you on unless you have experience/a show reel but how do I get that/auditions without them? I'm continuing to study the art but I think at this point I need some practical experience even if it is only small roles. My main aim is TV/Screen but if I need to do theater work to gain experience , I am willing. I just don't know the next step. Who do I contact? What legitimate agencies would help me build my experience? Or am I better off going alone? How does someone become an actor in Sydney, Australia?

Thread (8 posts)

DazedNConfusedWed, 9 Feb 2011, 08:56 pm
I'm 19 and have wanted to become an actor for as long as I remember. I have a lot of modeling experience, am comfortable in front of the camera and have taken acting classes in the form of NIDA short courses. Most of the big agencies here won't take you on unless you have experience/a show reel but how do I get that/auditions without them? I'm continuing to study the art but I think at this point I need some practical experience even if it is only small roles. My main aim is TV/Screen but if I need to do theater work to gain experience , I am willing. I just don't know the next step. Who do I contact? What legitimate agencies would help me build my experience? Or am I better off going alone? How does someone become an actor in Sydney, Australia?
jeffhansenWed, 9 Feb 2011, 09:40 pm

FAQ

http://www.theatre.asn.au/blog/na/looking_for_work_2 Click the link, and read away. Break a leg. www.meltheco.org.au
DazedNConfusedThu, 10 Feb 2011, 02:47 pm

Thanks! In your opinion is

Thanks! In your opinion is Quiet On Set (http://www.quietonset.com.au/) worth signing up for?
jeffhansenThu, 10 Feb 2011, 05:13 pm

I have no opinion, and no

I have no opinion, and no experience with them. Others may. Can't help with that one. www.meltheco.org.au
LabrugThu, 10 Feb 2011, 05:28 pm

Opinion.

QOS is a legitimate and useful information service provided by actors for actors. It has far more value to eastern state based actors than WA. If you are looking at developing contacts as a freelance actor, or even gain useful tips on auditioning and such, you could do far worse than QOS.

However, it is not an agent or an agency as such as far as I am aware. I get their regular newsletter, and unless I am mistaken (quite happy to be) their services do not include standard agency activities.

Absit invidia (and DFT :nono:)

Jeff Watkins

Looking for an Agent? Read this first!!

DazedNConfusedThu, 10 Feb 2011, 06:31 pm

Thanks very much, I think I

Thanks very much, I think I will sign up with them. I know their not an agency but I think I need more experience before getting an agent so thought QOS would have valuble information into going to castings, gaining experience etc. ;)
MusicalMumFri, 11 Feb 2011, 09:54 am

It is very rare that you'll be cast without experience....

....I'd highly recommend continuing training in whatever way you can. And the other thing to do is community theatre. That is where you can get some real hands on experience. The more you can do, the better. And if you're interested in film & TV, audition for the numerous student films that get made & need actors (voluntary normally; but you often get a copy of the work). Keep in mind you are competing with 10s of thousands of actors who have been to NIDA (the 3yr course), WAAPA or a whole host of other schools. They were selected from 100s of thousands who wanted to train at those schools & were unsuccessful, and spent at least 3 years of their lives dedicated just to training for a chance to work as an actor. And about 95% or more of them can't get/rarely get a job. I'm not saying all that because I think you should abandon your dream. NOT AT ALL! But keep it in perspective & be proactive & realistic in pursuing your goals. By all means, pursue castings or agents. But be mindful at your age & with little or no experience, you are unlikely to get paid work or representation. So put getting experience & training at the forefront of the actions you take. All the best!!! :)
actingworldFri, 11 Feb 2011, 06:54 pm

get some acting training

get some acting training :) http://www.acting-world.com
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