American Résumé --> British CV

CV means “Curriculum Vitae”. Although there are some exceptions, the British use a CV, Americans use a resume.

Paper Size & Type
UK standard letter size is A4 (8.25”x11.75”) as opposed to the US 8.5” x 11”. Change the paper size in your word processor.

If you’ve got a long resume, you’re in luck! In the UK it’s standard to staple your A4 CV to the back of your 10x8 headshot - untrimmed.

It’s best to print on 100gsm weight paper, such as “Conqueror” brand (generic versions available at Ryman shops).

Name & Vital Statistics
Your name, most often at the top, must stand out in size, weight and color.

Essential: Yours or your Agent’s contact details, Unions, Height (same as USA – feet, inches), Hair Color, Eye Color, Spotlight view PIN (you’ll be given this when you appear in Spotlight)
Optional: Weight (in stones or kilograms not pounds) or Build, Nationality (e.g. “American citizen/UK Resident”), Your professional web site (e.g. "www.johndoe.com"), small version of your headshot (in case your photo & CV get separated)

Credits
Format: It’s customary in the UK to list credits in this order from left to right: Role, Production Title, Director, Production Company or Theatre

American credits: Since you want to work in the UK, put your British credits first in each category (Theatre, Film, TV, etc.). What if your credits are all American? For film or TV, it doesn’t really matter especially if the production company or network is known worldwide (e.g. Disney or HBO). For stage list the city after the Production Company (e.g. “Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, DC”).

As in the USA, feel free to change the order of your credits, either individually or by category, according to what’s appropriate a given audition.

Training
Keep it simple and pithy! It seems to be a trend in America for actors to list every course taken as part of their acting degree, every workshop they’ve ever attended, the instructor’s name, and dates for everything. Not so in the UK. Just list 1) where you got your primary acting training, 2) the type of degree you earned and 3) if you graduated with honors. It’s assumed actors perpetually improve their craft, so no need to list every workshop taken. However, if you frequently take classes at a particular place(s), list it this way: “Actors Centre, City Lit – ongoing”. Unless it’s really high profile, i.e. 1 year intensive at RADA, scrap it from your CV and leave room for work credits!

Skills
Beware of what I call “skill inflation”: excessively increasing your skill list - to impress or to seem versatile – and you end up decreasing each skill’s value. List only what you can do to a high level at the drop of a hat.

NOTE: what Americans call a “print model” (appearing in print ads for magazines, posters, etc.), Brits call a “photographic model”.

Accents
Only list accents that are of native standard, especially UK accents! You may be able to get away with a mediocre cockney in Utah, but if you try it in London people will laugh and shout “Chim Chimney Cheroo” at you*. Your genuine American accent is an advantage here, so list “Standard American” first, then your native accent (e.g. Maryland), other American regionals, then foreign. All must be perfect!

*Dick van Dyke had a famously bad cockney accent in the movie version of Mary Poppins. As Bert, he sang “Chim Chimney Cheroo”.

The Actors Centre - A Guide

Located in the heart of the West End with quality instructors (sometimes high profile) from all areas of the industry, The Actors Centre an ideal place for learning new skills or brushing up old ones. They offer a wide variety of classes and while it’s nice to have options, it can be difficult to decide which to take. They range in subject matter, depth, duration and price - from a 1 hour tap class (£6) to an eight-day workshop concluding with a public showcase (£135). Many classes are repeated every 3 months, some are offered but once. Where to begin?

Below are some recommendations: I have taken most of these classes and found them to be very useful. In some cases I haven’t yet taken the class (indicated with a *), but it comes highly recommended by others. Details about classes can be found online here or in their tri-monthly brochure.

Recommended Instructors / Classes:

Acting

• Chrys Salt – I Was Brilliant in the Bedroom: Workshop & Showcase
  One of the most useful classes I’ve taken. When I was a newcomer to the London market, Chrys offered me insight on every aspect of the business here. She also has a vast collection of monologues from which to choose. Ends with a public showcase to which agents and casting directors are invited. A great "first class" to take. Fills up quickly. Check out Books by Chrys Salt.
  

