Unit 10 :Task 2 - Critical Evaluation Skills

Communication Channels

Although I did not initially plan on applying for higher education, after taking part in a mock Arts Ed audition and workshop, I took a liking to the idea of attending drama school. As they were offering free auditions to those who took part in the workshop, I took the opportunity and Independently applied. How I went about this was by going to the Arts Ed website and creating an account for myself, once logged in I filled out the application form for my selected course; BA Hons/TCL Level 6 Diploma in Acting. I then input all my person details, alongside with my personal statement - which consisted of my reasoning for applying and why they need to accept my application. I also included a professional style headshot of myself, once I had finished my application and got to the payment page. I saved my application and forwarded my email to Jo Melville, the deputy head of performing arts, where she would then go onto cooperating with Arts Ed to by pass this payment page and make my application eligible for a free audition.

To offer myself more external opportunities that may help make way for me into the acting industry and make more industry contacts. For example a well known rapper who tells stories in the form of rap has been very successful this year by producing and creating a three part series called 'Shiro's Story'. He had an upcoming project that allowed non-professionals the chance to submit themselves for a role listed that they fit to description. I jumped at the opportunity but first confirmed that I could apply by asking my lecturer for permission to ensure that if I had been successful it would not affect my current studies. To submit myself I emailed the director, a picture of myself and a short cover letter along with the acting role name I was submitting myself for.

I am going to get my photo taken professionally at college with no makeup on, as this shows agents and producers the real and natural me and by doing this will enable more opportunities for myself as they would be able to see more visually which character would be best fitted to myself.

I will also be creating an acting cv which will consist of my full name, my height and weight, my gender; my training and a picture of myself beside it. Below this information will be a record of productions I have been apart of clearly stating, the title of the production, the name of the role I played, the director of the production and the production companies name. This will be for Theatre, Television and Short films.

I am also apart of a WhatsApp group with over 33 participants who are also upcoming actors/actresses. In this group chat we send casting opportunities into the chat, in hoping to be successful in our individual ventures. So far I have responded to three casting calls.

Because I have not applied to UCAS, I have looked into taking short courses at CityLit. The courses that I will be applicable to will not start until next year however they are very affordable and will allow me to work alongside getting the training that will help my acting career. Advice I took on from ArtsEd after they learned that I wasn't taking the drama school pathway was to never stop training. I am interested in taking the screen-acting beginners course where i'll explore basic technical skills required for working on camera. I am also interested in their Acting intensive scene work which will provide me with advance skills and techniques as I move on to greater standards of professional practise.

I have looked at Spotlight as an option for casting opportunities and agents, they do have a page that lists top agents in the UK that I will be contacting and enquiring about being taken on. Before I contact an agent I will be looking at their client profiles and checking that I am different to their other clients, because then I'll have more of a chance. I will also be making an account on the website as a young performer where I will be creating a showreel and more in hoping to gain attention from agents in the industry.  I will also be seeking agents from a book I purchased.

My overall ambition is to become a successful actress, I aspire to be a big name in the industry like Taraji P.Henson. These are the progression routes I will be taking to help me achieve this. A dream would be to have a role in EastEnders, however only a short contract because I do not want to be tied down to one roll. I want to experience every opportunity the industry has to offer, I want to be a performer and take on rolls that require all disciplines, I want to make it in the US like Idris Elba has done and Joivan Wade and Rapman are doing now. I want my career to start whilst I am young so I can inspire people as I have been inspired by those actors and I want to have grown up in the industry so the world can follow my growth.