My article on "Being an Actor/ Voiceover in L.A."

I was recently asked to write an article for a publication back in the U.K about my experiences of acting in general and my time in L.A.. I thought I'd share it with you die-hard blog following fans (I know what you're thinking - what the hell would I know .... and yet, you're still reading!!):

"Acting. It’s a strange one. Often established actors will tell you if there’s ANY other way for you to make a living, take it. In fact the late, great Walter Matthau famously said: “All you need to succeed in this industry is fifty lucky breaks;” and it’s true, the life of an actor is more up and down than the Pirate Ship at Chessington - but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

Since leaving school I’ve come a long way in the pursuit of what seemed at the start to be a pipe-dream. I’ve acted in a variety of short films (I should point out that ‘variety’ here speaks to both their content and quality); gained qualifications in both dance and stage combat, signed an agent in London, trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, acted in plays off West End, bolstered my showreel, recorded a voice-reel, appeared in staple TV shows such as ‘The Bill’ (may it rest in peace) and ‘Material Girl’; worked on feature films (even as a stunt-man in one), I’ve landed roles on internet soaps and animated sketches, acted in commercials for the likes of Walkers Crisps; I’ve attained an entertainment visa for the USA and moved to Los Angeles, developed a coffee addiction, signed a manager, signed a theatrical agent, signed a commercial agent, signed a voiceover agent (I know! Why so many agents?!); I’ve had sketches play out on shows in the U.S. such as ‘Jimmy Kimmel’s Late Night Live!’ (which isn’t altogether ‘live’. Nor is it filmed ‘late at night’ -welcome to Hollywood folks). I’ve impersonated Ben Wishaw’s ‘Q’ in the latest Bond film and was also the voice for all Apple adverts in the UK for almost 3 years, advertising everything from iPhones to Apps. And given that these played out at prime time on all channels during shows such as ‘Downton Abbey’ and the ‘X-Factor’ it’s more than likely you’ve heard my dulcet tones without even knowing it. So for this I half-heartedly apologise.

It’s currently ‘Pilot Season’ in L.A – the time of year when actors from all over the world descend on Hollywood hoping to land a role in, for instance, the new Robin Williams TV pilot ‘The Crazy Ones’, set in an ad agency in Chicago (keep an eye out for this one, looks to be a good ‘un). The potential for success here is mind-blowing but so is the competition. While the UK has fewer people chasing the roles, there is far less being made, so the odds work out to be about the same. I should also say that this career isn’t for the pusillanimous either (look it up, I had to, and it builds character) – you need the heart of a child and the hide of an elephant, to endure rejection on an often daily basis. Worse than the rejection though and by far the norm, is hearing absolutely nothing at all back from your latest audition that you spent hours preparing. But such is the life of an actor.

That said, there’s never a dull moment in this profession – only last week I was negotiating the snowy streets of London in my ski gear and now I’m sat at a coffee shop in West L.A with the sun on my face. I should offer another apology at this point – and not for the sickening weather reminder, no - this article was going to focus on advice for anyone hoping to break into the world of acting but I have literally just received a call from my voiceover agent (at which a painfully fashionable barrister politely indicated the ‘no mobile phones’ sign on the wall of said supremely pretentious establishment and ushered me out). It was for an audition to play an animated robot, and now instead of extolling the virtues of a career ‘treading the boards’, I feel I have no choice but to share with you, the description of my character ‘ZINC' from the accompanying email, as a window into my life as an actor:

“ZINC: A Retro-Futuristic robot...” (hang on a sec ... Retro...futuristic?) “... Can be a 12 year old boy, or a young teenage voice or adult male ...” (so at least they’re clear on what they’re after!) “... MUST BE A GREAT SINGER ...” (why they feel the need to shout this is beyond me) “Should sound a little British or perhaps Jordanian ...”(!!!!!) I’m not making this up) “ ...Think John Cleese, Billy Connelly or Russell Brand ...” (a more disparate group of individuals one can barely conceive). “...Appointment time/address...  blah-blah-blah”. I wish I could tell this isn’t a regular occurrence.

And so there you have it - that gives you an idea of what we actors contend with on a day to day basis. It also has the secondary benefit of solving what I shall do tonight: Why I will be dusting off my ‘Retro-Futuristic-Billy-Connelly-Robot’ impression of course. That old chestnut! So wish me luck. (As ever). And if you don’t believe me, I’m at Tristam_summers@hotmail.com and will be happy to forward the email."