Naisha Chandra on taking her passion for acting to the heart of London
Ranked 9th in the UK for Drama and Dance in the Guardian University Guide 2027, LSBU offers aspiring actors the chance to develop their craft in the heart of London. As an international student, Naisha Chandra has embraced the city’s creative opportunities alongside hands-on industry experience at LSBU, from working with Frantic Assembly to exploring screen acting, motion capture and real film and TV sets.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to study Acting & Performance at LSBU?
I am enthusiastic, social and infinitely loving and have always been passionate about the art of storytelling, be it through writing, dancing or acting. Being in front of the camera or an audience makes me feel alive and hence I chose to pursue it as a career in the heart of London, with LSBU. London has been my first love since a very young age and this is the place where everything is so well connected, I can live the best life with the best resources as an international student.
What have you had the opportunity to work on or get involved with as part of your course that has given you experience of working in the industry?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with professionals and guest tutors who’ve taught me so much in the fields of voice, movement, comedy and devising. We’ve also put up loads of productions to get a hang of how it works in the industry.
Can you tell us about a project, production or practical experience at LSBU that you particularly enjoyed or learned a lot from? What did you do?
One of our modules were Screen Acting and it was incredible to learn the behind the scenes and how much goes into shooting a single frame. We worked with one of our highly experienced tutors/directors who guided us really well throughout and made me more confident in front of the camera.
How has the practical, hands-on nature of your course helped you develop the skills you’ll need to work in the industry?
The hands-on nature of this course has taught me how to collaborate in diverse group settings, the discipline it takes to be a part of such an industry, and how to build the connections we need in order to get ahead among other things.
Have you had any opportunities to work with industry professionals, external organisations or on real-world projects? If so, what was that experience like?
We had an incredible opportunity to work and put up a showcase with Frantic Assembly. I also got a first-hand experience in motion capture and how we would work with a green screen. Other than that, we get to collaborate with the Film and TV students on their films and spend time on actual sets. We’re also constantly being given opportunities outside of coursework and taken on field trips and watch plays to experience this industry for ourselves.
Has your time at LSBU helped you understand what it’s really like to work in the industry, including the expectations and challenges you might face in a job?
It has definitely prepared me a lot in terms of what the industry entails and how high the expectations are and how competitive it is. It has challenged me in ways the industry would’ve, while also keeping in mind that I am still learning. There were many underrated aspects which are not really spoken of openly but studying here has opened my eyes to them in real time.
What are your plans for after you graduate, and how do you feel your time at LSBU has prepared you for that next step?
I plan to stay in London after I graduate and try to audition and book as many jobs as possible, big or small. LSBU equips us with the necessary skills we need to survive in this industry as a newbie. It also provides you a space to turn to in case you feel stuck or unmotivated. I also plan to travel a lot and see the most of this beautiful world before fully committing my time to my art.