I AM going to be a ACTRESS!?

Question:im now determined i think...
any tips?
not rich at alll so no stage school but i no i can =)
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: im now determined i think...
any tips?
not rich at alll so no stage school but i no i can =)
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A lot of people will tell you to get an agent. 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 to London 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 taking classes. That is a good way to start. You can also just start auditioning for plays and films. Why not? Know that you are not going to get cast in everything you audition for - but why be content with just school stuff. You learn the most from actually doing.

Google is a really handy tool for finding auditions in your area. 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. Craig's List is a good place to find out about student films as well as independent films. 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. This is another good place to find out about local film and television projects.

You can also use google to look up local theatres. 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. Though you said you're not really interested in stage work as much, casting directors for film and television like to see theatre on an actor's resume.

You can most definitely begin acting just about anywhere. There is always theatre, there are always independent films, there are always professional acting jobs no matter where you live, you just have to search for them. So you don't have to move to LA or NYC to work as an actor.

So... to become an actor...

*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. Yes, even if you want to do film, you still need to be familiar with theatre. You should also watch a lot of films. Find those actors you really like and study what makes them good.

*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. The other thing actors tend to do is talk themselves out of going to an audition. Don't do that. GO! Go to all the auditions you can. Don't try to guess what the director is looking for. Don't convince yourself you're not right, not experienced enough, etc. to go. Just go! Challenge yourself. And then feel proud of yourself for going afterwards.

*Some places will allow you to do a video audition. This is usually when you are too far away to attend the actual audition in person. Actors usually create a reel of their work, once they have done some film and television - and they use this reel to promote themselves and to send to agents when they are seeking representation. This is something you don't really need to worry about right now, just starting out.

*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. You will need monologues, primarily for when you audition for theatre. However, there are some people who will have you do monologues for film auditions - at least initially before they call you back. Also, some agents will ask for monologues - when you are ready to start looking for an agent.

*Once you have some experience (plays, films, 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 actor 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.

~And as for looks. Casting directors DO care about looks. But in saying that, they don't want everyone to look the same. There NEEDS to be actors of all shapes, sizes, color, and attractiveness. There are lots of different types of roles. So try not to worry too much about your look or trying to look "perfect." The truth is - you WILL look perfect for some roles - and not for others.

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

congrats

"I don't think you are as good as you think you are" - Simon Cowell

KEEP THAT POSITIVE ATTITUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cool

Good luck. Sorry I don't really have any good advise for you tho

Take classes, audition for roles, and get an agent. Eventually you will work your way up if you are really determined.

I dunno...don't think so...but you might become AN ACTRESS. :)
good luck...keep it real and use your emotions from other events happened in your life to create the emotions you need on stage :)

I encourage you bunches. its best to get a manager. i want to be an actor and i cant afford one. even though i attended an acting camp. i love to act!!!! im hopeful for you to. Best Wishes!!!!!! and to that thing u added. i was just saying gese louise

hope i encouraged :)

of course you will

yea, of course u can do it, some people think u cant because u dont have training but u can go to websites and feel out applications for certain things
ill have to get back to you with the website i was looking at

me 2 wat agency

Yea... me to,, soo determined and i wont let no1 bring me down. I think you should start by visiting. www.starsearchcasting.com and make a profile. some people will contact you for projects or you can submit youself for project. Than you will have some credits, a good resume then you should send in a submission to a talent agency

Get an agent! You'll be doing commericals in no time. Once they figure out how good you are in commericals, someone with pick you up and stick you on a TV show or in a movie. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next Dakota Fanning. GOOD LUCK!!!!

This is not a question. It's bragging.