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| Topic: Starting Over - From Cape Town to London | ||
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| Hi! Just added some voice samples to my new profile which I am building. Any pointers to breaking into voice work in London would be appreciated. Two are from a comedy radio campaign and two from a series of TV documentaries on social development in South Africa which I produced and presented. If you have time more background information below - My name is Lawrence & have just returned to UK after a long period in South Africa. I was born in SA, brought to Dorset in the 60 as an infant and returned to SA in the 70's. I miss Table Mountain, but loving the change of seasons here - the bird-life, seasonal flowers popping up all over the fantastic parks and the gentle swing of the society over here. Riding on the London double decker buses and still find the Tube an adventure! ('Love the Tube?!' I know - its early days) Basically starting over - over here, although somewhat daunting, loads of fun. Its feels like I am on an extreme episode of The Amazing Race. Sometimes it feels more like an epsiode of Fear Factor. 'On today's episode send 50 year old man to London and there he must start a performance career from scratch!' But as I said loads of fun! Daunting but fun! Not to blow my own trumpet, but I was fortunate to have worked with some amazing South African production teams, and in the 1990's received nomination for favorite TV presenter over there for an improvised TV retail comedy campaign for a supermarket chain. I improvised & work-shopped over 550 (five hundred and fifty) comedy commercials about groceries which were broadcast on South African television and these won every advertising award available in SA at the time. I have performed in plays and musicals, presented & produced documentaries, and hosted literally hundreds of corporate events & conferences as comedy host. Grateful to say, all to great review. In preparation for the move I lectured and gave class in acting & comedy improv and musical theatre at the Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town. I absolutely loved working with the students and they assisted me in re-discovering why I got into the business in the first place. The college focuses on preparing students specifically for Musical Theatre so what a pleasure! I was chuffed to discover a gentle and empathetic coach within me who really believes in positive re-enforcement to bring out the best in young talent. I thought this lecturing experience would give me an in, but getting stymied by the fact that colleges want an FE adult learning qualification. I have a degree in Speech & Drama; and Psychology. Need to find an agent, break into the local corporate event market, always wanted to play an ugly sister in Cinderella, love to be part of a sketch comedy team, crack a role in a West End season of a musical .... I have always shied away a bit from networking ...but what the heck - so going to post this.... Okay I have taken up enough of your bandwidth, and thanks for reading this as I was feeling a bit isolated,having pushed away from my more familiar shores. And by the way my main pic was shot at a Photo Shop - such a nice guy in Hackney Narrow Way and when he started air-brushing it, I seriously could not bring myself to stop him. When I go to auditions and clients look a bit shocked, I will just have to say, 'Look it looked fine yesterday - but I think my Botox must have ran out last night!' Best wishes LawrenceHilton | ||
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| Reply #1 | |
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| Posted : 23/07/10 | |
| Hi Lawrence I'm originally from SA and recognise your name. Its pretty tough over here at the moment due to the recession but you will be able to work. Finding an agent should not be a problem for you with your experience, but when I got here I was immediately told to lose my SA accent ( it was never that strong anyway). Sadly, I've found there was some discrimination initially at me being here, even tho I am a Brit by nationality. The more UK work I secured, people don't even ask me now, as my career really began in the UK as I couldn't get work in SA. They never "got me". Rightly or wrongly, make sure you have a standard English RP in your arsenal and converse with it at auditions. Some will say I'm being discriminatory but having live in SA and being here- I can attest to the discrimination that exists. Ironically- they don't believe me here in castings when I say I'm from SA. I sound English. Always have. Most pick it up eventually but I'm asked if I'm welsh or german. Pm me if you have any questions and we can meet for a coffee. Blake | |
| Reply #2 | |
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| Posted : 24/07/10 | |
| Hi! I cannot believe how excellent this site is. I was contacted by Theatre Producer and two former colleagues yesterday after posting my letter. As mentioned networking was never my forte'. Thanks Blake for your comments. Best wishes Lawrence | |
| Reply #3 | |
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| Posted : 24/07/10 | |
| Hi, I too am a fellow (half) Kaapie. It is very true that the qualification system is quite different between SA/UK. I would start off with some light networking/script reading e.g. LuckyDogs. The Arcola Theatre also has a good reputation of showing African plays, and the old SA accent also helps! Try and get a voice reel of stuff in RP/ SA accent and if relevant English/Afrikaans. Hope that helps. Cheers Bru. | |
| Reply #4 | |
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| Posted : 24/07/10 | |
| Hey Natalie Thanks for your feedback. Visited your profile Excellent & really enjoyed the wonderful natural narrative style in your samples. Regards Lawrence | |
| Reply #5 | |
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| Posted : 24/07/10 | |
| Hi Blake visited your profile. Boy you have a fantastic voice & really bring the sense to the table. Marvelous!! Best Wishes Lawrence | |
| Reply #6 | |
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| Posted : 25/07/10 | |
| Wow, I just switched computers and checked out your audio profiles. Your voice is soooo familiar. I guess like so many SA artists you have already refined your accent. I'm sure as you know, this has been going on for ages, when my mum trained at UCT back in the early 70s, the first thing they taught her was RP. If comedy is your bag, there is a lot of it at LuckyDogs meetings. The next one is on 02/08 near London Bridge and there have been some great comedy scripts being aired. Its really chilled and gentle and is a great starting point. | |
| Reply #7 | |
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| Posted : 25/07/10 | |
| Hi Natalie I will definatley look up Lucky Dogs. UCT was always a great training ground. Friends of mine such as David Dennis trained there and many have gone on to great things. And you are right re RP I can remember us spending alot of voice class time at varsity with corks in our mouths unflattening our vowels! It was like scenes from My Fair Lady. I'm picking up that in UK there has been movements to encompass local county regional accents in the media - as in SA. When I went back to SA in the 70's as a kid from Dorset I sounded like UK legend Benny Hill. Thanks for your feedback. Lawrence | |
| Reply #8 | |
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| Posted : 26/07/10 | |
| Hi - Trying to load short clips from some VHS versions of some musicals, but finding sound keeps dropping out. Anyone has advice? Regards Lawrence | |
| Reply #9 | |
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| Posted : 27/07/10 | |
| Getting the sound right - loading from a laptop and post production was never my strong point. Thanks Mike for your assistance. Regards Lawrence | |
| Reply #10 | |
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| Posted : 17/11/10 | |
| Hello Lawrence Hope you are doing well over hear now and feel a little settled in. i wondered how it works in SA with becoming and actor. Do agents like to look at Showreels? is there alot of work over there? love to hear about the other side! Crystal x | |
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