"What is that all important first step that an actor should take?"

There are many ways to try and get into the acting profession…obtain an audition from an accredited drama school…try and get an agent straight off…or…join a casting directory. Even most drama graduates and professional actors who have agents are always looking for more ways to promote themselves and now turn to online casting directories.

Also with the help of the still continuing interest and success of reality TV, casting directors and production companies now realise they can find raw talent through websites. Whether it is budding actors, models or extras.

This is where it is convenient for them to go to some one like Envenio, the UK 's biggest website directory for helping people that may have no formal training or experience who want to have the chance to appear in films, TV programmes, reality shows, photo shoots, music videos and adverts.

As well as promoting professional actors who have agents, Envenio welcomes budding actors or models of all ages, all sizes and all ethnic groups no matter where they are based in the UK .

Only Casting Directors and production companies gain access to Envenio. They use it when they are looking for people for their productions, and as a directory rather than and not an agency Envenio have made it very easy for anyone to become a member.

Envenio has no fixed criteria as an agency would and does not take commissions on work you get through the website. Joining Envenio costs just £77 for a one year membership which includes the taking of free photos done in London studios if required.

Joining Envenio could not be easier, simply visit www.envenio.com/newfaces where you will find an online form which can be filled in from your home PC or in an Internet café, or simply call Envenio on 020 7534 5757.

Members of Envenio receive emails inviting them to put themselves up for specific jobs. This happens when producers either do not have time to search the website themselves, or when they are on location on a shoot, or when their requirement is unusual or last-minute (i.e. a married balding man who is available for a shoot the following day in Newcastle ). This is now a fast growing way for not only new faces who want to be discovered but also word is out to casting directors and production companies that this may just be the place to find exactly what they are looking for!

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These days performers have to be flexible and accept work which may not be ideal but which may lead to their goal of an acting role. The following is a useful guide to what goes on out here in the real world and what to expect.

1 | Model Agents

Top agents like Storm promote the models they represent and manage their careers. They are the top end of the industry and operate globally, supplying guys and girls for major photoshoots, advertising campaigns and commercials. Many of their models have their photos and showreels on the Envenio website as well (within the Professional section).

So Envenio welcome people who already have agents. Sometimes it can work the other way round too - you might start off with Envenio and end up getting an agent as well, which can only increase your chances of getting work. Just make sure that the agent is reputable and bona fide. If you're not sure, consult Alba (the UK 's only independent modelling advice service for the public).

What's expected of a model?

Other than being punctual, a model's job is to be professional, polite and patient at all times. You can spend a lot of time going to visit new clients and waiting around on photoshoots when you might have to have your hair and make-up changed five or six times. The more pleasant you are to work with, the more likely they are to use you again. If you're new to it, don't worry, the photographer will guide you and direct you. Just try to be relaxed, listen and follow what he or she says.

Supermodels

The term ‘supermodel' came about in the 1960s when used by fashion magazines and fashion critics to define famous and highly paid models. The high point of the supermodel era was in the 1980s and 1990s with some of the most famous being Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. Supermodels of today such as Kate Moss and Elle Macpherson are globally famous with the highest-paid supermodel being 24-year-old Gisele Bündchen who, according to Forbes magazine, earned a whopping $15.2 million in 2004 and was discovered in her local branch of MacDonald's.

In the past and even today most supermodels are female; however, more male models are coming to the fore (some of them ending up as famous actors and presenters as well). Jamaican-American actor Tyson Beckford and Dutch-Swedish model Marcus Shenkenberg are probably two of the best-known male models of all time.

The Shoot

Once you find yourself on a photographic shoot, you'll begin to see what's involved. Often a shoot takes a lot of organisation and a large team of people; so don't be surprised to find a stylist, stylist's assistant, make-up artist, hair stylist, art director, photographer's assistant - as well as the photographer himself. And then there's the client, that's the representative of the company who's paying for it all.

Setting this all up is an expensive business so make sure you know where you have to be and when. It's important that you're on time and don't hold up the shoot.

2 | Presenting

As the presenter, you are the magic ingredient of the programme. Its success is down to you, so that's quite a responsibility. Imagine ‘Big Brother' without Davina McCall or ‘I'm a Celebrity...' without Ant & Dec.

To be a presenter you need the confidence to front a programme, whether you want to read the news or be on Children's TV. You also have to be quick on your feet, calm whilst the producer shouts instructions in your earpiece and have the character to grab your audience's attention and sustain their interest.

