Want to be an actor?

Question:I really want to be an actress when I grow up, I even tried out for this disney audition at an acting school. I think i have a good chance, because i live in New York, and i'm 13 and i love singing, playing the guitar (i'm learning, just a beginner) and acting! i don't know what to do, i tried out for the thing like 1 1/2 years ago, and i made it, i was very lucky because not a lot of people make it. i wanted to stay in it but the people told me it takes 3-4 years to go on tv, first you have to go in magazines, and stuff like that. the only thing was that it cost like 2,000 or 2,500 dollars, for very little bit of the thing. i would pay, if it payed for the whole magazines, agents and everything. but you have to find agents on your own. but now i regret saying no. what can i do? i'm really into it, anything would do, singer, or actress. i don't like dancing, but i am willing to try. Thanks. If you can give some links, but otherwise BEST ANSWER REWARDED

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I really want to be an actress when I grow up, I even tried out for this disney audition at an acting school. I think i have a good chance, because i live in New York, and i'm 13 and i love singing, playing the guitar (i'm learning, just a beginner) and acting! i don't know what to do, i tried out for the thing like 1 1/2 years ago, and i made it, i was very lucky because not a lot of people make it. i wanted to stay in it but the people told me it takes 3-4 years to go on tv, first you have to go in magazines, and stuff like that. the only thing was that it cost like 2,000 or 2,500 dollars, for very little bit of the thing. i would pay, if it payed for the whole magazines, agents and everything. but you have to find agents on your own. but now i regret saying no. what can i do? i'm really into it, anything would do, singer, or actress. i don't like dancing, but i am willing to try. Thanks. If you can give some links, but otherwise BEST ANSWER REWARDED

For starters take every acting, dance and singing class you possibly can. Because even if you don't have a lot of experience, training looks GREAT on your resume.

Then type up that resume. If you have any school plays, community theater plays, etc.
if you don't have much experience look for open calls around where you live.

Then get your headshots done, research it if you dont know what a headshot is.
Now they can be very exspensive, the good ones at least.
If you live in NYC I'd reccomend Melissa Hamburg.

After that do a mailing of agents in your area, with your headshot and resume (email me if you need advice on how to find legit agents in your area)

Hopefully a few of those agents will call you for an interview.
If you don't know an agent helps you find different auditions.
Now , fi an agent asks for a up-front fee it's a scam and leave as fast as you can.
This is how a REAL agent gets paid.
If they find you a job and you get paid, they get "about 15% of what you made.

Then sing up for something like Backstage.com to look for auditions yourself.

And then, just audition more and everything.

I hope I helped.

Email me if you need more help, want to find agents in your area or auditons in your area.

as Winston Churchill said 'Never, never, never give up". Keep at it and you''ll get your dues. It all takes time and it's worth every penny. Get the money somehow, just do what you have to do to get it and you'll look back someday and be glad that you didn't think about it too much.
Yes you have to find your own agent, but it's not as black and white al that. Just give it a shot, keep on keeping on. It's all about breaks, there's very little you can conytrol. Hope this helps.
(I work behind the camera by the way)

just keep doung whatever your doing your on the right track
go to local theater i think some agents or casting directors come and see people..make sute that your parent are willing do have VERY busy schedules foor u too! agents are easy to find in ny!!!!!
http://nyc.kudzu.com/controller.jsp?N=0&...

also about the 3-4 years too long thing that will pay off be patient because that means your career is getting started!there ya go.....you can search on kudzu.com to find many other acting needs!!!GOOD LUck
tip:make sure that evrything u do is not a scam!!Oh sorry erase evrything on the search bar and just have talent agents!!! sorry :)

Well, you're in NEW YORK, so that's already a bonus compare to other talents who are in not in Hollywood/New York area. There are a lot of oppertunities here in NY. (Yes. I'm NY based)

I agree with your comment regarding 3-4 years thing to go on TV - but it really depends on individual's skill, growth, and luck.

My advice would be:

1) Continue your Education (Yes. Still go to school)
2) Continue your training at Acting School (Very Important)
3) Get an Agent/Manager

I'm not familiar with agents/managers that represents talents under 18. But I do know one, and a friend of mine had booked many gigs through them.

It's J. Mitchell Management
http://www.jmmtalent.com

They held Monthly Open Calls. The next session is Thursday, April 10, 2008. If you are serious about the show biz, then you should definately schedule an interview with them.
I have had heard stories where they had to wait long time in order to be seen. (Yes. They see a bunch of talents at a time. Each talent is asked to perform sides that were given at the location. And yes, a lot of people didn't get any call backs....)

Remember, since you're under 18, you need to bring your Dad/Mom (or any legal guardian) with you whenever you go on an interview/audition/casting calls.

You definately need a legit agent/manager to get invited to an audition. But that doesn't mean you can't look for other gigs on the side.

On NYCastings.Com - there's a Childern/Kids section where you can submit to varous Pay/Non-Pay, Union/Non-Union works. The more works you do, the better your resume. Plus you get to build up your actor's Reel. (YOu will need to subscribe to this online service. Ask your mom to see if she can register for you)

The Weekly BackStage paper also have a childern's section.

Good Luck.

*** Remember, you DO NOT NEED to PAY a manager or agent up front. They make money based on the comission of the jobs that you booked.

hi
This is S.S.Sippy. I am in Direction field for Serials/Movies/Documentories and Drama Scripts. I made 25 episiodes of 3 Documentories for Discovery Channel, was a part time Model in 2001 and now got offer to direct a serial and movie. So if you are interested, send you portfolio to : ruchi_gupta_80@yahoo.com
So that we can think about your selection in our serial or movie if you fit in some character here. After that if you would be short-listed for artists in our Serial/Movie, we would call you for Direct On-Screen Camera Tests and Auditions would be based on Acting, Face impressions, Emotion Tolerance Power, Dancing and Mono Scripts, etc.
Send your expereince also if any (in Cine/Media/Theater field)-would be an advantage.

Thanks
S.S.Sippy (Director)
V.S.Films Production, DL, IN

Ruchi Gupta (Corporate Production Manager)
V.S.Films Production, DL, IN