I want to act! Help?!?

Question

It is my dream to become an actor, to be on tv and movies. My question is how can I make this happen? I know it is a dream for several people, but how do I start and how can I stand out from the rest? I'm currently 15, almost 16 years old. I would like to start out on Disney Channel. Yes, it may sound lame, but I think that is where I'd like to start out because of the attention it gets young actors. Please help me out with any advice and whatnot. Thanks! Also, I live on the east coast right now, is that a problem?

Answer 1

If you have an exceptional talent, then enter yourself in contests for feedback and visibility. Also, find ways to participate in drama whether it be in school performances or community theater. If you stand out, someone will definitely notice. But it is extremely difficult to appear on the Disney Channel or any other network channel simply because you have the desire to do so. Most of the talented individuals you see on these network shows are there because they have been working on their singing, dancing and acting skills since they were about 3 years old. They earned the right with lots of hard work and dedication. Tomorrow it could all be gone for them as well. It's great to have a goal, but keep in mind, for every successful actor there are 10,000 unemployed actors hoping to be discovered too. Get a good education you can count on and pursue your love of acting as well. Good luck!

Answer 2

Disney and Nickelodeon stars happen quite by accident.  I mean that literally. You may not remember a 90's show called Clarissa Explains it All she was just touring Universal Studios as a guest and the producers saw her.

Anyway the best way to get on the acting gig (I grew up in NY and had the same dreams) is to start in your school and community theaters.  Take some classes in acting.  Then when you are ready get some head-shots done by a professional photographer.  Don't forget before this happens you have to be in plays or something to put on the resume. (Sometimes and I know from personal experience they ask for the playbill to the show you were in as well as the directors contact info)

You live on the east coast if you mean NY you are in the hotbed of the theater and acting community. If not, start where you can in community theater then when you are old enough you can try to get a job with Disney entertainment. It's parks but it does give you a great background.

Don't forget and I can't stress this enough have a fall back plan.  A lot of actors don't make it, it's all based on luck.  A teacher once explained using a pie chart took 85% of that chunk and said these are the number of actors in the world the smaller 15% chunk is the ones actually working in the industry.

Answer 3

get an agent! it will help you bbbiiiggg time! then you can actually get into movies, and t.v. shows! i THINK they'll notify you if they find something you might be interested in.

Answer 4

this site should be able to help you land roles: hollywood-opportunities(dotcom)

Answer 5

if you haven't got into it already, you'll probably want to take up drama classes and check out some camps or things like that at your local theater. that'll start to give you a little more experience. the only way i can think of you getting that far is by knowing the right people (people you'd find while acting; most likely by chance).

knowing people gets you places these days.

Answer 6

I would like to start out on Disney Channel too, but the truth is. Is that Disney Channel is acctualy one of the hardest industrieson TV. Disney only takes the most professional, talented, experienced actors. And if your wondering why there arent any auditions for Disney is because most of them are private. And you have to have a top agent to get the audition info.

Try starting out with theatre and little indie films/commercials. Build up a nice pro resume before you go get into popular industrie. Im been an actor for 8 years and I have been in one indie film so far. Its hard.

You may already know this but two things show biz takes is: Dedication, and being able to handle rejection. All of acting is rejection. So you need to be able to be kicked down and be picked up in a second flat or you will never make it.

Acting is fun though, and good for you.

My advice to you is: Get an agent, build up a resume, get pro headshots (their expensive around 400 dollars...email an agency and ask for info on headshots/headshot prices) also dont get ahead of yourself.

good luck :-)

bethany