Question 1

What will I learn?

Accepted Answer

Every class is practical, giving you as much time on camera as possible. Rather than simply talking about acting, you'll be acting, watching your work back, receiving detailed feedback, and developing the skills required to perform confidently on screen.Throughout the course, you'll build a professional toolkit that includes screen acting technique, audition and self-tape skills, script analysis, character development, scene work, improvisation, and an understanding of the technical demands of film and television production.Just as importantly, you'll learn how the industry really works. We prepare you for auditions, castings, representation, Spotlight membership, and the professional expectations you'll encounter throughout your career.You'll also have regular opportunities to learn directly from leading casting directors, agents, directors and working actors, giving you valuable industry insight and helping you build the confidence to begin your career as a professional screen actor.

Question 2

​How Do I Join?

Accepted Answer

oining Totally Lit is simple. Start by arranging an informal meeting, either in person or via Zoom, with one of our directors. This gives us the opportunity to learn about your ambitions, answer your questions, and make sure the course is the right fit for you.No previous acting experience is required. We look for enthusiasm, commitment, self-discipline, and a genuine willingness to learn and develop.Once you've secured your place and demonstrated that you're ready for the professional industry, you'll become eligible for Spotlight membership and representation through our own agency (if you are not already represented). This is based on your progress, professionalism, and your ability to perform confidently in auditions, castings, and self-tapes. For most students, this milestone is achieved within 6–9 months.

Question 3

How much does it cost for me to train?

Accepted Answer

The full 30-week course costs £1,800, payable in three instalments of £600 over the duration of the course.If you choose to pay in full before the course begins, you'll receive a £150 discount, bringing the total investment to £1,650.There are no hidden fees for the training itself, and our aim is to provide professional-level screen acting tuition at a price that remains accessible. With small class sizes, experienced industry professionals, and a clear route towards Spotlight membership and representation, we believe the course offers exceptional value for actors who are serious about building a career.We don't believe professional actor training should leave you with professional-sized debt. Our focus is on getting you ready to work, not keeping you training forever.

Question 4

Are there any 'hidden' costs?

Accepted Answer

Quite simply, "No!"We charge for the training. As part of the training, anything that you would need in class, is provided.If you joined Spotlight- that is a separate organisation and there would be a cost for that (see later FAQ's).If you wanted professional photos, we could help you choose a good photographer, that is not expensive.

Question 5

What is Spotlight?

Accepted Answer

Spotlight is the UK's leading professional casting platform for actors. It is where the vast majority of casting directors, agents and production companies search for performers when casting film, television, theatre and commercial projects.Having a Spotlight profile is widely regarded as an essential step towards building a professional acting career. It allows casting professionals to view your headshots, showreel, credits, training and contact details, making you eligible for many professional casting opportunities that are not available elsewhere.At Totally Lit, our goal is to prepare you to meet Spotlight's professional standards. Once you have demonstrated the necessary level of skill, professionalism and readiness to work in the industry, we'll guide you through the application process. If you're not already represented, we'll also consider you for representation through our own agency.

Question 6

What chance is there of me getting work as an actor?

Accepted Answer

Every actor who joins Totally Lit has the potential to build a professional career-but no acting school can honestly guarantee work.Success in this industry depends on talent, commitment, resilience, professionalism, timing and opportunity. What we can guarantee is that we'll do everything we can to ensure you're as well prepared as possible when those opportunities arise.Our training is designed to help you develop not only your craft, but also the practical skills needed to succeed in today's industry. You'll learn how to audition confidently, produce professional self-tapes, work effectively on set, understand the business of acting, and identify where you fit within the marketplace.We also help you build the professional foundations needed to begin your career, including Spotlight membership, high-quality headshots, representation (where appropriate), and direct access to industry professionals throughout your training.Ultimately, your career will depend on the work you put in, both during the course and afterwards. Our aim is to give you the skills, confidence and professional support to maximise your chances of becoming a working actor.

Question 7

How do I get work as an actor?

Accepted Answer

Firstly, you are going to need to understand how the industry works and if you are over the age of 16, it is slightly less complicated. Under 16, you will need permission of your local education authority, to be able to work. That means that your attendance at school needs to be reasonably good, or there needs to be justifiable absences.
If you're under 18, you can't train, or be represented without the permission of a parent, or carer, therefore, you need to understand that the responsible adult in your life needs to be included in your decision making and in any correspondence with us.

There will come a time, quite quickly into your first term, when your industry knowledge will be far superior to that of the adults in your life, but we will always encourage you to accept that 'knowledge of life', trumps 'knowledge of the industry', when it comes to keeping you safe and happy-long term.

We are there to support the adults as well as the students!

Question 8

Do you have an agency?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Totally Lit is registered with Spotlight as a specialist training school, allowing us to prepare eligible students for Spotlight membership and offer representation through our own agency.Representation is not automatic. It is offered to students who have demonstrated the professional standard, discipline and reliability required to work in the industry. We look for actors who are ready to perform confidently in auditions, self-tapes and on set, and who consistently approach their work with professionalism.Once represented, we actively submit our actors for suitable casting opportunities, negotiate contracts on their behalf, and provide ongoing support throughout the audition and booking process.We also work with many students who are already represented by established agencies. In these cases, our role is to complement their representation by helping them prepare for auditions and self-tapes, develop their skills, and maximise every opportunity their agent secures for them.Our long-term ambition is simple: to help every actor reach the stage where they can build a sustainable professional career. For some, that means remaining with our agency. For others, it means progressing to one of the UK's larger, specialist agencies when the time is right. If that happens, we'll be delighted—because it means we've done our job.

Question 9

How can I be sure that the classes would suit me?

Accepted Answer

Finding the right training is an important decision, and we believe it should work both ways.Before offering anyone a place, we'll arrange an informal meeting—usually via Zoom—to discuss your ambitions, experience and what you're hoping to achieve. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions, get to know us, and decide whether Totally Lit is the right environment for you.We only offer places to people we genuinely believe we can help. By keeping our classes small and carefully selecting each intake, we create a supportive, focused environment where every student receives individual attention.If you're under 18, we'll also meet with your parent or carer, as we believe it's important that everyone understands the commitment involved and feels confident about the training.Our aim isn't simply to fill classes—it's to build a group of committed actors who will challenge, encourage and inspire one another throughout the course.

Question 10

What percentage of students go on to be actors?

Accepted Answer

Success in acting is difficult to measure, and no reputable training provider can guarantee that every student will go on to work professionally.Many of our students have secured representation, joined Spotlight, booked professional acting work, or continued into further training at drama school or university. Others take longer to find their route into the industry or decide that acting is not the career they wish to pursue.We therefore avoid quoting a fixed success percentage. Instead, we focus on giving every committed student the strongest possible preparation: professional screen acting skills, audition and self-tape technique, industry knowledge, career guidance and, where appropriate, support with Spotlight membership and representation.The opportunities available to an actor will depend on many factors, including their ability, commitment, professionalism, suitability for particular roles, resilience and the amount of work they continue to put into their career after completing the course.

Frequently asked questions