Embracing The Late Bloomer Path with Trudy Ager

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Trudy Ager, a seasoned Australian actress who found her calling later in life. Her story highlights the power of perseverance, continuous learning, and making the most of life experiences to enrich acting craft. If you're a late starter or looking for motivation to keep going, this conversation offers invaluable perspective.

Key Topics:

• The concept of being a "late bloomer" and how it redefines success in acting
• Trudy’s background in commercial work, modeling, and moving into acting later in life
• The importance of ongoing training and how midlife learning shapes performance
• The impact of industry experience from other careers, like aviation, on acting roles
• Navigating industry challenges, including rejection and rogue agents
• Practical tips on self-taping, networking, and maintaining industry relationships
• The evolving industry landscape post-COVID with a focus on self-tapes
• The significance of perseverance and mindset for actors starting later
• Mentoring newer actors as an experienced actor and the importance of community

Final note:

Trudy's journey emphasizes that it's never too late to pursue your passion. Her story proves that with dedication, continuous learning, and resilience, actors of any age can thrive. Whether you're just starting or returning after years away, remember: your experience is valuable, and your moment is coming.

Find Trudy on Instagram, LinkedIn and IMDB.

And if being a 'TATER' interests you, check out The Audition Technique to join.

Transcript

David John Clark (00:00)

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Late Bloomer Actor. I'm David John Clark, the host of the Late Bloomer Actor. As you all well know, today we're going to Melbourne, Australia and we're reaching out to a fellow 'Tater'. Now I'm going to leave that one with you because we do explain what a tater is in the start of the episode. So make sure you get through that. You'll learn some good insights, but we're talking to actress Trudy Ager. She's renowned for her warmth and versatility.

She was nominated as best supporting actress in Under the Stars and she most notably appeared in Neighbours, which is unfortunately finished now, but it was a great Australian TV series, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee and she portrayed the governess wife in the dramatic TV series, Picnic at Hanging Rock. And we do talk about that and it was some information that I was unaware of and it was really nice to know. So it brought...

a perspective, a personality into acting that was just wonderful to hear. So make sure you listen out for that. Trudy began her career in commercials and developed an early passion for comedy whilst watching vintage TV sitcoms. We all have a reason and history and background as to how and why we wanted to be actors. Trudy is trained at the TAFTA, Howard Fine and 16th Street Studios whilst living in Melbourne. She was born in the rural New South Wales town of Narrabri.

And now she's in the big city.

Now the joys of acting and sometimes you just can't say a word. I'm going to leave this in here for you because I've been saying this word over and over. Trudy was born in the rural New South Wales town of Narrabri. It took me ages to try and say that word. I don't know why it wouldn't come out. She continued her passion for acting after traveling in the aviation industry, working for Qantas. So a bit of a connection there to me having worked in airports for a long time now.

Trudy is based in Victoria with her family and is actively involved in the Melbourne acting community. I've asked her to come on because I wanted to reach out to some fellow late bloomers and what you'll get, what you will get from this episode is an insight into what late bloomers bring to the industry for themselves and how they make it work. But also how you can connect with a late bloomer if you're a younger actor and learn and be mentored by them and take something from them to

progress your career forward. This is an absolutely wonderful episode as they all are, but it was wonderful having Trudy on. So thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, here we go.

David John Clark (02:32)

Good morning everyone. And today we are really bringing it back to the namesake of the podcast with a fellow late bloomer actor, Trudy Ager. Welcome to the show Trudy.

Trudy Ager (02:42)

Thank you, David. Thank you so much for having me on and congratulations on your podcast. Well done.

David John Clark (02:47)

Thank you. We're just coming up to the end of the fifth season now. So I'm looking to doing a big special at the end of the season, just to celebrate five years and see if I can get as many of my previous guests on in like a big round table. So just to scare the crap out of myself. I do thank you for coming on the show. I reached out to you as I was looking to have a chat with a fellow 'Tater' about acting. Now,

Trudy Ager (03:01)

Fantastic.

David John Clark (03:11)

heads up peeps. If you don't know what 'Tater' is, it's our quirky name for members of TAT, The Audition Technique. Now that's an online community hosted by the wonderful casting director, Greg Apps, who's been on the show. And I've talked about The Audition Technique a lot in previous episodes. So all my listeners who come back every episode should know what a 'Tater' is anyway. But welcome 'Tater' to the show, Trudy.

Trudy Ager (03:35)

Thank you.

Thank you so much. And what a great community the TAT group is. It's just been absolutely brilliant what Greg and Robbie have created. It's just a fabulous community to work with and bounce things off. It's been great.

David John Clark (03:41)

Definitely.

Yeah, and how many years, if you could even, I can't even remember how many years I have been, but I think we've both been there for a long time.

Trudy Ager (03:58)

Yeah, it's been a while and I remember doing a class with Greg at TAFTA and that was about 2014. So it was not long after that that I joined the TAT group. Yeah.

David John Clark (04:08)

Mmm.

Hmm. It's

a wonderful, and we probably talk a little bit about that through our discussion, but now asking if you're a late bloomer to the acting world is awfully close to asking a lady her age. So I mean, no offense or disrespect, of course, but would you consider, would you consider yourself a late bloomer and how do you define a late bloomer?

Trudy Ager (04:28)

It's so cool.

