Developments in the business of acting are not always front-of-mind for time-pressed creatives, yet can have a major impact on how their careers develop. That’s why we’ve created The Business, a series to help UK actors and performers stay updated on the key stories that will affect the nuts and bolts of their professional lives.
BAFTA is addressing diversity on-screen with awards targets and Elevate
BAFTA has named the 21 actors picked for their career development programme Elevate. Where last year’s edition saw a focus on screenwriters, 2019’s programme aims to support actors from underrepresented groups to progress to the next stage of their career and to improve diversity across the screen industries. Actors in the line-up include Anthony Welsh, about to be seen in The Personal History of David Copperfield, and Anjli Mohindra, whose breakthrough role as Nadia in Bodyguard last year is still sparking conversations about the representation of Muslims on-screen.
Elevate will see BAFTA support each performer with a year-long bespoke career development programme that includes mentoring, networking opportunities, masterclasses, and workshops. An industry jury which included Himesh Patel (Yesterday) and Ashley Walters (Top Boy) took disability, race, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status into consideration in order to support talent from under-represented groups.
BAFTA is also piloting diversity targets for their upcoming TV awards which may see shows failing to meet the criteria locked out of the prestigious awards. The pilot will measure entrants for production categories against the BFI’s Diversity Standards followed by a consultation with producers and broadcasters before introducing “hard targets” for the full 2021 awards. BAFTA chair Krishnendu Majumdar said the targets can be flexible but will still put “everyone’s shoulders to the wheel for trying to make the industry more inclusive.” Read more here.
READ: What Is BAFTA and How Can I Get Involved?
Drama school to expand ‘football scouting’ model in search for diverse new students
South London’s Mountview drama school is to expand their football scout model in an effort to diversify future student intakes. For the past four years, the drama school has copied the tried and tested methods of football clubs, who use a network of talent scouts working on their behalf across the country. The school’s adapted model sees recruits in organisations like drama clubs and regional theatres encourage applications from talented young people that may not have considered applying to drama school or acting as a profession.
Now, Mountview is to roll the practice out across the academy’s production courses, including stage management and design. Young people put forward by scouts will be offered free auditions and, if offered a place to train, may be able eligible for financial support. The school has 42 partners working to put forward applicants from across the country, with the network recommending 80 potential students last academic year and the school offering nine of those places. Mountview’s spokesperson said the scouting model allowed them to “fish in a different lake” and seek talented actors from “new communities of people.”
READ: The Acting Conservatoires UK Actors Should Know
Government release ‘preparing for Brexit’ advice for arts
The government have released advice for the arts sector to assist preparations for Brexit. The 10-point checklist aims to clarify how Brexit will impact on activities vital to the arts sector, including touring abroad, employing EU nationals and EU culture funding. Actors’ union Equity have campaigned for a “seat at the table” on policy that may affect the performing arts and laid out their priorities for the UK’s exit from the EU. The union has described previous advice from the government on this issue as “inadequate.”
Urdang Academy launches new full-fee scholarship
London’s Urdang Academy has launched a new full scholarship programme to support “exceptional raw talent” from any background. Unlike Urdang’s other scholarships, the funding for its diploma in professional musical theatre or dance will not be means-tested and is open to anyone aged 16–18. The scholarship covers all fees for applicants who gain a place on either course and Urdang Academy is currently able to offer 10 full-fee scholarships per year, alongside existing bursaries. Find out more here.
Brighton Fringe opens registration
The largest annual arts festival in England is now open for registration, with free drop-in support and registration sessions in London and across the south for artists looking to bring work to Brighton 2020. Find out more here.
Womxn: get your short play staged at Southwark Playhouse
If you’re a performer with a burning desire to write, new-writing night Little Pieces of Gold are celebrating their 10th anniversary by offering new womxn writers the chance to have their short plays staged at the Southwark Playhouse. Applications are open until 28 October and successful writers will get mentoring from a team of top female playwrights alongside a production of their work. Find out more here.
Disability Arts Online release Access to Work guide
Accessing and navigating the Access to Work scheme just became a little easier for disabled artists after Disability Arts Online released a comprehensive guide for applying for grants to remove barriers to work. Including case studies and advice for employers, the material breaks down the steps for eligibility and new applications as well as support for current users of the scheme. Find out more here.
‘Ground-breaking’ games event for D/deaf and disabled performers
Equity is holding a “ground-breaking” event to engage with opportunities in the games industry. Aimed at D/deaf and disabled performers, the free event will be an opportunity for artists to inform how the games industry can improve employment prospects and support inclusivity. Held at Graeae Theatre in east London, the day will begin with practical workshops on performing in motion capture suits and voice acting for Equity members followed by wider talks and discussions. Find out more here.
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