I can’t tell you how many times people ask us how to become a professional actor. the great thing is that we get the opportunity to share with them the knowledge and information that took us years to learn. So without further adieu here are a few of the many steps toward your goal of becoming an actor.
How To Be An Actor (Step 1)
1. You Must Have The Desire To Be An Actor: So many people want to be the media broadcasted idea of acting ,but not the actual reality of what it means to be an actor. Without going on a tangent of how being an actor means long 14 hour days sometimes for months in a row and in the beginning struggling financially and emotionally as people tell you to get a “Real Job”. Without going to far into that world I would like to say this to anyone thinking that they want to be an actor. Here it goes:
If you could see yourself doing anything else and I do mean ANYTHING! Then do that! This career is not for the faint of heart and it will test your commitment day in and day out. Don’t get me wrong the glory, the money and the accolades do come but sometimes it takes a while. So, if there is any chance that you will change your mind or get tired of the work and stick-to-itivenss that it takes to make it in this industry. Do yourself a favor and stop now!
How To Be an Actor (Step 2)
2. Get into acting classes! All of the people that you know of that are making a long career out of this thing called acting are studying with someone. Think about it this way. Is there any high paying career that does not require schooling or study? Think about it. (Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock)
Come up with anything? I didn’t think so. Don’t cheat yourself with the idea that you can just be a natural at something and someone will just discover you. Even if someone does think that you can be successful in this industry they will want to know that you have taken the initiative to study and learn more about your profession. They will want to know that your career is important to you. So start now. Get into an acting class!
How To Be an Actor (Step 3)
Read anything and everything you can about the Entertainment Industry. The more you know about your industry the more you will succeed. Read Backstage read Variety visit the major unions websites and read about the rules and regulations of the industry. A few to keep in your bookmarks is Sag.org and ActorsEquity.Org. There is so much to learn about this industry and as funny as it sounds the more you know the more you will succeed.
How To Be An Actor (Step 4)
Don’t expect anyone to just “discover you”. We like to believe the story that people just get discovered and the industry has about five to ten stories of someone walking down the street and someone saying hey I am shooting this film and I think your kid would be perfect for this role. I am not saying that those stories don’t exist, however there are probably more stories (that can be documented with actual paperwork) of people winning the lottery. So if you think that you could win the lottery and you just have to be in the right place at the right time then keep hanging out and waiting for someone to discover you. You have about as much chance as the folks that buy lotto tickets. Not saying that you don’t have any chance its just that the chances of winning the lottery are about the same. (18 million to 1) So if you like those odds and are willing to bet your life/acting career on those kind of odds. I wish you the best of luck.
For everyone else. DO THE WORK! Be willing to do steps one through three and be willing to invest in yourself. Basically ask yourself this question. What career can I become a professional in without ANY training? What career can I become a professional in without ANY time commitment? What career can I become a professional in without purchasing any tools of the trade. I think we both know the answer. Do your homework so that you don’t get taken advantage of and DO THE WORK!
Best of Luck!