Question: Parents against acting!?
I am 14 years old!. And after I did a school musical last year I was totally into acting!. But since I asked my parents to get me to an agency or even just call them they said No!. They are definately against my acting and they want me to do my backup plan!. I am definately dedicated to this, and I really wanna work at it for life, because I love it! Yet, wont get anywhere without parental permission and such!. What should I do!? In the mean time, I convinced them for me to audition for a play in Naperville, Illinois!. But I wanna take it a step farther after this!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
This is a common misperception; I want to act, my first step is to find an agent!. It's wrong, and it opens you up to scam-artist agents who will claim that they'll kick-start your career if you will only pay them a big fee up front, or pay for lessons from their studio, or whatever!. So first bit of advice; you don't want an agent right now, and no legitimate agent will even consider you!.
And you're at an age where it's almost impossible to start a career!. If your parents had gotten you into show biz at age 3, you could be working as a teen--but if you went to an audition now, you'd be an inexperienced novice competing against dozens of actors who have 10 years of experience--and also against young adults who can play fourteen convincingly!. I promise you, every director will choose either the experienced teen or the young adult who doesn't involve child-labor laws!
If you want to build a career as a professional actor, you're going to have to do it in a long, hard slog like everyone else!. You're going to be rejected in a million ways and your heart will be broken again and again!. So are you willing to go through the hardship, toil, and frustration necessary!? If so, here's your long-term plan!.
Right now: talk to your parents!. Tell them that you've studied up on show biz and you realize how hard it is!. Strike this bargain with them; you are going to take a good college-prep courseload in high school and you will work as hard as you can to keep your GPA high; in return they allow you to pursue dramatics as an extracurricular activity!. As a college professor who serves on our admissions committee, I'm familiar with college admissions decisions--having one consistent extracurricular for all four years of high school looks good on an application!.
So you're going to take four years of English, four of math, plus biology, chemisty, physics, history, foreign language, and a good mix of arts, humanities, social studies electives!. By the way, this is good for a future actor anyway--you don't think that actors can play a doctor/lawyer/professor/banker convincingly if they're entirely ignorant of anatomy/history/acadmics/finance, do you!?
Now, use your spare time to gain experience and to polish your skills as a performer!. Get instruction in acting, speaking, singing, dance, and any other stage-related skills like acrobatics or fencing or martial arts!. Read books about acting (recommended: Uta Hagan, Robert Lewis, and 'An Actor Prepares' by Stanislavski) and show biz in general!. Read plays, especially the classics!.
Get into as many shows as you can; school plays, amateur productions, even nearby college shows!. Go to professional auditions if they're open to non-union members (note: almost all professional auditions are open ONLY to members of Equity, SAG or AFTRA--and you won't qualify for membership anytime soon, I regret to say)!. If you can't land a role, volunteer to help backstage or with the audience!. You'll develop a network of contacts knowledgeable about show biz, while gaining terrific experience!.
Now the crucial part of the plan!. You want to go to college and earn a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in theatrical performance!. It must be a BFA, not a BA (bachelor of arts); the BFA is professional training, the BA is academic!. Starting in your junior year of high school, you should identify four or five universities--one or two 'stretch' programs that are first-rate and hard to get into, maybe even the very top ones like Yale, Maryland, or NYU; one or two 'probable' ones, and one 'safety net' that accepts all who apply!.
Then apply for admission to those universities early in your senior year of high school!. After the university accepts you, you'll need in most cases to apply again, this time to the theatre program--and they'll want you to come to campus (at your own expense) and audition for them!.
The BFA program should prepare you for the profession, both by honing your talents and by grounding you in the 'biz' part of show biz!. Then you'll be truly prepared to start the hard, hard slog toward that union membership, followed by representation by a legitimate agent and a rewarding career!.
And if you are like over 90% of aspiring actors who give up and fall back on their second choice, you'll at least have a college degree!.
Break a leg, kiddo!Www@QuestionHome@Com
you have to follow your dream and when you are old enough to afford your stage school lessons and being part of an agency you can then do this!. I love actiing too, I have been to stage school and its such fun, I don't know why your parents are against it, I think its a great thing to get involved in!. I am registered with an agency but only just, you will get there in the end, but there's not much you can do for the time being if they have said no!.!.just wait a little till you can afford to register yourself!. Who knows maybe they will change their mind if you make them see that this is what you really want!. I mean my mum thinks its great that I go to stage school and wants me to keep going with it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Your parents are wise!. Don't go getting an agent!. Even though there are plenty of kids and teens out there getting acting work, there are ten times as many who are NOT getting work and they still have agents!. Keep learning the craft!. Audition for plays, go on courses and finish high school!. Then, if you're still serious, go to drama school and become a really good actor!. Remember, the vast majority of teen stars have careers for about 7 years while their young and hot, and afterwards we never hear of them again!. A trained actor has these skills for life!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
All you can do right now is be in plays, take classes and prove to your parents you really want this, it's to early for you to get an agent!.!. you need to be in a lot more plays, and musicals!.!. also make a back up plan, if acting doesn't work out!.!. you will have something to fall back on!.!. be patient!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Prove to them that you have a back up plan!. Start researching film schools and see what universities have good drama programs!. Your parents will see your dedication if you start planning a future!. They just want you to have a secure future!. A colledge plan will prove to them that you are thinking about that too!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
i suggest u take jobs (summer, part time)
in live theaters and such to get you
into the business
research agents and such to make sure that this is a carear you want
but just remember
you're only 14Www@QuestionHome@Com
The more informed you are about what you say you want, the more you can talk about it intelligently and demonstrate that you know what you are talking about, the greater your chances of being able to convince them to support you!. If they have just as much information as you do, then you are on an equal playing field!. They are your parents!. They are bigger!. They are older!. They win! At least until you're out of the house or until they no longer foots your bills!
Is that the way you want it!? No!? Then get a move on and start doing your homework! :-)
Does doing your homework mean that you will get what you want in the end!? Does it mean that you will be one hundred percent guaranteed to get their support!? Not necessarily!. Your parents are certainly taking into consideration your best interests!. But even if you don't get them to support you, you will know a lot more than you do now about the profession you say you want to pursue!.
"The only dreams that are lost,are the ones you dont fight for"Www@QuestionHome@Com