Creative, Director
& Choreographer



UK Mobile / WhatsApp:

+44 7782 345111

UAE Mobile / WhatsApp:

+971 58 5146042

Website:

www.brendonhansford.com

Could you tell us what gave you the idea to make Building a Dancer?

Well, the documentary actually started as an idea for a YouTube series. The aim was to show how branding, mindset, business skills and networking can massively benefit a performer’s progress in this industry. I put out a competition to prove my formula works and the lucky winner would get a complete re-brand (paid for by me) for free and then I would teach all the skills needed to use the branding effectively to get work. Everything was being filmed with vlog style cameras, with some scenes being filmed professionally by James Williams. At some point James and I realised that this was much bigger than a Vlog and Building a Dancer was born.

Do you see a lot of performers struggling to get into the industry?

Yes! This completely inspired the project. After my dance classes at Pineapple Dance Studios, I regularly talked to dancers who were struggling to get work and after many conversations it became very obvious it was the same problem again and again.

In your opinion, what should every graduating student know as they leave college or their training?

Well, this is the question…. Dance colleges teach people how to dance but not 

always how to move into the dance industry with the skills mentioned above. How to brand themselves, what to do with that branding, how to network with the right people and how to develop the mindset for success. So, I would say all of these.

If a graduate/performer has not got an agent, what is your best advice to be seen or to get one?

“Brand yourself like a business” get the best photos, a professionally filmed showreel, a website and social media pages that reflect your professionalism. Once you have that start emailing, introducing yourself and be at the right events to network.

What advice would you give to a graduate/performer going into an audition room that you think they should know?

• Start by knowing as much as possible about what you are auditioning for.
• Dress appropriately for the job without looking like everyone else. You want to stand out.
• Position yourself in the room so you can be seen and SMILE!
• If you know the choreographer, go and take one of their classes and beforehand say “hello”.
• Be nice to everyone and generally be a good person.

Going to audition after audition and getting a “NO” can be so frustrating. What advice can you give to cope with this, to help talented performers to continue and not give up?

This all comes down to mindset. I used to think that some people are made for the industry and some are not but over time I realised that you can re-train your brain to see things differently. I remember the turning point for me. I was feeling pretty rubbish after not getting a job I really wanted and that I knew I could do and when I looked at the people they picked, they looked nothing like me. A light bulb went off in my head and I realised I can’t fit into every box. It is important to understand that a lot of the time it is completely based on your look, height, acquaintances etc etc, then you can let go of feeling “I am not good enough, I’m not talented enough, I’m not as good as others” and so on…

From that point onwards I started to treat auditions like a free dance class and opportunities to meet new people.

Many graduates make the move to London so they are on hand for classes and auditions. This can be very costly and a big struggle. Do you have any advice for those who simply cannot afford to do this? 

This is a hard one because you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You have to be in London and I know this is not advice, but you have to find a way. I know a lot of graduates take a contract abroad or a cruise to build up cash to move eventually to London and build a career there!

What could graduates/performers consider doing that will help their progression while they are still trying to find work?

KEEP TRAINING! CREATE! Treat themselves like a business and expand their knowledge in this area. Brand themselves. Develop their mindset. Collaborate. JUST DON’T STOP!