Hello World!
There are so many up ups and downs within this wonderful, magical world we all love (said with gritted teeth). People are always asking whether these ups and downs are needed, whether it be the emotional ups and downs, the financial ups and downs or the ups and downs certain directors, producers and industry professionals would like you to partake in which will ultimately lead to them saying "I'll make you a star kid", said in a 1920s New York accent! But there is one topic of ups and downs which preys upon a recent graduates mind...
There are so many up ups and downs within this wonderful, magical world we all love (said with gritted teeth). People are always asking whether these ups and downs are needed, whether it be the emotional ups and downs, the financial ups and downs or the ups and downs certain directors, producers and industry professionals would like you to partake in which will ultimately lead to them saying "I'll make you a star kid", said in a 1920s New York accent! But there is one topic of ups and downs which preys upon a recent graduates mind...
WHERE SHALL I LIVE?
Now before I begin my rant I apologise for the amount of times I wrote the phrase 'ups and downs' in that last paragraph!
OK, so picture this, I am in my last few months of drama school, I am wondering if I will ever get an acting job...thinking at the back of my mind 'I hope Morrisons is still taking people on', worrying about how I will pay off my overdraft and finally pondering over showcase speeches! The last thing I want is big, scary, professional people to come into my school to give us advice on the big, bad world and all of them coming to the conclusion that London Town is the place to be!
Enter Stage Right - Big Scary Professional People!
Now I understand the pro's to living in London; you are surrounded by theatre, everyone who serves you at a bar is, more than likely, an actor and alot of auditions etc are on Queen Elizabeth II's door step. But there are also the downsides to living in London; you are surrounded by theatre, everyone who serves you at a bar is, more than likely, an actor and a lot of auditions etc are in London... and if you're not getting the auditions and the parts it can be a killer...not literally...but it must get you down if you are surrounded by success and it's not yours!
It is also bloomin' expensive to be living down south and I think some people end up working to live instead of living to work!
London is not the only place in the country where things are happening. I decided to go against the wise words of the big, scary professionals and move back home to Manchester.
Manchester is a very up and coming city for actors - the BBC is moving up and Granada Studios and Media City UK are based there - just to name three perfect opportunities. Obviously the projects up north are more suited to someone like me, as I am a Northerner, but not all my auditions are up north, I am just willing to travel - as I just think it is a cheaper alternative. You are not just another number as you are in London, you have more opportunity to break the boundaries between actor and casting director because they are not as bombarded with begging letters as southern casting directors.
I just think that London is not all it is cracked up to be.
I do love the city and would love to live there but Manchester is only two hours on a train, and the people actually can be friendly... this whole blog seems like I am working for the council on the 'visit Manchester campaign' - sorry!
Obviously everyone is different but I think if you don't have a base in London upon leaving drama school, you should see what is best for you because it is easy to follow the crowd but sometimes you stand out if you do something different. I have been fortunate and experienced this first hand, a lot of my friends from drama school are working in bars and in schools in London just to get by whereas, luckily, I have done the old acting as a job and 80% of my work has been up north... so its something worth thinking about.
If I can't persuade you, maybe my highbrow, arty, weekly quote will:
"The only way is up (baby)" - Yazz
Now before I begin my rant I apologise for the amount of times I wrote the phrase 'ups and downs' in that last paragraph!
OK, so picture this, I am in my last few months of drama school, I am wondering if I will ever get an acting job...thinking at the back of my mind 'I hope Morrisons is still taking people on', worrying about how I will pay off my overdraft and finally pondering over showcase speeches! The last thing I want is big, scary, professional people to come into my school to give us advice on the big, bad world and all of them coming to the conclusion that London Town is the place to be!
Enter Stage Right - Big Scary Professional People!
Now I understand the pro's to living in London; you are surrounded by theatre, everyone who serves you at a bar is, more than likely, an actor and alot of auditions etc are on Queen Elizabeth II's door step. But there are also the downsides to living in London; you are surrounded by theatre, everyone who serves you at a bar is, more than likely, an actor and a lot of auditions etc are in London... and if you're not getting the auditions and the parts it can be a killer...not literally...but it must get you down if you are surrounded by success and it's not yours!
It is also bloomin' expensive to be living down south and I think some people end up working to live instead of living to work!
London is not the only place in the country where things are happening. I decided to go against the wise words of the big, scary professionals and move back home to Manchester.
Manchester is a very up and coming city for actors - the BBC is moving up and Granada Studios and Media City UK are based there - just to name three perfect opportunities. Obviously the projects up north are more suited to someone like me, as I am a Northerner, but not all my auditions are up north, I am just willing to travel - as I just think it is a cheaper alternative. You are not just another number as you are in London, you have more opportunity to break the boundaries between actor and casting director because they are not as bombarded with begging letters as southern casting directors.
I just think that London is not all it is cracked up to be.
I do love the city and would love to live there but Manchester is only two hours on a train, and the people actually can be friendly... this whole blog seems like I am working for the council on the 'visit Manchester campaign' - sorry!
Obviously everyone is different but I think if you don't have a base in London upon leaving drama school, you should see what is best for you because it is easy to follow the crowd but sometimes you stand out if you do something different. I have been fortunate and experienced this first hand, a lot of my friends from drama school are working in bars and in schools in London just to get by whereas, luckily, I have done the old acting as a job and 80% of my work has been up north... so its something worth thinking about.
If I can't persuade you, maybe my highbrow, arty, weekly quote will:
"The only way is up (baby)" - Yazz
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