HOW TO BECOME AN ACTOR

You want to learn how to become an actor? Join the club! Most everyone at one time or another has probably thought about becoming an actor.

They watch their favorite shows and movies and think, “I can do that”. They think it´s easy and glamorous. But what most people don´t realize is that it´s a lot of hard work. It´s a huge amount of fun but yeah, it´s work!

It takes a special kind of person to want to become an actor. They have to be determined, unafraid of rejection and willing to work hard to consistently get better at their chosen craft.

The basics: how to become an actress or Actor

Headshots

One of the first things you´ll need is a headshot. This is not the place to skimp and be cheap because this is your calling card. If you submit an awful headshot, 99% of the time it´ll be filed away in the trashcan. Having a headshot that isn´t professional, it just automatically shows casting directors, directors and producers that you´re not serious about acting.

Your headshot needs to be shot by a professional and needs to look like you. Seriously, I can´t count how many times a casting director has told me that they´ve called in an actor for an audition and they either look 10 years older in person or their headshot was so photoshopped that they had to do a double take. 

Make an acting resume

This isn´t like a resume you´d give to someone when you´re applying for a normal job. An acting resume is totally different.

“I´m just starting out and have nothing to put on my resume” I´ve hear that before and don´t worry. Everyone starts somewhere. You can easily fix that! Audition for small roles at your local community, dinner theater or join the cast of a Church or School production. If you´re in school then join the drama club. All of these things can be listed on your resume. You can even list any acting classes you´ve taken.

If there isn´t a role for you in the upcoming show, ask if you can help out. Theaters always need a good, responsible volunteer. This will get you in with the theater community and will make it tons easier when you actually do audition. They´ll already know you so it´ll be easier for them to take a chance on you.

Learn your craft -improve your acting skills

Take a class!

I´m sure there is some kind of acting class or acting program near you. You´ll learn tons and walk away a much better actor. Plus, these are great places to meet people who are into the same things as you

Go to college

There are a bunch of great schools you can choose for acting. You´ll be immersed in all things acting so how can you not improve? You´ll learn everything from movement, costumes, theater, history, acting styles and techniques and best of all, you´ll be performing constantly.

Audition for community theater

Like I said in the resume section, auditioning for Community Theater is a wonderful way to get started. 

Start off as an ensemble member of a large cast. Again, by getting involved, you´ll get to know the local theater companies and the people involved. The more they get to know you, the easier it´ll be to nail a part in one of the upcoming shows -especially if you´ve started off with no experience.

Audition as much as you can. Audition even if you don´t want the part. The more you audition, the better you´ll be at it. Learn to love auditioning because chances are, that´s all you be doing the first couple years once you have decided to become an actor.

Start your own play reading group

Get a couple of friends together once every couple of weeks and read a play. Give yourself the lead role.

Don´t know what to start off with? Try something from Christopher Durang or Martin Mcdonough. Or, how about something that´s currently playing on Broadway?

What next?

Acting agents and managers

At this point, you might want to start looking for an agent. Do you have to have one? No, not at all. Especially if you´re not a member of any of the acting unions.

Don´t ever pay an agent or manager a fee for joining their agency or company. There are actor scams out there where you´ll be asked to pay an “agency fee” when you sign up. Don´t do it. Ever. The only time you should pay an agent or manager is after you´ve received payment for an acting job you´ve booked and already worked on.

Will you need a manager?

Odds are you won´t. You´ll need a manager when you have a career that actually needs to be managed. Typically, managers to 20% of what you´ve made on each job. That´s a lot of money to give to someone when you´re only working a couple times a year.

Auditions and casting calls

How do you find acting auditions and open casting calls? If you´re not in LA or NYC, check your local paper or their website. Google -auditions “my city” – and I´m sure something will come up. Also, check out Actors Access or call your local SAG-AFTRA office. Most either have hotlines or audition information listed on their site. 

Acting is a business

You have to treat acting as a business because that´s what it is, a business.

When you´re called in for an audition, be prepared. Know your scene, monologue or your song. Come with your headshot and resume. Be professional. You might only have one shot with that casting director. Make it the best and show them you have the goods.

Casting directors, directors and anyone who can hire you want to know that you are the answer to their casting problem. They need you and they want you to be great. They are rooting for you.

Keep up with what is happening in the entertainment industry

Don´t go into this blind. Nothing irritates me more than meeting an actor who doesn´t watch TV or isn´t up to date on what is going on in film, TV or theater. This is your job!

My favorites are The Hollywood Reporter and Variety for film and TV news.

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