Acting With No Experience Part 1: Living and Acting in London

As with any other career, the beginning is always the hardest: where to start, what to do, how to break in and whom to listen to? But getting into acting with no experience is not only possible — it’s how most actors have launched their careers. So, in the interest of continued guidance for aspiring newbie actors, Acting in London released this huge 8-part ultimate guide on where to begin and how to climb the ranks as an actor with little to no experience in the field (and which you can download in PDF form, for free, at the end of the series).

Below is a table of contents for the entire “Acting with No Experience” series.

INTRODUCTION

Every aspiring actor knows how difficult it is to start acting with no experience, and the hurdles of making it in the acting industry in London, Los Angeles or New York. Think of the journey towards becoming a professionally working actor as the Olympic hurdle with a distance of a marathon – many are competing for the same title for a long period of time, and it’s easy to stumble if you lose your focus.  This illustrates why one needs to train hard enough that the end result is what they want it to be.

Thankfully, in acting, one does not have to train their abilities with extensive athletic work-outs involving hurdles. But just because you’re not doing an insane amount of squats and running the distance of two fields that does not mean that training to be an actor is easy. It isn’t – it’s actually hard, exhausting, frustrating and time consuming. After being an actor for almost ten years now, I still find this to be true. But it’s also very rewarding.

If you’re a little unsure about whether or not you want to dedicate the majority of your time to acting, here are a few questions you should consider before making any permanent decisions:

• Is becoming a professional actor really what you want out of life?
• Are you willing to put your life on hold in order to try and achieve this?
• Will you be able to keep going even when you get rejected 9 times out of 10?
• Are you willing to put in all the necessary effort for little to no reward?

If the answer to all of the questions above is yes, then considering the ratio of failed actors today, you may be labeled as certifiably insane, but you’re in the right place.  If you are determined to commit yourself fully to the acting craft, and everything that surrounds it, then the next step is rather simple – choosing where to begin and where to go.

Seeing how there are plenty of options for you to pick from, as well as having to decide when to pack up and leave for what might be an entirely different continent, you better prepare yourself well.  Some of the main locations aspiring actors think of when they finally decide to begin their acting careers are London, Los Angeles or New York City.

These places above are glorious cities with many different outlets for drama, from the famous West End and Broadway stages, right down to the biggest TV shows and largest film industries in the world. In this book, I’m going to focus only on London as the primary location; however, majority of this advice can be applied to many other metropolitan cities almost to a letter.

I started my acting career in the UK, ending up in London before I eventually moved to Los Angeles, California. London’s main focus is generally theatre, which is where I come from, but after moving to LA – the entertainment capital of the world – my priorities switched to film and TV acting.

I can’t say one is better than the other; they’re just different, and I do enjoy doing both. However, that is not to say that having preferences is wrong – not at all. No creative endeavor is superior to another, so if you wish to be a film actor and not do any stage work, that’s totally fine and completely accomplishable.

Regardless of what your choice of creative outlet is, be it stage, film, television, improvisation or comedy, you’ll find the information in this book helpful in getting you started on a path to becoming an actor in London. This entire book has been created to assist actors of any outlet to find their way in this huge city, and it’s applicable to any thespian’s case.

Not only will I be attempting to help you with questions such as “how to become a working actor”, but you’ll receive some decent, easy to understand and relatable advice (if I say so myself) on how to actually get there, set up and finally begin your pursuit of this crazy albeit extremely fun goal.

Before you continue reading, there’s something I need to repeat again.  Trying to make it in London – on stage, on screen, or any other medium – is going to be really difficult.  I know you’ve probably read stories about actors moving to a big city with 300 dollars in their pockets and quickly becoming movie stars.

Unfortunately, most of those stories aren’t real, and they paint a wrong picture of what it takes to make it in this industry.  You will need to be able to sustain yourself financially and mentally for a long time, and have a good work ethic to continue pushing further. I will talk about this and the importance of consistency later.

As an actor, you’ll have to be constantly in training and working.  There’s going to be sweat, tears, rejection and possibly some blood if you don’t watch yourself carefully enough.  But those things aside, learning about what makes you passionate, what you want to do for the rest of your life, and why you want to do it, as well as then taking that to the next level through learning and hard work, will make it this hard journey completely worth it.

Kevin Spacey’s Advice. Before we begin, I would like to remind you what Kevin Spacey once said to an acting student who asked him for advice, “Mr. Spacey, how can we appreciate this early experience, these lean years, these very difficult years, leading up to the ultimate prize?” Here’s what Kevin Spacey had to say:

“There is no prize ‘out there.’ The only prize is this one, [points to himself] and what you feel and what you want to accomplish. I watch a lot of young people sort of meander around without any idea of why they’re doing what they’re doing. I mean, to want and to be ambitious and to want to be successful is not enough. That’s just desire. To know what you want, to understand why you’re doing it, to dedicate every breath in your body to achieve… If you feel you have something to give, if you feel that your particular talent is worth developing, is worth caring for, then there’s nothing you can’t achieve. You’re going to grow up with your colleagues, you’re going to watch them have success and you’re going to watch them have failure, and you’re going to watch how they deal with it. They can be as much a teacher for you as anybody here or anyone who’s privileged enough to come here and speak to you.”

To this day, I think this is the best piece of advice any successful actor has ever given to those who are just embarking on this journey. I encourage you to write this down and keep it somewhere close to remind you that there is no ‘prize out there.’ You must enjoy the process just as much as you think you’ll enjoy the result.

 

I. LIVING AND ACTING IN LONDON

1.1 Actor’s Life in London

What’s it like for an actor to live in London? Londoners are known for their passion about the city, thus most people have nothing but positive things to say about relocating here.

