Personal Development

My short, medium and long term goals

The short term goals that I want is to perform my best as the Narrator in The Highway Man while using projection and having good pacing in the show. I would like to achieve a Distinction grade on the Acting 2 unit.

The medium term goals that I have is to finish recording and editing a professional demo reel. I also would like to be invited on to the next year of higher education at Gloucester college.

The long term goal that I have is that I want people to hire me for acting on stage and for voice acting in a TV show or an independent project.

With my short-term goal to perform my best as the narrator in the Highwayman, I will do vocal warm-ups before every rehearsal so that my voice is ready to project loudly across the theatre. I will also look at how to pace my voice during the show so that the other actors don't fall behind when I talk faster. To reach this goal, I could read the lines slower or add pauses into the show to give time for when the other actors get changed into their other costumes. To achieve a distinction level grade on my Acting 2 unit, I will critically evaluate the practitioners and the techniques they used surrounding Stanislavski. I will then apply these techniques and practise with them in rehearsals to develop my character in these scenes at a professional level. I will then demonstrate the techniques that I have learned and the characterisation that I've developed to present in a show to a live audience. 

The main barrier that I run into is time scheduling and that I struggle to formulate my ideas and what I'm talking about into my logbook. To combat this problem, I will create a timetable for what needs to be done at that time so that I can focus on the show and perform my best.

For my medium term goal, I need to collect clips of me performing in the Christmas Carol and other acting that I've done on stage for a show-reel. I also need to find and record scenes for a 1 or 2 minute demo reel to show off my vocal range and acting abilities that I have and I can also show the different character archetypes that I can play for future employers. I also want to apply for a level 6 In higher education at Gloucester college to continue my education so that I can progress my skills further and be even more prepared for the performing arts industry. 

Some of the issues that I may run into are that my demo reel may not look professional or that I will spend too much time recording one scene over and over until it is perfect but I just need to keep in mind that I can evolve my demo reel until it reaches a professional level in the future.

For my long-term goal of having a career of acting on stage and voice acting, I need to have a strong audition repertoire full of musical songs and a variety of different monologues to fit what the auditions are looking for. I also need to put together a two-minute showreel and demo reel with a variety of my vocal skills and talents. Once I've put all that together, I need to look around my local area and see if they're holding any auditions at theatres or if there is an independent project searching for amateur actors in their show. For voice acting, I could start an account on fiverr, Voice123 and ACX where I'll send them my demo reel that I uploaded on YouTube, I could even explore casting calls on Backstage to see if any creators could use my voice. Since I don't have a home studio, I would have to go out and hire a studio space to record my demo reel or more lines for advertising. To get people to recognise me and to network, I will put myself on social media such as Instagram, X, Bluesky, Linkedin for other creators to see my vocal history. 

Some of the issues that I may run into is budgeting, such as travelling to a studio to record myself and also paying for travelling and my car so that I can get to these places. Another issue is that being in a wheelchair limits my movement so I'll have to accommodate it for that and improve my acting further so that I'm not being held back just because of my wheelchair and I will just enter auditions, regardless of who they're looking for.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing in the Performing Arts industry

Health and safety is not just an issue for the design elements of the theatre. Performers need to ensure that their own health and safety is central to rehearsals and performances. To prevent injury, performers should warm up, drink a lot of water, wear appropriate footwear and clothing, particularly when choreographing physical theatre, stage combat or dance sequences. It is important to ensure the moves in physical sequences are well rehearsed and planned according to the actual performing space and size, practising with the set and scenery marked out and avoiding the edge of the stage to prevent falls. Water should be kept away from all electrical equipment and the set to prevent damage and slipping.

Vocal warm-ups are just as important as physical. It is important to rest the voice and drink plenty of water in the run-up to a performance, as well as practise good posture and breathing exercises. The location of the audience should be considered, especially if they are unlikely to stay still, for example, young children and when performing in a promenade configuration. If any moves might injure the audience as the actor moves through the aisles, they will need to be rethought. Performers need to protect themselves from injury by anticipating problems that might occur during a live show. For example, broken props or falling scenery can be dangerous and debris will need to be cleaned up to prevent slipping or falling, before it is safe to continue. Stagehands should have equipment ready in the wings in case a clean-up is needed.

