Tim Paley: Breaking Through

Tim Paley is familiar to Shooters Media productions; he has taken part and won awards in various 48 Hour Film Challenges, such as “Jennie: A Fathers Loss” “Betrayal” and “Learning To Drive”.

But he has found that breaking through as an actor is a very difficult task, some say it is about luck, being in the right place at the right time, persistence and it’s who you know within the industry.

Tim believes - that you have to give it your best, be natural and never give up.



Tim Paley, who has already worked on television shows such as Phoenix Nights, Heartbeat and Cold Feet, is relatively a new-comer to the acting game, and he explains how difficult it can be breaking into film and television and how he got started.

“I always seemed to have the passion for acting in my early teens, but I never got the chance till I was thirty-something, I decided to join an amateur dramatic group, from there I had my first acting role”

While landing some of the lead roles as an amateur on stage, Tim also worked for Blackburn with Darwen public transport - and talk about being in the right place at the right time – the television crew for Hetty Wainthrope Investigates were in town.

The Producers asked if they could use a bus and a driver for the production - Introducing Tim Paley, in his first role on television - “Bus Driver”.

While on set, Tim spoke to actors, extra’s and networked with Directors and Producers. He asked about the names of agencies and what to send to them - he sent a batch of CV’s to them that day.

Tim was eventually snapped up by a Manchester based agency Urban Talent and then enrolled in an actor’s workshop. Within a week he had landed roles as an extra on Cold Feet and Coronation Street.

He studied at the actor’s workshop for about two years at The Urban Talent TV and Drama Workshop, which culminated in a showcase in front of invited casting directors and producers. He wasn’t taken on immediately, but after about three months, the sister company called him and offered him a place on their books.

Since, Tim has worked on other projects, even some low budget films such as “Diary Of A Bad Lad” and “Lucking for Lucky” which is still in production, and more recently he has just come away from Germany where he has just finished a corporate production with Innspot Media, this production involved green-screen and CGI techniques, something which Tim has been unfamiliar with before. This is a job he found by himself through searching the internet.

“If you relied on your agent to find all your work, you'd starve to death. You really do need to get yourself out there, networking helps, send your CV's and Showreels off to every casting director in the book”.

“Join societies, even web based ones where you can plug your talents. Sign up to casting sites, some are free. I got a great paid job in Germany through one of my casting sites. Sell yourself in as many ways as possible.”

“Your agent will ring from time to time with some great jobs, but you still have to sell yourself at the audition. There is only you who can get the parts, your agent only tells you where they are.”

Here are a few casting sites Tim has subscribed to

www.talentcircle.co.uk
www.uk.castingcallpro.com
www.ukscreen.com

Tim also reads The Stage, which is weekly publication which can be received through your newsagent, and also PCR through www.pcrnewsletter.com

Actors might also have to give a lot of spare time to young budding film-makers, there is not often a lot of money in them, but he believes they are an essential for experience and show reels.

“I believe that for the beginner, student films are a must, do as many as you can. Apart from being great experience; you get to know the techniques, the lingo and how to behave on set. Also you usually get a copy of the film, this is a great start to assembling your show reel, and if you're very lucky, you might get one of the student production teams to put all your short films together on disc in a professional setup.

“Also try for low to no budget films for the same reason, I applied for a small role in a film called Diary of a Bad Lad, filmed locally in Blackburn and I got the part of Frank. I was told from the start that it was a very low, in fact minute budget, but everybody was enthusiastic about it.”

“The producer and director were straight with everyone from the start, but said this film was going to be big. I wish I had a quid for every time I heard that one. But on this occasion, I believe they could be right. It has just been put forward for a limited release later in 2006, with a possible option for more cinemas later. On top of that, as it has been sold, we get paid too, a bonus. Not all will turn out to be successful, but they are worth doing for the experience. The director might not sell the film you’re in, but he could become one of our best directors in the future, and he may just remember you.”

Tim also landed a small role with Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights while listening to a local radio station. “Peter was asking for a coach driver for some of his guests for his wedding day… I phoned the station and by the time I knew it I chauffeuring some of his guests around… I mentioned to Peter I was an actor. Then I was playing “Man In Quiz” in the second series.”

However, Tim understands that opportunities like that don’t come around everyday, apart from looking for the work you can also spend a lot of time playing the waiting game.

“Patience is a great thing to have while acting. Don't take yourself too seriously. And of course, you have to have a bit of talent, which helps. You don't need to spend thousands on training or drama schools, talent will come out in the end, just hope someone is there to see it.”

“The industry can get disappointing, especially when it is difficult to find work, but as an actor, you must try not to let it get you down, you have to be positive and keep pushing yourself.”

“There are many pros and cons to being an actor - Pros... You get to work with
some really talented people, along with some really famous ones. The money per job can be fantastic, (unless you work for Shooters). And it's a great way to learn some of the best classics ever written.

“As for Cons... There are too many people doing it, hence there is not enough work to go round, so unless you're well known, the jobs can be few and far between”.

Once actors find jobs, they then have to take part in ever grueling auditions; Tim is no stranger to auditions, and he believes preparation is the key.

