Shows
The Working Actor ShowMortgages For ActorsYou get a 3 for 2 deal in this episode as Georgie and Pierce are joined by Austin from Mortgages for Actors, the original, performing arts and entertainment-specific, dedicated mortgage advice service. Austin is a Financial Advisor to the Entertainment Industry specialising in Life Insurance, Mortgages and Wills.Georgie and Pierce get the financial lowdown from Austin on what services Mortgages for Actors can offer to all types of jobs not only in acting but all across the entertainment industry, how one gets a mortgage, what information needs to be provided, what lenders like to see and be assured o...2023-05-3032 minThe Working Actor ShowA Day in Our LivesAs jobbing actors, what is a day like for Georgie and Pierce? What is the effect of a non-linear choice of career on day to day living? Georgie and Pierce share the working actor’s day includingfrequency of work, job applications, staying in contact with their network, their work and social life, hobbies, and second jobs. KEY TAKEAWAYSApplying for at least five jobs a day is a good benchmark for frequency of work. Expect your work and social life to meld to some extent.Sharing non-acting friendships, jobs or hobbies can create some...2023-05-2325 minThe Working Actor ShowDo You HAVE To Go to Drama School ?Georgie and Pierce speak of the traditional and rather old-fashioned idea that all actors must have attended Drama School. What advantages, if any, does Drama School offer and how is it regarded by the industry? Listen in and find out if that blank space at the top of your CV has any bearing on your ability to work in acting. KEY TAKEAWAYSWhile Drama School used to be the main route to an acting career, it is no longer essential but optional. Most Casting Directors, especially in the screen world, only care about talent. Drama School as a...2023-05-1636 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to Reset after Spending Time in a RoleOccupying a role can be stressful and takes full concentration so it can be difficult to unwind when the cameras stop rolling and the job is complete. Georgie and Pierce share their tips on how to get out of a character as effectively as you get into one. KEY TAKEAWAYSIf you have an intense scene to perform do not be surprised if it takes a while for your adrenaline to subside.Set time and activities into your schedule that help you unwind.Consider your day and what you found difficult during it.Occupy yourself with a...2023-05-0922 minThe Working Actor ShowWhat Scares US About Acting ?Georgie and Pierce lift the veil on their deepest and darkest fears in the acting profession. Often people don’t like to discuss their worries about the job for fear that it will make them less desirable to hire, but as in all professions, everyone has nerve-wracking areas that they find a challenge. Listen to Georgie and Pierce’s worries and their tips on how to battle a bugbear. KEY TAKEAWAYSThe more time you spend outside your comfort zone the better.Fear is inevitable, it’s how you deal with that fear that moves you forward...2023-05-0229 minThe Working Actor ShowInvesting in Yourself as An ActorThis episode is about investing in yourself as an actor and working on continuous self-improvement and support to facilitate your career. Where should you be spending your hard-earned cash to get the most out of the advantages it will present and what are the most cost-effective ways of making those investments? Georgie and Pierce detail where your money and efforts should be going to increase your chances of moving forwards in your acting career. KEY TAKEAWAYSIgnore the stigma of not going to Drama School and, unless you feel you want to specialise in musical theatre, th...2023-04-2532 minThe Working Actor ShowIs Acting a Career or a Lifestyle ?Pierce and Georgie discuss if acting is a career, lifestyle or, possibly, both. There may be no definitive answer but listen in to find out if a life in acting can mean a change in lifestyle whether you are supplementing already varied passions with acting as just one of many interests or embracing it as a full-time job. KEY TAKEAWAYSThere is a lot of stigma around choosing acting as a career but it is sustainable as long as you know how to take the steps to turn it from a passion into a profession. There is...2023-04-1822 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to Build The RIGHT Connections as a New ActorGeorgie and Pierce discuss a really important topic when starting as a new actor. How do you stand out on set and make the right connections and end up working with the same teams over and over again? Find out how to create consistency and create an attractive catalogue of work and a supportive network to provide you with