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How to Become an Actor: A Guide for the Aspiring Thespian
The path to stardom is arduous and, in most cases, rather lengthy. Young hopefuls following that path are fueled with dreams of bright lights, starring roles, and overwhelming success. These dreams do not always translate into reality, and a great deal of success as an actor depends on pure luck. However, there are some shortcuts available to those who go looking for them.
Raw Talent – There is not much you can do if you have a severe shortage of talent. If you can’t bear the thought of public speaking, stage or film work might not be in your blood. If you do possess a bit of talent, find ways to polish your craft. There are stage coaches, acting classes, and thousands of small community or school productions that can help refine your skills. Take advantage of them.
Headshot – A headshot is the standard business or calling card in the industry. Obtaining a quality headshot is not the time to skimp when you’re trying to best utilize funds. Find an expert photographer who has experience and, ideally, success in the field. Don’t be satisfied with mediocrity. Keep trying until you have the best photograph you can take. Remember, this is the face that casting agents will keep coming back to.
Getting Help – Just as there are professionals to help harness raw talent and take brilliant photographs, there are professionals who can help you land your first gig. In many cases, the first big step to actor success is finding an agent. Agents have privileged knowledge of the industry that can catapult fresh talent to stardom. Finding a qualified and knowledgeable agent will give you an ally in your battle against the odds.
Finding Connections – Success in the entertainment industry is often about knowing the right people at the right time. Many connections can be made with the help of your agent, but often that is simply not enough. Find ways to make as many positive connections as you can. Consider, perhaps, community activities or seminars, various classes or conferences, and of course as many open auditions as you can fit into your schedule. The more common your face and name, the more likely someone will remember you or feel inclined to give you a break.
Try New Avenues - If you have been trying the same thing over and over again, perhaps it is time to try new avenues. If you feel strongly that classical stage acting is your forte, you might be too narrowly focused. While it would not be prudent to try more than a few different personas at a time, if you keep bumping into roadblocks in one avenue, consider another. Perhaps your calling is really stage instead of camera, or comedy instead of drama, even character acting instead of leading lady. There are endless areas to try. Finding the perfect fit might take a little while, so be patient.
Take It and Run – If an opportunity presents itself to break into the industry, you should take it. With the exclusion of genres that might present ethical or moral issues for you, any print or stage medium is a ticket in. Being an extra might get you the right attention. Fetching coffee and donuts might give you a chance to make those valuable connections. Countless stars get started in commercials. If it resembles an opportunity in the slightest regard, take it and run. You are one step closer to your dream.
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