24
25
Summer
2013
Film
TristamSummers
(1997-
2002) trained at theCentral
School of Speech and
Drama. Having performed
in a variety of different
media, hewrites on themany
challenges of being an actor
Tristam
Summers
latest Bond filmand was also the voice for
all Apple adverts in the UK for almost three
years, advertising everything from iPhones
to Apps. And given that these played out
at prime time on all channels during shows
such as ‘Downton Abbey’ and the ‘X-Factor’
it’s more than likely you’ve heardmy dulcet
tones without even knowing it. So for this, I
half-heartedly apologise.
It’s currently ‘Pilot Season’ in L.A. – when
actors from all over the world descend on
Hollywood hoping to land a role in, for
instance, the new RobinWilliams TV pilot
‘The Crazy Ones’, set in an ad agency in
Chicago (keep an eye out for this one; it
looks to be a good ‘un). The potential for
success here is mind-blowing, but so is the
competition. While the UK has fewer people
chasing the roles, there is also far less being
made. I should also say that this career isn’t
for the pusillanimous either – you need the
heart of a child and the hide of an elephant,
to endure rejection on an often daily basis.
Worse than the rejection though and by far
the norm, is hearing absolutely nothing at
all back from the latest audition that you
spent hours preparing. But such is the life of
an actor.
That said, there’s never a dull moment –
only last week I was negotiating the snowy
streets of London inmy ski gear and now I’m
sat at a coffee shop inWest L.Awith the sun
onmy face. I should offer another apology
at this point – this article was going to focus
on advice for anyone hoping to break into
the world of acting but I have literally just
received a call frommy voiceover agent
(at which a painfully fashionable barista
politely indicated the ‘nomobile phones’ sign
on the wall of said supremely pretentious
establishment and usheredme out). It was
for an audition to play an animated robot,
and now instead of extolling the virtues
of a career ‘treading the boards’, I feel I
have no choice but to share with you, the
description of my character ‘Copper’ from the
accompanying email, as a window intomy
life as an actor:
“Copper: ARetro-Futuristic robot...” (hang
on a sec ... Retro...futuristic?) “... Can be a 12
year old boy, or a young teenage voice or
adult male ...” (so at least they’re clear on
what they’re after!) “... MUST BEAGREAT
SINGER ...” (why they feel the need to shout
this is beyondme) “Should sound a little
British or perhaps Jordanian ...”(!!!!!) I’m
not making this up) “ ...Think John Cleese,
Billy Connelly or Russell Brand ...” (amore
disparate group of individuals one can barely
conceive). “...Appointment time/address...
blah-blah-blah”. I wish I could say this isn’t a
regular occurrence.
And so there you have it - that gives you an
idea of what we actors contend with on a day
to day basis. It also has the secondary benefit
of solving what I shall do tonight: Why I
will be dusting offmy ‘Retro-Futuristic-Billy-
Connelly-Robot’ impression of course. That
old chestnut! So wishme luck. (As ever).
And if you don’t believeme, I’mat Tristam_
will be happy to
forward the email.
cting. It’s a strange one. Often
established actors will tell you if there’s
ANY other way for you to make a
living, take it. In fact the late, great
Walter Matthau famously said: “All you
need to succeed in this industry is fifty
lucky breaks;” and it’s true: the life of
an actor is more up and down than the
Pirate Ship at Chessington - but it can
also be incredibly rewarding.
Since leaving Taylors’ I’ve come a long
way in the pursuit of what seemed at the start
to be a pipe-dream. I’ve acted in a variety
of short films, gained qualifications in both
dance and stage combat, signed an agent
in London, trained at the Central School of
Speech and Drama, acted in plays offWest
End, bolsteredmy showreel, recorded a voice-
reel, appeared in staple TV shows such as
‘The Bill’ (may it rest in peace) and ‘Material
Girl’. I’ve also worked on feature films (even
as a stunt-man in one), I’ve landed roles
on internet soaps and animated sketches,
acted in commercials for the likes ofWalkers
Crisps; I’ve obtained an entertainment visa
for the USA andmoved to Los Angeles,
developed a coffee addiction, signed a
manager, signed a theatrical agent, signed
a commercial agent, signed a voiceover
agent (I know! Why somany agents?!); I’ve
had sketches play out on shows in the U.S.
such as ‘Jimmy Kimmel’s Late Night Live!’
(which isn’t altogether ‘live’. Nor is it filmed
‘late at night’ - welcome toHollywood, folks).
I’ve impersonated BenWishaw’s ‘Q’ in the
A
