Adobe Creative Cloud and Imagine Dragons are collaborating and want to YOU to edit their new music video for there latest song ‘Believer’. 
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If you’re a professional or amateur editor, this competition is open to you! Getting involved is easy. All you have to do is go to https://www.makethecut.adobe.com/en/ and fill out your details. You don’t even need to have a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud! They are offering you a free trial with your application.

The Grand prize is $25,000 and the bragging rights that you edited Imagine Dragon’s new music video.
Think of that on your CV!

The Special Bonus Prize: $2500 and a one year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud plus 25 Adobe stock credits.
An Additional Bonus Prize: $1000 and a one year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud
 
There will also be a prizes for:
                           Fan Favourite
                           Most Unexpected
                           Best Young Creator
                           Best Short Form

All the video footage has been shot and is waiting for YOU to apply. Be sure to read all the contest rules and regulations.

So if you fancy your chances of becoming the video editor of the new Imagine Dragons music video an get you work seen by millions of people worldwide. Get yourself over to https://www.makethecut.adobe.com/en/ fill in the form and download the RAW footage and Start Cutting!
 
Good Luck!

If you want to be an actor, I think its fair to say you should have the ability to Act, but one thing most actors forget and don't realise the importance of is the value of a good headshot.

Everybody knows how different they can look in different pictures and with filters like Snapchats; they show the effect of editing on a shot.

Professional headshots provide not only an impressive version of the said actor, but they also have the ability to show the actor in different looks that suit particular characters. This is super beneficial when it comes to the casting process, think about it, how much better would it be to send across to a casting director, a stern looking shot for the role of the sinister doctor, or a happy attractive shot for the aspirational personal trainer role.

More Tips
Always make sure your head shot is a reflection of you, not over airbrushed and not too heavy on the make-up. You should regularly have headshots taken to make sure it is up-to-date and a true reflection of you, if you change your look change your headshot.

Book a Headshot
If you would like to update your headshots, IPM offer professional and affordable packages, contact the office today to book a session on 01132443222 or 07890387758.

We at IPM are supporters of equal rights for everyone, and we believe that the arts should be a place where we can all have our voice heard.

In 2015 the figure for women in the arts had risen by 6% since 2002; a historical high. So to celebrate this achievement, here just some of the brilliant women in film and television who have helped pave the road to equality. 
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​Actress and radio performer Hattie McDaniel made history, and became the first African American to win an Oscar in 1940 for her supporting role as Mammy in 'Gone With the Wind.' 
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A comedian, television host, actor, writer and producer, Ellen Degeneres ​has been an outspoken LGBTQ and women’s rights activist who has consistently used her public platform to highlight inequality.
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Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has been an icon for humanitarianism. She first become aware of the extent of the problems people around the world face when she filmed Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia in 2001, and since been using her status to fight the war for peace.

Tatum O'Neal became the youngest Oscar winner in history, picking up the Best Supporting Actress trophy at the tender age of 10 for her role as strong-willed tomboy Addie in Paper Moon (1973).
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Actress Laverne Cox from Orange is the New Black, made history as the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting role. She is at the forefront of the transgender movement, and noted as a 'hero' in the LGBTQ community.
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English Actress Dame Helen Lydia Mirren, has often been outspoken about issues with 'body shaming' and injustice within the entertainment business. In August 2013, Mirren was announced as one of several new models for Marks and Spencer's 'Womanism' campaign. She also ​testified before Congress on the importance of a new act that seeks to provide victims of the Holocaust and their families legal means so they can recover works of art looted by the Nazis. 
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Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to win Best Director at the Oscars, the Baftas and the DGA Awards in 2010 and has changed 

Heralded by fans and peers for her reverberant voice in Hollywood, Jennifer has often been an influence to a younger audience, particularly when it comes to equal pay and body image. 
“I’m a woman that’s living in this world of everybody telling everyone how they should look and what they should be eating and how people can lose this much weight this fast,  and it just kind of overwhelms our senses. If I could just make the tiniest bit of difference in getting rid of that because it is so annoying, I would love that.”
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Actress Salma Hayek ('From Dusk Till Dawn', 1996) is a an outspoken advocate on the issues of sexism in film and television. She has spoken about the idea of the current Hollywood paradigm in which leading men have contractual approval over their female co-stars, and can often call for script changes to make the female lead be more passive. '"Most of the big stars in their contracts have approval of their leading ladies," she said. "The fact that he gets a say in who he gets to kiss I find is very sexist. … And they do not like it when the female character is strong."
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Whoopi Goldberg ('Sister Act', 1992) has won an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy and a Tony award, and in the 1990s was momentarily the highest-paid black actress in Hollywood history.
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Charlize Theron has used her platform to highlight the importance of feminism in the film industry. 
Calling it a “social issue”, she suggests the problems lie in society, as producers will only make movies for films that people want to see. She thinks that there needs to be a societal shift to pave the way for more female-driven movies being made. Charlize has played the female lead in films such as 'Mad Max' (2015).