This also includes newcomers who are just starting out on their acting journey in London, as well as established actors who have been on the big screen (Kevin Spacey even moved here!) So what is it these people love about London? Let’s take a look.

Public Transportation.

You don’t need a car in London, period. With one of the best urban transportation systems in the world, you can easily get around without having to own a personal vehicle. This is one of the biggest draws for actors just starting out – there’s no need to worry about the cost of buying a car, filling it with gas, buying auto insurance and doing regular auto maintenance.

Instead, there’s all kinds of different public transportation options: the famous London Underground, or ‘tube’; buses (including the famous double deckers), trolleys, railroads, and ferries. Options are all very affordable, and make getting around the big city a breeze.

If you’re into getting some exercise while you travel, London also has one of the world’s best bike rental systems. Hop on one of the 10,000 Boris Bikes found around the city, and the first 30 minutes are even free!

Free Cultural Activities.

A lot of people come to London for the culture, and you’ll be happy to know that plenty of activities here are free, whether you are a resident or a tourist.

Some of the best free things to do in London include the more popular museums and art galleries, such as the British Museum, Museum of London, and the National Maritime Museum. Not only do these activities make for a great day trip, but they can also help you learn more about the British culture, life in London and help you work your creativity muscles and inspiration.

Outdoor Life.

London is one of the greenest cities in Europe, and their parks prove it. They have tons of parks spanning hundreds of acres, offering plenty of activities like hiking, biking, golfing, and more. There’s also plenty of beautiful waterfronts that you can walk along or kayak on. Parks are one of the best places to go to relax, observe people, practice your lines and generally see how Londoners live.

If you’re big on outdoor activities and move here, you don’t need to worry about the lack of options: you’ll still be able to get plenty of outdoor exercise despite being in the heart of a major metropolitan city. Needless to say, all parks in London are free to visit and there’s no need for any expensive park passes.

Television.

A lot of people who relocate to Great Britain from the United States tend to notice that there’s a lot of different type of television shows, which can be a breath of fresh air for some. For actors, it’s especially important to keep an eye on what’s currently being shown in case you audition for it.

From fan favorites like The Office and Doctor Who to lesser known hits like Fresh Meat and The Hour, you’ll having things to watch and study and keep the boredom at bay. As an actor, you may try to study what types of roles might be available to you in the near future. If you love comedies and want to break into that type of acting, London is definitely the place to be.

Food Options.

London, and also England in general, tends to get a bad rap for bland food options and gross meals. People often notice the limited options and the weird mashups, like beans on toast, which is as British as it gets.

However, many people find that upon moving to the UK, there are tons of delicious options available, including lots of different cultural delicacies. Since London is such a melting pot of cultures, you can find everything from American classics to Indian fare like curry and kebabs.

In addition to the wide variety, top chefs from all over the world come to London to practice their craft too, meaning you get to experience some of the most delicious meals the country has to offer. Not only that, but London has arguably the best high-end world-class restaurants in the world. The downside, of course, is you might have a hard time if you need to go on diet.

Cinema.

Actors in love with film will be happy to learn that London is home to a whopping 1/5^th of all the UK’s cinemas. Part of this is due to the high presence of aspiring and established actors and celebrities in the city.

In addition to movie theaters that offer mainstream new releases, there are tons of independent cinemas that feature older movies, classics, and cult favorites. As someone who is invested in acting, this is a great way to keep up with your passion and explore some hidden gems while still being able to experience the magic of a big screen.

Living Green.

While this may take a little adjusting for most former Americans, you can feel good living in London knowing that things are more environmentally friendly. In addition to the public transportation that helps reduce overall fuel use, you’ll find that Londoners try hard to reduce energy consumption and waste output.

Using your own re-usable bags is a big deal in the UK, and you’ll even be charged for needing plastic bags at the grocery stores if you forget yours. Air drying clothing is also more common here, rather than using dryers (and it’s great for saving money too!) Ultimately, London living is a perfect way to be a little more environmentally friendly and find ways to save some extra money here and there.

Coffeehouses.

London is famous for its great selection of teas and coffees as well as the places that serve these beverages. You’ll not only find great coffee, but also a cool or artsy place to meet up and connect with friends, take agent meetings or generally come to get your dose of caffeine and charge up for the rest of the day.

Actors are known for their passion for coffee houses and you’ll often see at least one person working on lines or writing a screenplay. And did I mention the coffee is great? There’s tons of variety in local shops and mom-and-pop stores, all with different concoctions to try, some of which may surprise you. So don’t go to Starbucks; visit a cool little place for a cheap cup of the most amazing coffee.

Affordability.

London is expensive, period. It’s likely that most of you aspiring actors trying to get started aren’t rich yet, and if your plans involve attending one of London’s drama schools, you better continue saving up those pennies. Rent is a lot more expensive than it is in Los Angeles, and a little more expensive than New York City. It’s not surprise to anyone, however.

A major metropolitan city that offers resources and tons of work for aspiring actors is always going to be somewhat expensive, as the trend shows. But comparatively, London can have lower cost of living than NYC or LA, if you know how to do it right. A major part of saving money in London is using the public transportation, but we’ll delve deeper into this later.

Celebrities.

Just like many expect to see famous people occasionally in New York City and Los Angeles, it’s also a very common occurrence in London, partly thanks to the size of the city and the amount of film/TV work available here. If this is something you’re really interested in, the opportunities are there.

These are just a few of the main reasons people, and especially creative and artistic types, love to live in London. It is a beautiful mesh of different folk, cultures and experiences, and it’s one of the best places to be for people who want to work in the arts, and that means you, actors! Talk to anyone who lives there, and you’ll likely hear a lot of gushing about certain aspects of London that are just perfect for those in the field.