ongoing opportunities. KEY TAKEAWAYSIt’s not about having a certain method of making connections, it’s just about being you.Be likeable and try not to offend to make yourself easy to work with. Try not to be...2023-04-1122 minThe Working Actor ShowThe Ins & Outs of Travelling For Work as An ActorGeorgie and Pierce examine a practical aspect of acting that very few consider before they start working in the industry, accommodation. This can be an incredibly stressful consideration, especially with the differing requirements of time and location that come with the job, so Georgie and Pierce are here to give you a head start on keeping a roof over your head while you are working. KEY TAKEAWAYSMany lower-budget projects may ask you to front the cost of accommodation yourself. Think outside the box to keep the cost down. Airbnb, camper vans, caravans and tents are all...2023-04-0429 minThe Working Actor ShowHow Does Every Role Change You as An Actor ?Every time you embrace a role in your career whether it be on stage or screen you will change a little as a person as you carry that character and your experiences with you. You visit the same emotions as your character feels to achieve the finest acting performance you can, so how does this affect you while inhabiting those motivations and what do you take with you when you stop? What experiences can you expect in the acting environment that will help you grow as an actor?KEY TAKEAWAYSThe body cannot tell what is...2023-03-2824 minThe Working Actor ShowThings We Wish We Knew Before We Started ActingHindsight is a marvellous thing. Georgie and Pierce are here to share theirs to inform you before you enter the world of acting, so you can avoid the pitfalls they had to encounter. Elegantly swerve all these problems thanks to Georgie and Pierce, from the difference between stage and screen to dealing with the taxman.KEY TAKEAWAYSTax! When you are self-employed and employed somewhere else filing your tax return is incredibly complicated. Try to understand taxes as much as you can.Buy a good suitcase. You are going to need it for the travelling involved...2023-03-2131 minThe Working Actor ShowHorrible Set StoriesGrab yourself a comforting hot drink and a cushion to hide behind. Here come Georgie and Pierce with some horrible set stories. A collection of gruesome, embarrassing, awkward and hilarious stories of on-set shenanigans, difficulties and disasters! Here is a peek behind the curtain of the industry to ready you for the kind of days you are going to face as a working actor on set.KEY TAKEAWAYSLet’s not sugarcoat it. Sometimes you are going to walk onto a set and it will be diabolical. From unexpected building projects, noisy rivers, leaky roofs, and man...2023-03-1429 minThe Working Actor ShowThe Realities of The Industry with West-End Legend Joel MontagueIn this episode, Georgie and Pierce gain insight into the acting world from West End star Joel Montague’s first-hand experience. Joel Montague is a professional actor from London. He has his own production company in the North West named Curtain Call Productions. There, he directs and choreographs his own shows. Joel is experienced in voiceover, theatre, music videos, commercials and comedy. He is also skilled in tap, jive, jazz, ballet, Latin American, and Breakdancing. A graduate of The Guilford School of Acting, Joel has had stage experience in newer musical productions like Sister Act, Hamilton and Sch...2023-03-0744 minThe Working Actor ShowQ&A with Industry-Leading Agent Nina MaloneIn this episode, we meet Nina Malone, Talent Agent at IAG (Identity Agency Group). In 2006, IAG burst on the scene as a response to the lack of diversity across Screen, Television and Film. Almost two decades later, IAG has now established itself as the leading talent agency representing the very best in diverse, groundbreaking talent across Theatre, Television and Film, both in the UK and globally. Their award-winning actors have been recognised by major awards such as the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globe Awards, Emmy Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, Olivier Awards, British Independent Film Awards and EE Rising Star Aw...2023-02-2853 minThe Working Actor ShowNavigating The Industry With Casting Director Tree PettsIn this episode, Georgie and Pierce chat with Tree Petts, an award-winning casting director, founder of the Casting Directors Association, and owner of her own casting company Tree Petts Casting. She has worked with some of the world’s foremost directors, including Michael Gracey, of The Greatest Showman, over ten times. Tree specialises in casting Films, Commercials, Photographic, Branded Content, and is known for her knowledge, enthusiasm and abundant energy. As