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These women are just a small handful who have used their voice and their platform to make a difference in the industry. Whether it's issues on equal pay, sexism, racism or body image, these are all stigmas that will affect everyone at some point in their lives, and it's important that we all use our voices to create a better and more equal world. 

There has been some amazing and inspiring progress over the last 100 years and we want to hear from you, so tweet us at IPM with people in film and TV who have influenced you.  

​Be more proactive, change your attitude from ‘I’m going to make it’ to ‘this is how I’m going to make it’. Take baby steps, start by just updating your pictures to make them look more professional and then start getting yourself out there, go and meet people, live your life, socialise with other artists whether they be students, filmmakers, painters or other actors, inspire and become inspired by the people you surround yourself with.   

​Audition for student films, audition for independent films put yourself out there and gain as much experience as you can, it might not seem like it at the time but you’ll benefit and take something away from every new situation you face. Nobody goes into a creative career because they want to be stuck in a 9-5 desk job, they do it to express themselves and work with others; Collaborate, communicate and eventually the results you seek will come.

​​ There are many well known artistes who got their starts in independent films (here are just a few):

​As silly as this sounds, actors send in their headshot, they get a call back, and then they look absolutely nothing like what the casting director expected.

This is a big waste of time for all parties and can come across as dishonest, so take a photo that is a true representation of you.

Make it as natural as you can, this can make you come across as more versatile, initially making you suitable for a wider range of roles.
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This isn’t to say you can't put on a bit of makeup and get that hair looking suave; just don’t ‘Katie Price’ it and do not over-edit your photo.

Some disagree, but taking a photo in landscape can be a waste of page space. Not only this, but the negative space in a landscape photo can revert the eyes away from the main focus- which of course is you.
  
Frame your pictures. Headshots taken from far-away are no longer head shots and ones taken too close aren’t either.  They do not want to see a close up of your eyebrow. Have a nice area of space around your head, as directors want to see your head-shape, jaw-line, hair etc. They need all the information your head can offer!

​Up until around 20 years ago, headshots were always in black and white, but we can now print in colour thanks to the wonderful ways of the modern age.
Colour is truly the better option as you can see things like skin tone, eye colour and hair colour.
It’s a tough one though, with all the selfies circulating the digital world, everyone is aware that the black and white photo is more aesthetically pleasing, but your headshot is the CV of your face and the more information the casting director has about you, the better. Try sending colour photos to your agent, and if they believe B&W is the better, then let them decide. It’s great to have a mix to make you come across as more adaptable.

​Cheesy angles and poses just scream unprofessionalism. Casting directors want to trust you and your work ethic and if your doing a thumbs up or juggling balls in your head shot, you will not be taking seriously. So be neutral and calm, and keep the camera focused straight on your head.

The key ingredient to a great headshot is honesty. Show that in your eyes and look at the camera. After all, an actor is someone who behaves truthfully in an imaginary circumstance, so your headshot should be a first step to achieving that.  So no selfies, no gimmicks and be true to yourself.

It’s been a jaw-dropping season of Game of Thrones, and it has not lacked the action, violence and vivid storylines that we all have come to expect from the team behind HBO’s fantasy drama series. But sadly season 6 is at its penultimate episode and many of us are wondering how we will resume our normal lives after it ends.

Not to worry though, we at IPM are already getting excited for season 7. We’ve been looking beyond the wall for talented actors and actresses to take part in season 7. Casting calls have already been released, but this is only the beginning as more roles are expected to come.

 
If you are an actor of an exciting calibre, with professional headshots and a Spotlight CV, don’t hesitate to send us a raven! We have opportunities to appear on amazing productions just like Game of Thrones. Apply on line at www.ipmcasting.com.

Also, if you are an extra or supporting artist with little to no-experience, you can sign up to our extras agency for opportunities to build up your skills and credentials. Go to http://www.ipmextras.com/.
 

We look forward to you joining our house!

