I wanna be an actor?

Question

(i know the title is cheap)

Im almost 15 and thought of being an actor, like teenage acting. Lets say i have big talent, so where do i start? Do i like sighn up for drama class?

Please help i just wanted to know. Oh n alot of people say go to auditions, but what are auditions and resumes. Thanks

PS. I live in Illinois, 10 minuts to Chicago

Answer 1

There's more than one way to get into acting. The theater is great, and yes, I think all actors should try it. If you do, go audition, talk to the instructors at school (high school and college). They already have some experience, so tell them what you want and ask for their advice. 15, starting in school is excellent. Also, if you have "big talent" I say jump right in. I've worked with lots of young actors, a small amount were truly talented. The best kids were really fun to be around, full of energy and poise, but also very talented, hard-working, creative, and serious.

For commercial acting, like being in films, shorts, TV, commercials, editorial (think magazines) and modeling? Get ready for a lot of work. Oh yeah, and this still covers theater too. As far as the business, start working in as much as you can, this will be "unpaid, credit, copy, meals" in the beginning.   I see a lot of young actors are supported by their parents though, so this actually helps you afford what young adults can't always get. You will need professional headshots, a proper resume, and as soon as you can: representation. You can start with casting agencies and then go for an agent. Basically agents look for bright, emotionally stable, talented, flexible people.

Oh, and in my experience, don't let people fool you. Walk into those auditions and know who you are. It doesn't have to be complex, just know that what you are and what you do is unique. There is no one else just like you. Sounds hokey? Well, imagine walking into an audition...and seeing a bunch of people that are your "type". So what? Be prepared and work hard and it will pay off.

I'm a makeup artist and my husband is an actor. Boy have I met a lot of actors and I really get to know them well. The ones who get cast are the ones who rose above because they are talented, know what they want, worked on tons of things big and small to get experience, and...well I could go on and on. But the point is, it is a craft AND a business. The best actors know this and roll with it.

Back to theater: there is a misconception that you do theater OR you do commercial acting...Bzzt! Wrong! Again, I know from first hand interactions that it's about talent and depth, whatever medium of acting you perform.  And it really is best to try different things when you are young, so you can find what feels right. Over time, you may find you love comedy and drama. Then later you may find that comedy isn't just something you want to do on camera, you may find that stand up comedy is also appealing. It is good to stay focused, but you're the talent. New things help you grow.

Auditions: ...this is big. Auditions are important. They are job interviews and the person who is best prepared AND fits what they are trying to cast gets hired. You're job is to be able to cold read for commercial stuff and have monologues memorized for theater. The more pro you get, the less monologue reading and more cold reading...Aha! What is cold reading? That's when you walk in and they hand you sides, which are excerpts from a script (their script, or just something to test you). You just read them and do your best. Sometimes you'll read with another actor who is already cast. In that case, they want to see the chemistry and how you fit. Sometimes you're just reading with the casting people or other general person, like other auditioning actors.

Your headshot resume has to be industry standard or it is amateur. I call it headshot resume because, well for one, that's the standard. And two, it is a 8x10 headshot on one side, and a resume is on the other side (glued neat and perfect, stapled, or printed resume on back of photo). Please do not listen to people who say your headshot needs to be black and white. They do not know that color is not only acceptable, but professional. Black and white is for the people who buy a big stack of good looking prints (say 100-1000)...and can't afford color. You could get a comp card too, but a headshot is sufficient. Comp cards are a composite (fancy words for "I have several photos on one page") of a few pics of you. For example, you can be a business person in one shot, a blue collar worker, an athlete, and a model. These show range.

As far as getting a headshot, you can save time and spend a couple hundred on a pro. Or, if that's not doable, look on craigslist or drop buy the photo dept of local universities, or anywhere with reputable photogs (photog is short for photographer of course) and ask to do TFP or TFCD. That is Trade For Prints (yes, nice prints, actually super good-looking pics in your hands) or Trade For CD. Now, these days, my photogs give me Prints AND instead of CD's, they fit more on DVDs, but same idea. You can take these shots and get them sent to places for reproductions. I'm on the West Coast, so my husband sends his to LA, but it can be surprisingly cheap. I don't have Chicago resources, but I'll post links below.

As for your resume, at this point, you don't have a lot. Name on top, any representation (an agent) also at the top across from your name, union affilations below your name (like SAG or AFTRA, Equity, etc). List some simple stats like height, weight, hair, eyes, measurements (that helps wardrobe). Eventually you'll have headings for Theater, Film, Print, Commercial, Voiceover, Performance Group (like sketch comedy), Awards/Honors, Special Skills, and Training.  

