There's no business like show business

What a great day! Not only did it NOT RAIN, which was a miracle in itself, but I have an awesome internship AND I found an awesome grocery store that has really good sandwiches and bread and I am just so excited!

So first things first J THE INTERNSHIP! My morning started off great because I was able to sleep in since I did not have to be at the office until 12:30pm (usually I will go in at 10am, but they had a bank meeting). My internship placement is at Kelly Management, a small, yet reputable casting agency started and run by Robert Kelly and his assistant Gordon Cowell. Kelly Management is unique in that is very sought after by aspiring performers and has became a high profile agency in just the two years it has been open. Robert himself was an actor and dancer. His credits include the West End production of Chicago, as well as other high-end productions and in addition to performing, he used to teach professional dance classes. In 2006 he decided to open his own agency to give representation to talented adult actors, actresses, as well as children who are serious about their career. Kelly Management’s clients include 25 adults (such as Leanne Jones who won Best Actress in a Musical at the Oliver Awards for her critically acclaimed performance as Tracy Turnbald in the West End production of Hairspray- which Robert said he would take me to!) as well as about 41 child actors. Gordon, technically my supervisor, though I will be working just as closely to Robert, also has experience working in the entertainment industry as an actor. He just ended a run as an understudy in The Woman in Black and is Robert’s second hand man.

The office is in this adorable little side street off Oxford Circus, which is best shopping street in London – again, like the Times Square. The street is so posh and cute - a lot of upscale retail stores, cafes and offices along a wide cobblestone road. I got a little turned around on the tube, and the whole day my heels were knifing into my poor feet (which were practically bleeding by the end of the day), but nothing mattered because I was just so excited to be in a clean, safe and close area. When I got off the tube at Bond St. (which is a five minute walk to the office) is when I found Marks and Spencer’s Specialty Foods, which is more upscale food, so a little more expensive, but a million times more delicious. So on my way, since I left a lot of time for me to get there, I picked up a healthy and delicious chicken sandwich and a banana to bring with me to the office. I found the street and the office and was buzzed up, and so began a great afternoon.

I walked up three narrow flights of stairs to the top floor of this cute little office building and I opened to door to be greeted by two gorgeous men. Their youth and their charming warmth pleasantly surprised me. They are both in their late twenties and were very welcoming and energetic. Their enthusiasm immediately eased any nerves I might have had. We talked about common interests in theater and the general entertainment business, and I can tell already that I will absolutely learn a great deal from them both. Robert’s list of contacts, connections and clients is a true testament to the hardworking and genuine man he is. I greatly look forward to working with them both and think the placement will teach me a great deal about the casting side of the entertainment industry.

We started off just by talking, and then it was off to work. In order to get acquainted with how they do business, Gordon showed me how they organized the Kelly Management drive, which I have full access to. I was able to look through their client files and set up my email account. Then Gordon showed me how to fill out and email invoices to their clients, which they do every Friday. I then learned how they work out payment and commission and how their business functions.

After, Robert ran through all of the child actors with me – their experience, potential, and overall place in the agency. He made clear which ones to push, and which ones needed work. In fact, every Wednesday night I will be able to attend and help with the acting workshop that they require their child actors to attend. I felt like the third equal in a tight team when they suggested that each child perform a monologue just for me so that I can see their strengths and weaknesses and assess them on a first hand basis. It is thrilling to feel like, not only do I have my own email account through the agency, but they are really interested in my opinion and want to include me.

After going over the bank details and learning about their clients, I reformatted their CV (which is what we call a resume) and I was able to use my creativity as well as my computer skills to create a new paper image of their clients. The layout and contents of a talent CV are crucial, and to have this kind of responsibility on the first day was exciting. They seemed to like my ideas and while it is a work in progress, I think I am on the right track.

On the administrative side, I addressed and stuffed envelopes of letters going out to the parents of the child actors concerning absences from the workshop, as well as familiarized myself with their client contact list. Then, most exciting of all, I was able to call one of their clients to tell her about a casting, give her the details and make arrangements with her to come into the office to read through the script. In fact, the part calls for an American accent, so Robert suggested I try to come in on Friday to help, which was, again, great to feel so included and valued. This was one of the distinguishing differences I noticed. In the UK, there are different kind of accents, from London to RP (which is more of an eloquent, royal, sophisticated dialect), and then of course American. Being able to master these is very important to be a versatile actor here, whereas in America, I do not find that to be stressed as strongly.

Overall, Gordon seems as though he will be a great supervisor – patient and kind and definitely willing to answer any questions I have, as well as trust me with responsibilities. He has a lot on his plate administratively – sending emails to clients, organizing bookings, and tying up loose ends for Robert. On top of that, they both are constantly checking the web for updates in the industry to make sure they are in the know as to how changes in the industry pertain to their clients, be it castings, openings, closing, and events.

Working in an office with them both a desk away is convenient and makes for a very friendly atmosphere. The dress is casual, which puts me at ease, and thank goodness because my heels cannot take any more awful shoes! It is so nice to see how well they work together - they not only value each other’s insights and opinions, but genuinely enjoy each other’s company. This comfortable office culture is fantastic and I think I fit in well.

Not to mention, the opportunities seem incredible. I will be able to attend shows and showcases with them during my work hours, as well as talk and meet with clients. In fact, a client came in today to see her headshots and she just finished a run as Velma in the West End production of Chicago – that is huge! Granted, I had no idea who she was, but I am going to start to learn! The good thing is, I wasn’t a star struck ninny and was able to keep my cool and be professional when she came in.

            After work, Gordon showed me a closer tube stop and we walked through more side streets, which were very cute. I headed home and then me, Ashley, Laura, Andrea, and Katie celebrated our first day at work by going to a pub just down the road. I had a chicken ceasar salad which was… drum roll please…. DELICIOUS! Perhaps the food is not as bad as I thought it was originally, which is very exciting! Now I am back home and Laura and I are just chilling out, sending some emails and writing our internship journals. Tomorrow is the first day of class, and I can only hope it will be as fun as today – my guess is, it couldn’t come close.

Hugs and smiles J

Jenny