Careers Information Service
Our careers advisors are working members who have been trained to the national Matrix standard for delivering information, advice and guidance and they are fully accredited. You can now contact them directly to book an individual advice session.
The advisors can also be approached by schools, companies and other organisations who want to book professional workshops on industry careers related subjects or as guest speakers.
Your individual session lasts around 1.5 hours and you will leave with a practical action plan. The cost is heavily discounted ( a session costs between £40 and £50) and there is a free email advice available for after you have had a session. To select your advisor please see the information and contact details below and here are some comments from clients who have had sessions:
"I received valuable and worthwhile careers advice from an experienced advisor. The session I had was excellent in helping to put my acting career back on track and they have given me an improved focus in my career"
"It was a lifeline and professionally invaluable. Armed with feedback and personal support I was newly charged and am working again"
"Within the hour I had so much more knowledge regarding my portfolio and the changes I needed to make to give myself an even better chance at obtaining work within the industry - and provided me with an action plan for the following months in order to achieve my goals. I would recommend these sessions to any actor who needs support, whatever stage in their career"
NORTHERN ENGLAND
JULIE FOUNTAIN
Julie has been working in theatre and television as a trained dancer and actor for thirty years. She has broad experience of working in the creative industries and her career has spanned many roles including teaching in higher education; specialising in Theatre in Prisons; assisting casting directors for television and theatre; directing and producing newly written performance material and as a freelance drama tutor.
Based in the North West, Julie continues to work as a successful Stage and TV actress for the BBC, Granada and Yorkshire television. She has worked at the leading theatres in the region including the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Lawrence Batley as well as in a Royal Command Performance. Television work includes The Royal Today, June Baxtor in Emmerdale, Clocking Off, At Home with the Braithwaites and Fat Friends.
Over the past three years Julie has developed Acting on Camera workshops with leading casting directors and is developing two short films with groups of young people in the community. Julie also provides training through her theatre school EXIT 25; other areas of expertise include delivering advice on, 'How to set up and run your own Theatre School,' 'Fund Raising for Arts projects' and how to diversify your skills to survive in the ever increasing competitive acting industry.
In 2005 Julie became one of Equity’s Careers Advisors under a partnership scheme with Skillset (sector skills council for audiovisual industries) and funded by the Union Learning Fund. As part of this Julie answers questions on career development and training, delivers one-to-one sessions to Equity members and Student members and provides workshops. You can contact Julie on careersadviceJulie@equity.org.uk
LONDON AND SOUTH EAST ENGLAND
PAUL CAWLEY
Having originally worked as a chef, Paul retrained at The Drama Studio London and has been a professional actor for over twenty-five years.
Paul started his career at York Theatre Royal and he has worked extensively in theatre. His work includes two seasons at Chichester Festival Theatre, several appearances in the West End, and he has worked at The National Theatre.
On screen, his recent work includes Spooks, My Family, and Swinging With The Finkels, and he contributed to eight series of Numbertime for the BBC. He has appeared in many commercials including major campaigns for Barclays, Burger King, KFC, and the award winning Maltesers idents for Loose Women.
As a voice artist Paul created the character of Bill in Numbertime, which he voiced for nine series, and contributed a variety of voices and characters for The Adventures of Captain Crimson, both for the BBC.
As well as being an Equity Careers Advisor Paul regularly teaches at The Actors Centre, and he is also a Guest Lecturer at The Drama Studio, and The City Lit in London. You can contact Paul by email on pcawley2@gmail.com
BEVERLEY HILLS M.A.
Beverley Hills is an actress with a current portfolio of ten freelance jobs. She is a voice over artist, commissioned writer (BBC), Development Executive, Grant Assessor, a trained counsellor, and does work for the National Council of Drama Training and the Independent Theatre Council.
She is a workshop leader who can tailor make industry workshops to your individual specification, from Presentation and Networking skills, CV and Marketing skills right through to giving private tuition in all aspects of performance form acting to public speaking and presenting. (Previous workshop clients include Channel 4, BECTU and Equity)
She is a TV presenter with a very high up-to-date media profile, a fully accredited and Skillset trained careers advisor as well as a single parent who has been through the further education system, so knows all too well about funding issues.
Beverley’s portfolio career means she has a wider than average skills base to call upon as your personal careers adviser. Whether you’re a new entrant, established professional or stuck in a rut and want to change direction, Beverley can help and has an excellent track record of success with media clients both sides of the camera.
You can contact Beverley on careersadviceBeverley@equity.org.uk
