Variety Artist
Variety encompasses a very wide field, involving many kinds of artists working across a wide range of venues and media. Variety Artists include Singers; Dancers of all kinds, from belly dancers to dancing troupes; Circus performers, such as clowns and acrobats; Magicians and Illusionists; Children's entertainers; Comedians; Look-alike artists and Tribute acts; Ventriloquists; Musicians; Street Artists; and Speciality performers, such as Sword Swallowers.
Most of their work is performed live, or on speciality television productions such as the Royal Variety Performance or Cirque du Soleil, or Stand Up comedy shows, or when a performer with a specific skill is required for a particular project, e.g., for a television commercial, or for cameo roles in film productions. Variety acts on radio are mainly Comedians. Please note that as Variety covers a broad sweep of work, other relevant information is provided in the Dancers' and Singers', Stand Up Comedians' and Puppeteers' profiles.
What is the job?
Variety Artists entertain people of all ages and backgrounds, working all over the UK and in other countries. They usually write their own material, devise their own acts, and run their careers as small businesses. Many make their own props, or source specialist suppliers. As they have a range of performance skills, Variety Artists are also often employed as professional Walk-on artists on television and film productions.
Variety Artists must maintain and develop their skills by regularly rehearsing their acts, updating their repertoire, undertaking any required training, keeping up to date with technology, working on their entrances and exits, as well as on the core of the performance, trying out different looks and keeping them up to date or authentic, e.g., if they are involved in a Seventies band or tribute act.
They should keep up with changing trends so that their material remains fresh. Most Variety Artists are “self-contained”; they maintain and transport their own costumes and props, PA systems, backing tracks on mini-disk, or music for a band. The work involves a great deal of travelling, and very long hours. Variety Artists are usually self-employed, and may occasionally employ other performers in their act.
Typical career routes
Variety Artists come from all backgrounds and work areas. They usually discover their talents when they are young and work independently to develop their acts. There are no standard career routes, but they may begin by taking part in talent competitions, or by working at holiday parks as part of the entertainment team, or they may try to get slots at local clubs.
They usually progress to supporting more well-known acts or to working in better-known or bigger venues. They may try to attract the interest of an agent or promoter, or try to get bookings for themselves by contacting bookers, broadcasters, and production companies, visiting venues, talking to other artists, putting their details into directories, and self-promotion.
Those who work in the audio visual sector are usually employed because their act is known from their live performance work. Employers occasionally advertise for specific types of Variety Artists, e.g. clowns or ventriloquists for commercials' campaigns, acrobats for reality television projects, etc.
Essential knowledge and skills
Talent and a love of performing are essential. A knowledge of good business practices is as essential as creative talent. Variety Artists must be technically competent, and aware of the relevant legislation regarding Health and Safety, noise levels, electronic equipment testing, copyright and working with children. They should know how to prepare for and perform at auditions, and casting sessions.
They must be aware of the professional etiquette and traditions of working on film and television sets and locations, and of the importance of interacting at appropriate times, and with the relevant people, so that they do not affect the smooth running of the shoot. They should be aware of continuity requirements, and must be prepared to accept direction, and to respond to requests quickly and without fuss.
To assist with continuity, Variety Artists need to remember their exact positions and movements at any given time during the performance. They also need to continually hit their marks on set, without looking down to locate them. If they are required to deliver lines, they must be able to learn and retain them quickly, and to deliver them as directed.
They also need to be aware of how their performance may be affected by: the types and positions of microphones, cameras and cables; different lighting techniques; and the requirements of different sets and locations.
Key skills include:
Training and qualifications
There are no courses specifically for Variety Artists although there are training centres for circus performers. Some Variety Artists undertake performing arts courses, either part time at weekends or full-time in colleges, e.g., BTEC Performing Arts courses, or degree courses. Very few Variety Artists attend Drama Schools, and most train on the job, building up their skills through experience.
Dancers usually go to dance classes from a very young age, and singers take singing lessons to maintain their voices, however, the majority of Variety Artists are self-taught, e.g., magicians, ventriloquists, etc.
Individual course accreditation in certain subject areas is currently being piloted. As part of Skillset's and the UK Film Council's Film Skills Strategy, A Bigger Future, a network of Screen Academies and a Film Business Academy have been approved as centres of excellence in education and training for film. For more information, please log onto the Skillset website.
Where to go for more information
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the audio visual industries. The first sources of information for all jobs in the industry are the National Occupational Standards. Browse Skillset's website for links to our network of training partners, information about training and access to the comprehensive Skillset/BFI course database. Finally, Skillset Careers is the UK's only specialist media careers advice service; for detailed media careers information and advice, visit www.skillset.org/careers.
Websites
– Equity is the trade union representing artists across the whole spectrum of arts and entertainment, and offers representation, specialist knowledge and advice for its members and student members on work in Film, Television, Radio, and other Live Performance.
– BBC offers a wealth of information about careers and training in the media. – BBC Talent runs talent spotting schemes
– NEAC (National Entertainment Agencies Council)
– The Agents Association,(Great Britain)
– Circus Arts Forum
– Magic Circle
– Circus Space, London
– The Comedy School, London
– Circomedia, Bristol
Publications
– The Stage newspaper is the entertainment trade weekly, includes recruitment advertisements, useful links, and 'how to guides', such as finding an agent or drama school.
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Variety Artist - Film, TV & Radio
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