Well, I guess, yeah, I am a late bloomer. Saying that, I started off doing commercials and print work and modeling back, you know, when I was a teenager. And then I went and got normal jobs. then...

David John Clark (04:50)

Always the case.

Trudy Ager (04:52)

Yeah, that's right. And then when I left Qantas to move down to Melbourne, I was living in Sydney, and I moved down to Melbourne and I thought I'll get back into what I was doing. And I joined a class at Brave Studios where Kim Courageous was the teacher and

we were in a round, you know, half circle and she said, and Trudy, why would you, why do you want to become an actor? And I said, well, I don't really, I just want to learn how to use a TV monitor. And she said, oh, she said you're in the right place. And then I got hooked. She was an absolutely brilliant teacher and I haven't stopped since then. So I've just been continually learning.

David John Clark (05:38)

I love it. love it. Now, are you full-time acting now? Or do you still have that... are? ⁓ wonderful. Living the dream.

Trudy Ager (05:42)

Yeah, yeah, I love it.

Yeah, no, I love it. I just, you know, totally commit to that. So when an audition comes through, I'm 100 % in and I have got the time to do it now. ⁓ But yeah, I love it and I love the process and I just enjoy it, David. It's so much fun.

David John Clark (05:59)

Mmm.

I love it. I love it. And the second part of that question there, how would you define a late bloomer if you had to put it into a sentence, so to speak? Just curious to see what other people's views of it are.

Trudy Ager (06:17)

Right. I think it's when, you know, you've had your other careers and then somehow it finds you and later in life and I think that's when you have a lot more time to commit. You've had your family, you've had your children and then now it's your time and it just presents itself, I guess. So I find

David John Clark (06:44)

Mmm.

Trudy Ager (06:47)

a lot of the late bloomers are people that have had careers and or they've had children and they've come back into it.

David John Clark (06:56)

Hmm, definitely, definitely that

answers that a hundred percent it's what, what it is, you know, and it's not a negative thing as well. And I feel like it's that's great. We're starting off what is a late bloomer. I'm to go through a little journey with you, so to speak, which is, you know, how this podcast works. It's a journey of actors, but so you just mentioned before that you used to work for Qantas. So you came to acting after working with Qantas or in the aviation industry. Was there a specific moment when you were still with Qantas, still working for

Trudy Ager (07:21)

Yes.

David John Clark (07:25)

full-time where you thought, if I don't do this now, I never will. How did that journey to becoming an actor and a late bloomer at that come to pass?

Trudy Ager (07:35)

Well, I don't think it ever leaves you that creative side of you. And I remember working with an actor and he had the most beautiful voice. It was so rich and deep and that he had a break and he was flying. And then I started talking to a Mum in Sydney and she was getting back into the industry. And you do miss it because it is,

David John Clark (07:39)

Mm.

Trudy Ager (08:01)

lot of fun just that creative side it's always interesting. I thought well when I came to Melbourne I thought I really want to get into it and yeah it just didn't leave me I was just really I never stop I always like to be doing something and that's what I was passionate about so I wanted to open that door and

David John Clark (08:06)

Yes.

Trudy Ager (08:30)

keep going with the acting side of things. It never leaves you. It's always there. but, hmm.

David John Clark (08:37)

Definitely.

So do you think starting later in life as an actor, do you think, especially, so how many years did you work with Qantas?

Trudy Ager (08:46)

About 15.

David John Clark (08:47)

15. I work in the aviation industry. So I know what it's like. Passengers can be great. Passengers can be not so great. So how do you feel that life experience, working in that industry has, has it brought anything into your performances? You might not have had if you'd gone full time acting in your twenties, how did that show up in your work or how does it show up in your work?

Trudy Ager (08:54)

Thanks

That's a really good question because I feel that with all the jobs that I've done over the years, you bring that into your roles and what you see and what you hear and you can go to those particular moments and use that in your work.

I think it gives you a richer performance when you've got a lot to draw on and you know especially if you've traveled and you've experienced things it you've got a lot more to offer to that character or to that role it just it just feels richer to me because I've got the memories and I've got the vision of what I've been through to put it into my work.

David John Clark (09:54)

I love that. love that. Acting or the film industry, TV and film, they need all myriad of actors from young to old anyway. So it doesn't really matter where you come into it, but a lot of people think, if we're coming into it, late, so to speak, so we haven't had all those years of experience that you might be behind. Did you ever feel like you were behind when you entered the industry or how did you reframe that into an advantage? So to speak.

Trudy Ager (10:20)

Well, I felt that I had a lot of, just a lot to offer because of the years. However, I was, I said to myself, well, what's the difference between me and someone that's been to NIDA or WAAPA? And a casting director said in the class, nothing. If you're right for the role,

and if you match the family, if you look like the children, you're going to get cast and it doesn't matter. But saying that, I've been continually learning through going to TAFTA or 16th Street,

David John Clark (10:50)

Mm.

Trudy Ager (11:03)

Howard Fine, I'm always learning so I didn't feel like I was behind because I was continually in class and I still am today.

David John Clark (11:13)

Yes,

yeah, we all do that. As your journey to, you you're now full-time acting, but did your journey start 50-50? So were you still working in Qantas and then recognised? Or did you go hell for leather, I'm into it now.

Trudy Ager (11:26)

Yeah, when I moved to Melbourne, I thought I'll go and start doing some classes which led me to Brave Studios and they were offering classes. So that's where I started.

