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Wicked Skillz

As a performer, you’d think that acting, dancing or singing would be your main skill but it really isn’t.  I genuinely believe that actors must be the most employable people on the planet due to the many transferable skills that we have (which we didn’t know we needed).

IT Wizard
Firstly, you need a phone.  If this phone can access the World Wide Web, even better.  If you also know how to push your emails with this phone, take a selfie and self-tape an audition then you’re laughing.  If you didn’t understand any of that, you’re in trouble.

Building a website, emailing and attaching files, formatting a Word version of your CV, videoing and uploading auditions, blogging, tweeting are all talents I have developed which I hadn’t considered were essential.

You can’t teach an old dog…
As soon as you start applying for jobs, you quickly realise that though you may have many skills, there are many others which you don’t have.  For example, boy do I wish I could play a portable musical instrument to professional standard.  But I can’t.  I could start learning one now (which lots of people do) but then do I potentially let slip the skills I do already have and become a jack of all trades and a master of none?  Keeping talents honed and fresh is imperative.

Private Investigator
The internet is a deeply phenomenal wealth of information which is just there for the taking.  I don’t apply for a job or go to an audition without researching the company, the people, the production, the location for the job and where the nearest Starbucks is.  Knowledge is power.  Caffeine is key.

Fashionista
I dread to think of the hours I have spent staring, sobbing into my wardrobe as I can’t decide what to wear for an audition.  While I personally don’t like to go full method at the audition stage, I think it’s a good idea to dress appropriately for the character and I find my wardrobe choices massively help me with the characterisation.  Shoes in particular, as the way a person stands and walks will be affected by their footwear.  I own a black suit which I think I’ve worn about twice in a non-acting capacity and about a hundred times for auditions and filming.  That suit, a shirt, black leggings and some jazz shoes are indispensable items.

Geographer
I have been to auditions in tiny rooms in famous buildings, huge rooms in seemingly abandoned structures, at tables in pubs and coffee shops, to schools, offices and churches in all corners of London and across the country.  Wherever we are, I’m forever pointing these out to friends which has become a bit of a running joke.  I have the TFL journey planner page bookmarked and Google maps always at the ready.  If I can make it out of the right exit at Elephant and Castle or get out of Bank station without actually coming out of Monument, I’m doing well.

Bargain Hunter
Need to read a play by tomorrow?  Facebook for a quick lend from a friend, your local library or so often, someone somewhere has put the text online.  Alternatively, you can hide in Waterstones and read it surreptitiously while trying not to break the spine.  It’s also amazing what you can source and adapt from your own house – I’ve created 80s looking outfits from clothes I own and wear, I know people who’ve borrowed pets, children, cars, smoke machines…

Proof Reader
I can skim a casting breakdown in seconds – it’s amazing how the words “no pay” and “full frontal nudity” just jump out at you.

I’m sure there are other things I can think of – tax accountant, hustler, graphic designer, photographer – us actors are our CVs…and much, much more.
Twitter: @mirandacolmans
Website: www.mirandacolmans.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaColmans 

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