Professionals from the worlds of film, television and stage have this week been offering Loughborough College students an insider view of their industry.
An agent with a worldwide management company, an actor from some of TV’s top-rated shows and a theatre director who also works in feature films shared their expertise and passed on tips to help Performing Arts student boost their chances of success.
The Green Room has offices in LA, New York and London and Siobhan Kendall runs the UK side of the global talent agency, representing clients from shows including Shameless, Orange is the New Black, One Tree Hill and Danny & The Human Zoo. Caroline Read has starred in Hollyoaks and Doctors and played Nigel Havers’ daughter in the BBC comedy Lunch Monkeys. Matt Byrne has worked in feature film, radio and on stage and has his own theatre company.
Siobhan said: “I gave the students an insight into how the industry works from my point of view as an agent and also passed on some hints which will enable them to stand out in future auditions. From what I saw, there is no doubt the students at Loughborough College have what it takes to make it in the industry.”
Caroline was equally impressed in the improvisation workshops she led: “The students practiced making split-second decisions, which is a vital skill to professional performers – especially in audition situations. They enthusiastically pushed themselves out of their comfort zones but had real fun with it and within a short space of time they had really grown in confidence.”
“Every student really immersed themselves and focused on what they had to do,” said Matt. “They were also great at taking on feedback and asked some intelligent questions. They are clearly committed to working in the industry.”
“The value of professionals like Siobhan, Caroline and Matt sharing, first-hand, their expertise from the industry and working so closely with our students cannot be underestimated.
“It is crucial the students develop their knowledge of the industry together with their employability skills and there is no doubt that this experience will prove vital to them in such an ever-changing, competitive line of work.
“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, in fact it was so successful we are already planning a larger event ” said Loughborough College Performing Arts lecturer Melanie Potts.