an specialist in casting and over 20 years of experience in all areas of the industry, Tree is an expert on what you can expect as you pursue your ac...2023-02-2145 minThe Working Actor ShowShould You do Indie Work as a New Actor ?In this episode Georgie and Pierce look at independent work versus all the other types of work available in the industry. You should take a look at these opportunities as they become available to you as they are a great way of building up your first experiences with acting and gaining new skills. Georgie and Pierce let you know what you can expect from indie work on your first working forays.KEY TAKEAWAYS The system of casting means you have to be on top of your game and build up your experience using these independent projects...2023-02-1431 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to Get Into Acting With TV Actor Bill BlackwoodIn Georgie and Pierce’s first interview with character actor Bill Blackwood, they hope to provide you with a plethora of insights into the acting world and how to secure your place in it. Based in The North of England, Bill is a proud Yorkshireman who was born and bred in God’s Own Country. You will have seen or heard him in a wide variety of television, film and radio projects including BBC’s Silent Witness and Doctors. You may even have caught him on stage! He has bases in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Manchester, London, Birmingham and Los Angeles...2023-02-0743 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to Find Voiceover WorkOften we overlook the myriad of opportunities available in the acting genre, and one of these niche opportunities is voiceover work. Georgie and Pierce detail the jobs available out there, how to find it and how you should widen your acting net to include this growing area of work. KEY TAKEAWAYSVoice acting is a new way for you to flex your acting muscles and can be completed from home, especially since COVID. Equipment can be relatively cheap for voiceover work from home; there is no need for expensive studio work especially when creating your own con...2023-01-3123 minThe Working Actor ShowCreating Your Own Work as An ActorCreating your own work as an actor can be a great way of building a portfolio, creating a showreel, getting your name out there and flexing any peripheral expressive muscles you have to show off to the world. Georgie and Pierce take you through the opportunities that are offered by penning your own masterpiece or directing your own acting tour de force and how you can most efficiently achieve a great start in the industry by tapping into your full creative skill set. KEY TAKEAWAYSGeorgie and Pierce have created their own film but have learned t...2023-01-2434 minThe Working Actor ShowThe Realities of Dating as An ActorThis episode tackles the thorny question of dating when working as an actor. As a couple, Georgie and Pierce are well placed to answer the question, what difficulties are encountered as a member of the acting profession in a full-time relationship? From time constraints to on-set intimacy, get familiar with the different dynamics an acting career offers. KEY TAKEAWAYSActing work is difficult to keep compartmentalised and regular. Time commitments mean often sacrificing time with a partner but you can set apart time to spend together.Difficult and emotional jobs can put pressure on your relationship. Th...2023-01-1732 minThe Working Actor ShowShould You go to Drama School ?One of the biggest assumptions made about an acting career is that it has to begin in Drama School, but how true is this out there in the world of auditions and casting? Georgie and Pierce are here to reveal how advantageous an acting school background actually is and how you can break into the acting world even if you are changing career lanes, starting late, part-time acting or have never had any formal training. KEY TAKEAWAYSYou may experience some pushback from those who have been to drama school, but it is still perfectly possible to...2023-01-1032 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to go From Amateur to Professional Work Without an AgentHow do you make the move from amateur to professional work without having to either have the training of an acting school or employ the connections of an agent? Georgie and Pierce are here to provide you with a plan to shift you into the higher gear of paid work and professional projects.KEY TAKEAWAYSInvest in your toolkit. Get your headshots, showreels and CVs refined and perfected. If you cannot yet afford professional headshots ensure you have a clear, good-quality photograph free from distractions. Get your professional headshots done as soon as you can afford t...2023-01-0323 minThe Working Actor ShowWhat