INTRODUCTION
I came into Leeds Conservatoire feeling like slightly more of a musician than an actor. I never felt like much of an artist before coming to uni, but working and studying at the Conservatoire has given me the ability to express and nurture the ideas that are in my head and were previously very difficult to get out. I love acting but music is the best way to properly express my emotions and feelings, which has always been a bit of a struggle growing up not knowing quite how to do so in an “appropriate” or effective way. I now feel as though it is roughly a 50/50 split between the two, feeling much more confident in my acting abilities than when I first arrived. Going forward I would love to explore more of a writing and directing role in shows, especially music-wise, as I think this would give me valuable experience going into work outside uni.
Goals for this year:
This year I really wanted to gain more experience in screen and camerawork, especially in a directing role, as I would like to start a passion project short film that I’ve had ideas for. Since I was not able to complete it last year, I also wanted to take part in the musicianship exam and deliver an original piece of work with which I was satisfied. Furthermore, I wanted to find out what kind of artist and actor I am. Along with this, I wanted to find a portfolio of audition monologues and songs that felt comfortable, varied and fit my casting type in order to feel as prepared as possible for third year and beyond.
INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Agencies
Theatre Companies
I researched agencies by looking at graduate spotlights, seeing who they were represented by then looking at the websites of those companies. I organised my research by sorting each agency into a Word document and making notes on what I did and didn’t like about them (see 1a). When researching these I was looking for agencies that were not too big so that any performers working with them were less likely to be forgotten about. I also looked for agencies in and around Leeds and London to make looking for work easier without having to commute long distances. From this I found that there were many viable agencies around me that fit a lot of my preferences. This will help me later in the industry because it will allow me to have many options when inviting agencies to 3rd year shows while also making sure that said agencies will be accessible to me in terms of location. During this year and 3rd year I will start to sign up to mailing lists and follow social media accounts of agencies that interest me so that I can establish more connections, which in turn will make it easier when contacting agencies for 3rd year shows and after uni.
I researched theatre companies by looking into the websites of UK based theatre companies, particularly ones based in Leeds and London. Similarly to my agency research, I organised my research by sorting each company into a Word document and making notes on what was and was not attractive to me as a performer (see 1a). When researching these companies, I was looking for places that worked especially in screen, stage, and actor-musician work. I also looked at companies either including or created by directors I have worked with before. From this I found that I had more connections to the industry than I previously thought. Additionally, there are many more companies that work with actor-musician content as well as stage and screen than I had anticipated. This will help me later in the industry as it means that I won’t have to start completely from scratch making connections and finding opportunities. After 3rd year I will try to keep in contact with these directors and agencies so that, if at some point I want to make my own work, I will have connections with people that can help me achieve this.
1a
VISUAL IDENTITY
CV and Headshots
2a
The initial draft for my CV was difficult to read and tough to look at, so I went about changing the layout of the text, putting boarders on the edges and attempting to make it look as professional and grounded as possible, but also making sure it would stand out to casting directors. I thought that using a dark green colour in both my name and the boarder of the document would be best in order to achieve this. I also included an “About Me” section as I didn’t want the facts to be the only standout factor, and I thought that it would make my CV less of a fact file and much more personal. I then put a placeholder “headshot” in the top right corner so that I could get a better grasp at what my Spotlight and CV might look like next year (see 2a). I also took into account what I did and did not like about the particular “headshot” I chose so that I could try and work out exactly what I want my headshots to look like at the end of this year. For example, I considered whether or not I wanted to shave any parts of my face, either to neaten myself up or to look younger. I thought about possibly experimenting with different types of facial hair and what they could do for how I come across to agents. This then lead me to think about whether I wanted a variety of expressions and styles to show my versatility as a performer, as initially I wanted a more serious and grounded tone like Tobias’ headshots and, while I do still want this, I think that being able to show that I can do other things as well would be very useful.
Therefore, when researching headshot companies I might like to book with, I was drawn to Tobias and Sophie’s, as I felt as though they had a very good mix of tones and feeling in their photos.
