OCTOBER 2017
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”
In my experience, the last quarter of the year is a very busy time for the UK film industry and this year is proving to be no exception!
There are so many fantastic film projects out there and I just wish I could add a few more hours to the day and a couple more days to each week so that I could fit them all in. There is nothing worse than having to knock back work but I suppose it is a good problem to have!
October has been the month for…reuniting with some of the creative geniuses I have had the great pleasure to work with on previous projects.
Alan Livesey and I first met back in 2015 on the set of his award-winning feature film The Blackout and now, thanks to Alan putting me forward for an audition, we share credits once again in The Weight of Our Travels, a short fantasy film set in an alternative reality.
I am also looking forward to working with Paul Mackie, who was the co-writer and cinematographer of Anaktoron, the first short film I appeared in following my return to acting in 2014. I can’t say too much about Paul's new project at the moment but I know you are going to love it!
Two of my favourite filmmakers have also chosen to work with me again, casting me in their latest short horror which is filming next month. Given there’s a bit of running involved, I’d better get my fitness levels back up - a good excuse to get into shape for the Christmas season!
Working as an actor…it’s important to take some time to get out and about and meet up with like-minded souls. So, it was a fantastic treat to be able to attend Maclachlan 84 Productions’ Film Screening and Networking event in Glasgow, hosted by the fabulous Craig Maclachlan. Even better, when the trailers for Bridal Fever and Tellurian appeared on the big screen and both were extremely well received. I can’t wait to get back on set so that I can share the final films with you. In the meantime, here’s a link to Tellurian and I’ll be sure to share Bridal Fever with you as soon as it’s available for public viewing.
Watch the Trailer for Tellurian on Vimeo now https://vimeo.com/240377884
Same person, different look...so how can one headshot say it all?
My observation this month…is that so much about being an actor comes down to your appearance. That is, you may be the best actress in the room but if you don’t look like the person the director has imagined playing the role then you may not get cast, in fact you might not even get an audition.
Bizarrely I have experienced this phenomenon twice this month, from both angles! On one occasion if it hadn’t been for a close friend convincing the Director to give me a chance, I wouldn’t even have been given an audition. This was because, in the Director’s words, 'Holly looks too glamorous in her headshot photos…’. Naturally it was lovely to receive such a compliment but it did make me worry that perhaps I'm missing out on some great, gritty roles because the Directors think I'm too glamorous to play them...but I'm an actress, make believe is what I do, trust me and let me show you.
Similarly, I was approached this month by a casting director at an industry night and asked if I was an actress and whether or not I’d be interested in auditioning for a role in a film they are casting. This, without knowing anything else about me other than the fact that I look like the person they had imagined for the role. Just goes to show that if you look the part, there's a good chance you'll get an opportunity to audition for it!
I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you apply for a role and don’t get offered an audition - it might simply be due to the fact that you do not look anything like the person the Director has imagined in the role and, at the end of the day, that is their prerogative. Keep being awesome and the stars will align. If there's one thing for certain it's that there are always plenty more roles to apply for so don't waste your time on what might have been and focus your energies on what will be.
Very proud to once again have been selected as Acting Hour's Actor of the Week
Acting Hour...has once again chosen me as their Actor of the Week this month following my submission to their weekly showreel share competition. You will recall from my March update that I was incredibly fortunate to have won this accolade then too. You can have your chance every Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm if you tweet your reel @ActingHour and include the hashtags #AHActor and #ActingHour. Good Luck!
So, make your "NO"vember count and go out there and be awesome!
No excuses - No pain, no gain - No regrets - No self-doubt - No quitting