WONT'T Land You More RolesSpicy episode alert!! This is the episode that tackles what you think will land you more roles versus what will actually land you more roles. It’s time to reveal some unfettered truths that you probably don’t want to hear, but definitely need to hear. Who else but Georgie and Pierce can guide you away from the click-bait acting myths to the reality of what you will be facing as you move forwards in your new career? KEY TAKEAWAYSThe ‘she was discovered working in a cake shop’ myth. The right opportunities will not automatically find you. Y...2022-12-2730 minThe Working Actor Show5 Things Nobody Tells You About ActingAre you wondering, perhaps with trepidation, about the mysterious and enigmatic caprices of the acting world? Perhaps there are things that people ‘forgot’ to mention to you, dramatic reveals that will put you off your step and interrupt you while you continue your mission to carve your place in your chosen career? Georgie and Pierce are here with 5 reveals that you may have missed before now. KEY TAKEAWAYSThis career is not anywhere near as inaccessible as it is made out to be. It is often sold as an awkward, difficult career filled with awkward, difficult peopl...2022-12-2021 minThe Working Actor ShowGet Better, Not BitterRise above the drama! There’s quite a bit of that in the acting world for some reason but don’t get caught up in the weeds! Don’t try to outdo others or drag others down with you. Georgie and Pierce are here to point the way towards the high road.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe main thing that can hold you back is having an incorrect mindset towards the acting business. Do not see it as competition but as an opportunity. Do not become bitter over other people landing roles due to their connections. Get out there an...2022-12-1324 minThe Working Actor Show7 Rules for Making Money as an ActorYou may be pursuing an acting career out of pure love for the job, but that doesn’t mean you can’t gather some cash as you’re doing it. Georgie and Pierce are here to clear up the money conundrum of the acting world with 7 rules on efficiently gathering the green to make your life that bit comfier.KEY TAKEAWAYSRecognise your value. You are more than within your rights to ask for remuneration to which you feel entitled.Figure out your day rate. A working actor is usually about £200 to £250. If you state negotiable it will...2022-12-0632 minThe Working Actor ShowThe Right Time to Sign with an AgentGeorgie and Pierce are here to give the info on everything you need to know to make an informed decision on when to sign with an agent. At what point do you stop being self-representing to get better opportunities that you cannot gain yourself? What makes a good agent and how do you find one?KEY TAKEAWAYSAgents that you can gain early in your career usually take on as many clients as they possibly can to maximise their income. Unfortunately, this business model does not give them time to find work opportunities for you. Unless a...2022-11-2925 minThe Working Actor ShowOvercoming The Awkwardness of Networking as An ActorYour network is your net worth and the more you connect the more you collect. That may all be well and true but many people are still daunted and understandably cautious about networking’s social side, but it is the best way of keeping a steady flow of work over the long term. Georgie and Pierce tell you why and how you should be going about increasing your connections. KEY TAKEAWAYSThere is a stigma around networking in the acting genre, however, many of the people established in the profession are very open to chatting and sha...2022-11-2220 minThe Working Actor Show5 Steps to Landing More Consistent Acting WorkTo gain more consistent acting work there are a number of ways to achieve a more steady stream of offers and Georgie and Pierce are here to explain 5 steps towards this goal. From rethinking any limiting ideas that hold you back to a more open minded approach to self investment, Georgie and Pierce will help you get on the track to selling yourself and your skills effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYSIf you envision yourself when working as a certain sort of person, become that person now before the work starts flowing in.Unblock any limiting beliefs you h...2022-11-1531 minThe Working Actor ShowAnswering Your frequently Asked QuestionsGeorgie and Pierce have a lively Instagram account with a buzzing community and these are the questions they get asked most often while discussing acting and its inevitable varying vagaries. From Drama School (or not!) to landing a major role, get all the answers here on The Working Actor Show. KEY TAKEAWAYS‘Do I have to attend Drama School to be a successful actor?’