If you want to be a presenter it is helpful to have a demo or showreel, where you are talking to camera. (Envenio can do this for you). This way people can actually see you as if you were in the room with them rather than just looking at your photos.

If you want to present it's a big bonus if you're knowledgeable about a particular subject (even if it's just a hobby), such snowboarding or cooking.

3 | Being an extra

Being an extra is a great way to gain experience and see the industry at work. The great part about being an extra is that you get to be on exciting TV and film sets, often with major celebrities, but you don't need any formal training to do it.

Extras are in great demand and that means people of all ages, shapes and sizes. You could be in a TV show like The Bill or Coronation Street , in a Harry Potter movie, or even a music video. You might be an extra as part of a crowd scene or a ‘featured' extra which means that you are more prominent and can even be asked to deliver a line or read a bit of a script. If you're very lucky, appearing as an extra can sometimes be the route to a career in acting. If you're spotted by a Director who's impressed with you delivering a line, you might be asked back to do more.

What you need to know when you're an extra

Make sure you have the correct time and location of the job and any special wardrobe instructions. Sign in with the production assistant on the shoot (or whoever has booked you). Take extra clothing with you - appropriate outerwear such as a sweater and jacket, just in case the weather turns bad while you are on location. Be prepared!

The normal working day for an extra is nine hours but it can often be much longer, especially with music videos which can finish notoriously late. Again, be prepared and make sure you have a plan on how you are going to get home. You will probably be fed and watered while you are there - sometimes the catering is delicious!

While on set, all you need to do is listen and follow instructions. Nothing more. Just make sure you are close at hand so that you can be called easily when needed. The important thing is to be pleasant, professional and to make a good impression because you will want them to remember you when they are casting next time.

4 | Castings

by Casting Director | Paul De Freitas

Paul De Freitas is a renowned casting director and member of the Casting Directors Guild. He's worked with some of the biggest names in the business and is probably most well known for his appearances in Soapstars and on the judging panel of Britain 's Next Top Model. Here Paul gives us some inside tips on what casting is all about…

So tell us - what exactly does a Casting Director do?

A Casting Director is employed by a Director or Producer to bring in a selection of artists for a particular role. We then draw up a short list of people to see at a casting. There we help them to interpret the script and capture them on camera so we can play the casting back and make a decision about who to book for the job. Ultimately the decision is up to the Director or Producer, so we're kind of in-between - but a crucial part of the process nonetheless.

How long does a casting take?

Anywhere from two to fifteen minutes. Don't worry if someone else is in the studio longer than you - it doesn't mean they are any more likely to get the job.

How can people make a good impression at your castings?

Be on time. Be polite. If there's a script, read it and try to understand what's going on. Ask for pointers - ‘do I look at you or at the camera?' ‘Am I supposed to be funny or serious?' It shows you're taking it seriously.

Dress accordingly. If you know that they're looking for a businessman, wear a suit. The other people at the casting will have many of the same attributes as you so anything you can do to give yourself an edge will help you along.

What advice would you give someone going to their first casting?

Put your nerves aside and just be yourself. It doesn't matter if it's your first time. Be honest. Say it's your first casting. In this day and age, people are happy to see brand new people. Have something up your sleeve to talk about. We want to see your personality on camera, which is hard if you give one-word answers.

Try not to get caught up in what other people look like - don't compare yourself to them, because you might be exactly what the Casting Director is looking for. Think of it this way – they have a problem, they need to find someone. Maybe you're the answer. They want you to be.

And finally, don't forget that just by being at that casting you're in with a chance. You've been hand-picked because someone thinks you're right for the job already, so getting a casting is a big step in itself. When you're there, just make the most of it. Enjoy the process.

What's it like being a Casting Director - and doing TV yourself?

I see being on TV as an extension of what my job is. I've really enjoyed doing Soapstars and Britain 's Next Top Model. I like that I can help dispel the mystique about the business by telling people about it. We're all in this together, so I'm happy to pass on any knowledge or wisdom that might help someone, somewhere.

I have a great job. It's so rewarding - especially when you find great new people. I'd rather discover people than use famous faces. When you have a belief in someone's ability and get them their first part, it's so much more rewarding than using the same people. I'd rather find the next Jude Law than use Jude Law. That's what it's all about for me.

