Module 1: Task 1A, Professional Blog Profile/Introduction

Module 1: Task 1A Professional Profile

How to create a Professional Portfolio for Castings and Auditions

The information in this section gives examples of how a CV should be formatted in preparation for an Agent or potential employer (production company). My examples are very contrasting, prior to my final year of studies my CV looked like Example 1, the content was far too descriptive and gave information that is irrelevant upon graduation. Potential employers within this industry require a very little history about achievements before embarking upon professional training. A good format for a professional CV will include the following:

• Name and description of the person, agent details / spotlight registration details contact numbers / email addresses

• Profile; including character description (hair/eye colour, vocal range & nationality)

• Training details, only give details of where you attained your professional qualification for example Diploma or Degree

• Experience sub heading that shows your credits whilst in training and after graduation (Include where you performed, dates, venues and details of the production and Casting Team)

• Skill Section which gives other information about hobbies, accents and dance styles.

Please see Example 2 which is my current CV, I have also included a template letter which may be used regarding representation and is sent to an Agent (Example 3)

Some jobs require a performer to invoice a company for work that they have completed. I have included a draft letter see Example 4

In addition to a CV I have my own portfolio which includes current head shots and full body shots. See Example 5.

Example 1   CV

Curriculum Vitae / Bethany Jane Emily Huckle

Address……………..

…………………………

Home Tel :

Email Address :

DOB

Personal Profile

I am a very confident and motivated young woman who can work independently and with others. For the past six years I have studied at the Nobel School in Stevenage where, I have completed all of my GCSE studies and extra curriculum studies which include passing my Bronze, Silver and Gold  Trinity Guild Arts Award and Trinity Singing Exams up to grade six. My attendance at school has always been outstanding and I have always participated in termly showcases and after school activities. I have shown true interest in helping others and helped younger students who participated in lunch time and after school dance and drama classes.

I am a very creative and practical person who can be relied upon to complete any task set. I currently study many dance styles which include tap, modern, jazz, ballet, I have achieved top grades in these disciplines and am currently completing the last graded exams this autumn.

During the past year I have been auditioning for a post sixteen place at a Performing Arts school, I have successfully been offered a scholarship place at each of the seven schools where I auditioned these include Laine Theatre Arts, Italia Conti, Bird College, Urdang Academy, Tring, Performers College & Body works. I am now studying my three year Diploma in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.

Education

June 2011: Attained Grades GCSE: Dance A*, Drama A*, Science C

June 2012: Attained Grades GCSE: Maths C, English Language B, English Literature B, Science B, History B, Music A, Religious Studies A, IT – Distinction (B TECH)

Arts Award: Bronze, Silver and Gold (These awards have already awarded me UCAS points should I require them)

Independent Qualifications

Dance Grade Attained: Tap ISTD Advanced 1 (passed with a Distinction) , Ballet Inter RAD ,Modern ISTD Advanced 1 and Russian Ballet  Advanced. Trinity Guild Singing Exam Grade 6 (passed with a Distinction)

Outside interests

My spare time is taken up by training, performing and helping younger members at my local dance school. To date I have appeared on Got To Dance TV series, been awarded numerous awards and medals for solo, duet, trio and  group performances at local dance festivals  and  danced in the All England dance Finals in London. Last year I was a runner up in Hert's & Windsor's Got Talent shows where I was awarded prizes which included a photo shoot and professional work shop tuition. This April I took on the lead role when our dance company performed at Euro Disney, Move It 2013 and modelled Bloch dance wear.

Part time employment will help me to earn my own money and contribute to my studies in London, I am extremely reliable, polite and conscientious and would like to be considered for a position should one arise within your organisation. I am a very fashion conscious, organised and able to adapt to any task given to me. As a performer I am outgoing and able to interact with people, this is key quality to have within a working environment.

References 

……………..

……………..

……………..

Example 2 CV 

Example 3: Agent Letter

Dear 

Please find attached my current CV and head shots for your consideration. 

I graduated from The Urdang Academy in June 2015, attaining a Diploma In Musical Theatre and Dance. I have successfully been cast in the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and will be performing at Regents Park Open Air Theatre this summer.

I would be very interested in meeting with you to discuss the possibility of being represented by your agency.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information.

I look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards 

Bethany Huckle

Example 4: Invoice Template

Example 5: Portfolio Head Shots and Body Shots

Module 1: Task 1A Professional Profile / Introductions Final Draft

Module 1: Task 1A Professional Blog Profile / Introduction

(Updated version)

About Me

I was introduced to dance from an early age. My weekly ballet, tap and jazz classes soon developed into a very hectic schedule. Most evenings and weekends were spent perfecting competition and exam entries. Flexibility did not come naturally to me, hours of stretching at home soon paid off and I became as supple as other students.