2b
In Tobias’ headshots I thought that there was a nice contrast in both background and lighting, giving more versatility in tone and look. There was also a real variety in expression which means that he has viable options when choosing a headshot to send to a casting director depending on the job or role. Furthermore, I enjoy that he changed his outfit halfway through the shoot (see 2b), meaning that no image looks quite the same and provides him with lots of versatility, especially since he has chosen to have both full body and bust shots taken.
However I did notice that, in the first photo, the jumper he is wearing blends in a little too much with the background and, in the second photo, while a full body shot is useful to show contrast and body type, it might not be as effective a headshot compared to the other two. Overall, I think Tobias has some very effective headshots that show versatility, contrast and range, and show him off to be capable of many different styles.
I thought that Sophie’s headshots were also quite effective in showing range and versatility as, once again, she had a good contrast in outfits and backgrounds which showed varying tones, stark contrast in expressions which also show that she is able to present in many different ways as a performer. She also decided to try different hairstyles in both pictures (see 2b), which I think is very useful for both agents and casting directors to see as it completely changes both the emotion she is conveying and her face shape. I did think however that the outfit in the first picture is somewhat cropped out meaning it gives the appearance that she’s not wearing much of anything. I also thought that the first photo, is quite an extreme closeup and possibly a bit too intense, however both are effective headshots.
After looking at these example headshots, I think that I would like to try a variety of different expressions, styles and outfits in my headshots where possible. I would also be interested in varying tones and moods in lighting, background and physicality. In addition, I’d like a couple of different shots experimenting with one or two non-bust shots and maybe trimming and experimenting with how I have my facial hair. As well as showing the range of ages I could play, adjusting these features would mean that I would have many options to choose from that I could send out to agents and casting directors, conveying me to be a flexible and adaptable actor.
Biography
2c
In my biography I made sure to mention that I am from Herts & Essex specifically (see 2c), as I felt that where I’m from is a big part of my identity and will be a good selling point in the future for agents and casting directors. I also felt that it would broaden my versatility as an actor and would keep me from being categorised or type-cast.
I struggled to properly to define my style, so I asked my peers which words they would use to describe me as a performer. Additionally, I found that graduates’ Spotlight profiles gave me a really good reference point for how to structure my thoughts.
REFLECTIVE BREAK
I really enjoyed the Shakespeare module and would like to further explore more classical plays and monologues as I think it would benefit me as an actor. As I largely missed out on the Shakespeare module last year, I was very excited to be able to take part in both the module and the exam this year. Because I always try for more of a naturalistic style of acting, learning a different technique for Shakespearean acting was very interesting and extremely helpful as it gives me much more versatility as an actor and means that I am able to explore my limits and range as a performer. Admittedly I did have some difficulty initially when transitioning to this different style of acting, as it is somewhat further removed than my usual style. My director for this module, Esther Dix, had a very interesting approach especially towards the language in the script, which I had not considered before. I was instructed to use every single word and not “throw any away” while still staying true to the character and the writing, and making it seem as though each thought in the text was coming to me in the moment that I said it out loud.
I think that I could definitely have done better in the actual exam as I wasn’t completely satisfied with my performance, however I thoroughly enjoyed exploring different ways of playing the scene. My scene partner and I spent a good amount of time discussing and then applying a modernised context to the scene, which both we and the audience could relate to, while still maintaining the stakes in the original scene and not losing any of the meaning of the original text. Before this module I was unsure as to whether or not I would be as interested in participating in the 3rd year Shakespeare shows, however now I would be much more inclined as I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of exploration that is available with such text and I now have many techniques I can draw on to approach this kind of text. I was also very sure in 1st year that I was much more inclined towards screen acting than stage, however now I think that both are very exciting prospects to me and I would love the chance to explore both.
