My first interaction with the industry (I must explore that term) was at drama school. My cohort and I were thrust into a room way too small for our number, and made to sit facing two remarkably plain looking individuals. They were called Kevin and, er…well I can’t remember the other one’s name, but she was his business partner. They were agents.

The energy in the room was a strange one; a mixture of nervous excitement, forced pleasantness and silent judgement. With the balance of power firmly with the agents; they had of course been here before, and would undoubtedly be back here again soon with a whole new crammed-in cohort. For the actors however, it was our first taste of serious networking.

I don’t remember much about what was said in the meeting. Not because I wasn’t paying attention, but because I was so distracted by the dynamic in the room. I don’t think Kevin and, er…what’s-her-name, said anything particularly career boosting. And this is not really surprising as the relatively few agents I've met spend most of their time trying not to give too much away when they speak. They don't really say what they think. And, to be fair, actors spend most of their time saying way too much about what they think they feel. In a meeting containing both parties successful communication is understandably rare.

However, I do remember one thing said by what’s-her-name. She gave a clear, forceful and unequivocal opinion and it woke me with a jolt. It was an answer to a question from one of my cohort, who had made an obvious cry for reassurance masquerading as a question. And her answer was this: “Listen", what's-her-name said, "there are no Judi Denches or Laurence Oliviers undiscovered in this industry, because if there were, we* would’ve found them”.

Pause. Consider.

Now, there is obviously a fuck-of-a-lot to be discussed here but we'll save that for another day. For now I can tell you after making a fabulously provocative statement, which, incidentally, nobody challenged, she continued by assuring us all that if we were talented enough we would be noticed. And with that and a bit more faff, they went about their evening. And so did we, but the frightening thing was, everyone seemed quietly encouraged.

(*By we, I think she meant agents in general, not Kevin and her).

A few thoughts on being an actor.

If you type into Google (in my house at least) '10 Upcoming British Actors' you would not find my name among them. What you may notice is that the first-page listings will direct you to many websites that have their Top Ten 10. These lists will invariably contain names such as; Andrew Garfield, Nicholas Hoult and Lenora Crichlow amongst other very famous starlets.

Now the most observant amongst you will detect a faint whiff of name dropping as none of these actors, many of which have starred in their own TV show or movie (or both), can even vaguely be considered to be upcoming. They are, quite clearly up and come. At the reading of this article they may very well be down and gone.

Now this may not be the best way to go about finding true upcoming talent but it is the way that most of you would do it if the notion took you of a Sunday afternoon. I am, of course, not the first actor to pontificate on the musings of the industry (said with the same connotation as the word 'merchandise') - Michael Simkins is one of many that have written about being an actor. Here is an extract from his book; What’s My Motivation? Published by the Guardian (You don’t have to read it):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/may/09/tips-surviving-acting-industry

It’s good advice for an actor on the surface. And whilst most of these publications have some very, very, very, very (sigh) basic advice, they do seem to glibly skirt over some very important topics, and, I might add, some hilariously silly traditions within the industry (merchandise) and completely leave out the day to day must-knows. Certainly must-knows for someone who isn't Andrew Garfield or, well... Michael Simkins.

I'm an actor in London. I'm not sure if I'm upcoming, outgoing, incoming or backsliding. But I'm working as an actor in the capital and I have some thoughts to share, which you may relate to, benefit from or cathartically hate. Thoughts that don’t get talked about in these wonderful books about being actors that cost £10 a pop. But things you will certainly have to face if you are trying to be an actor in 2012.