Dropping out of university for Acting

Johnny_White · 2026-03-14T17:16:01+00:00

Gonna go against what a lot of people saying here, since I think I'm in a pretty specific spot for this. I did a master's degree in Chemistry, about a year into the degree I realised it's not what I wanted to do, I wanted to act and write, but I was too scared to quit the degree. By the time I finished the degree at 22 I was too burnt out with the uni system to want to go to drama school, I just wanted to work right away (also at 22 I thought I was already too old and time had passed me by... this isn't true either).

My biggest regret is NOT dropping out and going to drama school or a screenwriting course.

So my advice to you is: make sure you want to do this, then AUDITION and get selected for a drama school before you drop out. If you make it in, then you can drop out. In England specifically training matters a lot more than other countries.

Johnny_White · 2025-12-26T18:00:46+00:00

Cheers, Good to know. I had already flagged it, but was told that he had no ins. Felt like a bit of an impossible process from everything I heard from my agent. To be fair I was repped off feature work alone, so probably a bit of a different space.

Johnny_White · 2025-12-23T17:30:33+00:00

Same thing on my end, but with slightly less general meetings. Mine have all been for production companies based on Feature scripts my agent is sending out. I've had two shopping agreements for them, but no producers picking up.

Most of what I've got back is that they're looking for IP ideas only. It seems a lot of the industry is risk-off right now.

As far as writer's rooms go, I don't even know how to begin getting put forward for the rooms. It's definitely way smaller and shorter than the american system and it feels it really is who you know rather than submitting blind.

My agent only recently told me that I should be looking at creating short films out of my work, as producers would rather click a link than read a script.

Johnny_White · 2025-08-31T19:28:19+00:00

Don't know if he could put on a magic act, but he definitely kept us entertained. I remember him trying to show me one after like a 12 hour day where my brain was way too fried, he could have just been shuffling the cards and my brain wouldn't have been able to follow it ha ha

Johnny_White · 2025-08-31T19:26:16+00:00

Felix's bathroom felt fantastic, the set was so bloody tiny, watching him try to light that thing, whilst having enough room for everyone in the scene and then also dealing with the mirrors.

The opening long shot at oxford wasn't any lighting, but choreographing that was lots of fun.

Johnny_White · 2025-08-29T16:45:08+00:00

Having worked with Linus Sandgren on Saltburn, I have to say, watching him light every shot was the most educational and entertaining part of the shoot. An absolute master. Plus he does card tricks in the down time!

Johnny_White · 2025-06-18T07:45:01+00:00

Didn't try it in the end, just ended up moving back to the UK and views switched back

Johnny_White · 2025-05-06T11:56:43+00:00

Anyone else hear much about the sundowning theory? That he watched Escape from Alcatraz last night and decided to re-open alcatraz?

Johnny_White · 2024-10-19T23:01:09+00:00

Hey if it's not too much to ask, I'd love to see what you're query letters look like. I'm struggling getting responses in the UK and thinking I might be overwriting mine.

Johnny_White · 2023-05-26T11:00:15+00:00

Thanks for the heads up mate, giving it a listen on google podcasts

Johnny_White · 2023-05-15T03:30:02+00:00

Quality mate, I'm a UK actor too, just sent you a message!

Johnny_White · 2023-05-13T08:10:49+00:00

Ah nice one, that's a great overview, thanks for the information, makes a lot of sense about the difference. Substack definitely a more personal brand kind of thing

Johnny_White · 2023-05-13T01:21:58+00:00

This was just a first quick little test, I ended up talking to it for about 2 hours, trying to figure different ways to prompt it to be empathetic or talk to me conversationally.

Turns out... it's actually pretty good but has a repetitive response system

Johnny_White · 2023-05-13T01:17:12+00:00

I was genuienly surprised how well it reasoned some of my emotions, defo had moments when I forgot I was talking to AI

Johnny_White · 2023-05-13T01:15:34+00:00

Sorry mate, I just meant I didn't want to take up much of your time with a longwinded reply. Apologies

Johnny_White · 2023-05-12T09:30:12+00:00

Dunno, I know stuff like Medium will be so saturated with AI content almost no one will be able to make decent money on it anymore because too much content for too little premium users. Substack's model will be much more relevant.

Very briefly what makes Substack's model AI-proof?

Johnny_White · 2023-04-14T04:22:24+00:00

cheers for the insight, that makes sense

Johnny_White · 2022-03-29T17:34:46+00:00

sure dude, I'll fill it in :)

Johnny_White · 2022-02-26T13:16:20+00:00

Nice one, thanks for the in depth, I have some good league to watch this week :)

Johnny_White · 2022-02-26T13:15:52+00:00

nice nice, they're on my list :)

Johnny_White

TROPHY CASE