Want to be an actor.....?

Question

but i'm 27 years old. Am I too late? I don't want to be famous I just want to finally do what i think will make me happy and make a decent living at it. I feel like what I 'm doing now is slowly killing me. What should I do?

Answer 1

It's never too late. A lot depends upon your look. Are you "lead" material, or a "character" actor. I'll be honest. A lot of people who come to LA think they are lead role actors. But it's the character actors who get a lot more consistant work. The roles for people who look in their 30's are a lot more interesting unless, of course, you're looking to do something like The OC.

The best thing you can do is to start auditioning for all the local community theatre, student films, and local productions where you live now. Build your resume. This will also help you realize if this is something you REALLY want to do full time because it is a very very hard business with a lot of competition. You better have the skin of a rhino to be able to put up with the constant rejection that you will have in this business. Although, I'll admit, there are few things better than being on set, and it seems to make all the hard work just a drop in the bucket to get there.

So once you've built the resume, and know, and I mean KNOW this is what you want to do, get some good quality headshots done. Headshots are your business card. These are the first thing a casting director will see (i.e. your picture). Don't try to save a buck and end up with crap pictures. Better to spend a little more and get quality, than spend a little (many times) until you get something that represents who you are. Remember, this is not a 'glamore shot' - it's should look exactly like you'll look when you walk into their office. Also, get into some quality acting classes or scene study. Casting directors first look at the photo, if they like that, then they turn over the headshot to look at your resume, and third, they check to see if you are training. If you want to be a world class actor, then you need to train just like a world class athlete does. Get my drift. But don't expect to make a decent living at it, especially right away. 95% of SAG makes less than $7000/year. You can exactly live on that, unless you live with your parents ;-)

Answer 2

Definitely not too late.

Audition. Audition. Audition. Go on as many casting calls as you can. At first you'll need to have another job to pay the bills but eventually you'll be able to make pretty decent money. Good luck.

Oh, IMDB pro is pretty helpful. I don't know how much it costs but you can find lots of auditions/castings in your area on there.

Answer 3

Check the New York Filmmaking Academy's web site at www.nyfa.com
They have some good programs.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I hear ya!

Go online, find Talent Agents in your area... send them a bio and picture and hopefully someone will pick you up...

Just hound the agencies.. that's what i did... mind you i've only done extras work and one Bit player role.. but eh... it's a start.

Good luck!

Answer 5

move to NYC or LA/hollywood and start trying out at auditions, or pay lots of money for school on the subject, probably not worth it though.