 

1.2 Tips About London

Just moving to London itself can become a little stressful if not done right. The same can be said about living in London, traveling and finding entertainment here. From me and my wonderful London friends, tailored especially for actors looking to join the hustle and bustle of London’s artsy life, we’ve wormed out all of the best tips on how to survive in London.

Stand on the Right. When travelling in London, it is not acceptable to stand anywhere else on an escalator than the right. Always, without exception, even if you are with friends, drunk or dying you must stand on the right side.

There’s a reason I’m listing this one first. Nothing irks a Londoner more than someone blocking the path by standing on the wrong side, and this is the most common way we distinguish between a foreigner and a local.

Go Contactless. Depending on where you’re from, if you’re going to be living in London, either register your contactless bank card with Transport for London, or get an Oyster card. This will make your travelling around London so much swifter.

Oyster and contactless payment (which, apparently – and to my big surprise – doesn’t even exist in the USA) will automatically calculate the cheapest fare so it’s never been simpler to travel around London. Also take note that London buses don’t even accept cash anymore, it’s all high-tech. Catch up, America!

Don’t Talk to Strangers. There are some unwritten rules about talking to people whilst travelling. The general rule is don’t do it unless you want to freak someone out and convince them you belong in an episode of American Horror Story: Asylum. However, there are some key exceptions.

For example, when the weather is doing something freaky, you can comment on this and you will likely receive a response with some solidarity. If the transport system is having a fail, you can comment on this and will most definitely get a response.

If you’re ever lost in London and you need directions, know that most Londoners LOVE giving directions. Although majority of us also haven’t got a clue what we’re talking about so make you sure you download apps like StreetWalk or GoogleMaps to be on the safe side.

Don’t Dilly Dally. When travelling in London during peak hours, try to keep up with the pace. Especially in the morning.

After asking around, it seems that the only thing that drives a Londoner more insane are people who dilly dally carrying massive backpacks who aren’t in a hurry to get somewhere. The same goes for your Oyster or contactless card – be speedy and keep it to hand so it’s ready when you need it.

Walk Where Possible. Don’t just get the tube everywhere. Some stations are so close it isn’t worth the money or the hassle. It’s actually quicker to walk from Leicester Square to Charing Cross than it is to get any kind of public transport!

Not only will you get to know the most of the major London streets but you will also save money. The tube is quite expensive here in London. Using the bus is the cheapest option but often the roads are so clogged, it’s quicker to walk.

Tuesdays in London. This is when TimeOut magazine hits our fingertips full to the bursting with the latest listings from cultural events in London to the ‘venues de jour,’

Some of these may include things like street food markets, West End shows, best London events to see and other entertainment options. As a new Londoner, TimeOut is your weekly bible and cannot be missed.

Go Green. Similar to the lifestyle in New York, many Londoners live in tiny apartments with little to no outside space so it’s not surprising that on every glimpse of sunshine, you will find us hanging out at one of the many beautiful parks.

Personally, I love Greenwich Park these days and grabbing breakfast at Chapters in Blackheath. We always sit outside under the heat lamps and watch the world go by, while pondering on our artistic endeavors and future acting career plans.

SpareRoom.co.uk. SpareRoom.co.uk is a great place to find flat mates (roommates) and rooms to rent in London. I have used it three times and have never had a bad experience yet.

House-sharing is not only a great way to meet like-minded actors or just new people in London, but it also cuts down on bills, especially if it literally is someone just renting out their spare room for a bit of extra cash.

Go Digital. British TV drama has never been better in my opinion. Take advantage of streaming and get on to the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 to catch up with some of the latest and greatest new drama.

If you need recommendations, I’d say “River” has become my ultimate favourite this year. Dark, gritty and very, very British. Check it out for the ultimate British experience.

Join Meetup. Nearly everyone I’ve met who moved to London from elsewhere is on Meetup.com and in at least one group.

I’m in an actors and writers groups because those are my “things.” However, there’s plenty of other hobby and professional based groups to get involved with for those living in London, and it’s a great way to meet new people and start making friends in London.

Pubs. This is a guaranteed way to meet people. I’ve met some of my closest friends in London down the pub. When you’re living in London, get to know your local and you could be surprised who you might meet.

It’s perfectly acceptable to go for a drink alone in London. Take a paper, a crossword, a book, your tablet, whatever you fancy and pull up a stool at the bar. With karaoke nights, quiz nights and live music events, the pub will always be the place de jour.

Emerald Street. This is probably one of London’s best kept secrets and now I am sharing it with you. A step up from TimeOut, Emerald Street offers reviews of everything you need to do and everywhere you need to go in London.

If it’s hot, it’s in Emerald Street.

London Theatres. Actors must watch plays. Even though West End theatre tickets are insanely expensive these days, you really need to go to the theatre. One top tip from a Londoner Laura is to get your tickets on the day as they are often cheaper.

There are hundreds of stalls selling tickets in London. If your budget doesn’t stretch, leave the central zones and head to the outer boroughs like Bromley, Croydon and Barnet where touring musicals, plays and various artists from comedy to music can often be found for half the price.

Leicester Square. Leicester Square (pronounced “Lester”) has got to be the most cheesy, touristy, glitzy part of London (like Times Square in New York City), but you still have to go and soak it all in.

Behind all the gaudiness and thousands of pigeons lies a rich history of London. I’m also told that a trip to Waxy O’Connor’s is obligatory and a rite of passage for any a new Londoner.

London Culture. There are districts all across London that attract pockets of other cultures but you can find pretty much every country in the world dotted around the whole city in shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and more.

Favorites and classics of mine are China Town (check out The Four Seasons for the best roast duck you will ever eat) and Brick Lane (check out anything there for one of the most authentic curries out of the East).