‘Does my accent prevent me from getting roles?’‘How did you get an agent?’‘Do I need a particular look to get into a production?’ ‘Is my location holding me back?’‘How do I get cast in a major...2022-11-0833 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to Avoid Burnout as an ActorLets face it, you’re gonna do it. You’re an actor, at some point you’re going to keep pushing and working harder until you reach your absolute limit. You may have chosen this career but that doesn’t mean you’re beholden to burnout. Georgie and Pierce are here to give you the info on working a little bit smarter rather than harder so your chances of avoiding rolling into a tight exhausted ball, hugging a cat and wolfing down bar after bar of chocolate are significantly diminished.KEY TAKEAWAYSIt’s ok to be knackered...2022-11-0130 minThe Working Actor Show7 Words Every Actor Needs to KnowIncrease your vocabulary with this episode of The Working Actor Show. Georgie and Pierce are here with the explanations of 7 words you need to know before you even turn up on set. Bypass those embarrassing conversations where its clear you have no idea what people are talking about and get these words defined and installed in your brain box. KEY TAKEAWAYSCall Sheet : a document that states when and where everyone is required. Sides : the part of the script being performed that day. Quiet on Set : an essential instruction for silence to stop extraneous sound pickup. Take...2022-10-2531 minThe Working Actor ShowThe 3 Steps to Get Seen For Auditions as a Self Representing ActorThe question that all aspiring actors seem to ask is how to get the elusive audition if you do not have an agent to do all the work for you. At the beginning of your career you will discover very little information on finding and securing opportunities for yourself, so Georgie and Pierce are here to give you the metaphorical ‘leg up’ and get you a cheeky advantage. KEY TAKEAWAYSYou could have all the acting training in the world, unless you learn to find opportunities and network then it really is all for nothing. Personal branding and co...2022-10-1828 minThe Working Actor Show3 Misconceptions About Acting from The PublicGeorgie and Pierce are today going to be talking about the misconception and preconceived ideas that many of the general public have about the acting profession. As an actor, you hear some of the most crazy ideas from non actors about what the job entails, so the guys will put it right and commiserate with all you acting folk and save you from having to constantly roll your eyes in frustration. KEY TAKEAWAYS‘You don’t have to be intelligent to be an actor.’ Rubbish. To bring a character to life, and truly understand them, you have to...2022-10-1127 minThe Working Actor ShowThe 5 Biggest Mistakes Actors Make When They’re Starting OutHere is a great opportunity to listen in and avoid the five biggest mistakes people make when they first begin their initial steps into acting. Georgie and Pierce are here to point the way round the pitfalls and make your first brave foray into the working actor world a more steady one. KEY TAKEAWAYSDo not think that emailing Casting Directors is the only way to network. Emails are outdated and often ignored because so many are sent. You need to use LinkedIn and similar social networks.Prioritise building a personal brand on social networks. Don’t pre...2022-10-0428 minThe Working Actor ShowSocial Media for ActorsSome people say you should use it, some people say you should avoid it. Georgie and Pierce, however, think that social media is a vital tool for creating a network that can provide you work. Establishing yourself within the online acting community is a good way of ensuring that you are at the forefront of people’s mind when they are accessing their mental Rolodex for roles. Georgie and Pierce share their tips and no-no’s for showcasing and advertising yourself to the people that make those all important decisions.KEY TAKEAWAYSOn your social media prof...2022-09-2730 minThe Working Actor ShowThe Secret to Being an Actor (Who Also Has a Life)Georgie and Pierce explain how you can live alongside an acting career with everything else in your life and give you a few tips on how to live your life with a little bit of balance. As a working actor you are going to need time and money to feed yourself and wash your smalls, but sometimes the whirlwind of acting and daily work can become all encompassing, so here’s some hints on how to keep it all (relatively) under control.KEY TAKEAWAYSFor actors, a relaxing evening watching TV can mean a busman’s holi...2022-09-2038 minThe Working Actor Show3 Pillars to Landing Roles Through Networking #008 The Working Actor Show – 3 Pillars to Landing Roles through Networking