31: But First, Believe

Well. What a 7 months it has been since we last spoke... I've been wanting to record an episode like this for the longest, but for the longest I haven't felt fully able to speak on my experiences this year. Even this is only scratching the surface of what I have learned recently, but listen up if you're keen for some insights on: - Overnight success vs overnight exposure - What it means to be a "working actor" - Doing the work of letting go I hope you enjoy the episode! For those of you who prefer to watch their podcasts, you can also catch this episode on YouTube by clicking here. Let me know what you think over on the ITR Instagram page 💛

It’s the first day of Spring y’all & it’s also 🎉MY BIRTHDAY! 🎉 To honour *finally* entering the last year of my 20s, I wanted to share 29 things I have learned as an actor so far:  1. Everything passes 2. If you ever need the toilet on set ask to go for a “10-1” (ten, one) 3. You can feel so alone sometimes, but all actors want to be seen. None of us is alone in that 4. The nerves never go away 5. Things happen in the time they are supposed to 6. Collaboration is the true gift of this industry 7. There is no such thing as a bad offer in a rehearsal space 8. No one will give a sh*t about that hair that’s out of place in your headshot 9. Nothing is ever as it seems, be open to everything 10. An agent should feel like a teammate 11. Being an actor is the best job in the world, but it’s not the most interesting thing about you 12. Downstage means the front of the stage. Upstage means the back of the stage 13. Being number 1 on the call sheet is a huge honour but an immense responsibility 14. Be kind to everyone. Not because you don’t know where they’ll end up, but because you don’t want to be an a$$hole 15. That thing you’re struggling with now will seem so easy one day soon comparatively 16. Direction is not a personal attack, take it 17. Fretting about an audition won’t change the outcome 18. There are worse things than being ‘out of work’ 19. This is a people business and some of the most amazing people are in this business 20. Touring is gruelling, pack a solid survival kit of home comforts 21. No one ever misses a job because they took a holiday 22. You might have to miss a holiday to take a job though 23. You always have more to learn about the craft of acting 24. The work you make with friends is the best kind 25. There is no shame in working a muggle job 26. Every life experience you have is preparing you for some role, someday 27. A great teacher/mentor is invaluable 28. You deserve to be in every audition you’re called in for 29. Life is short, don’t neglect the other parts Have a beautiful week! And some cake - we celebratin' x

This week I am finally committing to less commitment when it comes to this podcast - with chest! It has been such an honour to produce this podcast weekly (for the most part) since December 27th 2021 and I hope that it has given a decent amount of insight into the plight of being a working actor, from a level of perceived success. I still have much more to learn and will still have much more to share, so this isn't goodbye! It's just a warning that from henceforth you can expect these episodes to come at you a little more sporadically, as I endeavour to deliver quality over quantity. And of course, there's a little sprinkling in there of a some rich takeaways I have had from some of my recent trips to the theatre and cinema. I don't know when we will speak again, but as soon as something significant happens I promise we shall. In the meantime, feel free to join my new monthly "check-in" newsletter via my coaching business In The Room, starting 1st March 2023. You can sign-up at www.stepintotheroom.co.uk. Alternatively, you can also find me on any social media platform using the handle @adele_jjames 💛 Until next time! Adele x If you have a topic idea for a future episode, please email it to: [email protected]. Podcast social details: www.instagram.com/itrpod

This week I wanted to give you a quick reminder of how important it is to BELIEVE in yourself. It is the most radical form of selfcare, the foundation from which all else springs, and absolutely imperative if you want to be a successful actor.  Do you have a topic idea for a future Making Our Way segment? Email it over to: [email protected]. Podcast social details: www.instagram.com/itrpod Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com