Museums. Unlike majority of other world’s metropolitan cities of this size, London encourages people to get educated while having fun. Many of London’s museums and art galleries are completely free to enter.

As a new Londoner on a budget, you can soak up knowledge, culture and history without spending a penny. It’s also perfect for those times in the month where purse strings are tight but you don’t want to be housebound.

Central London. When living in London, you must explore. You will be missing out on so much if you don’t get out of Zones 1 and 2. Public transport, when it’s running on time, is a great vehicle to experience all the different neighborhoods of London.

Crystal Palace in South East London is the new hotspot with quirky restaurants, bars and cafes. Stoke Newington in North London has always been cool to anybody living in London, particularly its boutique and vintage clothes stores.

Markets. Of course a trip to the gentrified Borough Market selling deliciously fine wares should be on your agenda, but it’s not really reflective of everyday London culture. For this you need to head down to your local market where you will find a hustling, bustling place of toiletries, veggies and tat.

You can always find a bargain and a decent cup of tea in these places. If you want something with a little more finesse, farmers markets are more on-par with Borough Market but because they’re local, they are less expensive and a lot smaller. This means smaller vendors selling local produce.

Libraries. All of our London public libraries are also free and there are literally hundreds of them. Not only can you take a trip to the beautiful British Library but you can also sign up to your local library.

The Crofton Park Library is architecturally beautiful as well and also houses a community café. There are often other events going on too. LGBT History Month often has events going on at local libraries for example.

 

1.3 London’s Cost of Living

As with any major move, the cost of living is going be a huge factor to consider. Even though London can get very expensive very fast, there are ways around it where you can save a little extra money and continue pursuing your career dreams.

The move to London itself from what might be an entirely different continent can be costly and almost every step towards getting there involves spending money.  It all starts with visa fees, then flight tickets, buying things you’ll need for the move, accounting for the cost of hotels and transportation in your first few weeks, costs for the apartment, its security deposit and several months’ rent, buying new things once you’re settled in and so forth.  All of this means you need to have savings and make smart, calculated decisions.

Moving to a new country, or even city, is a step you need to think through very well and far in advance.  When I was moving to London and then to Los Angeles, I would always make a list for all potential fees and expenses, even groceries, and then add them up and calculate the amount I’ll need to save up.

Unless you’re a rich, you should probably start saving up for the move many months beforehand, possibly even a year to give yourself enough wiggle room and planning time, and to make sure you have the means to get to your new place and have enough cash to survive there without a job for at least three to six months.  This type of planning will prevent a lot of stress once you get there.

Okay.  So you’ve managed to save up enough money to get to London (or any other metropolitan city for acting), and it should be smooth sailing from there, right?

Not quite so.  Not only do you need to have enough funds to move to a new city or country in the first place, but you also need to have the resources to get on your feet once you are there.  The rule of thumb is usually to have enough funds to cover 3 to 6 months of living. Below is a breakdown of how much it’s going to cost to live in London.

London’s monthly cost of living:

• Rent: £750-£1,200 (either a small room, a studio or one bedroom flat)
• Bills: £30-£200 (depending on what’s included in the rent)
• Transportation: £120-£350 (Oyster card)
• Groceries: £150-£300 (if you cook at home, no take outs)
• Entertainment: £100+ (depending on how often you’re going out)
• Gym: £30+ (varies significantly)
• Extra: £100-£200 (any additional expenses)

Let’s break down some of the costs you can expect while living in London.

Housing.

This is going to be your biggest expense after you move to London, as most people pay their biggest bill towards their home or apartment. In London, you can expect to rent a flat (apartment), as houses and condos are scarce and extremely expensive, like in most big cities.

London has many options, from studios to three bedrooms, but the most common choice is a standard one bedroom flat. For actors who are on a very tight budget, a one bedroom flat may not be affordable, thus consider a studio, or possibly even sharing an apartment with another actors or maybe even several actors.

Remember, real estate in these areas is a hot ticket item! Plan ahead for the expense and plan to apply early. There may be a waiting list to get into the home you like, so start looking months in advance, even before you make the move.

In London, a standard one bedroom apartment typically ranges from £1100 (that’s GBP, which is approximately $1,430 USD) to £1700 ($2,211) depending on the location and if it is furnished or not (renting a furnished flat is pretty common in the UK).

Do prices seem expensive? That’s because they are. Remember, London has lots of options for people who don’t mind sharing a flat with roommates, and it’s pretty easy to find someone to live with you to save on costs. There will be more tips on this later.

One last important note about looking for housing in London: most places will list the cost of rent by week, not by month like it is in the US. Don’t think you are suddenly getting an amazing deal only to realize that’s ¼ of the cost. If you aren’t sure, ask the landlord or listing agency to clarify how much you’ll owe and when.

Transportation.

Getting around is another thing to consider when it comes to budgeting. In London, costs are going to be very different from living somewhere like the United States. If you live in the States, chances are you will have a car and will need to transport yourself around the city. This is especially true for LA, which doesn’t have a lot of public transportation options.

Having a car in London won’t make sense, logistically and financially. You’ll find petrol (gasoline) is going to be $2.50 to $3.00 more expensive overseas, which can really add up. Since most people don’t own their own cars, you’ll also find that the cost of purchasing a vehicle outright is more than in the United States as well, which is true for the rest of Europe.

Luckily, London has extensive public transportation options available, and they are much more affordable for the average resident. A one-way ticket using the bus, tube, or train is typically around £2.5 ($3.25), and you can save money by purchasing a monthly unlimited pass (Oyster card) for an average of £130 ($169).