Special Skills you can fill with your hobbies and things you are good at: football, comedy, drawing, cooking, sword stuntwork, dance, fight choreography, computer programmer. Those little things are helpful because it can help you get cast. My husband is well trained and experienced, but he also has lots of athletic skills. He played football in high school and college, so he was a natural for a AT&T photoshoot where they wanted actors to play football. Oh, and do not lie, because who wants to waste time auditioning for stuff you can't do? On that note, do not lie about anything because it is a small world and sooner or later, you'll get caught. As far as training, you can throw your classes, workshops, and coaching in there. High school, college, workshops from agencies.

As a makeup artist, I actually see a fair amount of resumes. I get copies of headshots for my work, but often there is a resume on the back.  I also hire makeup assistants, so I'm used to seeing resumes and evaluating them. I always get intrigued when I see something that catches my eye, like they took classes in makeup at the same university I went to, or they worked for the same production companies I have. This is a conversation point and when they tell me more, I really key in on what they are saying. I won't tell them I know about the people or project, I'll just listen for clues and evaluate what they say against what I know. The sucky part is when I catch them lying. Not good and I know they'll lie about other things. I would then only choose them if they stood out really well in other ways, even then, only if I had no better option.  Also, on actor and other industry resumes, you're starting off on the wrong foot if I see a title or director's name spelled wrong. It just rubs me wrong because then I question if you know what you're doing.

Get out there, get busy, think about how you select your projects, keep auditioning, and watch out for scams or money and time wasters. There are companies that will have you come in and audition for a "big, super experienced, block buster resume" casting director...and then when you finish, they suggest classes. Classes are well and good, and yes you will need them. But are they telling you to take their classes? Bingo! Scam.

On agents: go to the SAG site, lookup agents for your area, then contact them and let them know that you are looking for an agent. The standard this is look at their site and see how they like to be contacted, then send them your headshot resume and they will contact you if they're interested....You're a kid, and no real experience yet, so that may or may not work. Just contact them and say that eventually you want representation, but what can you do to get experienced and get yourself in shape for a strong submission. Also, though casting agencies charge, you can join one to rack up some experience. You shouldn't pay more than a 20-40 dollar initial fee. Man, you coulda been in Batman! Wonder what's going down in Chi-town now?! Casting Agency= working with tons of people, many are inexperienced and will get extra work, though they can offer more sometimes. Agent= the bigger stuff, bigger roles, bigger clients (like Tostitos, AT&T, A-list movies, TV, etc.) but you have more experience and professionalism...or mommy has a lot if it's a kid, but the kids are emotionally stable then.

And oh, do so many people put up fronts and go to a lot of trouble to impress you and themselves. Watch for that. Your fifteen now, so hopefully you're parents can help you out.

I sound so lecture-y again, but honestly it is such a fun and electric business. Once you get oriented, it's going to be great. I spent a lot of time warning you about stuff, but it's because I care, I've watched actors struggle with a lot first-hand, and you're a kid. People are going to try to talk you into sooooo much stuff. Actually, they'll do it forever if you let them, so stay strong. As for the cool stuff, what could be better than learning as an extra from A-list talent? And then working with them 1 on 1? And creating characters and scenes for the public to enjoy? Entertainment and storytelling is a wonderful thing.

Myself, I love bringing characters to life with looks and watching the actor literally transform and become the character. I do mos

Answer 2

u have to find a theater that is close 2 u and does plays on a regular basis. so u go and try out for them and do some productions with them. YOU NEED EXPERIENCE! o and acting classes are a good idea 2. a really good idea.

okok

auditions: you go (either alone or w/ a small group, depends on the director) and showcase your abilities to the director. sometimes it is for consideration for one show, and sometimes for several shows at once. anyways, its an opportunity for you to show the director your talent.

resume: basically a list of past experience in shows, tv, commercials, etc... so you want to build up a good resume before you actually go and try to get an agent. if you dont have a good resume, they probably wont even look at you. raw talent doesnt cut it. you need to work at it!!!!!

good luck!!!!!!!

sorry a little long i hope it helps!

Answer 3

does your high school have a drama club? if so, join it. go to local theaters and ask if you can be of any assistance to them. (however, you must realize that if you volunteer, you're probably start "small"...such as being a stage hand or working in a non-acting way.)



audition=monologue in hand, you get up in front of the director or whoever running it and do your thing. you might get a part, you might not. and if you don't get a part, ask if you can be a techie so at least your still part of the whole theater experience.

resume= what you've done, what plays you've been in, etc. if you don't know what one is, then you probably haven't put one together yet. you're going to need one if you want a chance at outside-of-school acting.