I want to be an actress please help me!?

Question:but i need some help is there any good tips i do well going to start lessons but everyone says i am very good anyway so has anyone got tips for an audition or a script that i can use to practice?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: but i need some help is there any good tips i do well going to start lessons but everyone says i am very good anyway so has anyone got tips for an audition or a script that i can use to practice?

An agent is only something you should seek once you are a trained, polished, working actor.

You should never pay an agent, agency, manager, or casting director any money or fees prior to you landing a job they sent you on. Then, and only then, do they get paid - and that is a percentage of what you make - usually 10 - 15%.

It seems to be a popular myth in this forum that you NEED an agent to be a working actor. That is simply not true. You can find a lot of auditions and jobs on your own without an agent. I have done professional theatre, films, and national television all without an agent.

If you are really going to go for NYC or LA and have already built up your resume, have years of training, good reputation and press, then, yes, you probably do want to pursue an agent - but an agent is really NOT the place to start.

Everyone here will probably tell you to start at school, taking classes and doing school plays. That is a good way to start. You can also start auditioning for plays and films outside of school. Why not? Know that you are not going to get cast in everything you auditions for - but why be content with just school stuff. You learn the most from actually doing.

Without knowing the area in which you live, I cannot give you direct links to auditions in your area. Google is a really handy tool, though, for finding auditions. You can use craig's list to find local auditions - a lot of these are legit - but always use caution and common sense when answering an ad from craig's list. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If they use terminology like "casted" instead of "cast" - they have no idea what they're doing and should be avoided.

ExploreTalent.com is a good tool, if you know how to use it. They charge you to submit for roles you might be good for. But you can look up what films and plays are auditioning in your area - and then use google to look them up and find a direct way (for free) to set up an audition.

You can also use google to look up local teatres. Most theatre sites will tell you how to audition (either with an audition notice on their site) or if it is a more professional theatre, it will tell you where and how they usually hold auditions and/or where to submit your picture and resume.

So... to become an actress...

*Read a lot of plays and familiarize yourself with them. Practice reading them out loud. This will help you for when you audition and you have to read something you've never seen before for the audition.

*Take classes whenever you can. People on here will tell you that no one can teach you how to act. Maybe that's true, I don't know. But what classes will give you is practice. Your teacher will guide you to give a stronger performance and help you polish your craft. You will get to perform in front of other people in a pressure-free environment and you will be challenged to try things you haven't.

*Audition whenever you can. Auditioning is a skill in and of itself. The more you do it, the easier it will become. The hardest thing, especially for an actor starting out, is to not place too much importance on any one audition. If you don't get cast, don't let it crush you - just move on to the next audition. It may be a blessing in disguise! There have been times when I have been really disappointed when I wasn't cast in a show or a role that I thought I really wanted - only to have something much better come along - which I wouldn't have been able to do if I were cast in the other show.

*As you read plays, start collecting monologues that you like. Actors need to have a few monologues on hand and ready in case an audition comes up that requires a monologue instead of just cold reading. Memorize your monologues and work on them. Perform them in front of family, friends - anyone you can get to watch you. If it can be helped, you should never go into an audition with a monologue you have never performed before.

*Once you have some experience (plays, classes, etc.), put together a resume - and keep it up to date. Your resume should have your name in large clear type at the top. Your phone number, e-mail address - for contact information. Never put your address or your social security number on your resume. You should also put your hair color and eye color. Height and Weight is also recommended. If you sing, you should put your voice range as well. These items go toward the top of your resume. Union status would go directly under your name, if you were part of a union.

*Next, your resume will be divided into sections - THEATRE, FILM, TELEVISION, TRAINING, SPECIAL SKILLS. Don't worry about it if you don't have credits in all of these categories - just use the ones you need. For THEATRE - you would create 3 columns - Play - Role - Theatre -

EXAMPLE:

Twelfth Night - Viola - City Shakespeare Company
Mikado - Yum Yum - City G&S Society
Cinderella - Cinderella - City Children's Theatre

The film and television categories would work the same way, except instead of listing a theatre, you would list the production company.

