4Talent: Acting and Presenting

I know what you’re thinking. I don’t want to be an actor or presenter! Everyone who’s read this blog, or any of my stuff, knows by now that I want to be a writer. However, applications opened at a time when the phrase YOLO was echoing down every hall at uni, so I thought I may aswell apply, as I loved the last 4Talent day.  I knew that I would never ever get it, my experience being limited to that one time I jazz danced on Smile with Reggie and Fearne (yes, I am cringing as I type this).

Yet by some twist of fate I was somehow accepted. And by another, equally twisted turn of fate, one  of the workshops offered on the 4talent day was ‘Comedy Sketch Writing’, along with the terrifying ‘Introduction to Acting’ and ‘Television Presenting’. So I found myself sitting, yawning, on a five hour Megabus heading from Leeds to London, possibly heading towards disaster – I envisioned myself being accidentally placed in the Acting workshop, having to do some sort of mad improvisational performances in front of some very serious, smirking actors who could tell I was just an amateur that had blindly stumbled in by accident.

However, despite me being overdramatic (ironic, I know), the day was a blast from start to finish. Upon arrival, we were given one half of a pair on a label, an ‘ice-breaking’ activity. I got given roll. And therefore instantly embarrassed myself by, instead of thinking of media-esque partnerships (it was rock, of course), my stomach took over my brain as I exclaimed ‘Oh, am I looking for sausage?’ Tragic.

Yet an hour later I had forgotten all about this euphemism, as I was sat gawking three rows back from the beautiful Zawe Ashton, who plays one of the best characters of all time, Vod from Fresh Meat. Telling us about her former roles, which primarily consisted of prostitutes and crack whores, and how her dad’s raised eyebrow gave her the incentive to strive for more, I just sat there dumbfounded that she was actually in the same room as me. I half expected her to do something Vodlike: jump on the nearest table and release a stream of fake blood from her knickers, or light a spliff in the middle of her talk, but she was completely normal (if amazing and hilarious and inspiring are listed next to normal in the dictionary).

The day followed just as magically, with a workshop with two brilliant comedy sketch writers who taught us the tricks of the trade, and engaged us in some hilarious activities which proved that anyone who has ever been in an awkward or ridiculous situation can probably make a sketch out of it.

At the end of the day we were in for another treat: multiple famous people! There were actors from Run, Mogadishu, Hollyoaks, and Skins, and many other t.v. shows which I forgot to take note of in my excitement (and whilst hastily trying to take sneaky photos of them...what?). Being a bit of a loser, I could think of nothing intelligent to ask them, and their hilarity intimidated me, so I just hid at the back and let the real actors amongst us ask all the clever questions.

Overall, it was a bloody brilliant day. Other highlights include a talk from the casting director of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and some very useful advice from a top agent. Whilst the idea of acting still terrifies me, I admire those who strive to do it, as I didn’t realise what hard work it actually is. Good luck to all you aspiring actors and presenters, and hopefully I’ll be writing your lines in the future!