David John Clark (11:38)

And so with that training at those wonderful places, and of course, The Audition Technique where we've met, do you think, do you think training later in life changed the way you absorbed or applied to work? I mean, we all know we've, we've done our training when we were young, whether that's university or on the job training. And the last thing we could think about at our age is going back to school. So how does, how does that work? is training for acting just, that's another day. It's just fun again.

Trudy Ager (11:45)

Yes.

Yeah.

Yeah, well, I look at it as fun and a challenge as well. And when I started going back into class, I thought, you know, I'm the oldest one in the class and they've all been to, you know, institutions and all of that. But when I discovered The Audition Technique, well, that changed everything because Greg made it so clear.

David John Clark (12:22)

Mmm.

Trudy Ager (12:32)

Put all the acting aside and what would you do in this situation and just play and come from a place of being real. So he taught us so much and I'm forever grateful because learning how to self-tape was just the best thing, especially now that he saw that years ago. Yeah, it was a game changer.

David John Clark (12:56)

Yeah, definitely. Definitely.

And it's amazing because you know, his training and here we're selling the TAT Community for everyone that's listening, of course. And I thoroughly recommend if you haven't done it, jump on board. It starts you off with that training. You were joking before about you were on the course just to learn how to use a monitor. Well, that's what Greg teaches from the outset is how to get your camera system up and everything. But not just the technicalities of it, but how to make it work for you.

Trudy Ager (13:09)

this.

David John Clark (13:25)

How to make you look good, how to make your audition look good. Because we're in a realm here where it's two different things. Acting is acting, but auditions, it's a bit of a different beast, isn't it?

Trudy Ager (13:37)

It is, it is.

And, you know, just, it's always a time to experiment. And that's why I like to get in front of the camera at least once a month. I joined a group where we were putting a scene down once a month and then we'd get feedback. And it was great. I really enjoyed that.

And now I'm part of another group where you put a scene down, you get critiqued. And so you're always learning, OK, you know, that's not quite right. I'll change that. And that's where the TAT group is fantastic, because Greg was giving us feedback. And that's what you needed. To grow and to learn. And you don't have to be the best actor, you just have to be the right actor.

David John Clark (14:08)

Mm.

And it's such a big learning curve, isn't it? Like you said, that curve just continues on all the time. Did you find or feel at any time that, ⁓ maybe I should go and do the three years at NIDA or three years at a university drama, or were you happy with picking and choosing your training?

Trudy Ager (14:42)

It did cross my mind and like I'm sure with a lot of people but there's so much out there now through listening to groups like Greg and he's shared so much with everyone and

David John Clark (14:43)

I thought I would.

Trudy Ager (15:02)

you know, he's seen it all. yeah, so I think there's just so much out there and even when you're going to do a self-tape even with Emily Joy, Emily Joy is coaching you while you're putting a self-tape down or

David John Clark (15:05)

Definitely.

I've had

Emily on the show. She's wonderful. Yes, very, very well knowledgeable on everything that you need to know ⁓ to project yourself and move forward and everything.

Trudy Ager (15:20)

She's brilliant, isn't she?

Yeah, because sometimes, if I don't have a reader, I'll jump on to WeAudition and, I've got a couple of really good readers and actors that help me on that platform. But sometimes it is great to go into the studio and get that one-on-one eye contact. But, you know, you've got to do the best you can with what you've got and who's available at the time. So...

Yeah.

David John Clark (15:57)

So, so you've been doing a lot of auditions and a bit of work as well, which we'll talk about in a minute. But what's your thoughts on how the industry has changed now that it's more self-tape ever since COVID, we're no longer going into the room. Do you miss the room or do you still get to go in the room or is it all pretty much self-tapes? Where do you lie?

Trudy Ager (16:19)

It's pretty much all self tapes. If you've got a callback, sometimes you'll go into the studio. But I do like going into the room because you can get some feedback or they might like, Thea might say, well, just instead of looking at the floor, she might say, just cheat and look up Trudy, you know, and little things like that. So that's great.

David John Clark (16:21)

Yeah.

⁓ yeah.

Trudy Ager (16:46)

Self-taping is fantastic because it gives you time and it settles me. I find I'm really blessed in a self-tape environment rather than going through.

David John Clark (16:53)

Mmm.

Hmm.

Do you, I listened to a lot of podcasts where they discuss how many takes that people do. And I've heard things as high as 15 to 20 takes before submitting. And more than likely they submitted the first or the second one they did. Do you have a philosophy on that? On I'm going to go in and treat it like I'm in the room with the casting director. So to spill out that natural flow, one or two takes done, dusted.

Trudy Ager (17:28)

Yeah, well now, because I used to do a lot of takes because I was trying to perfect what I was doing and that's boring as Greg would say. Put the mistakes in if you falter on a line, put that in. Because that's how we normally speak anyway, we're not perfect. So I've learned that. So now I try when I'm doing the self tape,

David John Clark (17:36)

Mm.

Yes, definitely.

Trudy Ager (17:53)

two to three and that's it because then it becomes you lose it and it's kind of lost. So I'm happy now with the mistakes I make.

David John Clark (18:06)

And mistakes are sometimes the... that's what makes it, doesn't it? Greg talks about all the time. Don't stop the recording when you make a mistake. Just keep going.

