I want to be and actress but there is one problem?

Question

I am Indian. I have lived inthe US all my life but will this sto me. I am not interested in bollywood movies becasue I don't like there style . I am extremely passonate. But I wanted to know if this will not get me good roles.

Answer 1

I think the advantages outweigh the drawbacks.

As you know, you either have the 'look' of a certain character or not, but being dark and exotic also gets people roles that nobody else could get.

I've seen some films lately that had dark, ethnic types (Indians, Arabs, etc), and some of these were bigger roles than the experience level of most of the actors in them, because they had 'that look'.

So I think the worst thing you can do is start feeling like you're handicapped.

I personally love it when I get someone with darker skin in a role, just because they photograph so beautifully!

Answer 2

Trust me, it's not a problem.  Especially nowadays, Hollywood is hiring more ethnic actors and actresses, as it adds a level of legitimacy and reality to their work.  After all, in most places not everyone is white... heck, in San Francisco, we're in the minority!

Trust me, it's easy enough to use this to your advantage.  Almost every actor and actress out there uses the way they look to their advantage.  If all actresses looked the same, we wouldn't be able to tell one character from the other!  Your ethnicity is a part of what makes you unique, and it only makes you MORE desirable to hire as an actor.  Don't hide it: sell it. :)

Last note: before Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts was a girl with reakishly large teeth, and before ER, Parminder Nagra was a short Indian girl from England.  You'll be great.

Ta!

-Tamora