*The TRAINING section of your resume - should include anything you've had training in, which could relate to the theatre and film industry. Acting classes, voice lessons, dance, gymnastics, stage combat, teleprompter, acting for film, etc. These should be listed - by Skill - Teacher - School or Studio

*The SPECIAL SKILLS section of your resume should include anything you do well, that you think could come in handy - accents, musical instruments you play, juggling, riding a unicycle, any sports you can play, etc. For beginning actors - training and special skills are probably going to be the biggest categories on your resume, but don't worry - that will change.

*Eventually you will need a headshot. As an actress just starting out, this shouldn't really be your first priority. However, if you are so inclined, you can easily google headshot photographers in your area. Or even have a friend with a really good digital camera take some pictures of you with a blank background. Take a look at some professional headshots first, so you can get an idea of the look.

*Headshots are 8x10 - and your resume gets stapled to the back of it - which means you need to make sure you cut your resume down to size.

*There are always auditions - no matter where you live. Some people think that just because you don't live in NYC or LA you can't work as an actor. There are theatres everywhere. There are people making independent films everywhere. There are people shooting industrials and training films everywhere. You just have to seek them out.

*As an actor, you have to be resourceful and smart. Don't fall for scams - any place claiming that they can make you a star and charges a lot of money. It doesn't work that way. Acting schools that charge thousands of dollars (other than legit colleges and academies.) Just be cautious and use your common sense. If something doesn't feel right - go with your gut and avoid it. There will ALWAYS be other opportunities. Check the arts section of your local newspapers - often auditions are listed there. Use google to find auditions. Don't sign up for a site that charges money. Most are scammy - or like Backstage - you're not ready for.

*Go see a lot of live theatre. You can learn a lot by watching other actors.

Sorry for the super long post. I hope you find it helpful. Good luck! And I wish you a long and successful acting career!

join the wannabe club

you should go to the library, and check out some books on acting... then in those books, it will give you some great ideas on how you should proceed... don't think you are too good to learn anything, you have lots of competition, and you could find yourself looking for a different line of work...

u r v.beatiful i want help u

Get a gcse in Btec Drama first
and than take it up abit more
than search on google for some ideas
once you find anywhere in London or your local that need actors/actresses than take it
just keep searching everyone starts somewhere
than it becomes easy
x

I don't know how old you are, but I would suggest a local club to you such as Stage coach etc.

Start at the bottom (lol, no offence) and work up.

You'll get some experience along the way too.

no matter what keep your integrity and dont pose nude, it will come to hunt you when yo become famous. Also getting nude only decreases your credibility as an actor. My advise look up for casting calls and try to see if you can get an audition. Take pictures of your self in various outfits hide your hair, use hats show your long hair etc... take the pics with you on your audition and give them to the casting directors. Sooner or latter you will get a gig that can land you a good job. DOn't be discourage because you will get more rejections than anything but you will learn from them. Also don't just think you can show up and act, do take lessons and read allot, I mean allot books that interest you and that you would see fit for any caracters you can be casted for........GOOD LUCK and don't ever give up if is what you want to do. As long as you keep your integrity and don't sink low someone will give you the chance of a life time..................

See if the local tv station needs anyone to "star" in local commercials. This will give you practice and you will build up a resume and a video portfolio!
Make you some practice films like the ppl on youtube.

Get some books on acting, practice the way you say things, audition audition audition and just have fun with it cuz some people take acting waaaay to seriously.

Depends how old you are if your in your teens then find a local drama club or even better clubs, try stagecoach (because they have agents working for them). If your older and can afford it get an agent, if you cant afford just find some auditions for plays or adverts, dont feel down if they turn you down keep trying, remember its hard and you have to start at the bottom in the infested rubbish dump.

Good luck

Most people who want to actors and actresses are just going through a phase that almost everyone goes through. It's really the want to be famous and the craving for attention that start this want, or sometimes it even feels like a need to the person. You might want to wait a while and make sure that you are really determined to do this. Take into all of the downsides of acting and being famous.