Performers will rehearse in costume and should spend time familiarising themselves with the costume’s movement constraints. If the costume is not suitable for the type of movement required on stage or poses a hazard, then this needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Real weapons should never be used on stage. Stage versions are available that include safety features to protect the performers and crew who are handling the items.

Well-being

Wellbeing for actors encompasses physical and mental health, emotional resilience, and a sustainable approach to their careers. It involves recognising the challenges of the profession, such as emotional labour, long hours, financial instability and implementing strategies to cope with these stress factors. Actors are constantly immersed in intense emotions, both their own and their characters. Developing emotional resilience helps them manage these experiences and prevent burnout. 

Prioritising self-care is crucial for actors. This includes taking time for activities they enjoy, relaxing, and engaging in practices like mindfulness or meditation. The demanding nature of the profession can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. Seeking support from mental health professionals, therapists, or counsellors is a valuable tool for actors. Acting often requires physical stamina and endurance, so staying physically fit is important for actors. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep are crucial for overall well being. Finding a balance between their professional and personal lives can be challenging, but it's essential for long-term well being. Setting boundaries, prioritising relationships, and engaging in activities outside of acting can help with this. 

Personal Health And Wellbeing Plan

To keep myself ready for any auditions or performances, I need to have a list of warm-ups that I follow through before any rehearsals. To help improve my performances in auditions or future shows, I need to find out what I struggle with and how I can find ways to fix these issues. My first issue is my weak vocal stamina and how I need to expand the air capacity in my lungs. Another issue I struggle with is using articulation on my words and not pronouncing them clearly for the audience to understand me when I'm speaking.

To help with my vocal stamina, I'm going to start using breathing exercises to have more space for air to fill my lungs. To start off, I'll sit or lie down in a comfortable, relaxed position. After that, I'll breathe in for a count of four. I'll hold my breath for a count of four. Let the air out for another count of four, picturing the diaphragm rising and relaxing. Hold for the count of four. After this, I'll repeat the cycle for progressively longer counts until I feel calmer. You can also start from a lower count than four and work your way up.

For articulation, I found that these exercises will help with stretching my mouth and jaw, as well as helping me to adjust to speaking faster than normal. Starting off, I will use 'The tip of the tongue, the teeth and the lips' which is basically repeating this sentence over and over again to help warm the muscles in my mouth such as the tongue, the jaw muscles and the lips as I will use them while repeating the sentence. My next warm up will be 'A E I O U' which is done by saying these letters with your mouth and cheek bones accentuated to stretch mouth muscles and to have your mouth ready for any movement or raising your voice which will make your mouth move even more and lessens the strain on your mouth to not hurt yourself.

To help warm-up before rehearsing, I should use stretches to help my organs get the space they need for my lungs to expand. The stretches consist of squeezing both hands together and pushing them forward while leaning my head back. Another stretch is putting my hands behind my back while leaning forward to stretch my ribs and organs. I'll also bend over all the way forward and hang my arms towards the floor, stretching my back out fully.

Sustainability of employment as an actor

The environment of employment in the Performing Arts industry is very limited, especially if you're just an actor as you usually rely on taking part in a theatre production or a monthly TV production, even outside the small gigs you do for a commercial or a one time show in a small theatre and it only pays for your acting there and you don't get paid on your off days which just isn't sustainable for living in this economy so actors usually have to apply for a part time job as well training or rehearsing for another show.

In an official quote from UK Equity, “97% of our members declared to us they were earning up to £43,000 pounds a year for the year of 2021.” This means that almost all actors earn less than that. One survey by Mandy, showed that 68% of actors, dancers and musicians made less than £5,000 over 12 months, forcing 66% to take on at least one additional job to survive.

Looking at these statistics, we can see that actors in the performing arts industry earn way less than the national average, £33,000 and it means they have to find other ways to work for their income, such as multiple part time jobs or quick commission work. They have to work on all this while refining their skills and working on new skills that they would like to have in their toolkit.