Trudy Ager (18:15)

Yeah and I used to do

that David and now I think it looks when you look at it it's boring and word perfect so I'm now comfortable changing some words or throwing something else in but I never used to be comfortable doing that because I thought it had to be word perfect.

David John Clark (18:34)

I love that. And sort of on all that encompassing all that training and your journey there, what have been the biggest hurdles that you've had on this journey? Were there any moments where you started to panic and said, what am I doing? What am I doing? I've got to go back to Qantas because this is, I'm going down. This is not going to work. Did you have any moments like that? I tend to have them every day, but...

Trudy Ager (18:58)

Yeah,

I think, you know, tend, I tend to feel sometimes I'm not good enough or, you know, you feel like you don't belong or should I be here? Imposter syndrome, that's what I was trying to think of. Thank you, David. But yeah, you do tend to think, should I be here? You know,

David John Clark (19:13)

That imposter syndrome thing.

Trudy Ager (19:24)

you're trained so well and you you've been to this school and that school and then there's me but I just think no it's for everyone and there are so many streaming platforms now you've got so many more opportunities than what you did before.

David John Clark (19:43)

Mm.

Definitely.

And those opportunities have come to you. So you've landed roles in projects like Neighbours, unfortunately now, now deceased or finished after all those years. The very excellent Mr. Dundee and Picnic at Hanging Rock. Now that was the TV series, I believe, wasn't it? Not the movie. Well, there's only been the one movie. They haven't remade the movie, but you did the series. Did you feel a sense of...

Trudy Ager (20:04)

That's what I

No, no, that's, yeah, that was fun.

David John Clark (20:12)

This is why I started later, that your timing actually worked in your favor or was it just, I'm an actress, I'm just making it.

Trudy Ager (20:18)

⁓

well, when I heard they were doing a remake of Picnic at Hanging Rock, ⁓ my heart. I just wanted to get on that so much. And I told my agent my story that my cousin was one of the original cast members in Peter Williams film. So. Yes. ⁓

David John Clark (20:36)

Wow, that is awesome. That's a nice connection.

Trudy Ager (20:40)

I just thought, that would be such a lovely connection. And Nicky Barrett was trying so hard to find the right role for me. Try this role, try that role. And we finally found something that was suitable for me at the time. So I was forever grateful to my agent and to casting.

It was close to my heart that one because Jane's now passed away and I just thought, if only she was here, you know, it would have been so much fun. Tell her, yeah.

David John Clark (21:03)

⁓

⁓ definitely. And that's nice to have that connection for, you know,

I'm sorry that she's passed, but to have that, that connection together now, you know, that that's there forever. I love it. Wow! That's, and then it's, it's why we're doing it, isn't it? It's not about fame and fortune. It's about

Trudy Ager (21:22)

Yeah, was beautiful.

David John Clark (21:35)

the journey and the experience and what you're bringing to screen and sharing it with other people and all those little things that we sort of we're touching on now that people don't talk about.

Trudy Ager (21:45)

No, that's true and it's just all the the amount of times that you put an audition down and you know there's a no, we get a lot of no's but you've got to just keep going and sooner or later there'll be the right role for you.

It's all the little things that happen to you along the way all the hard work that you put in that no one sees you know you're sitting in a room writing out your backstory and all of that that yeah and it's we've been doing it for years.

David John Clark (22:09)

Definitely.

It feels like a hundred years.

For me, I'm at a point now, and I talk about this a lot in my show, that my journey's building and building, and I've had a lot of indie work, but I'm yet to nail down that credit in a proper, know, proper is not the right word, but in a professional production that's on TV or film. All my work's been indie films, lead or support actors, so that's good, but I've yet to have that one liner in.

Well, not Neighbours because Neighbours is gone, but plenty of auditions, some background work in that. Can you think back to when you were at that stage where you might not have got that first role yet? And what would your advice be to me and to anyone else that's got the same thing about pushing forward? Because to me, it feels like every week you go where that doesn't happen, you just one week becomes two and then a month and then it's been a year and then you realize you've been doing it for 10 years sort of thing.

Trudy Ager (22:51)

Thank

Yeah.

David John Clark (23:18)

It can

be, it can be heartbreaking.

Trudy Ager (23:21)

Yeah, definitely. I think you've just got to keep going. Keep working. Keep talking to your agent. I think once you've got a solid showreel, then keep putting down self tapes as Greg has taught us. Just keep putting down a tape that you could be

cast in. So let your show reel speak for itself and then back it up with self tapes. So create little ones that you think is all about you as a person and a character that you would like to play.

And it makes it easy too. I put one down with Emily Joy. If something's happened in your life, well then it's easy for you to put a scene down because you know it's real and you can see it in your eyes. So yeah, so that's what I keep doing. Keep putting a self-tape down, even if it's just once a month, and send it to your agent and just say, this is what I'm working on this month. And then...

David John Clark (24:01)

Mm.

I love that.

Trudy Ager (24:30)

something comes through they might think hang on David would be good for this. David would be really good for this one especially Wolf Creek.

David John Clark (24:35)

Mm, that's.

Yes,

I reached out to Angela Heesom in relation to that. And apparently it's a very small cast and a very young cast. So, yeah, unfortunately there was nothing there, which is good because that means, well, I didn't miss out because the connection's wern't working. It's connected.

