hey, i would love to become an actress, but am not sure how to start. i've been told that i'd be good at it and one time while getting my school picture taken the photographer said my name sounds like a good actress name. (sry not to sound cocky, i hate ppl like that, but its true). thing is i live near philadelphia, pennsylvania, not california, so how can I start acting? I was wondering if anyone has some tips on how to become a good actress/ find an agent/ find roles. i was also wondering if anyone could tell me what goes on during auditions/ what to wear to them/ etc. thanks so much! :D
Theater & Acting - 4 Answers
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1
you can search online for acting agencies near your area and you MUST take headshots. since if you were to go to an audition they may need for you to show them your headshots. you also need a resume saying your past roles, if any. you might also try to take acting clasees, althoug it is not necessary. during an auditon the director or the person in charge will give you a script and ask you to read a couple of lines in front of them at that moment.
2
How do you start acting? Simple: You just start. Take classes, go to auditions, read plays to learn about standard repertoire, create a resume, get headshots taken, and observe other actors at auditions to learn how [and how NOT] to conduct yourself during the audition process. There are tons of theatres there in Pennsylvania. Contact them and get on their audition mailing lists. Do the research to find out which ones are major regional theatre -- I could tell you, but the research work will be beneficial for you -- and contact their education departments to find out what sort of classes they offer. Alternatively, network with other actors in town and get some names of reputable acting teachers and/or coaches -- and always remember that someone telling you that their teacher is "amazing" does NOT automatically mean it's true. Auditions for non-musicals generally consist of you doing one or two monologues that total three minutes or less -- always aim for LESS, as the auditors always appreciate people who don't use their whole time allotment. You should have at least four monologues ready to go at all times -- two comedic [a contemporary and a classical], and two dramatic [modern and classic as well]. Do NOT ever do Shakespeare unless you are actually auditioning for a Shakespeare production. For musicals, you'll sing a song that shows off your voice, and they'll generally want only 30-60 seconds. However, Equity members generally get 3-5 minutes at regional theatres -- but again, the wise actor will not be greedy by taking the entire offered time. Never pay to audition, and never hook up with an agent who requires any upfront costs other than new headshots -- and in the case of headshots, be wary of any agent giving you only one photographer's name. Pick up a copy of the book "Audition" by Michael Shurtleff, and make it your bible -- read it once, immediately read it AGAIN and take notes, and then read it at least once per year thereafter. Even 30+ years after its publication, the wisdom and practical advice in it is still relevant. Don't ever become a diva. The tabloids [and the public] love to perversely glamorize egomaniacal behavior, but the reality is that producers and directors eschew working with "problem child" actors. The ONLY thing of true worth that any artist has is their reputation -- how reliable they are, how they treat others, etc etc -- so always strive to be an outstanding colleague. I've gotten several projects wherein the casting choice was down to me and one other person, and the producers went with me because they know I'm a pleasure to work with. There are many more things to learn, but it would take too long to write them all here -- so you need to go out there and discover them for yourself. :-) Best of luck.
3
My first bit of advice is, don't! It is a very hard road, full of rejection. Years of study: acting; voice lessons - singing and speaking; movement; dance; and on and on. 97% of professional actors are unemployed at any given time. When you hear of actors being discovered easily (they haven't studied, they haven't gone to cattle calls everyday for years, etc.), those cases are extremely rare. Like being struck by lightning. Still want to do it? Good. You have to want it more than anything else in the whole world. It's not just something you want to do 'maybe", but something you MUST do, it is essential to your core. Let's assume you wan't to be a serious actress. You don't specify your age so I assume you are in high school of Jr. High. Take any drama courses that are offered, even if they are not acting classes. Understanding Shakespeare & American Playwrights are examples of courses that would be beneficial. Try out for all school productions. Try out for the Talent show. Experience in auditioning is invaluable. Get into the school choir. Take any singing and dancing courses offered. Read the Stanislovski books, "Building a Character", etc.Pick a University, College, Community College with a good Theatre Arts and Acting program. Yale and Julliard are top of the line, but most schools have a program. Talk to your guidance counselor. Check out community theatres or professional theatre's in your area and start auditioning. You'll need resume pictures and a resume for this. Call a local talent agency and ask the who they recommend. More on local talent agencies later. You'll learn more from doing than studying about it. After school or when you think your ready for it, its off to N.Y.C. or Los Angeles. You'll need resume' pictures (very expensive) and a place to live (very, very expensive) once you get there. Start making the rounds (going to every audition and open call you find out about). Go knock on agent's doors and, if they won't see you, go back the next day and the next until they do. You'll start to get little things here and there. Keep plugging away like this for the rest of your life and you might make a nice career for yourself, and if your very, very lucky (it helps to be really good too, but this is sometimes not required) you might become a "star" and rich. Hey, I like Philadelphia. I did a film there once. If you are talking about getting an agent there for local work, it's not so difficult. First of all, do all the things mentioned above in terms of training, getting experience. Google Talent Agencies in Philadelphia and call them and ask about how to be represented by them. Again, you'll need resume' pics for this. They'll tell you what they require. If they want to charge you anything - to be in their book, for example - make sure they are a reputable and important agency. Call a couple of independant Casting agents (I'm sure you will find a few in Phillly, look in the phone book, google, or ask around) and ask them if the agency is legimate or what are the best agencies. While you've got them on the phone thell them about yourself and ask how you can be considered for their upcoming projects. Ask everybody about everybody - like who do they recommend as a acting resume' photographer - and you'll learn alot really fast. Of course with local agencies, this will be television commercials, industrial films (training or motivational films for a particular company) and modeling. Acting for a camera is much more subtle than acting on stage. You still need the same inner dialogue (the things the character is thinking about inside as he speaks) but toned way down. That's enough for now. If you do these things, your other questions will answer themselves. You'll make friend and you'll share experiences and knowledge. Break a leg!
4
all real agents are free. and only get 10-20 % of the money you make doin commercials etc. if some1 says you ahve to pay them for them to be your agent they their a scam! and you need to bget experience cause it will look great on your resume example: acting classes singing classes plays(major roles wouild look great) and go to actinginfo.blogspot.com for auditions hope i helped and talentagents.blogspot.com for agents.
