At Spotlight\u2019s recent Open House evening for Graduate members, we discussed the ins and outs of agent, casting director and performer relationships. Casting director Sam Jones, performer and Spotlight Prize winner for 2013, Mimi Ndiweni, and her agent Gavin Mills from Olivia Bell, gathered to answer questions about the industry.<\/p>\n
All our panellists have taken different approaches to working in the industry, with Mimi having graduated from\u00a0Royal Welsh<\/a>\u00a0after winning the\u00a0Spotlight Prize<\/a>. Gavin said he started out wanting to be a film producer, before working as a runner on Casino Royale. He thought it was a great experience but knew it wasn\u2019t for him, so found agenting a much better fit – a chance to combine his love for the industry with varied, exciting work.<\/p>\n Sam Jones started out at the\u00a0Royal Shakespeare Company<\/a>, worked for a time on the agent side, before returning to the RSC in casting. She says the journey into casting \u201cis a sort of apprenticeship really\u2026 you need to know a lot about a lot of actors, over time.\u201d Sam says she still goes to the theatre about 3 times a week, and is always watching as much TV and film as possible to get to know who is out there. \u201cYou want depth of knowledge, so you\u2019re not always casting an actor in the way they\u2019ve always been cast.\u201d<\/p>\n Performer Mimi Ndiweni has been out of drama school for about 6 years, and said a lot has changed in this time. When asked about the biggest learning point so far, she said she has learned the importance of balance: \u201cDon\u2019t pressure yourself to carry everything.\u201d It\u2019s important to be able to step back and put auditions into context.<\/p>\n She also pointed out that, \u201cYou audition with a lot of the same people. Befriend these people.\u201d Your community beyond drama school is important, and Mimi emphasised how helpful and important a sense of camaraderie will be in getting you through the tough times, the rejection and criticism.<\/p>\n When asked whether there were people she\u2019d still like to work with, Mimi said, \u201cI don\u2019t make those lists for myself,\u201d but Gavin interjected, \u201cI do!\u201d Agents are always thinking about your long-term career trajectory, and bring a lot to the actor\u2019s sense of where and how they will work.<\/p>\n Our panel had a lot of great insight for graduating performers, including a variety of advice for those looking to make the best first impressions possible: \u201cThe headshot is everything,\u201d Sam Jones said. She encouraged actors to really get this right, and consult their agents (if they have one) on which photo is best one to present themselves with.<\/p>\n She also discouraged actors from uploading too many similar photos to their profiles: \u201cThe reason for those photos is to show us you can look totally different. If you don\u2019t look totally different, then it\u2019s just narcissistic.\u201d<\/p>\n She noted that other skills can really be worth showcasing, but only if you\u2019ve got something you do exceptionally well. In that case, it\u2019s fine to make a little video of it or include it in a profile\/showreel. She also mentioned that driving is a very employable skill, and if you can drive, it\u2019s definitely worth mentioning this.<\/p>\n Finding an agent is really about the marriage of personalities; an agent is going to be someone who is very involved in your life and your career, after all! Gavin said of Mimi, \u201cShe had an amazing presence on stage.\u201d He saw her performing at Royal Welsh and approached her from there. Nowadays, he says, \u201cI am Mimi\u2019s number one fan.\u201d<\/p>\n Gavin believes all good agents go and watch their performers and get a feel for them before working together, \u201cSome agents just see showreels,\u201d he said, but felt it hugely important to see what your actors can do. He also encouraged Mimi to meet other agents before choosing to work with him. He encouraged other actors looking for representation that they should \u201cget a sense of how people work, how they see your career.\u201d<\/p>\n In terms of what he looks for in people he represents, Gavin said, \u201cSomeone who stands out. It\u2019s not just a look – it might be bold decisions that they make.\u201d It can be very varied regarding how many people are signed in a year as well, so this is important to keep in mind. Repeatedly approaching the same agents may not be helpful, however, unless you\u2019re in something new or have something new to show.<\/p>\n Sam also mentioned that, \u201cIf you don\u2019t have an agent, it\u2019s not the end of the world.\u201d She encourages actors to be part of a cooperative as an alternative, if they are still looking out for representation from an agent.<\/p>\n Regarding reaching out to industry professionals, Gavin says, \u201cNever call.\u201d Always send an email first. \u201cOnly contact [us] if you\u2019re in something,\u201d Sam added. She also said that if you do reach out via email to a casting directing, you should only send your Spotlight link, rather than files with large showreels attached: \u201cPut it on your Spotlight page\u2026 It\u2019s a trusted thing.\u201d Sam says this is vastly preferable to sending links to other sites, downloading services, etc.<\/p>\n \u201cCommunication is the most important thing,\u201d Gavin emphasised. This means keeping in touch, even if it is in a small way, to make sure you and your agent know what\u2019s going on and what you’re interested in or available for. \u201cMost clients are on WhatsApp. Sounds ridiculous, but even a small message can make the difference.\u201d Gavin also confirmed that he thinks it\u2019s completely fine to ask your agent about a job that you\u2019re interested in and have heard about, even if they haven\u2019t put you forward. It is a reciprocal relationship in the end, and both parties learn and grow from each other.<\/p>\n Our panellists had a lot of advice for auditions. In terms of expectations from the casting director, Sam says, \u201cI always expect actors to have read the material.\u201d She also said that while you don\u2019t need to drive yourself crazy with research about the people you\u2019re auditioning for, it\u2019s good to know something; \u201cKnow that they have a body of work.