Trudy Ager (24:52)

Right, yeah I would have loved to have had a go at that one too, it would have been great David. Yeah

with Wolf Creek, I did a scene at TAFTA years ago and I thought I'd like to revisit that and I did and then a couple of years later, I heard that Angela was casting and I thought I'm going to use that audition that I put down a couple of years ago and and use that as a self tape.

So I did that, but yeah, I missed out as well. I would have loved to been on Wolf Creek. ⁓

David John Clark (25:30)

Because I got

a feeling this will be the last one. I think Mr. Jarratt is getting probably a little bit too old for it maybe or maybe not. Maybe he keep going. it was a very, it's a very, very small cast. So one of my problems with my career and I don't mention what my real job is, but I'm not allowed to play police officers for reasons that I sort of can't disclose. But

Trudy Ager (25:40)

Yeah.

Yeah.

David John Clark (25:56)

That was 70 to 80 % of my auditions. Sometimes we have a certain look or a certain thing about us that that's where you get cast. And Angela Heeson was just almost heartbroken when I said I can't do any roles. Because whenever, even for background work, she was, I was a go-to person. She'd come to me. So, so I'm looking forward to when I retire from my government job and, don't have those restrictions on it on me anymore. And then change all my acting profiles and, and go from there. But.

Trudy Ager (25:56)

So...

Yes!

Yeah,

I could see you being cast, you know, in that role easily.

David John Clark (26:29)

Thank you. Thank you. And we touched a little bit on the business side of acting. So how do you approach all the stuff that happens in the background? maintaining Casting Networks and relationships with casting directors. Do you have any advice or how do you do that networking and the business side to make sure that everything's up to date?

Trudy Ager (26:55)

Well, I like to jump on Zoom calls especially through MEAA, our union, and you often get some really great tips on how they like to like you to connect with them and keep up to date. Some like you to update your, if you've got anything new, they like to hear about it, obviously, because it helps them. And

David John Clark (27:18)

Mm-hmm.

Trudy Ager (27:20)

Also, I remember doing a Zoom call with Anousha Zarkesh and it's really good to get on these calls because then they remember you and they think, yeah, that's right. Trudy might be good for this role. So I think that's great, just keeping up with Zoom calls. And if you have anything new

send it to your agent to pass on. Sometimes it's better because they'll open that email if it's from your agent. Flick them something, this is a new scene I've done. It might work with what they're casting at the moment. And just...

David John Clark (28:01)

Do you feel comfortable

reaching out directly to them or do you go through your agent?

Trudy Ager (28:07)

Look, only if I've got off of Zoom and they'll say send me your information. So then I would. But if I've got something new, I might just let my agent know just this is what I'm working on. This is a new scene. And just keeping in touch that way.

David John Clark (28:25)

And that's

obviously every agent's different too. Some are more proactive or less proactive in that area. So it's about knowing who your people are, so to speak. And what about your casting networks profiles and that? I think I'm pretty good on mine. I've got mine up to date, because you know, there's such a myriad of them now. And to maintain that CV on Altai yeah, and Casting Networks and Showcast and Star Now (I use backstage. I still don't understand

Trudy Ager (28:34)

Yeah.

David John Clark (28:53)

why Star Now and Backstage and Mandy, they're all the same company, but that's three. So which one we're supposed to use, I, do you find yourself, do you have to, do you just keep them up to date as things change or do you regularly jump in? What's your thoughts there?

Trudy Ager (29:00)

So, I'm sorry.

Yeah,

I tend to stay on the big ones that casting use. And then I'm back on Star Now for short films because I find doing short films is great. And I remember there was an actor, American actor said, act when you can act. So if I'm invited to audition for a short film, which I was just recently, I like to do that because

it's just practice and you know you're doing something different, working with different people. So I do like to just make sure that I'm up to date with my headshots and because you know with women we've got long hair one week and then short hair the next you know, I try and stay up to date with all of those especially for my agent, I'm always trying to

David John Clark (29:42)

Definitely.

Definitely.

Trudy Ager (30:04)

do as much as I can for him. So it's not about what can my agent do for me, but what can I do for him to sell me, to get me out there. So.

David John Clark (30:15)

I love that because

when I, just got a new agent, over a year ago now in Sydney. My pitch to the, agents was not what can you do for me, but what can I do for you? That's what I actually pitched because it is that working relationship, isn't it? That it's, they don't, you can't get crappy or shitty with them because they're, they're not getting you work. It's a, it's a collaboration between the two. You've got to work together. It's a business.

Trudy Ager (30:29)

Yeah.

Yeah, and it's very

hard for them because they are working behind the scenes but you just don't see it. And my agent's always putting me up for things and I've got to understand I can only get invited if I'm right for it or if the casting director thinks I can do it. But I also have to make it easy for him by making sure everything's up to date, creating a different

David John Clark (30:44)

Definitely.

Exactly.

Trudy Ager (31:03)

self-tape as Greg would say. Just keep up to date with all of that just to show them something different because you like a Myer front, front of the store or a catalogue and if you keep seeing the same catalogue all the time you just want to change things up so the casting director will look at it and say oh here's something new so you've just got to keep it fresh.

David John Clark (31:30)

I like that and it, and time can go past so quickly. Probably a little bit different when you're, if you're a full-time actor, you might be able to stay on top of a little bit. I find with me with so much happening that I've just realized that I'm so far behind on having a new show real or updating this or doing this. So, or even reaching out to casting directors. I just realized I listened to Thea McLeod on a podcast yesterday, How We Roll and,

you were talking about this before. So she said how she's happy to be reached out. She said, if you get new work, email me. I may not reply, but I'll see it. And I'm sitting there going, God, I haven't done that for a couple of years, you know, cause it sneaks up. So that's the hardest bit. Yeah.