“You can only prepare for an audition if you have all the details and a script in advance. A few weeks back I was sent for the new Guinness advert, I was told that the part was to play a barman in a pub, simply behind the bar serving a pint of Guinness. When I got there, I was as they explained, but it was a miniature barman in a fridge. I had to pretend to be freezing cold while pouring a pint of Guinness into a glass – which was the same size as me, and be happy while doing it”.

“I had been told that 2 minutes before I went in, it’s not a lot of preparation time. It's rare to get a script in advance; usually you get five minutes to look at it when you get there”

Tim’s career might not be exactly the most prestigious so far, but he has already had some proud moments, and some fond memories.

“The most interesting project so far has to be my trip to Germany. It was my first time working abroad, and having everything laid on was great. It was also my first time working with green screen and acting with a robot that wasn't there.  Very complex yet interesting to see how it was done. I can't wait to see the finished product.

“As for projects that I'm proud of, I guess it has to be some of my student and low budget stuff. My first attempt at a 48 Hour Film Challenge with Shooters Media has to be first. The film was called “Jennie: A Father’s Loss”. We gave it everything during that weekend, and in the presentations, I won Best Actor and Shooters won Best Editing, not bad for a first attempt. Then the following year, we entered another two 48 Hour Challenges and it was awarded runners up in one (Betrayal), and won Biggest Scare and Best Sound in the other (Learning To Drive)”.

“I hope one day to become employed as an actor on a regular basis, not necessarily in just Soap Operas, but to be in demand for various roles in a range of genres, either on stage, in film or TV. I don’t think all actors do want to work in Hollywood with the likes of Johnny Depp - No doubt many do, but I think others just long to act, no matter who it is with, as long as they are professional”.

“Others are happy working solely on stage or in fringe. I have worked alongside some of the best, David Jason, David Suchett to name just two. Though I admire their work, I don't long to work with them… But it does look nice on the CV though”.

“For every actor in work, there are hundreds out of work. You may feel like the most talented actor every to bless the stage, but don't think it's easy; very few get to take the short cut. The way round is longer, but more fulfilling, and if you're willing to knuckle down, keep plodding on, learn as you go, I think you will get there a better actor”.

You can see Tim in “Jennie: A Fathers Loss”, “Betrayal” and “Learning to Drive” click the links for more details.

For information about Tim, visit his website - www.timpaley.co.uk

Andrea Manning: Don’t Look Back In Anger

A teenager who suffered at the hands of bullies has used her experience to become an award-winning film-maker.

Sixteen-year-old Andrea Manning, from Edenfield in Rossendale scooped the top prize in the under 18s Digital Storytelling category in a national competition for first-time film-makers.

Andrea was recently part of the Shooters Media crew that took part in the 48-hr Movie Challenge 2005. As Production Runner, Andrea helped the team win “Biggest Scare” and “Best Sound” in the 5 minute film “Learning To Drive” she also filmed the “Making Of” documentary which is featured on the DVD.

Her two-minute film, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, documents how she transformed the anger and suffering in her past into enthusiastic ambition and positive determination to help others. The film shows a narrated montage of pictures of Andrea though her childhood to the present day.

Together with her sister Jesamine, now 19, she had been moved round countless foster homes before they found the love and stability of a family. Ken and Sandra Manning adopted the girls 12 years ago. Early traumas left Andrea barely able to speak when she arrived at four years old.

She said: ‘I had massive anger problems due to never feeling wanted, but I could only express them through tantrums and throwing furniture around.’

She only stayed at high school for two years because of constant bullying. Ken and Sandra decided to educate her at home instead, and this was a major turning point. She discovered a love of the media, and threw herself into as many projects and opportunities as possible, including acting classes when she was 14; she also discovered volunteering.

Andrea, who also has a foster brother Tom, said: ‘I wanted to help others; it lets you forget your own problems and puts them in perspective.’

She spent a year volunteering on the wards at Rossendale Hospital and went on to co-host a radio show. This led to a weekly spot on Northern Air radio at North Manchester General Hospital.

‘I can combine my interest in media with helping others; it’s perfect,’ she said.

Her prodigious talent and prolific CV impressed staff at Salford College so much she is now on a BTEC national diploma in moving images, despite not having any GCSEs.

She also attends the weekly film group at Community Action Rossendale, where former BBC producer John McManus teaches students editing and filming skills. She has helped to make 12 films for local community groups and now teaches newcomers at training days. Mr McManus said: ‘I’m very pleased for Andrea, she’s done really well, although I’m not surprised as it was clear that she had great potential.’

Although she loves acting and radio, Andrea plans to go to university and focus on film production.

She said: ‘I’d love to win more awards and achieve recognition for doing what I enjoy – and make lots of money from it.’ She received her award in London on Tuesday when her film was premiered at the Curzon Mayfair cinema in the West End.

The top five winning films will be screened at 11 regional cinemas across the country over the next week.

The Volunteer Britain competition was organised by Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the BBC to mark the Year of the Volunteer. Damian Radcliffe from CSV said: ‘These films can help change perceptions about volunteering and inspire more people to make a difference.’

Andrea added: ‘People shouldn’t dwell on the bad things – the past might suck, but the future, is a different matter entirely.’

By Deborah Lewis



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