There are days most people wish they were someone more glamorous or exciting.
A career in the performance industry allows actors to embrace this desire through the characters they play, which is what attracted Taylors Lakes Secondary College student James Todoroski to it.
“I just finished studying a certificate II in screen acting, which gave me an entry-level insight into what the industry is like,” the 17-year-old says.
“Our class went on two excursions to Abbotsford Convent where we had our photos taken and learnt how to get an agent and auditions.”
He says last
year was an eye-opener and a giant learning curve.
“We had stunt actor Chris Peters come to our school and he explained there’s a lot of work involved in making it in the industry,” Todoroski says. “He taught us how to do a flip, barrel roll and basic roll, which was a lot of fun.”
This year, Todoroski will study for a certificate III while studying his VCE.
“I enjoy acting because it has showed me a way to express myself and to get lost in a character.”
Todoroski says he was once too scared to audition for his college’s annual productions, now he has the confidence he needs and hopes to audition this year.
And he is considering acting as a possible career.
But, it’s not just performing that has caught his eye; music and comedy are also in his sights.
“I’m interested in music production and write my own electronic dance tunes then upload them to SoundCloud under the alias otrov,” he says.
“And I performed a stand-up sketch at the Comics Lounge in Melbourne a couple of months ago and hope to do it again.
“I love humour and would have loved to be in the movie
Dumb and Dumber
; it’s simple but it works.”
He admits before the course he didn’t know anything about performing but now loves it.
“I’d say to other kids interested in acting to just go for it. Iggy Azalea [Aussie rapper] and Steve Aoki [American electro-house musician] inspire me, and I hope to be as successful as them one day.”
Rebecca Miller