Trudy Ager (32:13)

Yeah, she's got...

Yeah, she's very approachable Thea, and it also helps them if you've got something new and they get excited because it's like, oh, okay, I can sell David for this project or let's get him in for this. Sometimes you can get forgotten about if you're not proactive, I guess.

David John Clark (32:19)

Definitely.

Because it's a big industry and there's lots of people there and there's just submissions coming all over the place. Now I've discussed this before and I had my, my first agent here in Adelaide was great for it. When the submissions came out, he was actually proactive in submitting the people that he thought could do the role. Not that, not everyone on his book that was 35, 40 years old, blonde hair sort of thing, as per the requirement, he would look at the role.

That's really good if you got that because then you know you're at the top of the list. if you're with an agent who just goes, yeah, I'm submitting everyone, then you're not going to be seen. But it's that balancing act, isn't it?

Trudy Ager (33:19)

Yeah, that's so

true. But when I look at what I've been put up for, and I think, ⁓ okay, yeah, I would suit that, or I could do that. So I'm grateful to my agent for only putting me up for something that I'd be suitable for, or I could do. It's good when you find a good agent.

David John Clark (33:38)

Beautiful.

How long have you been with your agent? You don't have to mention him if you don't wish to but...

Trudy Ager (33:47)

God, how many years now? think it's about six. ⁓ Yeah, I'm with Profile Creative and I'm really happy there.

David John Clark (33:53)

Nice.

And that's what

matters is having that relationship, it? Having that connection and knowing that you can support each other.

Trudy Ager (34:07)

Yeah, and I try not to pester him because I know he's busy. I prefer to email him so he's, time to respond when he can because they are busy working behind the scenes.

David John Clark (34:21)

And that's

the biggest thing is we don't know, like they get all these roles sent in and they can submit us. We don't see that. I think you can ask for a submission report, but most agents don't like to give you that submission report because then they're constantly fighting with the actors to say, how come you didn't, I checked the report, you didn't submit me for that or whatever. You don't know what's happened in the background. So it's about having that trust in that relationship and letting them do their job and you being there when it's ready to go.

Trudy Ager (34:44)

Yeah.

Yeah, that's so true and just trust the process, trust the journey and when your time's right, it's right. And when the role's right for you.

David John Clark (34:59)

Now, you were talking before about getting on Zooms and stuff like that. How many resources do you use? Because there is such a myriad of free stuff out there. You know, the MEAA with the Equity Foundation, they put on just two, three, four, five times a month, free stuff. Now, before COVID, they used to do it in house. They'd come and you'd get to sit with a casting director as part of that. And as a member of Equity, it was free. So is that a big part of your journey? You're drawing all that on

Trudy Ager (35:08)

Yeah.

David John Clark (35:28)

that information, that free stuff.

Trudy Ager (35:28)

I

love those Zoom calls, they're just great and so informative. So many resources and I love listening to all the casting directors and you get so much information.

David John Clark (35:42)

Mmm.

Trudy Ager (35:42)

just

And you find out what's happening in the industry, what you should be doing, what you should be trying. So I do like to get on those Zoom calls whenever I can because you learn so much.

David John Clark (35:54)

Exactly. And it's just, yeah, there's so much around. The Audition Technique is a bit more focused straight in, but we've got, I used to be with Stage Milk a lot and they would do the same that have casting directors on. I'm currently with Secret Actor Society that's run by Kym Jackson and she gets some great guests on, which is the same sort of thing. it's just all this information coming in, those connections, which can be lead to nowhere or

Trudy Ager (36:13)

yes.

This is brilliant.

David John Clark (36:23)

could lead to that next big job. I'm glad you're on top of that and I'm glad we're on the same ballpark there.

Trudy Ager (36:24)

you

Yeah,

I love Stage Milk as well too, David. I find I've been using them to put a scene down once a month and it's just great to get the feedback. Try this, don't use an AI reader. so am I. ⁓

David John Clark (36:45)

I'm guilty for that, so...

Even though

they are getting much, better. if you can get them to the point where they are neutral in tone sort of thing and not distracting to the video, because that's half the problem. If the computer voice is distracting, it's going to take away from your own work.

Trudy Ager (37:09)

Yes, yeah, that's

so true. I remember using one and it was so loud. My feedback was just turn it down so, you know, we can hear you, not the AI reader. But, know, it's live and you learn.

David John Clark (37:19)

Yeah.

Hey, I want to just bring a serious question into the mix, just a discussion point for you to see what your insights are. I've just interviewed Alexa Morden, who's part of a podcast called The 98%, the 98 % being 98 % of us actors don't make a living from it's only that 2%. So her podcast looks and talks to

people from that 98%, not famous people. But what happened over the years is she got big into advocacy and she ended up pointing out and exposing rogue agents and rogue people in the industry. And now it's become a whole big thing. Now, rogue agent, was one who was sending out fake auditions and, stealing and not, not paying their actors and stuff like that. And there was a big story that came out in England about

the practices of one of their top drama schools, going down a rabbit hole. But in this industry, have you seen or had any involvement in, in rogue people or filmmakers that as a more mature person, like we are, that you've been able to not allow it to happen or protect other people or identify these issues and say, Hey, that's not right. What's your thoughts on that?

