Advice going forward... (backstage, spotlight etc...)
Hello,
I am looking for some advice. I am a 37 year old from the UK who has had no formal training in acting but recently won a small role as a featured character in a movie. The movie will be released internationally in cinemas sometime in 2027 and has a fairly big budget and ensemble cast. I feel very grateful that this role was my first introduction to acting but now I'm a little stuck on what to do next. Since filming I have done some formal training but nothing major.
I had hoped the role in the movie would grant me access to spotlight but unfortunately I don't hit the criteria for registering. I have signed up to Backstage in the hope I can find some work on there but I am eager to do as much as I can to gain more experience.
This post is to ask anyone for advice on how to move my acting forward. I am based in northeast England and intend on trying to get involved in the local acting scene but besides this I wondered if anyone might be able to offer further advice on training I should complete or ways I might be able to get registered with an agent or agency?
My other more specific question is, would it be a bit direct or inappropriate to reach out to agents and agencies directly on platforms like Instagram and tell them a little bit about myself and my situation situation in the hope that they might be interested in signing me onto their roster and even referring me to backstage? Is this normal for the industry? I worry it stinks a bit of desperation...
Anyway - any information would be much appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation!