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About us

MELISSA OSBORNE - DIRECTOR

I’m a former actress, now producer/writer/director. I studied at Queen Mary’s (English & Drama), worked at a small satellite channel for a while, then started a new TV company to create niche interactive TV platforms. I wrote for some magazines and was featured in a variety of trade and national press. Then got back into acting and did a myriad of music videos, theatre and everything that just gets you by.

I was inspired to create Stand Up Drama when I was in an acting class at the Actors Centre and I watched a guy perform brilliantly and then he told me afterwards that he couldn’t get an agent. So I launched Stand Up Drama and London Bites. He performed in my first show and now he's working as an actor in New York.

In 2006 I was honored to win Best Producer for Stand Up Drama at the Fringe Report Awards. I continued on the acting path for a while with some success (you might have seen 'Thor: Hammer of the Gods' on Sky that they play over and over ;o) and I’m now working on the new and improved Actors Platform and producing, writing and directing full time. I have recently Directed my first short film CHANGE that I have travelled with on the festival circuit. For more info on that you can visit www.afilmforchange.com and www.provocativefilm.com

Stand Up Drama and now Actors Platform have been my passion from 2005. There’s nothing better for me than hearing that someone has an agent or has booked an audition from what we do here. Thank you for supporting us and in return I’ll keep supporting you. From August 2011 I am taking some time off to have a baby! The superbly talented Andreya Lynham will be running things at least until January - you are in safe hands.

ANDREYA LYNHAM - MANAGER

As an aspiring actress in my teens and early twenties I had some moderate success, being cast in the Bill, various commercials and a Horror/comedy pilot named Horror House. However as my sweet sixteen 'look' disappeared so did the work! At this point I had the good fortune to be put in touch with another actress by the director of a workshop I attended. After meeting I felt we could make something happen for ourselves, and I decided to focus my time and energy on writing sketch comedy with my new partner. We subsequently wrote and performed our two woman sketch show, All Two Girlie, which premiered to sell out performances at The Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh Fringe 2006. After our success in Edinburgh we went on to gig around London at various comedy nights. In 2008 I launched Nonesuch Productions, and co-wrote and produced my first comedy play, Facebook Fables. Again, this made it to the Fringe in 2009, gaining several 4 star reviews and 'highly recommended' from The Stage.

No longer wishing to perform myself 2010 has seen a slight change in direction for me as I have taken on the role of Casting Assistant to Tree Petts Casting. I have loved every second of the work I do for Tree Petts casting and I find it both enjoyable and fascinating to be working on 'the other side'.

I am so excited to be part of the Actors Platform and feel passionate about working alongside the Actors who attend our classes and get involved in our shows. I am constantly trying to think of new ideas and ways that we might expand on our existing services, which essentially is focused on generating more opportunities for our members. So if you have an idea, or a request, feel free to email me as I am always excited to hear your thoughts!

andreya@actorsplatform.com

The first British Casting Workshops - since 2006

For what its worth...

Headshots & CVs

We auditioned for the Platform this week and less that 10% of auditionees remembered to bring their headshot and CV…now to me, that’s pretty worrying.

As you may know I live most of the year in Los Angeles and in LA an actor wouldn’t dare leave the house without their headshot and resume let alone turn up to an audition without one. That doesn’t mean I think they are better actors than the Brits but I am saying they have their shit together when it comes to presenting themselves professionally and always being ready to take any opportunity when it arises.

Admittedly we did forget to remind you to bring headshots and CVs but should an actor wanting to act professionally need to be reminded?? Would you turn up to a job interview without a CV?
I know this may sound like I’m having a moan but I think its best that it comes from me so that you are prepared for when you go to an IMPORTANT audition. Don’t ever forget your head shot - even if they don’t ask for it!

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