Since you’ll be using the London Underground, ferries, and buses to get to everything, having an Oyster card is a bargain at twice the price. Use the widely available public transportation and avoid the extensive fees taxis can charge – a whopping £5 ($6.50) a mile.

Food.

Food is obviously a necessity, so don’t forget to include it in your budget for moving to London. You’ll find that food is going to be a bit more expensive in this city, but this is partly due to the quality of food and the types of meals available. Eating in London may or may not be slightly cheaper than in, say, New York City, but it all depends on the neighborhood (or zone) you’re in.

An inexpensive restaurant will likely charge around £15 (about $19.50) for one meal. This is somewhat similar price range to Applebee’s or Chili’s in the United States. Fast food is generally around £5 ($6.50) for a combo meal, like something you’d find at McDonald’s.

Like to drink? There’s plenty of pubs in London, and you can expect prices from £4-£5 ($5-7) for a pint. A glass of wine may be a bit less, and you can usually get a mid-range bottle for £10-£15 ($13-$20). Coffee is also readily available, at more reasonable prices from £2-£3 ($3-$4).

When it comes to regular grocery shopping, be prepared to make some adjustments due to the             availability of certain products. Some things are going to be much cheaper than in the U.S., while others will shock you with their price.

A good example of shocking prices is milk. If you live in the United States, it’s usually a few bucks here, maybe $3 tops. In London, expect to spend at least $5 for a gallon. On the flip side, other foods such as bread and produce are a couple dollars cheaper. When you move to London, just be aware of the prices you see. Shop products that are a reasonable price, and always look for sales to maximize your food budget. Most grocery stores always have tons of deals going as well as discounted items all day long.

Utilities.

When you move to London and find your own place, you’ll need to remember that you’ll be responsible for utilities, including electricity, heat, water, garbage, and internet. Even if you rent with a roommate, you’ll be responsible for at least part of the bill.

You’ll find that required utilities like electricity are going to be more expensive overseas at around $180-$200 for all basic utilities in about 1,000 square feet of living space. However, monthly internet costs hover around only $32, compared to the $50-$75 range in the United States. So, your bills will look a bit different while living in the U.K., but overall it will basically even out.

As you can see, living in these metropolitan cities isn’t cheap, but it’s doable. If you’re like me and most other actors moving to big cities to pursue their dreams and bite off a big chunk of opportunities there without the support of rich parents, you’re going to need to find a way to get money.  Such practice is normally called “getting a job.”

But it’s not as simple as that.  Remember that the reason you’re moving to a new city is to study acting, begin auditioning and eventually start working as an actor (probably on unpaid gigs first).  The majority of your time is going to be spent training and auditioning, and the tiny amount left after that will probably be dedicated to getting a good night’s sleep.

However, a job is also going to be the only way you get a consistent income, so before you move, you should try searching the Internet for job vacancies in the area that will accommodate your goals.  Obviously, a survival job should be your first priority if you don’t get a monthly allowance from your mom and dad. We will discuss survival jobs for actors a little later.

 

1.4 Budgeting in London

As we have already established, London is very expensive. However, there is a way to live cheaply in London. Below we’ll provide you with some tips on budgeting and planning to live cheaper in London.

Accommodation.

First thing’s first, you’re going to need to set aside a significant proportion of money for rent in London and bills. This will vary substantially depending on where in London you live.

The outer boroughs are typically less expensive but more affluent areas such as Muswell Hill and Belsize Park in the North and Dulwich and Crystal Palace in the south command much higher rents.

This doesn’t mean you have to live in the back of beyond, but it’s important to do your homework. To keep costs down, you should look into ‘up and coming’ areas and these are usually located just a few miles from the expensive places.

Watch out for my article on South Norwood neighborhood sometime next week for a better breakdown on this specific area. It’s less than three miles to Crystal Palace and 15 minutes by train to central London but with rents that are considerably lower.

Here are some tips:

• Try to avoid renting a one-bedroom or studio flat, because it will cost you a lot more money (duh). Finding people to share with or looking for rooms to rent in existing shared-properties will be much cheaper.
• Sites like AirBnB are great if you’re planning a short-term trip but if you’re staying for 6 months or more don’t use them long-term. Why? Because you pay a premium plus AirBnB fees. Instead, consider taking on AirBnB or equivalent room for your first month while you look for something permanent.

According to WorkGateways.com, rent in London can be anything from £350 per month upwards for a double room across the London Boroughs. However, you can cut your costs by an average of £100 if you take a single room.

These rent costs may be a little hopeful as well because the estimates provided for the average cost of a one-bedroom flat in London fail to take into account the competitiveness of the current market and the availability of cheaper places.

Personal Experience. Whilst it is really smart to do your homework and plan costs using internet sites like WorkGateway.com, from personal experience, they might be a little out of touch with the reality of the rental market in London right now.

This is coming from personal opinion. My partner and I recently rented a flat in South Norwood. It’s a South London postcode here, so according to WorkGateways.com we should be paying £600-700 per month.

Whilst we did see places advertised for around £800, our flat actually costs us £1050. Part of that is because we have a pet and required a garden but when doing your search on sites like WorkGateways.com or others, keep in mind that their estimates are at the lowest end.

Check out the London Rents Map from the Mayor of London where you can search by area and see where the lowest prices will be from a more realistic perspective.

Bills. So here’s the boring stuff – alongside your rent, you also have to take into account your bills. Based on three people sharing a house in South Norwood, you should be budgeting around £155 per month for basic bills.

Here are the averages you can expect for bog-standard utilities in London:

• Water: £40
• Electricity: £60
• Gas: £80
• Council Tax: £125
• TV Licence: £145.50
• Broadband: £17.50

People moving to London from outside of the UK may not know what Council Tax is, so I recommend you to read this article. And the TV license is basically your cable, for the Americans out there.