5 | television

Viewers have more choice than ever before, with hundreds of channels available on platforms such as Sky and Freeview, and independent production companies are becoming more powerful. Interactive TV is also growing, where digital viewers can ‘press the red button' to change camera angles and services, for example.

You might get involved in familiar TV series such as Emmerdale, The Bill or Hollyoaks, or reality TV shows such as Big Brother or Wife Swap. Also think of all the TV commercials you see, advertising products like insurance and bank accounts to soft drinks and pharmaceutical products (see the next section on Advertising). On top of that, there are also masses of programme idents and trails (the short clips in between programmes, advertising other programmes coming up). All of this means that more programmes are being made than ever before - and more people are needed.

6 | Advertising

Advertising is all about promoting products. Ad agencies, which handle accounts (such as Persil or Coca Cola) and come up with ideas to promote and advertise products, are always looking for people to feature in their ads. The ads might take the form of a TV commercial or print advertising ('print' is literally anything you see printed - such as posters or billboards, leaflets or brochures). Much of advertising is about reaching ordinary people in ways that most appeal to them. This is why the demand to cast ‘ordinary' people is so high.

Both TV commercials and print advertising (photographic shoots) can be hugely well paid and the work is often very exciting because the shoots are such big-budget, big events.

7 | Music Videos

You don't have to be musical to get involved in music! And what could be better than getting the chance to appear in the new video of your favourite band? New music videos are being shot all the time and people are always needed to appear in them. The shoot can take place over many, many hours and involve lots of sitting around while the crew is setting up and changing shots, but loads of people have loved taking part simply because it can be so interesting to watch what's going on (and if you love the music, it's like going to your very own personal live concert!). You might even get to meet the band.

There have been grannies and granddads used in music videos, as well as young sexy club dancers, so don't ever think you're too old or too young, too fat or too thin. This is for everyone.

8 | Payment & Paperwork

You can and should expect to be paid for some of the work you do. However, not all work is paid. Sometimes there is just not the budget and often you may take a job for the sheer pleasure of being involved.

You should already know how much you are going to be paid before you go to the shoot so don't be afraid to ask the person who books you. You may be paid in cash at the end of the day, other times you will be issued with a cheque (either on the day of the shoot or they will post it to you after the shoot). If you have an agent, they will probably pay your agent who will then pay you.

Model / Artist Release forms

When you get a job you may be asked to sign what's called a ‘release form'. If you are, don't panic. A release form is like a contract between the people appearing in the shoot and the photographer/producer, giving them permission to use the photographs or footage they've taken of you. If you are booked for a shoot to advertise a brand of clothing, for example, they will want you to sign a release form whereby you agree to the pictures being used for the purpose for which they were taken, ie to advertise the clothing brand. If you do not sign the release they do not have permission to use the material.

If you have been booked for a shoot for ‘stock photography' or images for a ‘photo library' then you should be aware that these photos could end up anywhere so the usage will be much broader (see next section on usage & repeat fees).

The release form is pretty straightforward, so all you need to do is read it through before signing and check that it makes sense to you. Ask if you have any questions or you're not sure what you're signing.

Usage & repeat fees

The term ‘usage' refers to when and where the photographs (or commercial) will be used. You might be lucky enough to land a job where you are paid a BSF (basic shoot fee) plus repeat fees - this sometimes happen with commercials, where you would be paid for the shoot and then paid every single time the commercial is shown on TV. So you can literally be sitting at home (or on a beach even!) earning money every time the commercial is shown. Sometimes if the commercial is a success they will continue to use it years later, so you might get a cheque land on your doormat long after you've forgotten about doing the job. It's a great earner if you can get it.

If repeat fees are not part of the deal, you will be told what the usage is (ie that the shots/commercial will be used for say 12 months in the UK only). The broader the usage (ie if it's a worldwide campaign which will appear in magazines, leaflets, posters and newspapers) then the more you can expect to earn.

9 | Perseverance

As with anything, there will be ups and downs, but if you can keep persevering and thinking positively you will be much happier and much more ready to take on some of the exciting challenges and opportunities offered to you. In this business you never know where the next job will come from, or when it will be, so just keep a positive outlook and don't be afraid to try things. Your dream job might take a while to come but there are lots of other exciting things you can get involved in, which will help you to gain experience, confidence, learn new skills and meet new contacts.