DESCRIPTION Learning how to network can be one of the most important aspects of landing acting roles but it often makes people nervous about how they should go about it. Georgie and Pierce are here to clear up any misconceptions and questions you have, calm your nerves, and introduce to you the three pillars you need to consider in order to achieve your first job. KEY TAKEAWAYSKnow. It is really important to make yourself known as an a...2022-09-1331 minThe Working Actor Show3 Steps to Becoming a Fearless ActorPierce and Georgie do a deep dive into the nature of fearlessness, courage, bravery (and stupidity!). In the context of the acting profession, here are 3 steps to help you stride forward confidently and square up to those nagging voices in your head that hold you back. Acknowledge your fears! Then just do it anyway. KEY TAKEAWAYSRecognise that you have to take action. No one else is going to do that hard inner work that has to be done. Self awareness is key.Make sure you have your own back. The world is full o...2022-09-0633 minThe Working Actor Show5 Things Every Actor Needs to Know About Being on SetMake your first experience of being on set an informed and easy experience and listen to Georgie and Pierce’s list of 5 things you need to know. They are here to tell you what to expect so you don’t have to waste your acting skills on covering up your shock and excitement on your first day at work. KEY TAKEAWAYSMake the most of rehearsal time. With filming, it's really important that you self rehearse to get it right during filming. Work on your character during down time and discussion with others.Get to kn...2022-08-3032 minThe Working Actor Show7 Steps to Create a Well-Rounded CharacterIn this episode Georgie and Pierce discuss the 7 steps to creating a well-rounded character. It is so often that actors, especially those in their early roles, do not have a character development process, so here is Georgie’s personal process to get you started. KEY TAKEAWAYSDeveloping your character makes your job easier and your understanding of your character results in truthful, natural reactions.Method acting is empathy, not sending dead rats to your castmates, or living as someone else for six months. It can also be traumatising if taken too far.Read the scri...2022-08-3032 minThe Working Actor ShowHow to Land Paid Acting RolesWhether you have an agent or not, whether you have formal training or not, here are some actionable steps that you can take to get into paid acting work, starting now! Take note, as this could be the beginning of a successful career. KEY TAKEAWAYSUse casting sites. Find one that works best for you. Spotlight, however, is usually only good if you have an agent on there.Stay consistent on your chosen site. Apply regularly and remember there is a time lag from application to reply. Do not sign with the first agent tha...2022-08-3033 minThe Working Actor Show5 Ways to Talk to Casting DirectorsThere are some really specific ways that you can start hearing back from Casting Directors and land yourself some roles. Here are 5 ways you can make contact with the all important people who make the decisions on who gets the green light and who doesn’t. The more connections you can have with Casting Directors the better. KEY TAKEAWAYSDon’t make it about yourself. When you are speaking to someone when networking the first thing you need to remember is that people know and like to talk about themselves.Use social media to keep...2022-08-3025 minThe Working Actor Show3 Guaranteed Ways to Find Quality Acting WorkHere are 3 guaranteed ways to find quality acting work within the industry. Opportunities abound out there right now and Georgie and Pierce are here to share with you how to ‘grab a spoon and dig in’! These are pitfalls and pinnacles of how to land yourself a steady stream of auditions and expand your acting possibilities. KEY TAKEAWAYSUse casting sites. This is the best way you are guaranteed to find quality acting work. Casting sites (other than Spotlight) are being used more and more by bigger studios across a range of output formats. You ca...2022-08-3030 minThe Working Actor ShowWhy Most Actors Don’t Make ItWelcome to the inaugural episode of The Working Actor Show! Georgie and Pierce are here to entertain you and guide both established and unestablished actors to gain access to the acting industry while negotiating some of the business and mindset hurdles along the way. As your hosts they will introduce you to in depth aspects of the acting industry with their own expertise and by sharing the experiences of special guests throughout the series. They are starting out with the question everyone wants to know the answer to; why most actors don’t make it and how you...2022-08-3030 min