Here are some tips below.

Try to narrow your search for places where bills are included. Many people in London rent out their spare rooms to help towards their high overheads and this could be good news for you. Benefits include one single payment each month, a knowledgeable landlord and sometimes, even the chance to live in a super cool area without the high costs of doing it from scratch.

If you come to London and go to a drama school or long-term acting class, check whether the course is among those where you can claim exemption from council tax. As a rule, all degree-based and NVQ courses will be covered. For more info on this, check out the UK government help pages.

Food Shopping.

Average spend for a single-person on food shopping in London is £20-30 per week.

Supermarkets in England aren’t that expensive compared to those stateside. It’s actually a great time to come to the UK right now as the traditional supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s are stepping up their game to compete with the budget but quality new stores like Aldi and Lidl. This means great deals for you!

Where to get these deals? To get money off coupons on stuff you buy regularly, loyalty points and money-off vouchers, you need to get store loyalty cards and they all have different benefits.

Here are the top five:

1. Sainsbury’s. Sainsbury’s isn’t the cheapest supermarket in the UK but they often have good offers on groceries and butcher items plus they are part of the Nectar Card scheme which is the best loyalty card out there (get it!)

The reason Nectar Card is good is because you can get points from a whole array of other partners including your energy company if you’re with EDF as well as eBay purchases and more. You can also opt to spend your Nectar points on social stuff like the cinema and meals out!

The downside of the Nectar Card is that you don’t get as many points to your pound as you do with others but the upside is that you can use it in so many places, you can boost your points balance without really needing to shop at Sainsbury’s that regularly.

2. Tesco. Tesco is the kind of supermarket that caters for everyone’s tastes. There are luxury ranges, mid-ranges and budget options, meaning you can mix and match depending on where you want to save and where you want to splurge.

Their veg is among the best as far as supermarkets go. They also offer a loyalty card ClubCard that allows you to spend your points on cinema tickets, days out and meals out with regular promotions to double and triple the point value in exchange for these treats.

3. Waitrose. Waitrose is a top-end supermarket (meaning it’s expensive) but you shouldn’t discount it automatically. Firstly, their basic range is very high quality and can rival its budget competitors. Secondly, they often stock ‘forgotten cuts’ like pig cheeks for tiny prices.

The big selling point of Waitrose is the loyalty card which gives you the option to choose your own offers as well as enjoy free tea or coffee in-store at the café or on the go. A great way to keep costs down and indulge in some luxury produce from time to time.

4. Morrisons. Morissons is one of the best supermarket to shop for budget meats. They stock nearly every cut, including stock bones and the prices are great. Their wine, beers and spirits, soft drinks and household items are also really good value.

Their More Card offers one of the highest amount of loyalty points for cashback vouchers to spend in store plus monthly promotional offers.

5. Iceland. Iceland is already a great budget option because most of their produce is frozen (but be careful not to get stung on their fresh stuff, it can be pricier).

The benefits of their loyalty Bonus Card are pretty basic, but it’s worth signing up where you get a chance to win back your shopping in a monthly prize draw, receive monthly money off coupons and get free home delivery on orders over £20.

Going Social.

So by now, after your rent and your food shopping, you have about £52-62 left over for recreation per week.

£50 a week is actually my budget so I thought I’d give you a breakdown of my week and how I stay on top of my money as well as having a very active social life along with a few other practical tips. So here we go!

Monday. Monday night is movie night! This means movie night with streaming, that is. Something from Amazon Prime (which currently has 30-day free trial!) on poor weeks or a new release on rich weeks.

For a new release, you can pay about a fiver, but if you subscribe to Instant Video for £7 per month, there’s a whole bunch of cool movies for free. This week we watched Now You See Me for 99 pence over homemade jerk chicken with rice ‘n’ peas. (That’s £1.)

Tuesday. It’s takeout night this week so we’re trolling the net for offers. Papa John’s always has money off but it can be pricey.

However, if you search your local area for the best fried chicken joints (it’s Morley’s in South London) you can eat like a king for less than £4! (Okay, so that’s £4.)

Wednesday. By mid-week, we often have a few friends come over. I cook and everyone brings a bottle or two of cheap plonk or a crate of beer so there’s plenty of everything to go around.

Chill con carne (or veggie version) costs about £2 per person (including seconds) so for an average night in there’s three of us plus a bottle of wine (whichever Merlot is on offer at around £4) and Saturday night sets me back £10. (That’s £10.)

Thursday. Somehow, this Thursday we seem to have been convinced by our friends to go out for wine.

Everyone was on a budget so we went to The George in Beckenham which has an amazing beer garden, perfect for this lovely summer and a bottle of wine costs as little as £8.50. (So we got £8.50 here.)

Friday. Friday night was spent meeting up with my dog-walking crew and taking a stroll around South Norwood Country Park before heading over to The Albert Tavern in South Norwood for some reasonably priced Malbec.

Joining a group based on outdoor interests like walking, running or cycling can be a great way to socialise without spending too much money plus the incentive for a trip to pub afterwards is a great reward!

I took out £10 from the cashpoint (ATM for the Americans) and had a bit of change, which went straight into the piggy bank on return. (And that’s £10.)

Saturday. This Saturday we headed back to The Albert with a bunch of friends for Karaoke night which was awesome! Most Karaoke nights in South London attract some pretty good singers and the local crowd here will embrace anyone who gives it a go, especially if you can give a good tune.

Don’t be fooled by its appearance here – I got the biggest round of applause I’d ever had after belting out some Les Miserable and that was from the burly men! (£12.)

Sunday. Come rain or shine, Sunday is adventure day! Depending on how much we can afford to spend on travel costs, we take to Google and find a good walk and get lunch afterwards. Lunch can also be cheap to get!

