The x Elite Journal
Advice from the casting room.
Practical guides for people starting out in front of the camera — and for the productions and brands booking them.
Acting in Sydney
How to become an actor in Sydney: the complete 2026 guide
A step-by-step guide to starting an acting career in Sydney — training, agents, headshots, self-tapes, casting platforms, pay, unions and the realistic first two years.
16 min read ·Read article →
Acting in Sydney
Sydney acting auditions and self-tapes: how to book the room
How Sydney auditions really run in 2026 — the self-tape setup that gets watched, how to break down a brief, callback and chemistry reads, commercial casting, and the mistakes that quietly cost actors jobs.
15 min read ·Read article →
Acting in Sydney
Acting classes and training in Sydney: how to choose well
A practical guide to acting training in Sydney — full-time drama schools versus part-time classes, the major techniques explained, what courses cost, what to ask before enrolling, and how to spot a bad one.
15 min read ·Read article →
Acting in Sydney
Actor headshots and showreels in Sydney: what casting really wants
How to get headshots that get you auditions, build a showreel from scratch with no credits, write a resume casting directors trust, and avoid the packages that waste an actor's money.
14 min read ·Read article →
Acting in Sydney
Acting jobs and pay in Sydney: how actors actually earn a living
Where the paid acting work is in Sydney, how fees and usage licences work, the difference between union and non-union projects, contracts to read carefully, tax and ABN basics, and how to build an income that survives a quiet quarter.
15 min read ·Read article →
For new talent
How to become a model in Sydney: a honest starter guide
What Sydney agencies actually look for, the photos you need (and don't need), and how to apply without paying for expensive portfolios.
5 min read ·Read article →
For talent
What casting directors actually look for in an audition room
Beyond looks: the preparation, punctuality and attitude signals that decide who gets the callback — from our team's combined 45+ years in the industry.
4 min read ·Read article →
For clients
How to book models and actors for your campaign: a client's guide
Brief, shortlist, quote, shoot — how talent booking works from the client side, and what to include in your brief to get the right shortlist fast.
4 min read ·Read article →
Ready when you are.
Aspiring talent can apply to join the roster; clients can send a brief for a tailored shortlist and quote.