You don’t need to break the bank to create a great self-tape. Nowadays most smartphones are fitted with cameras with great resolution. Just make sure that both the image and sound are clear, and then you’re good to go! ​The camera quality is key. A video with low resolution can mean the casting director can’t see you properly. It can also poorly reflect your professionalism. But don’t panic! 
​You don’t need to break the bank to create a great self-tape. Nowadays most smartphones are fitted with cameras with great resolution. Just make sure that both the image and sound are clear, and then you’re good to go!
 

Space is key. Pick a location away from all that day-to day noise. Background noise on a video can be very distracting for a viewer and it can take all the attention from those important words you speak! So find somewhere nice and quiet.

Another important part is lighting. Choose a spot where you will be clearly visible whilst filming. You might want to consider filming using the natural daylight as it is less harsh and much more flattering. Casting directors want to see your face! If you want to go down the more professional route, you could use photographic soft boxes, or (if you’re on a budget) a lamp and a white reflective screen to disperse the light evenly. 

​​Another key element to consider is the background.
​No one wants to see your DVD collection or what stationary you own; they want to see you and only you. Keep the focus on yourself with the camera at eye-height, against a solid-coloured wall/sheet. Preferable colours are neutrals, such as white or off-white. 

​Remember to frame your shot properly. You don’t want half your face or the top of your head missing. You want it to capture your image from the top of your head to the mid of your chest with space around your head. You also want to make sure that you don’t look straight into the camera, unless specified otherwise, to maintain the fourth-wall between you and the audience. This makes your performance more realistic and it is also the way that all professional reels are produced. 

Once you are done filming you want to edit your video and cut out any unnecessary shots. You don’t want to waste a casting directors time with any long silences or needless dialogue. You want your reel to flow smoothly with good timing.
Bear in mind though, that the best reels are those filmed in one sitting, so run through beforehand to avoid too many cuts to stay clear of over-editing.

​It’s the same with the aesthetics of your video. Remember- do not over-edit. This can be just as bad as not editing at all.

Last but not least- your video should also have an introductory slide at the beginning which includes your name, the role, name of the production, and your agent’s details. 


Happy self-taping from Team IPM!

“The older I get... the more complicated life becomes!” A quote from the upcoming BBC series which could not be more true for the likes of Morgan Freeman, Samuel L. Jackson and IPM’s own Lee Johnson, whose early life experiences moulded them into the exceptional actors they are today.  


With the second instalment of BBC’s ‘In the Club’ beginning last week, fans couldn't wait to sink their teeth into the action, with social media simply buzzing around the subject like bees around honey. A wealth of artistes from Team IPM appeared on set of the drama, including Lee Johnson, who didn't break onto the acting scene until well into adulthood. However, this didn’t stop him, and here at IPM, we couldn't be more proud, Lee being a product of the IPM Acting Academy.

As many of you already know, getting a foot in the door of the entertainment industry is not an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. Some high profile actors, including the likes of Macaulay Culkin and Freddie Highmore, were swept of their feet fresh from pre-school and thrown into blockbusters including Home Alone and Charlie & The Chocolate factory; but for others, such as the late Alan Rickman and fan favourite Samuel L. Jackson, it was not that easy. In fact, even Morgan Freeman, a household name with a voice of velvet, only began to appear on our screen from the early 90’s, well into his 50’s. Crazy right?

But not breaking onto the scene early doors didn't deter these incredibly talented actors from pursuing a career in the industry, and  it certainly didn't stop Lee. This week, he appeared on Kay Mellor’s highly commended ‘In the Club' alongside a star studded cast, where he delivered an exceptional performance viewed by thousands, which will do nothing but push Lee further into the limelight in the future. 
Lee’s acting career started years ago, being a member of IPM’s Acting Academy for a large number of these, where he learnt and furthered invaluable skills and abilities, from in-depth character building and analysis, to script writing and complex emotion. These indispensable skills will undoubtedly have played a huge part in Lee’s on screen success, and here at IPM, we wish Lee all the luck in the world with his future roles.

If you too would like to get involved in the IPM Acting Academy, please go to HERE
Don't forget to tune in every Tuesday to see if you can spot Lee and other exceptional artistes part of the IPM Team!

​Acting can be challenging in terms of making it big and people often find themselves comparing their status to young actors who are the new faces of hollywood. However it is important to remember that not everybody made it at a young age, this list is testament to that as we showcase some of the famous faces you will be familiar with and the little known facts that these established and successful talents didn't actually make it in the industry until they were significantly older.