Americans: Your UK Acting Career Step 3

So now you've arrived in the UK, you've got a place to stay. Excellent. Now what?

Step 3: DIVE IN!
You need to get involved. Soak up the culture, meet people, make your way into the acting community one way or another. Fortunately there are loads of ways to do this! Here are some recommendations that helped me find my way IN:

A. For Professional Actors without a work permit
You can't actually work, but you can take classes, meet with industry professionals, go to the theatre, and basically get an idea of how the UK market works. This is what I did during the period before I could legally work and it very much paved the way for my career now.

1. Get a mobile phone. If you're here short-term, you can get a pay-as-you go phone.
2. Get a copy of Contacts published annually by Spotlight.
3. Join the Actors Centre - Great range of affordable classes, good central location, excellent way to meet other actors. Professional Union membership and/or training required to join. Another place to take classes is the City Lit. I haven't done so personally, but some friends speak highly of it.
4. Go to the theatre - This is where you get to know a director's or theatre company's work, other actors, what kind of work is being produced, etc. For weekly listings, read Time Out London.
5. Watch TV - If you want to work on-camera, research popular shows, see who's casting them, observe British style vs. American, and enjoy.
6. Listen to the radio - In the UK there's a lot more crossover between stage, TV, film, and radio than there is in the USA. BBC Radio produces loads of great shows, so hear what's out there - especially if you want to do voice work. You can also attend live recordings for free or very cheaply. See how a radio show is made!

B. For Professional Actors with a work permit
If you're just starting out in London, I still advise doing the above as part of your preliminary work. Beyond that, here's what else. Some steps are the same in any city, some are market-specific.

1. Promote yourself in Spotlight - Casting directories published online & in print. This is essential as Spotlight is the standard reference for casting directors and production professionals. Training or professional credits required to join.
2. Perform on stage - this can be as simple as a showcase, a staged reading, a fringe theatre production, or if you're lucky a full-out professional gig. The important thing is to be seen. As in any city, this is how you get an agent, and how directors and casting directors find you!
3. Write to Agents & Casting Directors - when you've got a performance lined up, tell everyone about it! Find their names & addresses in Contacts.
4. Seek auditions - If you don't have an agent, you have to find your own work. Here are some methods:
1. Research the area in which you want to work and write to the appropriate person (found in Contacts). In your mailing include a cover letter introducing yourself and why you'd be a good asset, headshot, CV, and contact details.
2. Subscribe to: CastWeb or Castnet
3. Ask around. When you're hanging out in the Actors' Centre or at the Equity office, or anywhere actors congregate!
5. Convert your Resume to your CV - The UK format is slightly different than what you're used to in the USA. Read my post on this here.
6. Get new headshots - the British 10x8 style is more natural than the American 8x10 made-up look. You can probably use your American shots for commercials, but for most dramatic work you'll need the British style in your portfolio. The industry here is only just embracing color photos. Find photographers through Contacts or by flipping through photographers' books in the Spotlight office.
7. Make a showreel/voicereel- If you want to work on-camera or as a voice artist, this is important to have. I recommend Twitch Films for showreels - they did mine for a great rate and I love it. For my voiceover demo I went with JP at The Showreel and would highly recommend him. He's a total pro, gives you lots of time, plays up your strengths and makes you sound great. I made my investment back with VO work almost immediately.
8. Consider joining Equity - British Actors Union
9. Consider joining the NAAA - North American Actors Association

C. For Students
Lucky for you, as a student in a British university or drama school you can't help but be immersed in British culture. I didn't take this route since I already had my BA in Theatre, but I often fantasized about studying at RADA or some of the other classy schools. If you look at any West End play program, the first thing young actors list in their biography is where they trained. This is a great way of networking with professionals, getting quality training, and at the end showcasing your work to agents, directors and casting directors.