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).