This week's Job of the week comes from actor and television star Dominique Moore, star of Hotel Trubble, Horrible Histories and currently treading the boards as the Princess in the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith's production of Aladdin...
Full name/age/job title
Dominique Moore. 25. Actress
Please give us an overview of your average day
On Horrible Histories, pick up is usually 6am, to be in make up for 7am. They use a picture of the actual historical character I’ll be playing. When you look in the mirror and you don’t look like yourself, it really helps you to get in character.
Next I get into costume. I recently filmed a sketch/song set in the Victorian era, which included a corset and a huge Victorian layered skirt. The dance routine was Beyonce-inspired so it wasn't easy dancing in that costume but I had so much fun.
When I get onto set we’ll do a quick rehearsal and then start shooting. Often we’ll shoot things about 40 times from all different angles.
What is the most common misconception about your job?
The one I hear the most is “Why did you stop acting? I haven’t seen you on TV recently.”
I think when people are used to seeing you play a certain character on a certain channel they assume that’s all you do. A lot of the time when actors aren’t on TV they are in the theatre performing or shooting guest appearances in other shows, auditioning, writing or filming the next series of their regular show.
What is the hardest thing about your role?
To keep the performance fresh after the 100th take from the 10th angle. You never know which take they will use in the final edit, so the lines have to be natural and as honest as the first time you said them.
When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life and how did you start out achieving it?
I joined the Sylvia Young Agency and Saturday school at nine and got my first job with Angie Le Mar on the sketch show “Get Up Stand Up”.
When I was 12 I begged my mum to let me audition for the full time school at Sylvia Young. She said we couldn’t afford the fees but encouraged me to try out for the one full scholarship they offered each year, and I got it.
At the same time as auditioning for the school I was followed by the fly-on-the-wall documentary Paddington Green for BBC. They also documented my audition process for Annie at the Victoria Palace, which I opened in at the same time as starting Sylvia Young.
What can you do to get a head start?
I think preparation is key. Join as many local drama clubs and arts centres as possible. Get involved with as many productions as you can and meet people who share the same interests. When that big audition/ job/opportunity comes around you will be prepared and focused.
Could you describe the creative element to your job?
I was very fortunate to be contracted as a writer on the last series of “Hotel Trubble.” I wrote a musical episode so worked closely with the composer, helped with casting and even had a say in costume and set design. Getting the opportunity to work behind the camera was a reminder of how vital those jobs are in creating the finished production.
What one thing do you wish you had known at the start of your career that you know now?
To savour the moment.
As a pupil at the Sylvia Young Theatre School I was part of productions at The Royal Albert Hall and The London Palladium, rubbing shoulders and sharing the stage with seasoned performers. I wish I had really absorbed and appreciated what I was actually doing.
Which organisations/websites/resources do you think would be useful for people entering your industry?
I was awarded the full scholarship to Sylvia Young from The Stage newspaper. They also have a jobs and auditions section.
Casting Call Pro is a great place to upload your headshot and CV and they also alert you with auditions and lists of agents taking people onto their books.
Spotlight is the main directory that all casting directors use to look for actors.
You can follow Dominique Moore on Twitter.
Dominique Is currently appearing as the Princess in Aladdin at The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith until December 31st.
Would you like to be featured in Job of the Week? If you work in the creative industries and would love to share your advice, expertise and experience with IdeasTap members, drop us a line at ideasmag@ideastap.com.
Image by Sally Ashley-Cound