Where do I start to be in movies with a casting agent in London?

How do I find small movie/TV roles in London?

• Really long shot, but here it goes. I have a quite successful career as a Software Engineer, but I've always been drawn to movies. I've written 3 feature-length screenplays (and a novel), I've shot a couple of amateur shorts with my friends, I've done some theater in high school. Now I'm moving to London, so for the first time in my life I'll live in a city where there is an actual film industry! I think I have the writing part covered; I'll start with weekend screenwriting courses. But what about acting? I love being in a set so I'd feel happy just being an extra, and even getting the tiniest speaking "role" would be fantastic (and by "tiny" I mean bumping into a secondary character and saying "hey"). Again, I realize it's a long shot, but what's the path more likely to succeed? Go to open castings? Sign up in casting and extras agencies? Acting classes on weekends? All of the above? Note that I don't care about money, and I'll happily burn my vacation days on this, just for the thrill of being on a set.

• Answer:

  Essentially, you're going to need to start off at the bottom of the ladder and work your way up. If you ONLY care about being on a set, then joining an Extras Agency is the way to go. If this is the case, then let me know, and I'll recommend some. But if you want to ACT, then being an Extra is not the route for you, in my opinion. Sign up to http://www.castingcallpro.co.uk and start applying for suitable parts. CCP is where all the hobby filmmakers, amateur stuff and low level pro stuff gets cast. Do some short films, webisodes etc and see where it takes you. There's no point you trying to get an agent etc until you have some sort of track record with a showreel and a half-decent CV - but when you do get an agent you can start being put forward for more "professional roles". You might want to look at joining The Actors Centre [http://actorscentre.co.uk/], too, but you might need to wait until you're a little more experienced. Good luck!