Wanting to become an actor?

Question

Okay mature answers please :)

Im 14 & live in New Zealand at the moment.

Taking drama classes in highschool right now, and will be for the next 3 years in highschool.

My gut feeling for about a year now Ive been interested in trying film & television acting when I'm older, from how I'm feeling RIGHT NOW is that I want to be an actor. And I understand I could change my interest later on. But at the moment I plan on going to university & take a 3-year course for acting for film & television after I finish highschool.

I have a few questions though,

- How can you tell if you have the right look to portray a number of roles?

-What characteristics (appearance/race-wise) are usually found in different types of character.

-I wish I could narrow this down, but what are the chances of making it atleast decently big ?

-If you had to guess, with 3 years of drama in highschool & 3 years of film & television / no past work, how long until I can get work?

Sorry if this sounds stupid. :P

Answer 1

For a 14 y.o., you seem unusually mature. That will work in your favor, down the road. The questions you ask are good ones, but ones with no clear, difinitive answers. (BTW: That doesn't mean they sound stupid -- they don't)

The problem is that you ask things no one can know. With make-up techniques at their current level, characters can be made from almost anyone's "look": For example, super-slim Courtney Cox-Arquette was made to look more than 100 pounds heavier several times as Monica Gellar in Friends.  Eddie Murphy has played white people more than once (and I say "people" rather than "men" because not all of his white characters have been men.

Character is more about what you can bring to the role from within, rather than how you look. For the role of Louie DePalma in Taxi, the producers were looking for someone who could stand toe-to-toe and nose-to-nose with the cabbies when scenes called for confrontation. The role went to Danny DeVito (who has since to gone on to many film roles with a wide range of character-types to his credit -- despite his having to shop in the boys' department for clothes).

Chances for making it decently big, and how long for to you get work? Some people get work before they even graduate, and on shows that leap to the top of the ratings (Michael J. Fox comes to mind). Others take many years (if they make it at all). It's not just about "the look", but also about how much talent you bring to the auditions with you, and about how well- written your parts are, and how much you're able to really show what you can do.

At this stage of your life, I encourage you to follow your dream, and I wish you all the luck in the world. Sorry my answers had to be so vague.

Answer 2

I wish I could answer all of your questions, but I can't. But here's a tip, start building your resume now. Try finding a talent agent, if they have agencies in new zealand. But building a resume is important. You might actually have to move to a big movie city. Like LA, or NYC. Thats where most of the action happens. GOOD LUCK and sorry I can't be of  more  help. :(

Answer 3

okay...well...looks somewhat matter but you should ask your family and friends for they're opinions about the right look.

Also, race doesnt metter at all. There are tons of roles out there for anyone.

I seriously do not know what the chances are for someone to make it big. It depends on the talent. If you want to make it big. WORK for it. Get as many experiences as you can until you get casted into a movie.

It depends on how long it would take you to get started. with all the experiences your planning to take, it might not take you that long. It depends on whether your really dedicated on what you do.