Aspiring actress help?

Question

since I was 7 I have fallen in love with the feeling I get from performing, I love it and its what I want to do, So I started studying up on acting, books, acting workshops, online advice and info.,talking to people who already act, doing musicals and theatre..

I would like some advce on how to get to the next level, I was told to take some proff. headshots and attache them to a resume with a cover letter and mail them out to agencies, meanwhile I look online for casting calls and auditions..

I was told for acting, if you have an agent you don't ALWAYS have to fly out of state for auditions and that you can make a tape and send that in..is that true?does it lessen your chance at geting the role?

I know it takes hard work and alot of time, but I want to learn as much as I can and be the best I can at it, Im 16, disney channel is nice and all, but if I actually made it into the acting industry I would want to be taken seriously, not that they aren't but when you work with disney you kind of get lumped into a stereotype that is hard to break out of.

any advice on how I can advance and aspiring acting career?

any help is a blessing so thank you!

Answer 1

First of all, you should start by visiting www.sag.org and they can provide you with a list of every reputable talent agency in every state.  If you do not live in CA or NY, this will be your first place to go as the local agents in town will receive casting calls for local commercials and plays, etc.

You need to build your resume in the town you currently live.  Stay in school, that is the most important thing you can do right now.  Pursue your acting after school hours (most agents and casting directors are acutely aware of school hours and schedule auditions for minors after 3PM or so).

DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT allow an agent or casting professional to convince you to take special classes or use a particular photographer!   Do not give money upfront to any agent or casting person.  They typically receive 10% to 20% of your gross earnings for acting jobs after you've performed them (never before-hand).

If you know someone who can shoot a nice photo, then have them take a great waist-up headshot of you (digital color photos are becoming the norm lately).  Please make sure it really looks like you.

Here are some interesting websites to visit that are reputable:

www.sag.org

www.backstage.com

www.hollywoodreporter.com

www.breakdownservices.com

Good luck!

Stay in school - did I mention that? lol

Answer 2

look for auditions here: hollywood-opportunities(dotcom)

Answer 3

Any experience you can get is good. Craigslist.org has listings (at the bottom of the page under gigs and talent) of stuff in your area. Student films and community theatre are a good way to start. What do you mean about going out of state for auditions? I'm guessing you aren't in California? Well I would stay within your state and only do what is in your area for now. Then when you're 18 you can move to LA and do stuff from there. I am 18, recently moved to LA. I got as much training as I could and did student films in my hometown (SF). Now I'm getting professional headshots done and I'll start going on auditions here.  

Answer 4

if youre an aspiring actress youre going to definantly need some experience before you go out into the "real world"

community theatre is a great choice to get some basic experience

youre going to start at the bottom to get to the top

Answer 5

WOW you have done alot of resarch that's great!

Since your young I am going to suggest you read the safety article here before you send anything out. I've got a young performer and you need to be safe!

http://holdonlog.com/pages/articles.html

Before you take any headshots you need classes. Use local theatres, local film schools and the like to get yourself experience to put on the resume that you are gonig to attach to that headshot.

Class at local colleges, after school programs, etc.

Here's a good place for some places to find classes: http://holdonlog.com/pages/links20.html

Be smart with your money and keep track of everything. Your parents can probably use them for tax deductions!

Do not start submitting yourself with our classes. If you even get called to audition there's a lot you need to learn in a class. Don't blow your first chances to audition and book a job by not knowing what to do.

Sure you can put yourself on tape sometimes, but soemtimes things are cast FAST! and through people who know people who do good work.

Get in class, learn the process and then see about headshots, making a resume, etc. Don't throw your money out the door.

Don't knock Disney. Lots of people made their start there.

Also why not write out some scenes that you would like to act in and get some friends to put you on tape...that is a nice way yo start and see yourself actually acting. Local libraries often rent out equipment.

Oh and the links I gave you come from a great company. If you do what they do you'll start on the right foot.

Again...please read the safety articles.We know a young girl who had problems and she made bad decisions...so be smart with yourself and your wallet.  

Answer 6

I"m in your same position.  I've done basically what you have, and I dont really know what you have to do to start off. I feel exactly how you feel about disney channel.  

What I've heard is that after you've done a lot of acting and singing lessons, you can create a resume. On the resume, you right down all the classes and stuff that you've taken.  Also, you have to say your height and weight, and your intrests and hobbies.  Then, like you said, you clip a professionally taken photo of your face(8 by 10) to the resume.  And then you send it off.  

Thats about all I know. Hope I helped! Good luck to you!