Reality TV taking Over Real Acting Talents
BackANCHOR: In London, getting into a prestigious acting school has become arguably as tough as getting into the elite Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The wave of reality television programming means London's most prestigious Central Speech and Drama school received over 4,000 applicants for fewer than 40 spots. 3,000 hopefuls were discarded immediately. STORY: In the heart of Soho, London's theatre district, 20-year-old Samantha Kamema is auditioning at a casting agency in the hopes of landing a comedy role on stage. Kamema is waiting to go to university and describes her degree as a 'backup plan'. [Samantha Kamena, Auditioner]: "There is no guarantee that this is going to work out in the long run. So that's my safety net, I don't want to put everything into this acting thing because I thought what if somewhere down the line something happens and I can't carry on with it." Next in line at The Casting Suite is Polish-born Bozena Wojtak. Like Kamema, Wojtak is looking for a role. Back in 2003 she was chosen as a contestant in 'Bar' the Polish version of Big Brother. She declined the part. [Bozena Wojtak, Auditioner]: "I wasn't ready this time. It was five years ago and I wasn't ready to go for it. I think there was too much to lose. I am not a shy person but obviously I don't have the sting for acting." Across town Geoffrey Coleman of Central School of Speech and Drama says his job has become more difficult because of the effect reality television and the culture of instant celebrity has had on the industry. Last year Central received an unprecedented 4,000 applications for 40 seats. Coleman said many of them were from people looking to become overnight stars. Geoffrey Coleman, Central School of Speech and Drama]: "There are quite a lot of people who are unfortunately quite deluded. They would not really stand much of a chance in the industry and are presenting themselves in an unprepared and unprofessional way." The Casting Suite's CEO Paul Booth insists there is a role for everybody. [Paul Booth, The Casting Suite]: "Its true to say not everybody has talent. But its also true to say that if you have an everyday look and a producer is trying to create an everyday scene, then you could be the right person." Broadcasters need as much 'talent' as they can get. Coleman said 86 percent of Central's graduates enter film and television. Something which Andrew London, a second-year student at Central will consider. [Andrew London, Speech and Drama School Student]: "I don't think theatre is something that's gonna end anytime soon. And I certainly don't think that Big Brother will kill it." Geoffrey Coleman worries about the pressure commercialisation puts on Central which has trained the likes of Vanessa Redgrave, Kristin Scott-Thomas and Lawrence Olivier among others. He said Central will weed out those looking to enter Big Brother. Meanwhile, Soho's Paul Booth sees a growing business in fueling the needs of reality TV.
Category: News
Uploaded: July 9th, 2008 @ 4:14 am
Author: NTDTV
Length: 02:49
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Tags: london ntdtv reality talents theater tv
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