Audition/Casting

• Sarah Hughes – Casting Advice Session, Audition Surgery*
  Sarah is a casting director and it's great to hear advice straight from the horse's mouth.
  

Dialect

• Terry Besson – Accent Clinic*

Musical Theatre

• Stuart Barr – Coaching

Recorded Voice

• Bernard Shaw – So You Want to Be in Voice-Overs, So You Want to be in Radio Drama*. Published book: Voice-Overs: A Practical Guide
  

Shakespeare

• Kelly Hunter – Shakespeare Project
  Kelly offers a weekly drop-in class. Great for preparing for a Shakespeare audition or just sharpening your verse skills.
• Rachel Kavanaugh*
• Stephen Wisker
  

Sightreading (aka "Cold Reading")

• Nina Finburgh – Sightreading & Presenting
  Excellent technique for sightreading a script at an audition, mostly for stage work (not musicals). Fills up quickly. Published book: Hot Tips for Cold Readings.
  

Dance

• Jacqueline Pert – Tap

TV & Film

• John Melainey – Practice Makes Perfect, Improve Your Chances
  Reading technique is almost identical to Nina Finburgh’s but specifically targets on-camera auditions. When done correctly, it doesn’t even look like you’re reading a script. Great skill to perfect.
• Chrys Salt - How to Make a Showreel
  Everything you want to know about a showreel, good and bad examples shown, useful names and numbers, advice on all aspects.
  

Americans: Your UK Acting Career Step 3

So now you've arrived in the UK, you've got a place to stay. Excellent. Now what?

Step 3: DIVE IN!
You need to get involved. Soak up the culture, meet people, make your way into the acting community one way or another. Fortunately there are loads of ways to do this! Here are some recommendations that helped me find my way IN:

A. For Professional Actors without a work permit
You can't actually work, but you can take classes, meet with industry professionals, go to the theatre, and basically get an idea of how the UK market works. This is what I did during the period before I could legally work and it very much paved the way for my career now.

1. Get a mobile phone. If you're here short-term, you can get a pay-as-you go phone.
   
2. Get a copy of Contacts - published by Spotlight.
3. Join the Actors Centre - Great range of affordable classes, good central location, excellent way to meet other actors. Professional Union membership and/or training required to join. Another place to take classes is the City Lit. I haven't done so personally, but some friends speak highly of it.
   
4. Go to the theatre - This is where you get to know a director's or theatre company's work, other actors, what kind of work is being produced, etc. For weekly listings, read Time Out London.
5. Watch TV - If you want to work on-camera, 'research' the popular shows, see who's casting them, observe British style vs. American, and enjoy.
6. Listen to the radio - In the UK there's a lot more crossover between stage, TV, film, and radio than there is in the USA. BBC Radio produces loads of great shows, so hear what's out there - especially if you want to do voice work. You can also attend live recordings for free or very cheaply. See how a radio show is made!
   

B. For Professional Actors with a work permit
If you're just starting out in London, I still advise doing the above as part of your preliminary work. Beyond that, here's what else. Some steps are the same in any city, some are market-specific.

1. Promote yourself in Spotlight - Casting directories published online & in print. This is essential as Spotlight is the standard reference for casting directors and production professionals. Training or professional credits required to join.
   
2. Perform on Stage - this can be as simple as a showcase, a staged reading, a fringe theatre production, or if you're lucky a full-out professional gig. The important thing is to be seen. As in any city, this is how you get an agent, and how directors and casting directors find you!
3. Write to Agents & Casting Directors - when you've got a performance lined up, tell everyone about it! Find their names & addresses in Contacts.
4. Seek auditions - If you don't have an agent, you have to find your own work. Here are some methods:
1. Research the area in which you want to work and write to the appropriate person (found in Contacts). In your mailing include a cover letter introducing yourself and why you'd be a good asset, headshot, CV, and contact details.
   
2. Subscribe to: PCR and/or Castnet
3. Ask around. When you're hanging out in the Actors' Centre or at the Equity office, or anywhere actors congregate!
   
