Ok I want to be a actress but my parents dont let me take acting classes. Everytime I say the word acting they act like they dont hear me! I donno what to do cus acting is the one thing thats on my mind right now. What should Ido? (And if you're gunna say "you cant be one" or "give up" fu cus I'll not give up on my dreams!) You think any other huge actress/actor had to go through this? My parents keep saying you have to study more and then become a actress. I know education comes first and all but cant I do both?!! What should I tell them or how should I convince them? They think acting iis a joke. please help. any advice or supportive answers would help.
2006-07-12 12:22:14 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
You don't say how old you are, so I"m going to assume that you are under18. REgardless of what you think of your parents, they are only thinking of you. They really ARE trying to help you become the best you can be. So, for the moment, cut them a little slack.
Now, that said, consider opening a dialog with them about your dreams and their needs. How about offering them a deal. You will get A's and B's for an entire year and they will let you take acting lessons in the summer. Offer this as a win-win situation. They get the grades they feel you need and you get teh acting lessons you desire.
Lastly, let me also point out that no number of acting lessons will make you a big star. Some of the best actors and acresses in history had no training. I've seen guys (my brother) graduate with a DEGREE in Acting and spend 30 years in Los Angeles and have no one single movie role to show for it. The good grades your parents are working for are your FALL BACK. When you DO try to go after your dreams, you will want something to fall back on besides Walmart Cashiering and Waitressing if it doesn't work out. Make sure your Fall Back is very cushioned.
2006-07-12 12:29:30 · answer #1 · answered by Marvinator 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand how you feel. But I also understand how they feel.
If you are still in high school I will suggest something that you won't want to hear very much.
Study your butt off in History, English, Politics and even Math. If you get the best grade you can on your SATs and work really hard you can get into a terrific college. Terrific college means different things to different people. To your parents, a college that has a major in something that you like (it can be anything other than acting) is terrific... To you, a terrific college is a place that has both things you like AND acting. Once you are 18, even if your parents are paying for your school, you BY LAW are an adult and are the only person in the world who can look at your class records.
I know it may mean waiting a few years to start taking acting classes but it is best to wait for your parents to get off your back.
2006-07-12 12:37:21 · answer #2 · answered by Education_is_future 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the age of 10 I wrote scripts for me and my sister to perform. In the summer, I produced plays in our backyard. Neighborhood kids were reluctant "stars" in my productions!
If your school produces plays, audition for them. You have many years to act. The acting business is not going anywhere, it will be around a long time.
This summer, read as many plays as you can. Go to the public library and ask the librarian to help you find plays that you want to read.
When I was young, I ordered scripts of plays from The Samuel French Company. When I heard the mailman, I ran downstairs, hoping he had dropped scripts in the mailbox. Yipee! How excited I was.
In high school, our school participated in city-wide, drama competitions. After school, I went to a professional theater, where I was an "apprentice." I ran errands. I was a "dresser" to the stars. I moved props and sets, did whatever errand they gave me. I did it because I was in theater! My first love! From: 5:30 p.m. until MidNight, I was at the theater. Sure, I was tired. I didn't want to go to school, the next morning, but, I had to. Theater was my first love, so, being tired, was the sacrifice I made.
I went to college and majored in drama. I moved to New York City and worked for a talent agency, a television producer, and another talent agency.
My point is, yes you CAN do both. You see how much I did. You need to make time for studying. If you don't study, you can't get into a good drama college.
If you're passionate about theater, as you seem to be, you must learn to do both. Think of it as an acting role. Create a character if that helps you.
2006-07-12 13:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by hippiechick_hollywood_68 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nearly everyone above me has given out some good points, so i won't do any repeating.
I just want to tell you that you are not alone. Both Jennifer Aniston and the woman who played the Bulgarian wife in Casablanca had fathers that were against their acting(Jen's dad, the last time I knew, was on Days of Our Lives, and the "Bulgarian wife's" stepfather was an exec at Warner Brothers)
2006-07-12 16:37:41 · answer #4 · answered by travis_a_duncan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how old you are, but I suggest you to not give up on your dream. If you want your parents support, you have to stay in school and make sure you get good grades, at the same time, find a job so that you can pay for acting lessons. If your parents see that you are taking school seriously and that you are serious about acting too, I'm sure little by little they will start suppporting you. Don't rebel against your parents, is not going to help, but be serious about school even if you don't like it, stay in school and take acting lessons and show your parents that you can pay for your own acting lessons. You can also tell your parents that you are willing to help with housework for money to pay for acting lessons. Make a deal with your parents, if they pay you for washing the car or vacum cleaning or doing the laundry, tell them you will stay in school. Be humble when you tell them this, tell them you will follow your dreams with or without their support, but tell them that with their help and support it will be easier for you and safer. Good Luck Honey.
2006-07-12 12:42:26 · answer #5 · answered by hkwhkw n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a lot depends on how you demonstrate your commitment to the goals they think are important to you. That's one of the tricks with parents: letting them know that you've got a backup plan. If they see you're committed to earning good grades and doing the sorts of things they recognize as valuable, they're likely to let acting slide. I'm sorry to hear they're not more supportive, though.
This may be one of those things that you just have to keep on the down-low until you have more freedom. Quite a few actors have to struggle early on and, when parents have no frame of reference for a profession other than their sense that it's a longshot, they're likely to try and push you into channels they are more comfortable with "for your own good."
2006-07-12 12:32:53 · answer #6 · answered by Dr. Atrocity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was an acting major for 2 years, and since I was 8 I wanted to act...and you know what I learned? it IS a joke. Your parents shouldn't tell you what to do, but they prolly are the voice of reason here. get a REAL career and act on the side. wiser than anything you'd hear from your parents or church.
2006-07-13 09:58:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I'm inclined to agree with your parents. Acting is a fickle business, and you could get seriously hurt in it. Without a good education to fall back on, it's doubtful that you will gain much experience in acting to help you with other careers you might need to help improve your education. You're young, try to work out a compromise. I believe it's in your best interest.
2006-07-12 12:28:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should approach your parents (at a good time for them) as respectfully as you can and explain to them that you are very serious about this, and also consider your education to come first.
Then listen to what they have to say and go from there. Think of it as a 'role', perhaps the most important role for you right now, since you desire this so very much.
Best wishes to you.
2006-07-12 12:30:03 · answer #9 · answered by raven s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check and see if there is a local community theater in your area. There you will be able to learn acting (for free) and get some experience. Must shows, with rehearsals, etc, run about two / two and a half months. And must theaters will do a summer show specifically to give teens (and sometimes younger) a chance to be in a show without interferring with their studies.
See if you can get them to compromise for one summer show. That will be your chance to show them you can do it, or your chance to discover that you can't.
2006-07-12 15:17:47 · answer #10 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