Trudy Ager (38:46)

I haven't come across anything like that on Netflix, thank goodness. Actually there was one TV series that was being created and I wanted to do it because I wanted the footage like we all do for our showreels. And I spoke to my agent at the time and she said, but Trudy there's nothing in...

David John Clark (38:48)

that's good.

Of course.

Trudy Ager (39:12)

the contract to protect you from this or this and she advised me not to do it. So I pulled out and so did the other actors because there are a few red flags. So I think whatever you get or whatever you're interested in and this is the one thing my agent said to me, always tell me what you're doing. And I've never forgotten that.

David John Clark (39:35)

Nice.

Because they have that,

that background understanding of contracts. One of the biggest points that we had there. And it's unfortunate we have to say, but it's a lot of actresses and young actresses. And it's that saying, I'll do anything to make it. And that's where these things came from. And I brought up a story that we had a filmmaker here in South Australia that was, alleged that he was doing nude audition. So he's getting the girls to come in and the scenes. And it was just not

Trudy Ager (39:51)

Mm-hmm.

David John Clark (40:05)

on to the point that I actually ended up going as a, I used the word mentor, I've forgotten the word I want to use, just going in with the actress when she did the audition to make sure everything's kosher. So I just like that we as late bloomers can also end up being mentors or guides for some of the younger actors. Have you found that on set that people have looked to you for your life experience?

Trudy Ager (40:32)

Coming from my background, you just go in with respect and do your work and go home. But, if you feel uncomfortable about something,

talk about it and be honest and just say, no, I'm not going to do that. But I did do a course with Kim Farrant and she talked about sexuality for the screen and how some actors protected themselves. So if the camera did go to a certain area, you had stars covering you or whatever. So they actually filmed that

David John Clark (40:46)

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

Trudy Ager (41:06)

that section. She was just saying this is a few things you can do to safeguard yourself if you're a position and it was really well worth doing that that class just on how to protect yourself.

David John Clark (41:11)

nice.

No, that's cool. I just sort of wanted to bring it to point for our younger listeners that when they're on set or in an audition room or in classes, whatever, that they can approach us oldies and ask for help and advice because we might A, know a bit more, but we certainly would have the confidence to stand up and say when something's wrong and do something about it.

Trudy Ager (41:43)

Absolutely, yeah, and at they know that you're there to support them and help guide them if there's something that you think's not right. Absolutely.

David John Clark (41:51)

Definitely.

Awesome. And as we wind up, bring it back to the late-blooming side of things for any actors that are listening that, who feel that they've started too late or that they're listening to this podcast because they're thinking about getting back into it. What's something you've learned that proves it's never too late?

Trudy Ager (42:09)

it's never too late because there's a role for everyone and it's not just for the young ones. There are mothers, grandmothers, friends. There's so many different roles and I feel we're coming into a good time in this industry where they are using older women and it's not just for the young ones anymore.

David John Clark (42:13)

Mm.

Trudy Ager (42:33)

Keep going because there's a role for everyone because it's life. It's not just all about young ones.

David John Clark (42:40)

Exactly.

And I mean, and the industry goes in ebbs and flows. So I've noticed that, you know, one year, everything being made is with young people and then you go, well, there's no work for me. And then next year, your phone's ringing weekly because they just need older actors and, someone in your demographic, so to speak. So you've just got to ride those, those waves and wait for the industry to come to you.

Trudy Ager (43:02)

That's true because they all

need a mother or a father or someone to play that role.

David John Clark (43:10)

Or someone that would, you know, doctor nurse, you know, etc. It's all out there. With that, and you were talking before all the no's, do you think that starting later in life or having that life experience, you have a healthier relationship with the rejection ⁓ that you get? It's a tough word, but it is, that's what it feels like when you get all those no's, isn't it?

Trudy Ager (43:26)

You and I understand.

Well, I think I understand the industry more. You've got to be right for the role and you've just got to put your best work down, do the best you can.

And there's no right or wrong in this industry. It's just because you can put your best self tape down and that's your first draft. And then once you're on set, well, the director can direct you and say, try pulling it back or try saying it a bit louder or say it this way. There's no right or wrong. It's just, you've just got to be right for the role, I guess, but for the character.

David John Clark (44:03)

Definitely.

Awesome. Beautiful.

I love that. it's, it's that longevity in the, in the career is about just pushing through and just waiting for, for your moments.

Trudy Ager (44:18)

Yeah, and I think while we're waiting, we're still working, we're still doing self-tapes, we're still putting down scenes, you know, we're always working behind the scenes, which is great, you just gotta keep going.

David John Clark (44:27)

Definitely.

Exactly.

Awesome. Well, this has been absolutely fantastic fun to chat with someone from The Audition Technique with our journey that we've had someone that's on a very similar path. Although you're very lucky because you don't have to have a full-time job. You get to do it every day and that must be just must be fun in itself. Just knowing that that's what you do now, isn't it? I love it.

Trudy Ager (44:57)

Yeah,

it's fun. I do enjoy it.

David John Clark (45:02)

Now we have

a tradition on the show where I ask my guests, what is their t-shirt quote? So what would they put on a t-shirt and be willing to wear out in public? And it could be motivation, it could be a statement. It doesn't have to be acting related. What would your t-shirt quote be Trudy?