I recommend you check out pubs owned by breweries like Green King or Wetherspoons for great lunch deals or head to the local bakers for some tasty pastries. On a really tight, week, we throw together a picnic with leftovers from the fridge.

This week, we took a trip to the coast in the car. The three of us put £5 each in petrol, leaving £14.50 to spend on lunch so I splurged a bit and ordered the flat iron steak with hand-cut chips at The Ship in Winchelsea with a shandy, leaving me with just enough change to cover the tip.

Final tip: I always, always empty my spare change from my budget into my piggy bank. If I can get to the end of this month without touching it, I’ll have £30 ‘spare.’ I either use this to do something extra special or save it some more for a big weekend trip. So maybe you can do the same?

 

1.5 Survival Jobs in London

While you are waiting for your big break, you’re going to have to find survival jobs so that you can afford to stay in London. There’s a lot of options for people who aren’t native to the area, but remember that you’ll need to have the appropriate visa in order to apply for work – a travel visa won’t cut it.

If you’ve got the proper paperwork, below we’ll list a few ideas for survival jobs you can start with while you’re also trying to auditioning for acting jobs or fishing drama school. But before you drop everything and move to London to pursue acting, thinking that you can do bartending or be a waitress, know that it’s not going to be easy to get a place in any of the employment options mentioned below.

Many actors have already figured out what kind of work will allow them to pursue acting on the side, and they’re going after the same thing you want to. Nevertheless, the jobs are out there for those who are willing to look and try hard to get them.

The below list of survival jobs for actors is ranked from “worst” to “best”. These are arbitrary terms, and I’ll explain why each day job is good or not good for an actor.

Script Reader.

Being a script reader is an interesting job to have if you want to see how the film industry works, particularly if you’re either in London, Los Angeles or New York City. You can also learn a lot about writing your own screenplay and producing your own projects.

As a script reader, you read various spec scripts (see the dictionary) on a daily basis and pick the ones you like and think would make a great film. Then bring those to the producer or your supervisor for them to approve it.

This can be a good part-time gig if you’re already making some money from acting, or if you have another day job set up. Unfortunately, it’s not really possible to survive just on script reader’s salary, let alone fund your acting career, too.

Most script reading jobs aren’t full-time, and with the pay being close to minimum wage, actors need another source of income. Moreover, there isn’t that many openings for script readers anywhere other than Los Angeles.

• Why it’s good: flexible (ish), part-time and you get to work in the industry.
• Why it’s not good: hard to find these jobs, pays little, and it’s only part-time.

Bartending.

Bartending is one of the best survival day jobs for actors there is in bigger cities, if you can get this gig that is. Not only will you be working evenings and nights, which leaves your day free to go to acting classes, auditions and even work as an actor, but being a bartender means a decent pay when you include tips.

Bruce Willis, Mark Ruffalo and Tom Cruise are known for working as bartenders for a long time while they were studying acting and getting small acting jobs. They were all fond of this gig as well, with everybody enjoying their time as bartenders.

On their own, bartenders are payed the most out of the whole serving staff, and depending on the place they work, it could be by a significant amount. Then come the tips and again, depending on the establishment, tippers might be extremely generous.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to get this position, because most actors have already taken them. Plus, you really need to be a good bartender with solid experience and amazing personality to even be considered. Don’t expect to simply throw bottles in the air for your job interview and get the job.

• Why it’s good: good pay when including tips, great hours and it’s a fun job.
• Why it’s not good: very difficult to get a good bartending gig if you’re not already experienced.

Temp Agencies.

By “temp agencies” I mean getting hired through an agency that will place you in some office to do routine work on the computer (usually). That type of temporary employment is always a good choice as one of the day jobs for actors, because you get paid pretty decent (for an actor, doing a job you aren’t trained for) and you don’t have to stay there for too long.

There isn’t any flexibility in terms of “leave when you need” or “work at nights”, however. You will have to come in at 8-9am and leave at 5-6pm, so there won’t be any time for you to audition during the day, nor will you be able to work as an actor.

On the bright side, the fact that you work one week so that you can have the next week off (which is how it often works out with temp agencies) can be a good thing for some. The pay isn’t huge, but if doing this on a regular basis, actors can live off temporary jobs if they develop a system of being called in on a regular basis.

• Why it’s good: isn’t too difficult to find these jobs, it’s easy to do and the pay is good enough.
• Why it’s not good: temporary, and usually during day time.

Waiting Staff.

This is arguably the most “famous” occupation most actors have taken on before breaking into the entertainment industry. More than half of struggling actors all around the world have tried waiting on tables, some more successfully than others.

Being a waiter/waitress is a good job to have because of the flexibility it provides, especially if you work at a fancy restaurant that gets busy only during night time. On top of that, there is always someone who can cover your shift if you are willing to cover that person when they need it.

Covering shifts is an unwritten rule among waiters. That’s because it’s likely that most of the waiting staff will be pursuing something in the entertainment industry too, especially if you’re in a city like London or Los Angeles.

While the job itself doesn’t pay as much as bartending, nor do you get as many tips as bartenders do, it is still possible to survive and fund your acting career on this alone if you include tips and live on a budget. The only problem is again, sometimes it’s hard to get these gigs.

• Why it’s good: can be flexible and you always have someone to cover your shift.
• Why it’s not good: not always easy to find a flexible-enough position.

Freelancing.

Being a freelancer is easily one of the best survival jobs for actors for obvious reasons. Freelancing jobs vary, and there are many things you can do, from writing articles online to creating graphic designs and logos.

