My Comedy Career: Verona Rose
Actor and writer Verona Rose has completed filming Treatment, a pilot for a new sitcom set in a hair salon. Here she talks about life as an actor and comedy creator: dealing with auditions, the lack of structure in a week, and much more.
Tell us what you do in your job.
I am a writer, performer and pretty much all around creative. I direct, I edit, and do videography and photography. All self-taught, apart from the acting.
I refer to myself as 'The Master of Nothing', because there's lots I can do, but I am not amazing at any of it... YET!
At the moment, I focus on comedy and comedy entertainment. I have written for BBC Three, BBC Quickies, created some treatments for production companies...
I've done some voiceover work here and there. Recently, I voiced one of the characters in David Walliams's new childrens' book, Slime. GASSED!
I write my and produce my own scripts and music and have a limited company called A Verona Rose Ting. NO I'M NOT VAIN... maybe a little.
I do lots of work with Donna Preston, who is super funny and pretty incredible.
I have worked with some massive names in the industry now as well, mainly on a panel show called Pants On Fire. I got to work with Mel B, Katherine Ryan and Jimmy Carr to name a few. I mention those three in particular because I have realised that I am magic. I have always thought I'd meet Mel B and Jimmy Carr, but I say I am magic because I love love Katherine Ryan's personality and work and, a few days before she was booked on the show, I was watching her and I said 'OMG I want to be her friend' to my hubs, and then she was booked on the show and we got to speak.... eek!
How did you first get involved in the comedy industry?
Around four years ago, I decided I needed to make a change. I was calling myself a professional actor, but I wasn't really getting auditions or booking much work. I always put it down to my big gap teeth or my even bigger lady parts.
The change I decided to make was to try and become typecast, to solely focus on comedy. So I did! One day I was sitting on the toilet watching my younger brother's Instagram story and, again, he was flying off around the world to perform for thousands of people at a time. I said 'Universe, I want this'.
The next day I got an audition to play the lead in a show which would be filming in Ibiza. After my audition, I was told I got the part, but that they had changed the script and I would be teamed up with a very funny and awesome lady called Donna Preston. The job was for a company called Peninsula Films who have an online channel called Get Pulped. The show was called, wait for it... D*ck In Ibiza. We got to go to Ibiza twice and, no, we didn't get any... Firstly because we are professionals and second because I am serving a long term prison senten... Sorry, I mean I am in a long term relationship!
After this job, Donna and I promoted ourselves tirelessly and bombarded all the big dogs with emails and videos of ourselves. We managed to bag a big agent and book some more work. The journey continues.
What key skills do you need to be able to do your job well?
The most vital skill is 'THICK SKIN'.
You have to have passion (is that a skill?) and learn how to market yourself and just be confident in your approach, which isn't always easy.
You have to have patience and determination. Are any of these skills?
I guess you have to have some talent as well, and belief.
What has been your biggest career achievement to date?
I got to co-create and write a pilot sitcom called Fully Blown for BBC Three (available on iPlayer). It was so much fun and really boosted my confidence.
The process taught me so much. It wasn't plain sailing, and I am grateful for that because. If it had been, I wouldn't know what I know today.
I learnt that you must speak out on anything you are uncomfortable with as soon as you feel uncomfortable. I learnt that you must protect your work and always be credited for the work you do.
I learnt that, first and foremost, this industry is a business and most people prefer money over relationships. I prefer relationships, but this may end up being my downfall and the reason why I don't excel as much as I should.
It also taught me that a lot goes on behind the scenes, like a lot. Team-work really does make the dream work, but everyone has to be on the same page.
I am also very proud of Treatment, a sitcom I have created, which is set in a black hair salon.
I created the show because I felt the need and want to showcase more rounded black female talent on our screens. I grew up in Hampshire, in an area where my family were the only black family. The only time I saw black people other than my family were in salons, church, or if I ever got to visit London. That being said, it's rare for me to see a black female on TV that resembles the background I come from. We didn't all grow up in London or on council estates like the TV would have us believe.
I think it's very important to have a diverse crew and production team behind the project, in order to maintain its sauce.
The show is written by myself, with Anneka Gouldbourne and Patrick Thompson as co-writers. The heart of the show is Aisha Salon. It's a heady mix of glamour, style, fashion, black excellence, attitude, community love and fabulosity. Think a 21st century black female led Desmond's meets Sex In The City. A modern day outcast family full of big broken characters, belly laughs, dramas and so so much sass.
In March, I set up a GoFundMe campaign which has, so far, raised around £6000, which includes donations from top dawgs in the comedy and writing scene; people are beautiful eh! This £6000 meant we were able to film a pilot episode of the show. A 13-minute teaser of the pilot episode, Aunty Hulga is Comin, can be seen on YouTube now. It would be wonderful if the show were to get picked up by a channel or if we were able to get more funding together to film and edit the six episodes we have written. Ultimately, the dream would be to get it commissioned.
And what has been the biggest challenge/disappointment?
So, last year, I had around five or six auditions, which included a self-tape and three chemistry reads for a big Netflix show. I smashed my self-tape, then had a chemistry read, which went well-ish, I think.
I got invited in for another chemistry read and had phone calls with the director beforehand. On one of the days I auditioned, I left the audition room and then got a call around five minutes later from my agent asking me to go back to do another scene.
