who we are
Akta is a career development company dedicated to making the creative industries fairer for all. Our Pay What You Can Initiatives break down financial barriers, helping talented performers from low-income backgrounds access the services they need to succeed.
our story
Hey, I’m Charlie, the founder of Akta. It all started by accident after the December 2020 lockdown. My flatmates and I offered ten pay-what-you-can headshot sessions to help performers whose careers were impacted by the pandemic. I created a simple website, a Twitter account, and reached out to casting directors. One of them shared our initiative with their 15k+ followers and by the following morning we had hundreds of applications.
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Instead of photographing ten, we ended up shooting one hundred beautiful faces in our tiny living room in West London!
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Fast forward three years: we now have three (soon four!) studios, a team of fifteen creatives, and shoot thousands of actors every year...
our mission
​​​​​​​​There must be greater diversity in the creative industries. Marginalised communities are overrepresented in the lowest economic group, so, in order for us to see great representation, we first have to make it more cost effective. Akta aims to break down the financial barriers that hinder talented individuals from marginalised communities, by offering high-quality headshot and showreel services on a pay-what-you-can basis. ​
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We are committed to amplifying diverse voices and challenging industry norms, ensuring that everyone can present themselves with professionalism and pride. By investing in authentic representation, we strive to create more inclusive and equitable industries where every talent is celebrated and every story is told. Together, we are transforming the narrative, one headshot and showreel at a time..
our values
At our studio, we believe headshots and showreels should truly reflect who you are. That’s why we create warm, relaxed environments where you can feel completely at ease. We’re all about showcasing the best version of you, not a character or persona. Our friendly team is here to guide you, ensuring you feel completely confident in front of the camera.