Strategies to help with employment

Here are some strategies that will help with employment and keeping yourself afloat in the Performance Arts industry.

Casting websites

These websites are digital platforms used by actors and supporting artists to find auditions, secure representation, and book paid jobs. The industry uses different platforms depending on your experience level and whether you are seeking primary acting roles or background work, some examples are Backstage, Spotlight and Mandy.

Agent

An agent can send a casting director your head shot, résumé, website and portfolio with your work. They can also spend a lot of time talking about you and your talent with casting directors, directors, and producers in order to get you an audition. Agents will follow up for you when you have a callback but will need you to arrange the time and place. Agents can get you higher than minimum pay when you book a job and they go over the details of your contract including salary, travel arrangements, billing, and other special arrangements of any kind. In conclusion, Agents are a great help for when you are starting off in the industry and can help you get more opportunities to act and earn from it as well without needing years of experience.

Equity UK 

Equity UK is the primary trade union for Performing Arts in the United Kingdom. It protects actors, stage managers, dancers and voice over artists by negotiating pay, enforcing contracts and providing essential legal and financial benefits.

Equity negotiates minimum rates and terms with major employers (such as the BBC, ITV, the National Theatre, and West End producers). They ensure actors receive fair pay, reasonable working hours and proper rest breaks. Equity also ensures performers financially benefit from the ongoing use of their work, they also calculate and distribute royalties for film, television, and radio re-runs, cast albums, and DVD sales.

Use marketing

Another good strategy to help keep you afloat in the industry is using marketing which will showcase your acting to an even bigger audience online which will be seen by talent agents, casting directors, and directors. These key industry professionals are the primary audience you need to target to secure auditions and representation.

Casting Directors are the ones hiring for television, film, and theatre projects. Talent Agents and Managers review your marketing to determine if you are a good fit for their roster. They do the heavy lifting of pitching you to casting directors. Directors and Producers are mostly made up of Independent filmmakers, theatre directors and student directors who frequently scout public casting platforms and actor websites for talent.

Look around locally:

Choirs

Another way to find an opportunity to sustain my career is improving my skills such as singing. I joined a choir where they sing all sorts of different musical songs and whilst singing all these songs all across the many lessons, I learned how to use my diaphragm to improve tone and stamina, it also gives my voice more power as well. While singing, I also learned that listening to other voices improves my ability to stay on key and sing in harmony.

Level 6 - BA hons 

After I finish my educational year at HND, I'll move onto the next level which is the degree year and I'll learn even more skills and ability to set up projects and be prepared for employment from all my years of learning at higher education. 

How To Market In The Performing Arts Industry

An acting portfolio showcases an actor's work and experience to potential employers, making it a crucial tool for landing auditions and roles. It's a comprehensive collection of an actor's materials. A well-crafted portfolio demonstrates an actor's range, abilities, and how they look both in photos and on camera. They allow you to showcase your work and let casting directors get a sense of an actor's work without having to bring them in for an audition. A portfolio allows actors to showcase their personality, style, and how they look both in photos and on camera. 

A head shot is a formal portrait used for professional purposes, such as online profiles, websites, and promotional materials. It is a crucial marketing tool for actors, as it provides casting directors with a visual reference, actors typically bring head shots to auditions.

A CV is needed to showcase an individual's skills, experience, and achievements when applying for jobs or opportunities. It's essentially a document that summarises an individual's qualifications and helps them sell themselves to potential employers. A well-crafted CV can be the first impression a recruiter or hiring manager has of a candidate, making it crucial for landing an interview. 

Social media is used as a marketing tool because it's a cost-effective way to reach a large, diverse audience, build brand awareness, generate leads, and engage with customers. It allows for targeted advertising, personalised communication, and direct interaction with customers. Another tool from social media that I can use to promote myself is Instagram and YouTube. In these apps, I can upload videos of my monologues and song covers, I can record myself doing a rendition of older scenes which is known as fan-dubbing. I will be able to attach my YouTube account and Instagram account on my CV and portfolio.