\u201d<\/p>\n She also emphasised the importance of giving yourself the best chance in the room, which means being prepared: \u201cIt is good to be off book if you can so that you can have freedom in the room\u2026 [this] frees you up to change or respond [to directions].\u201d<\/p>\n A few things that aren\u2019t often thought about centre around the way you walk into the room, as well. On this, Sam said, \u201cDon\u2019t have great big bags and coats – don\u2019t encumber yourself.\u201d Think about how you\u2019re going to walk into the room, how you\u2019re going to put things down and get ready to perform, as those first few moments are crucial for making a good impression: \u201cDon\u2019t turn your back on the casting directors while you faff about.\u201d Sam adds that you should be thoughtful about how you dress for the part: \u201cIf you\u2019re going for a period thing, don\u2019t wear your boob tube,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Mimi talked about the difference between theatre and film\/TV auditions, and whether or not you should come in as your character: \u201c[For theatre auditions] I always walk in as myself.\u201d This isn\u2019t the case with film or tv auditions, she says, where she often comes in in character, or with at least a hint of the character already in the works, limiting any small talk until after the audition is over. Sam agrees, suggesting there\u2019s an element of transformation in theatre, whereas \u201cTV is a bit more literal.\u201d<\/p>\n It is a good idea to take a few notes on your audition after it\u2019s over. \u201cTake notes on who you meet. Actors never remember who we are!\u201d Sam says. But it can be good to make a note of these things, as these are people who you may encounter again, and it can be a good way to ensure you start a courteous relationship with them.<\/p>\n In terms of your performance, Sam said \u201cGive something bold, with flavour to it,\u201d she also acknowledged that, \u201cBeing an actor is a ninja mind-trick – when you don\u2019t get the role, it\u2019s nothing to do with you. When you get the role, it\u2019s all about you.\u201d<\/p>\n However, it is important to remember that you can\u2019t predict what it is that you need to do in order to secure a part: \u201cYou can\u2019t know what we want and often, we don\u2019t know. It happens in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of stuff being cast by self-tape,\u2019 says Sam, making it a really important skill to master. \u201cI\u2019ve cast leading parts [even in] theatre from a self-tape.\u201d Sam\u2019s advice is to, \u201cmake yourself into a self-taping club with friends and [shared] equipment. You learn so much.\u201d Doing self-tapes with other actor friends gives you an opportunity to learn from each other and keep the costs down if you do decide to invest in better equipment, though Sam reiterated this may not be necessary, as long as you achieve a fairly professional result on a phone. Spotlight has\u00a0a whole podcast on how to self tape on your phone<\/a>\u00a0for more information on how you can achieve this!<\/p>\n Gavin also reiterated the importance of a good self-tape as sometimes these can be used to put a person forward in place of a showreel. \u201cSometimes that can be enough as well,\u201d he says. He agreed with Sam, \u201cDo it with another actor\u201d and finally, \u201cMake sure you know how to send things across.\u201d You don\u2019t want to be caught out, unable to send your self-tape in when it counts! You can see a whole host of more advice about this in our\u00a0self-taping video<\/a>,\u00a0as well as our very detailed video about\u00a0how to make your own showreel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Understanding the industry is important for anyone hoping to work in it, and this requires actors to be very active and put themselves out there. Including offering their time to local theatres, and getting involved with other professionals. \u201cBe curious. Go and see things, read scripts. Be plugged into the business,\u201d Sam says.<\/p>\n In terms of understanding how casting directors and agents work, Sam says that \u201c[Casting directors] are often attached to projects before a director in film and TV. In theatre, it\u2019s a director who asks for you.\u201d Projects vary, and Sam often works closely with producers, often before directors. Gavin said understanding who often works with who is key to his work as an agent, and allows him to keep an eye on what dots usually need to connect for projects to go ahead. This helps him figure out a good fit for his clients. There\u2019s a lot of interplay between agents and casting directors in general, too. \u201cEvery day we talk to agents,\u201d Sam says. \u201cWe nurture those relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n An inevitable part of acting as a career is that there will be times when you aren\u2019t getting work, or when you come close but don\u2019t get the part. Mimi says, \u201cI would get so close to [getting] things, and take it super personally\u2026\u201d It is hard to deal with, but in her time out from drama school, she has come to learn an important lesson: \u201cIt finally clicked within me that it\u2019s not personal.\u201d Mimi says that the shift in attitude was a big step in finding more joy in her work, as well as the realisation that: \u201cThere\u2019s nobody in this industry who wants you to fail.\u201d Mimi recommends Siberian Lights if you\u2019re between jobs and looking for workshops or other opportunities to keep honing your craft.<\/p>\n The industry is a tough place, and Sam also talked about the importance of thinking about what you will do outside of acting. \u201cHave some paid work. Find some flexible things that can earn you money. Because not being totally skint will help in an audition.\u201d Feeling like you desperately need a part won\u2019t help you succeed in auditions, and can come across in unexpected ways. So giving yourself the space to be able to enjoy the process of auditioning will help. It isn\u2019t easy to navigate, of course, but Sam encourages you to \u201cTry and get financial advice. Talk to other actors about how they do that.\u201d<\/p>\nPost-Graduation Life<\/h3>\n
Headshots and Profiles<\/h3>\n
Finding an Agent<\/h3>\n
Approaching Casting Directors and Agents<\/h3>\n
The Agent-Performer Relationship<\/h3>\n
Auditioning<\/h3>\n
Self-taping<\/h3>\n
Understanding the Industry<\/h3>\n
Advice for When You Don\u2019t Get the Job<\/h3>\n
And finally…<\/h3>\n