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How To Guides

by Sylvia Young
April 2001

Sylvia Young is Principal of the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London.

We get many letters asking for advice, but it is very difficult to give each person individual guidance. Here is some general information which we hope will be useful to young people interested in getting into the entertainment industry.

Firstly, we recommend you buy a copy of Contacts. It contains listings of schools, agents, managers, casting directors and many other useful addresses. It is published by The Spotlight and can be obtained from them (www.spotlightcd.com); some book shops stock it, and the odd library might have it too.

General Training

We are often asked 'should I stay at school and take GCSEs, or A levels, or should I try to train now?' Theatre or stage schools have a great deal to offer, but it may be more practical to stay at your own school, take all your exams, attend part time dance/drama/singing classes, and then aim to train at full time drama school from age 18. There are many part time schools in most towns, and some excellent youth theatre groups, too. Check with your local library, borough council or local newspaper for local information. Some part time schools also advertise in The Stage.

Although there are advantages to attending a theatre school at a younger age, we always recommend further training from 16, with an aim to get into drama school at 18. Places at these schools are very limited, however; there is considerable competition and there may be serious difficulties in obtaining the financial resources to take up a place if you are offered one. But keep trying! If you are serious about becoming a professional actor, you should do a three year course at an accredited drama school (more about accreditation and what it means can be found at the National Council for Drama Training website at www.ncdt.co.uk, and the Council for Dance Education and Training at www.cdet.org.uk)

It is very important to go to the theatre as often as you can. See as many straight plays as possible, as well as musicals. Go regularly to your local theatre, and if time and money permit, the Royal National Theatre in London, the Royal Shakespeare Company (London and Stratford upon Avon) and West End theatres. We also recommend that you get involved with your local theatre - ask if they need any assistance at weekends or school holidays; it may be unpaid, but you could learn so much. It is most important that you take every opportunity to train and learn - natural talent may get you there, but it may not keep you there!

Why go to a Theatre School?

We feel that schools such as our's can offer an all round, sound introduction to all theatre skills. We develop confidence and communication skills. We offer professional work through our agency, and of course this means that students meet and are known by casting directors. Our students understand how to take direction and their professional experience along the way prepares them for their adult career if they decide to pursue one. They are taught to keep their feet on the ground, and we hope that the years spent in our environment will make them better equipped to deal with the down side of the business.

Getting an agent

Children under 16
You will find lists of children's agents in Contacts. We recommend you send a small recent, but good, photo (with your name, address and telephone number on the back) together with a letter about yourself, or a CV if you have one. Always include your date of birth and accurate height information, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope large enough to take your photo so that it can be returned to you if the agency is not interested.

Be cautious about agents: some unfortunately charge large joining or registration fees to parents anxious to see their children offered work, exorbitant sums for photographs and entry in a directory, and then disappear. Some cannot get work for children, some have no intention of getting work for anyone. Check out the agency before you part with any money - ask for the names of the casting directors or production companies who have used it. Some people suggest that you should chose an agency which belongs to the Association of Model Agencies (AMA), however we know many children's agencies who are respected and professional and who are not members, so do not consider this failsafe. You should remember that most London-based agencies do not accept children outside the London/South East area.

16 and over
It is not easy to get your first agent. Agents who are more likely to consider you are extras agencies (for crowd/supporting work, or small roles) or those who also look after children. The majority of adult agents have small lists of clients and will rarely see young people who have not had drama school training and/or professional experience - but you can try!

Send a photo and CV with a SAE; preferably, the photo should be a professional black and white recent head shot. Get a good photo, reproduced inexpensively - don't send the original; there are many reprographic companies advertising in The Stage and listed inContacts. Don't expect an immediate response (you may not get one at all) as most adult agencies are inundated with photos from would-be clients. Don't send silly letters: some young actors feel they have to get the attention of the agent by writing something they think will draw his or her attention, such as 'don't pass me by - I'm the best thing you'll see in ages'! Just send a simple, but informative letter to accompany your photo.

A Pop Career

This is a minefield, and we are only able to offer very minimal, basic advice.

You will find advertisements in various music magazines and The Stage for members of pop, boy and girl bands, new or established. As mentioned before with regard to agencies, you should be very careful who you deal or sign up with, although it is difficult to advise how you differentiate between an amateur outfit and an experienced management. As a rule, if you are asked to pay to audition or send money in advance for whatever reason, it is best to have nothing further to do with the advertiser (and preferably inform the publication you saw the advertisement in, too).

Don't be too easily impressed - if you are told the company has worked with named recording stars, you might check whether this is the case. Experienced managements will have more clout and can get deals more easily; however, if you like the one you're dealing with, large or not, and you feel confident, go with it. Opportunities do not often come up and some risks have to be taken - there are no guarantees in show business!

There are many small record production companies who hope to find the talent, develop it, make a demo and get a record deal, and they will expect your time and efforts, often without recompense, until such a deal happens. If and when it does, your loyalty will be expected to repay them for their time and money spent on preparing demos, probably in the form of a signed contract.

Potential pitfalls are common at this stage and an independent lawyer (acting for you, not the record/production company) experienced in entertainment contracts, is essential to protect your interests and explain to you what you are signing.

Remember:

- always ensure that a lawyer checks your contract. If you are signing to a management company or record label, they should cover this cost, possibly as an advance.

- make sure you can get out of a deal that is not working. Options are usually on the side of the record company, but make sure they are committed to a release of recordings by a certain date. Make sure this date or time period is clear. If they don't 'deliver the goods', then you should be able to get out - don't expect things to move fast or earn any money for some time.

Sylvia Young Theatre School,
6 Rossmore Road,
London
NW1 6NJ

The Sylvia Young Theatre School takes full time students from nine to 16 years.

New students are rarely taken in Yrs 10 and 11 (14+) and places are limited or unavailable in some classes.

A few scholarships are available and can be applied for using the entry form published inThe Stage in late January each year.

The School also runs Saturday classes for ages four to 18, and a Summer School for 10-18 year olds.

Among the many previous students who have attended Sylvia Young Theatre School are Denise Van Outen, Dani Behr, Samantha Janus, Jon Lee (S Club 7), Billie Piper, Emma Bunton (Spice Girls), Melanie Blatt (All Saints), Nicole and Natalie Appleton (All Saints), Julie and Claire Buckfield (Grange Hill, 2point4 Children, Hollyoaks) and Scott Robinson (Five).