Marketing Plan

To start marketing myself for future employers, I am going to use all the marketing tools I talked about. One tool I can use is a portfolio and I'm going to use a website to create my portfolio so that I can send it to employers easily without having to mail it which takes a few days. I will then use Instagram and YouTube to put all of my acting and voice acting clips on it so that other people can see it rather easily and give employers a quick view of my entire acting career. Another useful tool I can use is a CV to send to employers or clients, which has all of my contact details, a head-shot that shows them what I look like and if it's what the directors are looking for, my qualifications and my work experience as well as my references.

Once I have uploaded all my videos and use all of these tools, I will start to work on a showreel which will include my up to date voice acting recordings that I think are suitable for marketing and have a variety of genres and tones to show off the range of my voice such as shouting, acting exaggerated, sadness and horror.

The Performing Arts industry is perfect for anyone who loves drama, singing, dancing or music. The sector is not limited to performing roles, however. There are plenty of opportunities for those with practical skills who are keen to work behind the scenes.

While getting a job in the industry might seem tricky, 70.6% of performing arts graduates gained employment within 6 months of graduation. From theatre companies to community arts projects, there is a career path to suit most candidates.

There are currently over 286,000 people working in music, performing and visual arts in the UK. This figure has increased by 34.2% since 2011, indicating that employment in the industry is on the rise. So, these are the type of jobs available in the performing arts industry.

Roles in the performing Arts Industry

The on-stage roles include acting, dancing and singing. The behind-the-scenes roles include Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Stage manager, Choreographer, Set designer, Theatre technician, Sound designer, Lighting designer, Stage-crew

Responsibilities Of An Actor

In the performing arts industry, to be able to get employed in the performing arts industry, you must have the responsibilities of a professional actor and other helpful skills. Communication, collaboration, and professionalism are also crucial for a cohesive production. 

Actors must learn their lines, songs, and dance routines, they must also research the characters they are playing as and attend costume fittings. You must also participate in rehearsals, both technical and dress rehearsals to know how you enter on stage but also how you interact with other actors and other props as well. Performers must also execute each of their roles during live performances, taking direction from the director and choreographer. You must be working effectively with other performers and the creative team which is vital to a good performance. Open communication and a collaborative spirit are also very essential for a successful production. 

All of the actors, directors, producers and every other stage crew member involved must maintain a professional demeanour, have respect for diverse perspectives and a commitment to inclusivity to everyone. Whenever you speak to the audience as an actor, you need to stay in character while welcoming audiences and creating a positive experience for all involved.

The Roles Involved Surrounding Voice Acting

The voice acting industry encompasses a wide range of roles, from front-line performers to behind-the-scenes professionals. Key roles include voice actors, directors, casting directors, agents, and various production staff.

One of the most important roles in the voice acting industry are the voice actors and they are usually character voices that bring characters to life in animation, video games, and other media. But they can also play narrators who deliver narration for documentaries, educational videos, and other projects. They can even be used in commercials and are essential for radio and television commercials and they are also useful in audio books by reading books aloud, offering an engaging listening experience. Voice actors can be used in various other roles such as voice-overs for corporate videos, podcasts, and even interactive voice response systems. 

There are three types of directors and one of those are called session or dialogue directors and they guide voice actors during recording sessions to achieve the desired performance. Another type is called production directors who oversee the entire voice-over production process.The final type of director is the casting directors who find the right voice actors for specific roles in various projects and they manage the audition process, including selecting actors and coordinating callbacks. 

Another important role in the voice acting industry are the agents and they represent voice actors and help them secure projects. They also negotiate contracts and fees for voice actors.

The production staff include audio engineers who ensure the quality of audio recordings, sound designers who create and manipulate sound effects to create atmosphere or animal noises. There are also Foley artists that produce sound effects live in sync with the action on screen and script adaptors who prepare scripts for localisation (translating and adapting them for different languages).

Other important roles include coaches and instructors that can train and mentor aspiring voice actors and there are also clients who are individuals or companies that hire voice actors for their projects. 

