I want to be an actress. How can I get a good start?

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Question:

I know, I know, a 12 year old is too young to be an actress, as some people say!. Well, I'm actually very mature for my age, and have incredible grades!. Woo hoo!
Well, look at Georgie Henley! She's great!. If you don't know who she is, she plays Lucy Pevensie in the Narnia movies!.

So, how can I get started!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

1) Well, first what you need to do is tell you parents what you want to do, because you wont get anywhere without them!. Since you are a minor, you need parental consent to be in ANY type of production!. Sit down with them and talk to them about becoming an actress, if they say no, then you'll have to wait til you're older!. If they say yes then move on to the next step!.

2) Start taking acting classes and workshops!. Taking classes and learning about your craft (acting) is the foundation to you becoming an actress!. If you don't have that foundation, it's extremely unlikely that you will get far!. Buy some acting books also, they can teach you different techniques and teach you about how the industry works, Check E-Bay because book straight from the bookstore can get a little pricey!.

3) Once you have a significant amount of training, start looking around your community (with your parents of course) for auditions, Like community theater, school plays, talent shows, and student films!. Try to get as involved as possible!. Record each of your jobs down on a sheet of paper!. These jobs with accumulate into what we call a Resume!. This will help you gain more jobs in the future!.

4) Get a headshot and compose your resume!. When you get your first headshot, don't get a professional photoshoot, it's expensive and you'll probably have to change it later!. Then go find an agent, if the agent asks you for ANY kind of money, it's a scam and just walk away!. Remember to ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PARENTS INVOLVED!
That's an extremely important rule, because it will keep you safe from the bad people in this world

Best of Luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well you can get started by taking acting classes either at school or somewhere near by!. also audition for roles when your school is going to have a play!. That's what i am doing at the moment, but i don't want to be an actor!.!.!.not that much any way!. Umm!.!.!.ask you're teacher (that is your drama teacher) how you are going with acting so far and once you think you're good enough or confident start auditioning for the real deal!.

Good luck!! Hope to see you on the big screen! =)Www@QuestionHome@Com

if u want really to be an actres!.!.!.it is not hard!.!.if u love it!.!.!.just enjoy it!.!.!. the nice thing to do is look at the mirror,,,and try to express different emotions!.!.iam a stage actress!.!.!.!.and i was started from nothing!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

and you are too young for this forum which is for 13 and older!. Parents are the key to teen acting!. They have to work hard to make it happen, that is how they all make it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Go and find yourself a really good agent who has your best intentions at heart!. Make sure your parents are with you 100% of the way!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Pure BELIEF & self confidence in your talents will get you to the top one day!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.practice,pract!.!.!. makes perfect !.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Unless you have bunches and bunches of money I wouldn't reccommend an agent!. Everyone says "get an agent" but my advice is "get an education!." It is very hard to get in the theatre buissness without a good education!. Now, movies are a bit different!. But at 12 you don't know what you want, really!. I'm 19 now, and it's just now that I am GETTING sure that I know what I want!.

Very few actresses are being hired now without a college degree!. Finish highschool and get as many roles as you can in local theatre, in school theatre, look up auditions on the internet and audition for anything that comes your way!. Get as much experience as you can, but get your education too!. I will never regret finishing highschool and getting the highschool theatre experience, and then moving to college!.

I have learned so much in one single year at college!. Another venue to go to is a conservatory after highschool!. But college gives you something real to fall back on no matter what happens later in life!.

Once you turn 16 you can start working summers as theme parks such as Disney to get some real life experience in performance (and make connections along the way)!. Another way to go is Cruise Ships (once you're 18) for good live performance experience!.

Now, it's not very realistic to think that you'll just jump in a be famous, but there is work to be found everywhere!. But STAY IN SCHOOL!. Learn from your schooling!. Learn from the experiences you can get!. Learn, absorb, and take in all you can!.

Two books i reccommend are ACTING by Richard Boleslavsky (a personal favorite), and of course Uta Hagen's book (something every actor/actress should read)

Feel free to contact me marli8907@hotmail!.com if you have ANY questions!. I too am an aspiring actress, working and learning in my craft!. It is a beautiful art!.Www@QuestionHome@Com