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Anneka Harry
Interview & Words Hannah George
Writer, performer, voice over artist and freelance producer. Multitalented Anneka Harry’s onscreen work has spanned the likes of the BBC, Channel 4, ITV2 and MTV. WOTC caught up with Harry to gain a deeper insight in her career journey, her thoughts for the future and we found out who she admires the most in the industry!
WOTC: Tell us about when and where it all started for you?
Anneka: I trained as an actor initially and spent three hilarious years at drama school, rolling around the floor, pretending to be all manner of animals and inanimate objects. I know that’s a cliché, but I genuinely lost an entire term trying to perfect the foot grip of the pygmy three-toed sloth. I’ve still got the jazz shoes I put my big toe through in the process to prove it. That said, my career didn’t really start upon graduating drama school. All that started was a string of soul-sucking jobs and existential dread about how I’d ever repay my student loan (still haven’t). Out-of-work-actor employment included but certainly wasn’t limited to…flogging pet food in call centres, entertaining unruly kids (usually off their tiny nuts on party bag M&Ms) whilst I was hungover and dressed as a Disney princess, crying under golf sale signs…I even sold gas masks as a promo girl at the anti-terror trade show once! I was sofa-surfing and living off cider and ice pops, but it gave me Stretch-Armstrong resilience.
W: Talk to us about performing, your experience and what the industry is like?
A: The majority of my performer work is in comedy, improvisation, hidden camera and undercover filming. I quickly learnt that I was never going to get the quote unquote straight parts. In fact, I once had an ex-agent tell me I wasn’t attractive enough to play the leading lady and too attractive to play the leading ladies’ best friend! Moving into comedy and character roles gave me more fun and freedom of expression and encouraged me to take my writing more seriously. The writing side of things has started to take off for me in the last couple of years, and I love it because I have more control. Acting often feels like waiting for the phone to ring. You’re waiting on other people to make decisions about your life and bank balance. I love being in the industry, but it’s both gorgeous and gross at the same time!
W: How can the next generation of aspiring writers and performers get their foot in the door?
A: I would say, and I wish someone had told me this sooner, utilise all of your talents. Don’t focus your attention solely on one area or skill set. You can better create your own work, and you’re more likely to stay happy and creatively content if you keep your plates spinning. I perform, present, podcast, script edit on TV shows, write books, do voiceover work and freelance in TV production. The madness of 2020 has reminded me how important multi-hustles can be because (although I lost pretty much all of my work when we first went into lockdown.) I quickly found ways to keep earning. If you’re not sure what else to bring to the table, then learn a trade on the side. I know lots of performers/writers who edit or do photography, for example.You should also ask for help, find mentors and good guidance. Work hard but don’t let it be all-consuming.
W: Why comedy?
A: Comedy is just pure joy for me. Who doesn’t love to laugh? I also think that, in many ways, comedy can be the most serious of all the genres. As my work has become more focussed on subjects and issues that I really care about, I’ve found comedy the best vehicle to tackle some of the biggest, heaviest subjects. I see the humour in and make jokes about the bleakest situations. Some argue that as avoidance but, for me, it’s the opposite. I’m sure there’s a psychological study out there somewhere to back me up! Finding the funny feels like a superpower sometimes and Lord knows, we all need a laugh this year!
W: What was it like for you landing the BBC and other platforms like that?
A: I actually did a traineeship with the BBC back in 2010 and I worked as a PA, assistant and later, as a junior researcher on The ONE Show. To go back to your first question, this was probably where it actually all started for me! It was a really special couple of years. I learnt so much, and I get jobs to this day that I can link back to a contact or connection from that time. I’ve since worked and continue to work on both sides of the camera and applying for that traineeship (and enduring the gazillion rounds of interviews) will probably remain the best career decision I ever made. It opened up my world to everything I’ve gone on to do.
W: Who do you admire in the industry?
A: I’m always nervous to answer this question because there are so many people, I’m scared to miss anyone out or not give someone enough credit. It’s easier perhaps to say that I admire anyone who bends the rules. Anyone that takes risks - or did it first or bounced back. I love the underdogs. I love authenticity and bravery. People who don’t take themselves too seriously. People who ‘actually’ pull others up and give back. Cheerleaders and good eggs!
W: What does the future of the industry look like to you now?
A: It feels as though we are at this weird but hopefully wonderful cross-over point. We need more new voices and talent-first diversity (without spectacle and with space to explore all stories). It’s true that many companies and platforms are ‘putting on a good show’ but behind the scenes, it’s often a completely different picture. My upcoming book, Lady Sidekick: 50 Tired Tropes for Women, is a satirical look at the character stereotypes and appropriations for women that still exist in TV, film and popular culture. I’m currently doing a deeper dive and researching the subject further still for an audio original project and the way history has been repeating itself for centuries on this matter is infuriating. The world is ready and waiting for change and I think we might just be teetering on the edge of magic.
W: Who are some of the people you’ve met along the way?
A: I’ve met my best friends. My people. Ain’t nothing more amazing than that!