On this day I had an early morning audition for something else (which I didn't get) and sat with my friend and fellow actor drinking coffee (which was pretty rare for me). We discussed her relationship issues and issues I had; we got passionate and caught up in our feelings, and I walked out of this into a once-in-a-lifetime (it could have been life changing) Netflix audition. Big mistake!
Coffee and a convo about why you and your mate are sad before an audition... really Verona!? When I got to the audition, I was so jittery and nervous like never before. It showed in my performance and just in me in general. Not to mention, the person I was having a chemistry read with is a massive star (a very sweet and lovely person), but the combos were not a great mix.
I flopped the audition and felt so embarrassed; although I was still feeling optimistic because I felt like the casting director wanted me to have the role. The director called me again, spoon fed me notes and literally said "if you can do this, and this, then we're in business".
I went in for another audition and couldn't shake the embarrassment from the last audition as I was stuck in my own head thinking about things the director had told me. Long story short, I didn't get the role. I believe everything happens for a reason and understood why I didn't get the role but I was definitely annoyed with myself for getting so caught up.
I no longer drink coffee because it makes me feel wired. I later discovered I was anaemic (cured) which can cause anxiety, so I think the combo plus pressure from those at home to bag the job didn't help.
The process taught me so much. If I go to an audition now I don't pick up my phone to anyone for at least an hour before. I leave all feelings and anything not connected to the audition or the character at home or on the streets. I have grown as a person and as a performer. People are people Verona, no one is more scary or more special than anyone else. Ok some people are a bit scary.
Talk us through a typical day.
Hmm, a typical day? For me, I don't think there's ever a typical day.
I wish some of my days were a bit more typical, so I could introduce some structure and balance. But, in all honesty, I am just saying that because I know that's what's expected of me... the world tells me I must have structure, so I feel guilty and think 'blerrghhh, I don't have structure'.
Last week I went to bed every day at about 4am, because I'm a rebel. Actually, I went to bed at 4am because the world is more exciting at night and my creative juices flow when it's dark. I want to sing and dance when it's night-time.
I am always working on something; whether it's my own project or someone else's, that's the only structure I really need. For example, last week and the week before I was editing a sitcom I created. So I would wake up around 9am everyday, have a bath, most prob put on some make-up, and then spend the whole day editing. I'd stop maybe once to eat something quick, and watch the American Office while I eat. It's a bit obsessive, but I enjoy it and it doesn't feel like work. If I didn't do it, I'd just be thinking about it, and I'd be unhappy.
This week, on the other hand, has been a bit more relaxed. I have had some audition self-tapes to do, and I have been bombarding people with the link to 13 minutes of the sitcom I was editing last week.
I have done my exercise and watched some shows for research, I drank lots of water as usual (it's the only drink I have). Who knows what tomorrow and next week might bring? I have absolutely no idea, because I have zero structure. I might turn my bedroom into a studio and have a photoshoot with myself... just for fun.
Tell us a trick/secret/resource that you use to make your job quicker/easier.
This is a tough one. Erm, I'm not sure I have any. I used to have really low self-esteem and I taught myself to act confident in order to appear so, and then eventually become confident.
Back in the day, I would search hashtags on Twitter to look for auditions. So I would type in #audition to find auditions - I'm sure most people do that.
Erm, what else. Owww, this is a good one someone taught me once: When trying to get an agent or emailing someone that gets loads of the same emails, rather than putting something like 'Representation' in the subject, put something that's going to catch their attention, like 'Actor for Channel 4' (if you have worked on a Channel 4 show in the past).
How are you paid?
I get paid into my bank, but often wait ages to get paid, which is a bit annoying. I am lucky enough to have a cushion of savings to not let it bother me too much though.
I basically get paid as and when; just like everything else in my life, there's no structure. If I don't work, I don't get paid.
You can make in a day or two what someone might make in a month, but because you may only work once a month or even once every two months, you have to make that money last hunny.
If you could change one thing about the comedy industry, what would it be?
Give people a chance, more than one chance. It's not an easy game but how can one prove themselves if they are not given a chance?
Also, let more black women through that door. I often feel like 'the token' when I do certain jobs. I'm not sure if I am actually there because I am good enough, or if they needed to tick a box. I don't like that feeling.
I also don't like to see or feel like the few black women that are getting a little bit of shine have to protect what they are getting from other black women, because they want to be 'That Black Girl' for the time being. If more of us are let through on merit, we can all parlay and love each other.
What tips would you give for anyone looking to work in your area of the industry?
A tip someone gave me and I absolute love love love is to 'FAIL QUICKLY'. Just do 'you', and try. Create something, get it wrong, and try again. Get experience where you can, even if you are doing freebies to start with, to build up your CV or showreel. If you can get a camera, or film stuff on your phone, even if you don't show it to anyone, at least you are doing what you love and keeping the dream alive.
Check out websites such as Mandy.com and StarNow.
Create your own work. You can start by just writing from experience.
Remember, casting directors want us to be great so do not fear them (easier said than done).
Have patience; nothing comes over night.
Be you and find your own USP.
Everyone's journey is different. Do not compare yourself or your growth to anyone's. I believe what is meant for you will not pass you by.
You have to do this because you love it and because it's all you want to do and can do. If you are doing it for fame, I think you are doing the wrong thing.
Below is the taster for Treatment. Commissioning enquiries: vaa2020@outlook.com
