Should I forget my dream?

Question

I am 13 years old, and I want to become an actress after I get out of High School. The only thing is, nobody beleives I can do it. My brothers girlfriend (soon to be wife) said "Oh, you just want to become an actress for the money and the fame, besides there is only a 1% chance you will even get that far. You have to have money in order to do that." I do not care about the money and fame. It's my dream, but my brothers girlfriend always finds a way to bring me down about my dreams, and I am scared to tell my dad because I don't know what he would say. I used to want to be a vet but I got into theatre at school and i love it. I have a true passion for it, although I am shy, I can overcome that, Can't I? What should I do?

Answer 1

NEVER GIVE UP! You have dreams for a reason. Give it your best shot, but also be responsible about it. You COULD be in the 1%, and if you are remember me :) Keep your grades up, try out at local community theaters, do everything you can towards your "craft", but also create a back-up plan - say if you haven't "made it" by a certain age you will pursue your doctorate. You have your whole life ahead of you and you can do lots and lots of things. Tell others to quit raining on your parade. And let your dad know, tell him your backup plans too so he knows you are being mature about it.

Answer 2

Honey, you're only 13 - you got your whole life in front of you. Anything is possible... just not always probable.

Ask yourself why you want to be an actress, and what sort of actress you want to be. By the way, the girlfriend is wrong - you do not need money to an actress - in fact, choosing acting as a career pretty much ensures you won't be rich. True, only a small number of people get rich and famous by acting - but a large number of people make their living by it and have a long and fulfilling career. You must be willing to accept that it is an arduous and difficult career, but deeply fulfilling to those who truly love the craft for itself.

Honestly, you are still young and may change your mind by the time you finish high school and/or college. The best advice is to always pursue whatever you truly love, whatever you are truly passionate about. There is no point having a career you hate or that bores you.

If the girlfriend is always a party pooper, just stop telling her your dreams. If she brings the topic up, tell her it is your decision, and if she does not support your decision she should keep her negative comments to herself.

Acting is a wonderful way to overcome shyness! Trust me, adults often turn out VERY different from how they were as children or teenagers - if you want to change you definitely can!

Answer 3

Hey there! Cheer up! You've got that dream in your heart for a reason!!!!! Everybody has one. It's just a matter of whether or not they say "I can do this" and they map out a plan with attainable goals or they say " I'd never amount to much anyway" and throw it in the trash. THOSE are the type of people that end up sitting on their front porch rocking when they're old, and constantly revisiting the dream that might have been- "If only I had...". A LIFE LIVED FULL OF REGRET IS NO LIFE AT ALL!!! You are still young enough that you can start to make some serious progress. But you have to be ultra-committed. Are you going to search until you find a venue where you can begin acting? Are you involved in drama and theater at your school and in productions in your community? Some of Hollywood's best first started on the stage, you know. If it's your dream you have nothing to loose and everything to gain by trying out EVERYWHERE. Even the little unknown places, because we all have to start somewhere. :) Go forth and act! You won't be happy until you do. Just wait until everyone sees how happy it makes you and those doubting relatives of yours will be thinking twice before they say anything negative! X D

As for being shy, get your school's drama teacher to help you find your inner "drama queen". Study the characters. Get to know what makes them tick. Then become that character. Feel what they feel. Know why they do what they do, what drives them.

Eventually, you will become more comfortable as you realize that you are playing a character that you've added your own touches to. Rock it! I'm rooting for you!

Answer 4

Sabrina

I have been a professional actor and director for thirty years, and no, I am not famous, you will not have heard of my name, but through my work I suport a family and lead a comfortable life. Your soon to be in-law is quite right when she quotes the odds, and the odds are even poorer for girls and women since the entrtainment industry is still overrepresented by male roles, and there are far more women attracted to the industry. Truly, my best advice is; if you can live your life doing something else, anything else - do it! The craft is a tough master and you will be unemployed much more often than working, and be prepared for people to say no to you on a daily basis.

All that being said, Sabrina, sometimes in this profession there is JOY. It's better than happiness, better than contentment, and sometimes better than sex. Sometimes.
If you find (as I did - and in high school) that you simply cannot live without it, then don't. Do it with all your heart, and with every fibre of your soul, learn well, be open and generous. Learn people and art, and above all yourself. You may never be rich and famous, and more than likely you will not be happy or content, but hell, they're not all they're cracked up to be. You will only regret it if you don't try. I never have. Good luck sweetheart, see you "out there."

Answer 5

Chase your dreams as hard as you can. I can promise you that you will never regret following a career that makes you truly happy. I can also promise you that you'll regret not chasing one because of someone's 'good advice' or out of your own fears. BTW, being shy shouldn't make much of a difference. After all, you're not supposed to be yourself on the stage, you're supposed to be playing a role, no?

Get yourself into as many local acting gigs as you can. This will help you decide if you truly have the acting bug or not.

I also recommend that you consider if acting is something you would still do if you ended up being an obscure underpaid actor, as many if not most are. If the answer is still yes, then you'll do just fine (but make sure you learn some money making skills of one sort or another so you can pay the rent).

Answer 6

First of all, your brother's girlfriend has no right to remove the value from your dreams. She's not even really family yet, and when she is, she will be what I call "guest family."

Make all the connections you can. Meet as many people as you can. Audition often. GO TO COLLEGE and MAJOR IN THEATRE! You will meet a good number of people who know important theatre people there. Get internships in college. Work, work, work. I'm 100% broke, and I got my first professional theatre job this summer just by volunteering at a community theater. Money does help, this is true, but it is NOT the end-all, be-all of theatre.

Answer 7

If you want something you will get it. That is just her opinion and she is negative, just brush her type off and stick to your guns. Sounds like you are on the right track. Taking Drama classes and entering plays in your area would give you a great start of course. This would also build your talent. The local theaters, library, the news papers, phone book, any type of things to do in your area may list some plays you can audition for. Moving to LA has alot of opportunity's or NY, they always have auditions to play in soap operas, movies, be an extra, etc. If you are shy that is okay, alot of actresses and actors are very shy, you can do it! As far as your Dad goes, I would tell him. If he does not like it that is no reason for you to give it up, just keep your grades up. A parent will try to lead you to do what they believe is right and that is normal, however they can not force you to be a vet if you decide you do not want to. You will need to live your life not theirs or anyone elses. Good luck.

Answer 8

If all you truly want to do is act, then audition at a local civic theater. There is little to no chance of finding fame and fortune there, but at least you are pursuing you dream of acting. You are far too young to be making definite career decisions right now. In the meantime, enjoy yourself. Audition. Live the actual experience of acting. And, if you are truly good, your family and friends will see how serious you are and might be more supportive. Never give up your dreams. Good luck.

Answer 9

Never give up your dreams! you can overcome being shy but you have to make sure you do so that it won't get in the way. if you don't want it for the money or fame, then try out for a community play. you will get experience and you won't have to go to hollywood or anything....yet. you have to build up your experiences so that people will want you to be in their shows or commercials or whatever. Don't let anyone keep you from your dreams! after all, they are your dreams not theirs! you may not be able to control where you move but you can keep on dreaming. but I would seriously recommend that you start small with plays so that you will be ready when the time comes.

Answer 10

Hey there, you are now talking to someone who has had a dream since she was 6 to be a singer. I started in a kindergarden music theatre and every year since then I have been in choir or a musical production. Dont listen to your brothers fiancee, she probably gave up on her dream because someone brought her down. DONT GIVE UP because if you keep at it and do the best you can you WILL be an actress, just like I WILL be a singer, feel free to IM me anytime..Im on yahoo under voic3_0f_an_ang3l