For those who have their way with words and are friendly with grammar, there’s always a business or a website that needs content. The same applies to graphic design or any other service you can provide. Maybe you can do voice overs if you have a way to record it at home, or take great photos of products if you own a decent DSLR camera?

The reason is that as soon as you start getting clients who value your work and constantly ask you for more, you develop a client-base, which is a regular return with great pay.

In addition to this, you also set your own working hours and work from home, which means actors can easily work during the night and audition during the day. Or if there are no auditions, do even more writing in advance to have some days free later.

The only problem is that this will require some initial time investment. You’ll probably need to spend a few weeks writing, creating graphics or providing other services for very cheap or almost free to set up a good track record. It really is an investment, but the one that will pay off long-term.

• Why it’s good: extremely flexible, can be very profitable, and you can work from anywhere.
• Why it’s not good: takes initial investment in time, doing work for cheap or even free.

Small Online Business.

At the number one position we have setting up your own online business with a website. This can stem either from being a freelancer and then moving away from freelancing platforms and into your own venture, or you can immediately start with creating your own business on whatever you decide.

Setting up your own online business is easily the best thing actors can do for their acting careers and their life in general. The reason being is because once it’s all ready, you’re not only earning money to support your acting career, but you’re also building something for the future.

When it comes to all other survival jobs for actors listed above – you’re working for somebody else. That means when you’re done, you have almost nothing to show for it. However, if you start your own venture, it’s something that will stay forever. You can continuously scale it and earn more as you continue to expand your business.

The best part is that if you ever decide to quit acting, this can be your fall-back plan. You’ll already have another passion and career choice to pursue, the one that can potentially turn into a million dollar company should you decide to go in that direction.

The disadvantage of starting your own online business is that it requires the most time from you with little to no return, and also initial investment. However, starting an online business today is the easiest it has ever been, and you could launch one within 24 hours and with just £100. After that, spend just a few hours a day growing it until you start earning enough.

• Why it’s good: super flexible, work from home and for yourself, no earning limits, build your own venture that’s sustainable and can be scaled.
• Why it’s not good: requires the most time to start and some initial investments.

The above list of six types of survival jobs is what majority of actors should and will be looking to get into after moving to London. Here are just a few more ideas for those who do not feel like the above six cut it.

Front of House Assistants. As you know by this point, London is full of theatres, art galleries, music halls, and more. These places always need to have employees to take care of the front of house duties, and it can be a perfect part-time job for someone looking to break into the acting world. Some positions might be permanent, but you’re more likely to find temporary positions for the big events that come up a few times each year. In positions like this, you’ll need to have excellent customer service, and expect to be working in the evenings and on the weekends (perfect for auditioning).

Servers/Line Cooks. Another popular part-time job for people in a drama school or those constantly auditioning is working at a restaurant or cafe as a server or cook. Places like this are always hiring people to help their restaurant run smoothly. You can usually find positions available year round, but expect to work a schedule based on the busiest times of the day. This usually means nights and weekends. The flexibility these jobs provide is usually great for actors, who may want to go to classes or attend auditions during the day.

Retail/Sales. London is full of all kinds of shops, and stores will need people to run them. There are a variety of both full-time and part-time jobs available in these fields, at stores varying from clothing boutiques to grocery shops. This is a great choice for someone who needs steady work while working towards drama school graduation or trying to find their first acting gig. Stores have a variety of hours available for work, but expect to be asked to work during their peak hours – often in early evening and during the day on the weekends.

Tutoring. If you have a lot of knowledge in a certain area or a special skill, you may be able to find work as a tutor, consultant, adviser or teacher’s assistant. If you have schooling experience in a field other than acting, you may be in a good position to apply for this type of jobs. Tutoring can pay very well, and there are a lot of opportunities for students in elementary school through university. Tutoring is also a part-time gig, meaning you’ll have plenty of off-time to pursue auditions and acting gigs.

Finding Work. Even though London is very expensive, the good news is that it has the biggest job market, and there are plenty of places that will hire young, unqualified people to be waiters, cleaners, valets and so forth.

These positions are ideal for you because a lot of them offer work in the evenings and weekends, which is the only time you’re going to be free. Allow me give you some resources.

Here’s where actors find survival jobs in London:

• Gumtree is great for UK job ads: http://www.gumtree.com/
• Use Monster for more specific job vacancies: http://www.monster.co.uk/
• An alternative to Monster in the UK: http://www.totaljobs.com/
• Mostly for professional positions: http://www.indeed.co.uk/
• Language-related jobs: http://www.multilingualvacancies.com/
• More language-related jobs: http://www.toplanguagejobs.co.uk/
• Find Job Centre Plus in the city: http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1386.php

What job should you get as your first survival gig? Obviously, a lot of this will depend on your personal situation: your experience, where you live, how much it pays and what’s your time schedule, among others. However, I found that there are about 8-10 types of survival jobs that fit actors best, and I’ll list them below.

For the conclusion of this chapter, here’s a list of best survival jobs for actors according to surviving artists and actors themselves:

1. Bartending – evening hours, good tips;
2. Freelancing – flexible hours, but low pay at first;
3. Temporary work placement (through agencies);
4. Personal training – for those who know what they’re doing;
5. Dog walker/sitter – more people outsource this to others;
6. Yoga instructor – easy to get this job if you know yoga well;
7. Catering/hospitality sector – the cliché job for actors;
8. Teaching/consulting – using your skills to teach them to others;
9. Personal assistant – can be good pay but hours aren’t always good;
10. Substitute teacher – if you can make the hours work, it’s perfect.

I hope this list will give you a head start on what to focus on, but of course you don’t need to specifically look for these gigs alone.  If something else comes along, take it for the time being and get yourself on feet first before you can afford to be picky about this.

>> Acting With No Experience PART 2: PREPARING TO MOVE