5. Convert your Resume to your "CV" - The UK format is slightly different than what you're used to in the USA. Check back for details on how to do this.
   
6. Get new headshots - the British "10x8" style is much more natural than the American "8x10" glossy and often made-up look. You can probably use your American shots for commercials, but for most dramatic work you'll need the British style in your portfolio. Find photographers through Contacts or by flipping through photographers' books in the Spotlight office.
7. Make a showreel/voicereel- If you want to work on-camera or as a voice artist, this is important to have. More details on this later.
   
8. Consider joining Equity - British Actors Union
9. Consider joining the NAAA - North American Actors Association.
   

C. For Students
Lucky for you, as a student in a British university or drama school you can't help but be immersed in British culture. I didn't take this route since I already had my BA in Theatre, but I often fantasized about studying at RADA or some of the other classy schools. If you look at any West End play program, often the first thing actors list in their biography is where they trained. This is a great way of networking with professionals, getting quality training, and at the end showcasing your work to agents, directors and casting folks.

P.S. Check back for in-depth entries on the steps listed above!

Americans: Your UK Acting Career Step 2

You've found a way to stay in the UK, now what?

STEP 2: FIND ACCOMMODATION

A. Where to Stay
If you're staying in London, you first need to decide in which part you want to base yourself. Of course if you're going to be studying or working at the same place most of the time, try to find housing nearby. Otherwise:

1. Choose an Area of London - The city is large and diverse with many sub-regions, each with its own distinct charm. It doesn't matter which you choose as long as you can reach the center of town in a reasonable amount of time, i.e. zone 1 or 2 (view zone maps). One way to familiarize yourself with the city is to look at the Tube map (link above), go to Google and research a stop e.g. "Oxford Circus" or "Notting Hill". Also, get yourself a portable street map. I use London A-Z (that's A-"Zed" not Zee) religiously. As you navigate your way around the winding and often confusing streets of London, it will become your trusty friend.
   
2. Convenience to public transport - If you won't have a car make sure your place is within walking distance to Underground stations, bus stops, or National Rail stations. Visit Transport for London for more info.
   

B. Types of accommodation

1. Student Housing - If you're coming via a study abroad program or if you'll be attending a British drama school, most likely your program will help you find housing. If not, try here: International Students House (where I stayed as a student).
2. Stay with Friends or Relatives - Clearly the cheapest way to stay! London is expensive and if you can save the cost of renting, all the better.
3. Rent a House or Flat - This is best done once you arrive in the UK. You'll want to check out the place in person. The most economical is to find people to share with (room or flat share). Try these publications first: Timeout London Classifieds (comes out on Thursdays) and Loot. NOTE: prices are often shown per week rather than per month!
   

Americans: Your UK Acting Career Step 1

I said I'd give shortcuts to American actors wanting a career in the UK, so here goes. This entry alone won't be complete, so check back for further details! NOTE: My advice will be somewhat London-centric since I'm basing it on my own experience. (But then London is where the action is!)

OK, so you've visited the UK, or maybe you've never been but always dreamed of coming here, and now you want to explore the acting scene. Here's how to begin...

STEP 1: STAY IN THE UK FOR A WHILE
For official rules, visit the Home Office website.

1. Easiest: you have dual citizenship or perhaps one of your parents has British nationality or some other country in the EU. Come and go and you please.
2. Come as a student or intern i.e. in a drama school or through a university study abroad program (how I first came for 4 months). This option may also allow you to work part-time so you can fund your trip! If you're a full-time student BUNAC is a great way to find work or volunteer opportunities in Britain and around the world.
3. Come as a visitor - as an American you can stay for up to 6 months, but you're not allowed to work or have "access to the public purse". So save up some cash, maybe stay with friends or relatives in the UK and scope out the scene. (This is how I came the second time and got my first serious glimpse of the acting community here.)
4. Come and work. If you want to earn a living, you'll need a work permit. There are lots of ways to do this. Click here for visas and immigration info.

STEP 2: FIND ACCOMMODATION
Coming soon...