How can I, as an actor, determine my type as far as casting so I know how to app

Question:I know alot of actors hate typecasting, but hey it's a reality of the business side so it can be helpful. That being said, I need to figure out what type I am and whatnot, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how I could do this without going to a career consultant.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I know alot of actors hate typecasting, but hey it's a reality of the business side so it can be helpful. That being said, I need to figure out what type I am and whatnot, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how I could do this without going to a career consultant.

I agree that knowing your type can be very helpful when looking for an agent and many actors probably try to be too many types in an effort to be multi dimensional and end up being forgettable.

A friend of mine took an acting class where they did a "typing" exercise. They went out with a friend to a crowded place like a mall and had their friend go up to strangers and say "see that guy/girl? How old do you think s/he is? What kind of job do you think s/he has? What 3 words would you use to describe them?" And so on. You can have the friend do this verbally or print out a questionnaire with a list of occupations and adjectives already given (allow them to check more than one box, but set a limit of say, 5).
Aim for at least 25 people, but obviously the more you get, the greater the probability of patterns emerging. The important thing is that they are all strangers and you don't speak to them, so they will only be going off your look as an agent or casting director will be when you do mailings. Really try to get a range in gender and ages as well.

Also, recognize that things like the way you dress and your body language will also give off signs, so you while you shouldn't necessarily alter anything (really, you want to be as "you" as you can) just be aware that if you're slouching vs standing up straight or wearing jeans and a tshirt vs a suit, it's going to give a certain impression.

I do agree with the 2 posters above in that 1. "typing" tends to be more important in big film/tv markets like LA. If you don't live in LA/NY or even one of the smaller, but still definitely on the map markets like Chicago or DC, you don't need to worry about this so much. Typing is really marketing and in LA, where there are just so many struggling actors, anything you can do to define yourself or make things easier for agents and CD's to sign/cast you because they need an "early 20's perky brunette" or a "balding mid-40's professor" will help you. 2. You shouldn't always limit yourself to your type. Especially in the beginning when you may not have an agent AND especially in smaller markets. Again, it's a numbers game and while a breakdown may specify "late-30's overweight asian woman", if not enough of that type audition, then the director will be foreced to look elsewhere and if you've got the goods, you may get the part.

Good luck!

Ask trusted colleagues, including directors and even other actors [but for actors, ask one of the opposite sex, to minimize someone of your gender from giving you maliciously erroneous information].

You can also look at what roles you've been cast in -- there will likely be patterns.

And finally, even if you determine your "type," I strongly recommend that you not limit yourself -- I've gotten a few roles that were markedly different than what I usually play, and know numerous other folks with the same experience. When I music directed a production of "South Pacific" several years ago, we cast a very Caucasian woman as Bloody Mary -- in spite of all the strong ethnic types we had there, this woman was just phenomenal at the audition, and even without ethnic make-up her performance was riveting and just about perfect.

It helps to watch films/read plays for roles that you are drawn to and feel you could play. At the same time, actors can have a very difficult time being objective about themselves, so you should get input from your instructors and agents. It helps to have a balance of embracing your uniqueness (not everyone can be a Brad Pitt), yet also striving to push the boundaries of stereotypes. LA in particular casts with "types".