Responsibilities as a Voice Actor

Voice-Over Artists in theatre are there to entertain their audience or deliver dialogue with nothing but their voice. They must attend rehearsals with the rest of the cast and also work with the Director. They also have to vocally entertain the audience with just their voice and clearly deliver scripts. They may need to use different accents, pitches, volume and even languages to create various roles.

The differences between employment and self-employment in Performing arts

In the performing arts industry, employment refers to having a contract with a company or organisation, providing specific services for a set period and pay, while self-employment involves working independently on a freelance basis, managing your own contracts and finances. Employees have a structured work environment, benefits, and rights, while self-employed individuals have more flexibility but also more responsibility for finding work and managing their own finances and tax obligations. 

Employment

Employees often work in a specific venue or organisation, with a defined schedule and duties and they are entitled to benefits such as sick pay, holiday pay and pension contributions. Employees have rights and protections under employment law, such as protection from unfair dismissal and discrimination. 

Self-Employment 

Freelancers have more control over their schedules, projects, and clients but they are responsible for finding their own work, negotiating contracts, managing their own finances and paying their own taxes. Freelancers typically do not receive the same benefits as employees such as sick pay, holiday pay or pensions. 

Accessibility for being employed as a voice actor

Voice acting primarily focuses on talent and skill. So, it offers better accessibility for various groups whether you're a man. a woman, young, old, disabled, neurotypical, transgender, from another country or with different coloured skin, voice acting doesn't focus on physical appearance or specific characteristics compared to on-camera work.

Here's why voice acting is more accessible for different people. There are plenty of voice acting jobs that can be done remotely, which can be a significant advantage for individuals with disabilities or mobility issues. Many different performers often bring unique perspectives and nuanced interpretations to roles, which can be a valuable asset in the voice-over industry. Many employers are open to alternative application formats, such as audio or video submissions, which can be beneficial for those who may have difficulty with traditional written applications. The voice-over industry is generally open to individuals of all ages, with the focus being on talent and ability rather than age. 

AI in the film and TV industry

The journey of AI in film production started with early computer graphics and rudimentary automation techniques. For example, films like Tron (1982) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) used basic algorithms to create visual effects.

It wasn't until the late 20th century that its presence began to solidify, particularly with the rise of computer-generated imagery (CGI). Films such as The Matrix (1999) showcased the potential of AI in creating ground-breaking special effects and Toy Story (1995) showed how AI-assisted motion capture could create realistic animated character movements. This transformation led to the emergence of AI-driven editing tools between 2000-2010. They could analyse footage and suggest cuts and significantly reduce the time editors spend on post-production. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve incorporated AI algorithms to speed up workflows, automating repetitive tasks like colour correction and sound editing.

Today, we find AI entrenched in every stage of film production as it has transitioned from novelty to necessity. For example, sophisticated neural networks enable de-ageing of actors (The Irishman in 2019) and face replacements with greater accuracy. This realistic deepfake technology, which, while controversial, opens new avenues for storytelling. It allows filmmakers to resurrect performances from actors of the past or create entirely new characters that blend seamlessly into existing footage. This capability not only pushes the boundaries of creativity but also raises important ethical questions about the future of representation in cinema.

The Pros and Cons of AI in film and TV

AI offers film and TV production efficiency gains and cost savings, but raises concerns about creativity, job displacement, and ethical implications. While AI can automate tasks, enhance visuals, and potentially let film making available to everyone, its reliance on algorithms may lead to formulaic content and a lack of human artistic vision. 

Pros:

AI can automate time-consuming tasks like editing, scheduling, and generating graphics, leading to faster production timelines. It can streamline processes and reduce the need for human labour, potentially lowering production costs. AI tools can assist in creating more realistic and visually stunning effects. AI can assist in generating ideas, exploring different narrative structures, and even composing music, potentially opening new avenues for creative expression. AI can make film making more accessible to smaller budgets and independent creators. 

Cons:

Automation could lead to job losses in roles such as editors, visual effects artists, and even screenwriters. AI may struggle to replicate the nuances of human creativity, intuition, and emotional understanding, potentially resulting in formulaic or predictable content. AI-generated content raises questions about authorship, copyright, and the potential for misinformation and deepfakes. AI algorithms can reflect biases present in the data they are trained on, leading to skewed or unfair representation in film and TV. Excessive reliance on AI tools may stifle innovation and the development of unique artistic voices. 

