Finding Pria by Paris Robin

Recently I was delighted to be involved in a project written and produced by upcoming film-maker Paris Robin (she also performed the lead role, Jade). Based on her personal experiences of London’s darker side, Finding Pria is about foster care; arranged marriages and brothels. It is currently in post production but I would recommend this as a short film worth watching as it will open your mind up to very, depressingly relevant issue in today’s society. 

I played a gang member who attempts to mug Jade. This was a challenging role for me to approach but I feel I was successful in creating a believable bully using techniques I had learnt from the production of Mogadishu where we spent a lot of time on making the gang seem as scary and real as possible. 

Finding Pria also has a high number of female roles with is another reason why I really enjoyed being part of this film. It showed female characters in a positive light dealing with issues more than relationships. Something I feel strongly about. Robin has written and produced a fantastic piece of modern film.

https://twitter.com/FindingPria

Harley’s Comet – Student Short Film

What a wonderful evening. Had a small role in a short film, for final year film students on the Regents Park University film course. Got my first experience of Guerilla filming, sneakily filming on London’s public transport services. This was exciting and motivating to see such dedicated and fun film makers embracing different ways of filming. 

My character personified the busy Londoner, she trips over Harley’s suitcase and gives her daggers as a result. This was my first acting job in London which is fantastic. A hurdle I was struggling to jump over but now I’ve done it once; the jobs are flowing in.

Thank you so much to all the cast and crew of Harley’s Comet for being so kind and easy to work with. I had an enjoyable evening doing what I love the most.

Star Wars Open Auditions- Top Tips

Today, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to go to the open auditions at Twickenham Stadium in London. I arrived at 4.30am with two good friends from East 15 Acting School and was soon joined with another in the queue. We waited in the dark, cold night unable to see if we were close to the front at all but keenly aware of the rapidly expanding queue behind us. At 6am, as stated, the doors opened and we moved into the stadium forming a snaking queue. To pass the time, me and my good friends sang a few cheerful songs and joking about the interviews we hoped to get through too. Finally, at 9.30 we filled out our forms; stapled our headshots and went into a tent to the first stage. Luckily, I and two others were successful in getting invited to meet a casting director. We entered a warm waiting room and then moved upstairs for a quick chat with a casting director.

TOP TIPS

1) Before you leave: eat a filling breakfast and have a hot drink. Pack snacks for the queue (I had Haribo and Pringles!)

2) Wrap up warm: lots of layers. You have to take them off before you see anyone who makes decisions anyway so it doesn’t matter if you look like an Eskimo outside. 

3)  Arrive early, at least an hour before the doors open. 

4)  Go with a group of friends, even if they aren’t interested in even auditioning, it’ll make the long waiting much more fun. 

5) Have a good headshot! Even if its not professional, search what they look like and modify your best photo as close to their standards as possible.

6) They will ask you your acting experiences so if you really want to get through make sure you have some! (Could even be a school play.)

7) Typical casting director questions: What’s favourite film genre? What’s your favourite film? Who is your favourite actress/actor? What character would you like to play? BE HONEST WITH YOUR ANSWER- THEY WILL TELL IF YOU’RE LYING. Choose films you want to be in; performers you aspire to be; characters you love more than anything.

8) MOST IMPORTANTLY – HAVE FUN. Do not be disheartened if you aren’t recalled- the most likely reason is because you simply don’t suit the part or have enough acting experiences. As any performer will tell you; you can’t simply walk into Hollywood film industry, it takes time and hard work. Be happy with the fact you at least had the confidence to try out 🙂

I hope this is helpful to future auditionees and that you have as much fun as did today at the open auditions for the fantasmical STAR WARS 😀

[One final note, unless you are able to play a young woman aged 16-18 or young man aged 18-20 then I would not advise attending the audition.]