In screen acting this year we focussed a lot on self-tapes, soap acting and audition technique. I really enjoyed screen but often struggled as I wasn’t able to be in for all the lessons, therefore missing some content. What I was able to be in for, however, was very useful and interesting. From this I discovered that screen acting is definitely something I would like to pursue and explore further after 3rd year. While acting in soap operas is necessary for actors in many cases as they are an effective source of income, it is not something I am particularly drawn to. I feel that the style of acting required is not one that necessarily resonates with me or my acting process as it feels unnatural and often too heightened. However, scripts that we did explore in screen lessons from shows such as “Inside No. 9”, were very interesting and engaging. I found a lot more to explore within these scenes and they definitely felt much more comfortable for me. After university, I think that I would like to further explore more dramatic screen roles, but leaning more towards shows and films rather than soaps.
Despite learning some self-tape technique this year, I would like to continue to look more into self-tapes and online auditions, as currently I would say that I am much more confident in an audition room with people in front of me. Gaining experience in self-taping by putting myself forward for more auditions and opportunities will allow me to learn on the job, practically developing my skills. As I’m not completely familiar with all the self-tape etiquette, I think that becoming more acquainted with that will ultimately be very beneficial for both my 3rdyear show reel and any self-tapes I may need to record after uni.
SUMMATIVE STATEMENT
Going into 3rd year and into the industry after uni, I would love to continue exploring stage and screen, creating work and developing on my own passion projects. I’d like these projects to include a short film that I’ve had many ideas about, which would include creating text and possibly writing music. I would also like to finish an album I’ve been working on since the start of my first round of 2nd year, play more gigs with my Leeds-based band Academically Naked, and possibly write an actor-musician show with my classmates Beth Pyznik and Abigail Richardson. As an actor-musician I’d be very interested in actor-musician work that incorporates more music, also some site-specific theatre. In addition to my work as an actor-musician, I would like to explore more writing roles as well as screen acting. I’d love to have the opportunity to write either a screenplay or stage play that has more naturalistic writing, and explores the struggles of mental illness and certain conditions that are personal to me, such as Autism, OCD and Depression. I would also be very interested to pursue more opportunities in Musical Direction as I feel that it would be very valuable experience that I have not yet been able to get.
To achieve this, I have researched agencies and theatre companies I’d be inclined to work with. My favourite agencies were ones that were not too big so that any performers working with them were less likely to be forgotten about. I also looked for agencies in and around Leeds and London to make looking for work easier without having to commute long distances. My favourite theatre companies were ones that worked in stage, screen, and actor-musician work. I also favoured ones that focussed on voiceover work as I would be interested in seeing what that particular part of the industry would be like since there are no modules at the Conservatoire that cover it. I also think that companies either including or created by directors I have worked with before are extremely beneficial for me as a performer and creator. I would definitely consider making my own company because it would give me the opportunity to create and write things with others that I feel are relevant and relatable to modern audiences, and would give me the opportunity to be able to delve deeper into more political and “controversial” stories and works.
At the start of 2nd year, I really wanted to gain more experience in screen and camerawork, and directing roles, wanting to start my passion project short film. I was able to achieve this in part as I was able to attend some very informative screen classes, and have recently had experience as an SA on the set of a short film. However, I was not able to reach this goal to its fullest potential as I was not able to attend all screen classes due to personal struggles outside of class. Going into 3rd year I will continue looking into more screen roles, writing scripts and working on my short film as I do think that, if I am able to finish it before the end of 3rd year, it could be a really useful piece of work for both show reels and Spotlight.
I also wanted to take part in the musicianship exam creating an original piece of work that I was satisfied with. I feel as though I completed this goal and, although it did not go exactly to plan due to some issues that were out of my control, I was still quite happy with the overall piece that was submitted, especially considering the reactions to the piece of both my classmates and the 1st year students that came to watch.
Finally, I wanted to find out what kind of artist and actor I am, and to find a portfolio of audition monologues and songs that felt comfortable, varied and fit my casting type in order to feel prepared for third year and beyond. I think I have, at least in part, been able to achieve this, as I now have a number of monologues and audition songs, as well as possible content for the 3rd year showcase. Going into 3rd year I will continue to look for and collect audition material so that I’m as prepared as possible for both 3rd year and going into the industry after uni.
In conclusion, I have a lot to continue to explore to help nurture the skills I need for the industry, as well as developing new ideas for projects for both stage and screen.