I am extremely fortunate to have parents who have supported and believed in my passion to perform. They funded my training at a reputable dance school where the teachers nurtured my ability to attain excellent ISTD grades in tap, modern and ballet. I competed at both Regional and National level in all disciplines. My Trinity singing exams were taken at my comprehensive school where I was lucky enough to be taught by a teacher who discovered my ‘legit’ vocal strengths. At age sixteen I auditioned at a number of highly acclaimed Performing Arts Colleges. My pathway into professional training commenced with a number of scholarships being offered to me. Three years of training began at The Urdang Academy in London.

Professional Training

The first year of professional training allowed me to perfect my techniques in all disciplines. I regularly volunteered to assist with Academy Open Days, demonstrating in classes and helping auditionees. I currently hold a DBS licence which allows me to escort students under the age of eighteen. Chaperoning has allowed me to develop my organisation skills and build a rapport with my tutors and fellow students. I enjoy teaching and passing on my techniques.

My second year studies were tailored towards becoming what is known as a ‘Triple Threat’ meaning that a performer shows strong techniques in singing, dancing and acting. This is a good trait to have when embarking upon a career within this industry as most auditions entail a dance and singing call. Being strong in both disciplines can make a performer more employable as they can be cast as ensemble, understudy or as a Lead. Training within my second year consisted of a number of master classes, mock auditions and representation by the Academy’s In-House Agency.

Third year was extremely intense, as well as preparing for showcases to promote Agent interest and representation, I created my CV and gallery of headshots to be submitted onto ‘Spotlight ‘which is a platform for directors and casting agents to view your profile. Whilst completing my final year of training, I joined the pantomime cast of ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’, this was my first professional job performing as an ensemble member and understudy to the Princess. Working within this production gave me a perfect insight into the long and unsociable hours that this industry entails.

Credits after Graduation  

In June 2015, I graduated from the Urdang Academy achieving a grade 6 Trinity approved Professional Diploma in Musical Theatre (DIP). For the duration of this summer, I joined the cast of ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ playing the role of Alice, the youngest bride. I performed at Regents Park Open Air Theatre in London; this was my first West End Debut. My next contract will commence in December, I will be joining the cast of Cinderella, performing at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth.

Representation

I am currently represented by Global Artist Management; they are responsible for arranging my castings, future work and overseeing my contracts.

Why continue with my studies after attaining my Diploma ?

Embarking upon a career in this Industry is not an easy one and extremely unpredictable. I would like to continue with my studies converting my Professional Diploma into a Degree, this will then give me the option to further my career and become a teacher. This course is a perfect way for me to study around my auditions, rehearsals and work. I am looking forward to developing my writing and communication skills as a Professional Practitioner.

How diverse does a Professional Practitioner have to be?

A career within the Performing Arts Industry is extremely difficult and requires a performer to be versatile, maybe working outside of the industry to maintain an income.

Naively, I don't think that all contracts would be allocated on a self-employed basis with the rate of pay varying from job to job. This means that your income is not consistent and that it is very tricky to commit to living costs which may include rental agreements, loan repayments or any other financial outgoings. A performer has to register as a 'business' with HMRC and complete tax return each year. This comes with the added responsibility of recording your earnings, receipts, travel expenses and saving a proportion of your income to pay deductions such as tax and national insurance.

In addition to self-employed work a performer has to diversify and be able to find an alternative income whilst auditioning and waiting for the next job offer. It is unrealistic to think that one contract will follow another.

I have found it extremely helpful to join a reputable recruitment agency in London which is allowing me to work on a weekly, daily basis. Although not within the Performance Industry, the agency is 'high end' and provides work within London department stores and contract work for special events such as London Fashion Week and Designer exhibitions.

Working with this agency allows me to earn money as and when I need to subsidize my income.The disadvantages of this type of work is that the agency requires you to work as both employed and self-employed , so you have to be careful  about which earnings need to be declared at the end of the financial year. Pay is sometimes staggered and most agencies pay every four to six weeks which means that money for travel has to be paid by dipping into of my savings.

Module 1: Task 1A Professional Profile Reflection of Draft 1

My first draft to produce a blog about myself was not something that I have done before. Yes, I have a  professional CV which reflects all of my achievements but this is very brief and gives an overview with regards to my credits whilst in training and prior to graduating. Upon reflection, my first draft lacks detail of my professional studies and reasons for me wishing to attain a degree. My new blog will show more information about my training and experiences which I hope will relate to my readers. I have tried to share my thoughts and give a personal insight as to how a newly qualified professional practitioner can prepare themselves for work.  Having only graduated in June 2015, it is difficult to maintain my training regime whilst working and auditioning for new castings . I aim for my next blog to enable readers to think about how challenging it is to succeed within the world of entertainment. As a professional practitioner I am embarking upon a very unpredictable future with no guarantees of work or a fixed income.