Showreel woes......

In these times of "the internet" we (actors) have to have our on-line-presence. The social meded foot print, it takes time and effort, Tweeting, Facebook posts, photos on instagram and things like this Blog. We have to have Skype so we can do "Video auditions" and we need a showreel on Vimeo and YouTube....

Showreels are essential, after you have appeared in someones film, you then wait for the footage, so you can edit it into your showreel.....and you wait......and wait......and.... You get the picture.

I'm curently waiting for four productions to say that the footage is ready. I know there are many reasons that post-production can seem to take forever, so, my fellow actors. Don't give up hope whilst waiting.

I know that many casting calls state that you must have a showreel and it's frustrating know you've done enough to have one, but can't get hold of any of it. there are alternitves...do it yourself.

You can pay for a company to quickly produce a showreel for you, this is quick and reliable (as people do tend to work better when your paying them in cash) or you could do a colaborative piece.

This is what I am going to try to organise, so I'll let you know how it goes and whether I get my footage from the jobs I've done before the one I make for myself.

In the mean time, I'll be missing out on appying for some acting work because I don't have a showreel. The trick is to keep positive x

From Page to Stage

Tonight I will be back in stage in central London. For one night only I have been invited to perform at the "Page to Stage" event. 

This came as a direct result of performing at the Clapham Fringe. It emphasises the need to network and make friends. 

I have made some great friends in my few weeks here in London. I must admit I'm quite supposed at how friendly everyone has been. It's a great supportive crowd here. 

On another subject....

The filming I've been doing is a BBC/Netflix thing that I can't talk about on social media. I'm loving it and I've made friends there too. 

Feeling good

Just had my first "pre-production meeting" with a real film company. 

I can't say anything about it (as usual) except that I have a very small role in it. 

It's a wonderful feeling as I walk through central London afterwards. 

When I arrived I got my first paid job very quickly, on a corporate video shoot. After a few other jobs I managed to get in stage in London in my last job and now I have a small speaking role in a film. 

I came here truly unsure of what would happen, I have a achieved more than I could dream of in a very short time. 

There are many people to thank and I will name and praise them soon. (With their permission)

The future is amazing x  

Missing in Action.

It would seem the more I have to write about, the less time I have to write about it.

Welcome to last week.....

On the Sunday I did a 13 hour stretch on Location as a Supporting Artist on a BBC drama, as usual I can't reveal anything about it until it's release.
Whilst there I did meet a few great people and make some connections and one new friend. He's a writer, and something of a wit too. So, from my previous posts - #Networking.
It can have the surprising effect of a new friendship.

I met up with Justin when we returned to the BBC drama at a different location for 12 hours on Friday too. being an extra can be boring and unrewarding at times, at other times....it's just great fun.
I have also, last week, applied to join two more extras agencies.

Last week saw my first appearance on the London stage !
Very exciting and rewarding, loved every second of it, and made some more great friends. Thanks to my partner Rachael's friend Sam telling Miranda (one of the actors in a play that needed another actor) who contacted me and put me in touch with Lara (the writer and director of the play).
I got my first role after an audition. I have also made some great new friends, four very talented actors, one amazing writer/actor/director and a spectacular choreographer. .....yes there was a little bit of dance involved.

I've also been steadfastly applying for acting jobs and creating my new website....so a busy week.

So much to do, so little time...

Not many posts for the last couple of days, due to (mostly) my time spent on the computer is being used to create my new website.

I'll pop a link to it here, it's still under construction, but you can take a sneak peek.

 http://radonaldson6.wix.com/richiedonaldson

Will be updating as I get news.

Exposure and the internet.....

So, I have a full day to myself....or not.

As an actor in London, A full day of "nothing" involves serching for work, building the all important Social Media your internet foot-print and....learning lines. Also researching facts ect for the next audition....

The next audition is - (now, please don't laugh) for........wait for it......... SANTA !

Yes, I've got that audition to be a London Santa. I'll let you know how it goes.

In the mean time I have the Clapham Fringe to perform next week, Monday through Thursday. My first time on stage in London. Very excited and I've made some amazingly talented friends at the "two ladies Theatre company". I'll pop a link at the end of the Blog.

Tomorrow (Sunday) will see my first day on set/location for a new BBC drama (can't say more about it) But again, looking forward to everything except the very early start.

Lets go back to that bit in brackets up there......Another important part of getting/keeping work. Don't give details or post photos on the internet and social media. at best you will be kicked off set and your name will be marked as not to be trusted...at worst you'll be sued.
Just don't do it.

Companies put a lot of money, time and effort into promotion and they don't want an actor to spoil their plan. Part of your job is to help with that promotion, but do it in a way that they want. Don't expose the prodution just to boost your own profile.

I have always lived by this motto and it has served me well, in my humble oppinion, It's good advice.

The link to the play:
More than this

"pencils"

One term you will here a lot is "penciled" and maybe "heavy pencil"....Both are the carrot dangeled before the actor, no commitment from the employer....
So, what does it mean, well, it's a possible booking, a short list, a maybe ect, ect.

Your diary ends up full of penciled bookings, hmmmmm, your diary your calander. this is an important piece of kit. I've discovered that a well kept and organised diary keeps you sane.

I have been fortunate since moving to London, with two corporate videos already done and a modeling photo shoot, I have a fringe theatre performance next week and several days booked for SA work on a BBC drama as well as a day on an indipendant film with a speaking role. I have an audition on Monday too.

The diary makes sure I don't double book myself, and I can keep track of the gigs I've done, to chase payment if I need to, to keep all those pencils in..

This "fortune" has come from dozens of applications for roles and my best efforts at networking (and one through Rachael x) I think you have to emmerse yourself in the job of becoming an actor to be an actor.