Trudy Ager (45:22)

Nothing ever goes wrong. And I'm sure people think, ⁓ it does, but you know, I look at it this way. Whatever happens is for a reason. You may think it's wrong, but it's just the universe setting you up for something else or redirecting you to something else.

David John Clark (45:25)

Nice.

or teaching you something.

Trudy Ager (45:46)

So you might think, ⁓ gosh, I didn't get that role. Well, that's because you're being redirected somewhere else. know, I just think things happen for a reason. And years ago, I wouldn't have thought that. That's my quote. Nothing ever goes wrong.

David John Clark (45:53)

Mmm.

I love that one. I love that one. And I get to collect

all these. I should just go and print them up on posters or make up a bunch of shirts and have a different shirt for every day.

Trudy Ager (46:10)

I'm sure you've had

a lot of great quotes over the years.

David John Clark (46:15)

I

have, I have. Something I started earlier in the podcast and then forgot about it. And then I've just brought it back recently. And it's just my little, if you listen to a lot of podcasts, they all have different, like a speed round at the end. And I did the speed round for a little bit and I go, everyone does that. I came up with my own. So Trudy, thank you very much. Is there anything else before we sign off that you think we haven't touched on or something that you'd like to share with the audience out there before we say our goodbyes?

Trudy Ager (46:43)

I just think what we've touched on has been fantastic. But to anyone that feels like it's not happening, just keep going. Because as soon as you stop, well, you know, then nothing will happen. So you've just got to keep going and stay positive. There's a role for everyone. Just just keep going and keep putting your self tapes down.

David John Clark (46:58)

Exactly.

I love it. And that advice would go for any actor really well. It doesn't matter whether you're a late bloomer or a young person out there. Just, it's a hard, tough industry. And as I mentioned before, the 98%, 98 % of actors in the world don't live off their acting and that's a scary number. So you've just got to make it work for your way. Trudy, thank you. It's been an absolute pleasure to have you on board. It's fantastic. And as I liked, it's been a...

Trudy Ager (47:26)

That's all.

Thank you so much, David. Thank you for having

me. And congratulations on your podcast. It's just brilliant. So well done.

David John Clark (47:42)

Thank you.

Thank you very much. I would just like, I always say this, but hopefully maybe you and I will end up on set together sometime in the future and that would be wonderful. Beautiful.

Trudy Ager (47:54)

That'd be great, David. I'd love to get

over to Adelaide or for you to come over to Melbourne. So, yeah, thank you so much. Thank you, David. Thank you.

David John Clark (48:00)

Most definitely. Awesome. Thank you. It's been a pleasure.

David John Clark (48:09)

Wow. Wow. What an insightful chat that was. Thank you, Trudy. As I already said to you in person in the recording, thank you. It was an absolute pleasure having you on board and having a chat and having that connection that we've got together in the Tater community or The Audition Technique. As everyone, if you've listened this far, now you know what a Tater is. So please, if you got anything from this, that is about finding those resources and

finding those communities to progress your acting career. And I've talked about them all the time. I've had people on the show. I've had Greg Apps on the show as well. These communities are available to you. There are so many free resources for your acting that you can do. If you're part of the MEAA here in Australia, you can be part of Equity and get all these free Zoom calls, which give you access to casting directors and information that can progress your career forward. If you're in the States,

SAG-AFTRA does a similar thing that you have that ability to be involved in communities and involved in meetups and greetings with the industry guests that can propel your career forward. UK has the same thing. So just look out in your local areas. Europe has the same thing as well. So there's just a myriad of resources. And I was joking with Trudy just after we went offline about podcasts and, how much they can add to your career.

And that's why a lot of my episodes now I've got on hosts of my shows because that part of my acting journey and it's that information that you can get. So as I alluded to there a sec, was joking with Trudy that I've got over one day, 16 hours worth of podcast recordings in my queue. That's how much I listen to and I just blogged through them and it's just every episode is just brilliant. Obviously not all

acting related. I really hope that you got as much out of this episode that I did. It's brilliant. Bring it home, bring it to a fellow tater and a fellow late bloomer actor as Trudy is. It's wonderful. So thank you very much, guys. Just quickly. This is an opportunity for you to connect with me. And so I can give you information directly. So please feel free to follow the links in the show

notes to reach out and join me on my communities or support the show if you can. You can do it for as low as $3 a month, which not only does that support me in putting this together for you, but it gives me that connection to reach out to you and maybe bring you on the show so you can ask a question. So that is where you need to be going as an actor reaching out to the resources that are available to you. So ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. I hope you got something out of this.

I am off to the States next week after this episode is released. I've got a nice two, two and a half weeks in the States with my wife on a journey. We're going on just a nice little trip. We've got a seminar, five day seminar that we wanted to go to that's big in America. And then we're driving across to the middle of the country to see Sedona and then back across to do

the Big Sur drive down from San Francisco, the coastline there, which is beautiful. And maybe hopefully while I'm in LA to reach out to some casting directors there or something. So we'll see if we can fit that in. So that's what I'm looking forward to. Maybe hopefully I'm hoping to release a special episode from the seminar that we're going to. I'm not going to give anything away there. (A) in case I don't do the podcast, but (B) it's very, very different, but a very interesting

idea that I want to put forward for the show. So thank you very much, guys. Reach out to me wherever you can. And I'll see you on set.