[elliea]

Hi there - I graduated from university a year ago, and can't yet afford to go to drama school (which would obviously be the best way to go about this!). I've been trying to get my 'foot in the door', sending off for auditions etc, but without an agent or any professional experience it's proving really difficult, and noone has even replied! Does anyone have any suggestions?!

[johnb53]

Well everybody has to start somewhere, they say bottom rung usually. Why don't you try to get a part in Eastenders ha ha.
Or give Jeremy Rent a call ' Mr Macbeth was a naughty man.
He went and killed another man.
Do do do do do do

[elliea]

Ha ha - thanks for the advice John! All my life's problems now solved - phew..............!

[Bluey]

If the statistics are to be believed, 86% of those in the acting profession had professional training and most endure long spells of unemployment (around 25% of equity members are unemployed for more than a year) and only 2% actually earn a full living from it.

As you've discovered, you pretty much have next to no chance of getting acting work without proper training and cannot compete with those who are trained and are actively seeking roles.

I studied theatre (not acting) but have friends that trained and worked as actors, directors, set up their own theatre companies, etc. The actors spend most of their time on the dole, temping or working in theatres as low-paid ushers or as crew. If they do bag roles, they are often unpaid (community theatre, helping out a pal's production, etc). Even the one whose mother is an extremely famous actress, who'd you think would benefit from nepotism and contacts, at most manages an occasional role with a regional rep theatre. Those that are directors, usually limit it to self-funded community theatre and all performances make a loss.

Here's some interesting links.

http://www.drama.ac.uk/careers.html
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile518/
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=2345
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199596/ldhansrd/vo960326/text/60326-03.htm
http://experts.about.com/q/Acting-Plays-Singing-695/acting-7.htm

I reckon it's not just how you are going to afford to attend drama school if you manage to get a place but how you are going to occupy yourself during long periods of unemployment. You'd do well to make sure you have occupational skills and experience that means you can take up well paid and flexible employment between roles rather than flipping burgers in McDonalds.

As places at drama school are so competitive, are you participating in local or community drama/theatre organisations to lift your application above all the dreamers?

Have you considered the Poor School, which is a 2 year course where you ought to be able to hold down a job while you train?

http://www.thepoorschool.com/

[djwhite]

FACE 2 FACE ONLINE is a free service that allows actors to register their details on www.f2fonline.co.uk.

You upload your actors head shot and show reel (if you have one) and sit back and wait for our registered agencies to call you.

Nothing to loose.

[guidedbyvoices]

hey! i'm a film student and we're ALWAYS looking for actors! so it might be a good idea to go to your local films school and ask around there! we also get alot of our actors from mandy.com! so maybe you could sign up to that.
Obv' most of the work is unpaid but expences like travel and lunch is usually paid for. Also you'd get a copy of the film to put on your show reel.
Good luck finding things!