Skills needed for employment

Consistency is important for building up your reputation with directors. It refers to making sure you deliver the best quality of your ability in multiple performances, from pace to articulation. Work on your volume and the energy you use during line delivery. Making sure you stay in it during the recording. The more consistent you are, the fewer shots you’ll need to take. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can be. Big productions are usually the busiest projects and holding up production with constantly needing to re-record can push clients to other voice talents.

Being adaptable is a key skill when it comes to working in a new studio with different equipment or when you have to deal with difficult circumstances. This comes in many forms, from jumping into new roles to being prepared to catch a new job opportunity. Voice-over professionals use this skill to their advantages and to propel themselves higher up. While the fun side for many voices is the part where you perform as a variety of characters, that isn’t where most of the money is. Character work is few and far between; most voice-over jobs come from commercial work. So, it won’t hurt to become a bit more business savvy and flexible regarding various different jobs.

Another great skill to learn is knowing when the best timing is or how quickly you say a line, timing and pace is as important as the acting itself. Poor pacing and timing can be detrimental to the quality of the voice-over, becoming hard for the listener to understand or seeming false. To make things easy for yourself, pay attention to the pace of your speech and how you make pauses. Whether you are performing a character-based voice over or a commercial read, proper pacing will significantly add to the engagement and natural sound. For instance, listen to a radio play, a nature documentary, a news report and notice the difference in line delivery. Another good exercise is to read a text or dialogue out loud at various paces, record the audio and listen to it back. Look at how the emphasis changes when you pause at different places.

Another great skill you need to learn is how to use characterisation to help with developing a voice for the character. Imagine that you are working on an animation where you are providing the voice for a character. To make it authentic and believable, the character should be in mind throughout the entirety of the read, you are embodying the character: Who is it? What are their personality traits? What do they want? What is the conflict? What is the motivation in this scene? How would they feel in this situation? It helps to better understand who you are presenting and how to do it. Think about the feelings and motivations that a character has at any given time and allow that to feed into your performance.

The skill-set that I have as a voice actor

The skills that I have include being able to give my own spin on a voice of a character without having to be told any voice direction. Another skill I have is my ability to immerse the listener into the story with my voice, that I was bringing the audience along with me. Another skill that I have is being able to take criticism from peers and reflect on what to improve on such as adding more emotion and volume, to be able to adapt quickly and record another take. I can also use recording systems like Garage Band to record and edit my voice for my portfolio. 

The industry standard for voice acting

The industry standard for voice acting involves a wide range of vocal ability and range, clear enunciation, the right equipment, interpreting script that follow the directors vision and knowing which emotion to use and how to fully get yourself in the character's shoes. 

Some examples of these include using condenser microphones, which are widely favoured in the voice acting industry for their ability to capture detailed middle and upper frequencies. A professional voice actor should possess a strong vocal ability, clear diction, resonance, and the ability to modulate tone and pitch for different roles. In addition to vocal talent, voice actors should have strong acting skills to convey emotions and characters convincingly. The ability to effectively read and interpret scripts is crucial for delivering accurate and engaging voice-overs.

The attributes that are needed in the professional world of voice acting is being on time so you always have the best shot of taking multiple shoots and it shows directors and others employers that you can be reliable, another attribute you need is being able to listen and take criticism to know what needs to be improved and knowing how a director wants their character to be portrayed. You also must be flexible so if your first take wasn't good enough, you can always give a new rendition for the next take or deal with different problems and different ways to appeal to the director.

https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/how-much-do-actors-get-paid-in-the-uk-74998/ 

https://www.voquent.com/blog/top-9-skills-for-voice-actors/

https://www.outspokenvoices.com/blog/the-state-of-the-voice-over-industry-in-2025-trends-and-insights

https://www.planitplus.net/CareerAreas/View/20

https://superscout.ai/blog/how-artificial-intelligence-is-changing-the-film-industry/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zr96jhv/revision/1