This week, I am creeping out of my February hibernation to talk to you about an observation that I came across the other day about being a successful actor. I also wanted to share some insights I had after going to watch Burntwood School's production of Grease earlier this week, which awoke in me such a craving for the thrill and joy of acting at its core! For Making Our Way this week, I am chatting about a tendency some of us can have to anticipate the result of something and therefore fail to take action on that same something, inspired by a chat I had with one of my In The Room coaching clients. Do you have a topic idea for a future Making Our Way segment? Email it over to: [email protected]. Podcast social details: www.instagram.com/itrpod Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com

This week I might still be bearing the war wounds of my latest battle with the flu - the second time this winter - but I am back nonetheless! Having had such a lack of energy of late has really got me thinking and reflecting on what it means to give my energy and effort to things - so that I can a) access the community that I need to survive this industry, and so that I may b) be able to move forwards in my career and my life. Permission is something that we need to be able to give to ourselves, and I think it is something that we ought to give to ourselves if we want to see progress. That is to say, permission to take up space in whatever way we need/want to and permission to try (and fail) at things. For Making Our Way this week, I was inspired to talk about a friend of mine who moved stateside a few days ago after obtaining her O-1 visa some months back- because I think we could all really benefit from being a little less think and a little more DO! Just like her. Do you have a topic idea for a future Making Our Way segment? Email it over to: [email protected]. Podcast social details: www.instagram.com/itrpod Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com

This week I am throwing it back to a conversation I had with the delightful Kyla Frye just before Christmas in 2022, all about her life as a mummy, actor, writer, director, producer and all-round inspiring human being. Kyla Frye is an award-winning actress and filmmaker, whose intent on shaping the future of TV and film began with the launch of her production company, Fryeday Entertainment, in 2012. With a passion for bringing diverse and marginalised stories to the mainstream, Kyla believes that every voice deserves to be heard and every person, deserves to be seen. From writing, to directing, to starring and producing, Kyla’s ability to be both versatile and innovative, has allowed her to bring about three short films that have received wide critical acclaim and multiple festival selections alike; showbiz documentary, “The Key”, Amazon Prime crime caper, “Double Cross” and mental health awareness film, “Faces”, Kyla Frye is about being the change we want to see, both on and off the screen.  Kyla has an infectious spirit and many wise and wonderful things to say. I hope you enjoy her episode as much as I enjoyed recording it! You can follow Kyla Frye on social media at: Instagram: @kylafryeofficial Twitter: @kylafrye Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com 

Who else is really enjoying the slow speed of this January? I said last week that 2023 will be the year of momentum, but momentum in your acting career does not have to equal speed exclusively. Plus, enjoy my outtakes from travelling and meeting people on my adventures around protecting your energy. For Making Our Way this week, I am speaking on a conversation I had with a fellow actor about finding the love for all of the things we GET TO DO to move our career forwards. Do you have a topic idea for a future Making Our Way segment? Email it over to: [email protected]. Podcast social details: www.instagram.com/itrpod Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com

For the first time in years I am fully committing to the New Year, clean slate vibe! After a few years of anxiety and loneliness, I am ready for a year of forward momentum and in this week's episode, I want to share how and why with you. If you too are feeling to give yourself a good dose of forward energy, this one is for you. Do you have a topic idea for a future Making Our Way segment? Email it over to: [email protected]. Podcast social details: www.instagram.com/itrpod Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com

Merry Christmas podcast listeners! My gift to you this year is the conversation I had with the delightful Harry Collett! Harry is an Essex-born actor best known for playing Ollie Hide in Casualty from 2014 til 2022, Tommy Stubbins in Dolittle and for his latest role, Prince Jace Valeryon, in HBO’s House Of The Dragon. I’ve admired Harry’s work, but more so his work ethic- particularly as such a young performer in such high end projects, ever since our paths first crossed on Casualty and I am so proud and excited to see the heights he is reaching now. He is still humble as ever, so funny and just lovely to chat to. I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it! You can follow Harry Collett on social media at: Instagram: @harrycollettactor Thank you to our sponsors, London Nootropics. You can get 15% off any of London Nootropics' awesome adaptogenic coffee for yourself now, using the voucher code 'adelej' exclusively at www.londonnootropics.com