How Can I Get Into Acting?

Question

I LOVE ACTING!

its my passion and I want to go really far with it, not just in movies, but in voice overs for animes also..

I am a huge fan of actors such as Robin Williams, Vic Mignogna, Mariska Hargitay, Ted Cole, Richard Ian Cox, ect.

Im 16 and can't afford an agent... What do I do?

Answer 1

Agents arent really that expensive u only have to pay them 10% of what you make when they book you a job. but anyways you should take as many classes as you can and audition for plays in you local theatre

Answer 2

You act to get into acting.

Answer 3

Audition for minor roles and movies, got to a specialized school in drama etc...

Answer 4

Don't expect to start your career by starring in movies and TV shows.  The actors you admire got to where they are today by starting out at lower levels in the business and working their way up.

To gain experience and develop your talent, audition for as many plays as you can at your school and at community theatres in your area.  You can also call local college or university theatre departments and local professional theatres to find out if they are holding auditions for performers in your age range.  And you can ask the professional theatres whether they offer youth acting classes.  If there are summer theatres near where you live, ask about their apprentice and intern programs.  You're probably too late for this summer, but you can apply for 2009.  As an intern or apprentice, you'll do lots of unglamorous backstage work, but you'll also make valuable contacts with experienced theatre people who can teach you a great deal about the art and the business of acting.

When it comes time to apply to college, look for schools with strong theatre programs.  Your professors will be able to give you not only good training, but also useful career advice.

Don't worry about not being able to afford an agent.  Legitimate agents don't charge you money up front.  They take a percentage of your earnings from the jobs they help you find.  Finding an agent is a project you can pursue later after you've gained more training and experience.

Answer 5

You would be surprised (or maybe not) at how many young people say almost the exact same things in the same way.

First of all, you don't pay for an agent. Agents get 10% of the take. You get the other 90% AFTER you do the job.

Sometimes I'm torn between telling them to start by getting some training and telling them to just go get a head shot and go to some casting website and start submitting. But reason wins over me and I have to tell you that if you really want to be an actor, you should first put your big rush to do it to the side and slow down. Build your base first. The competition is fierce and if you don’t prepare yourself really well, you will become just another statistic of the many who WANTED TO, but never made it.

I even created a new video on my site on the exact same topic: The reasons why most aspiring actors never make it.

You might have heard in school when you talked about Abraham Lincoln, that he is the author of a famous quote. He said, "If I had three hours to chop down a tree, I would use the first hour to sharpen the axe."

If you don't sharpen your axe first, there will inevitably be a time when you will have to stop chopping and sharpen it, so you might as well do it now.

What does that mean? Get some acting training. Find a good school and a good teacher to help you learn how to act.

While you are doing that, try and understand what it really means to be an actor, what actors do...really while they are trying to get work, how little money most actors make, why actors struggle to make ends meet and how successful actors are able to continuously get work. You need to learn business skills, networking skills, communication skills and a lot more.

When you decide to become an actor, you are making a decision to run your own business. Now I know you are young, but if you can start to grasp these concepts now, you will position yourself ahead of your competition.

On the other hand if all you ever aspire to is to work background work on Disney Channel or something like that, then don't worry too much about all that stuff I just said and just go and try and get extra work. That's fairly easy to get considering that the majority of all acting work is background work and smaller roles. But you have to know that if you really want to make a big splash as an actor, sooner or later you will need some real experience. Extra work is great in my opinion at the very beginning just to start and see how things are on set and how real actors prepare and perform and to see how set directions are given, but it will not make your career. In fact, some industry professionals discourage it for those who really want to pursue a serious acting career.

The thing is, you can do both if you want. You can go to school, take acting classes and still work as an extra while you are learning the craft.

At any rate, have a look at this page on my website for aspiring actors. It has 23 links to pages that have to do with starting your acting career.

You'll find a lot of helpful information there that will make you think about how you can get your acting career started including steps to get started, 17 things you can do fairly soon to start getting work, ways to promote yourself, how to get the money together to fund your career, how to get an agent, 29 ways to promote yourself to get noticed and why acting school is so important. http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/teen_...

Good luck!

Answer 6

there are some agencies out there that are free. get into extra acting if you are really into acting. go for auditions and just dont be afraid to take the plunge!

goodluck

Answer 7

First talk to your parents about your interest in acting...they will be your biggest supporters and can help you in many ways.

Then look into local beginning acting classes. Many community theatres and schools offer theses at resonable prices. (be sure to "google" "community theatre" with the name of your town and local towns to find these. Right now is a great time to start because many community theatres are starting their seasons in August or September)

Also look into auditioning for plays and musicals. Many community theatre groups have plays that include young actors. Since you are 16 you have an advantage that you could make it to evening rehearsals because you can drive.

Also your school should offer acting opportunities. Most high schools produce at least one musical and one play each year.

In addition, look into your schools drama club. If you join you will get many opportunites you didn't know about, audition notices, field trips to shows. etc....

Good luck and don't give up on your dream!