How do I become an actress?!!!?

Question

I'm still in primary school in Australia and my dream job is to be an actress. I know most actors come from L.A and America. What are the chances I, being from Australia will have. I love acting because i love being someone else and taking on their charactor. I haven't got an agent(can u get agents in Australia?) and I'm in one school play right now, but I am in a small group that only says 2 things. I hope to go to acting school after high school. What does it look like? Do I have enough to be an actress?

Answer 1

If you want to be a Hollywood actress, move to Hollywood when you are older. But I have to say, having worked in Hollywood and having met many actors, there are many many many better things that you can do with your life. LA is filled with aspiring actors. Even if you get something, you might not be satisfied. You can try doing commericals and TV in Australia first to start if you really want to pursue acting. Audition for the right parts and eventually something will work out.

Answer 2

Sorry, gotta repost this. I just answered this question a click or two ago. So here goes:

As far as you being from Australia, that's cool. Makes no difference to Hollywood. Just make sure that you can shake the accent at will. Be able to talk like us yanks, and like the Brits, for that matter. You HAVE to be able to do that. ok, on with the show.

You have to get your SAG card and a good agent. Period. Not until you get your SAG card in hand and actually perform a SPEAKING part in something that actually airs or distributes are you really a pro TV or Movie actor. How do you get one? Don't ask, because people don't tell. How would I myself do it? Well, firstly:

I'd get some headshots (black and white head pictures in different facial expressions and poses) made by a good photographer that includes makeup and wardrobe as part of the package. Then,

I'd make sure that I can act. I'd do this by auditioning for small local theaterhouses, playcompaines, and dramatic productions. Think urban theater, school plays, drama clubs, college drama departments (even community college, which usually has some of the best). You could also move to LA and pick up the newspaper Backstage West and the magazine Variety which will let you know everything going on in Hollywood, and especially the open cattle calls (extras needed) and music videos. Go to the cattle calls. Be on time and clean and neat and articulate and ready to take direction and stand around all day. Don't harass anyone with your headshot or demo reel/tape/DVD. Just say "Hello, where do you need me today when you start, and slyly slip a headshot/DVD to the casting director when you leave, without saying A WORD. Stay FAR away from LA acting schools, modeling agencies, recording studios, and other sleaze-houses, and make sure that any agent you hook up with has some A-list actors or is part of a firm that does.

Independent films are also a great way to get in the game. Go to a film school like UCLA's or NYU's and hang out. Take the headshots and give them to up-and-coming directors. Good directors only. Butter them up by giving them your headshot and asking to see their work. If they are good, keep in contact. Tell them you want to act in their movies. Be on time and reliable. If their film can ends up IN Cannes, you are there too baby!

Also, I don't care WHO it is. If you perform some kind of immoral act for them, they are NOT going to get you any more than you can get from Backstage West - a part as an extra. I don't care WHO it is. It just doesn't work like that. You have to have a good, respected agent pulling for you, and once you get that first part, a good attorney (not one the picture company "gives" you) and a good manager pulling for you.

To tell you the truth, it's like hitting the lottery. It most likely isn't going to happen at all, no matter how hard you work or what you do, no matter how on the level or immoral. There just aren't enough slots for the number of people that want into Hollywood, and LA will eat you ALIVE trying to chase the dream. Sorry to say it, but you must already be well financed and not care about the money to increase your chances. That way you can just live in LA and do it as a hobby. If you have to work and do this, God help you. It's a hard, hard, hard life. Even if you "make it". You are much better off doing something else that is less risky and less taxing on the soul. Even if you "love to act" or what-have-you. It really really really ain't what you think.

One more thing. Rent all seasons of HBO's Entourage. If you ever do "make it big", that show uniquely, accurately outlines the Hollywood lifestyle. LOL it almost made me homesick. Almost.

Answer 3

I'll be blunt. You're not going to be a famous actress. The odds are terribly stacked against you. Go get lunch in LA, and you will meet more than one actress/waitress who wants to be the next star. To be honest, your odds are even worse. Now that Sandra Bullock is a star, she can be picky about what she does. An actor who has not made it big takes any and every possible role, hoping to get noticed. If that means singing on a cat food commericial, you do it. Only being in one show is not a good start. A few famous actors make big money, but the rest can't even support themselves with acting. Are you going to be the one in a million who hits it big? Probably not. If you go the medical track, you can make a good living. Even if you can't quite make it into medical school, you can go to PA school or NP school or get your MSN, and you will make a good living.

Answer 4

you should get an agent they really help people get auditions and the only way to get auditions from some networks like Disney channel is to have one you should go to Millie Lewis.com and sign up on its mailing list so they ll email you when auditions in your area come and if you have what it takes they become your agent
good luck on becoming an actor i hope it really comes though for you. again good luck!

ps.millielewis.com also shows you great information you need to know about acting

Answer 5

Study and work in Australia. When you have a strong acting background, you can consider moving to Los Angeles or New York.

Answer 6

go do shows at a commuinity theatre and if you get into it, tell your parents you really want to act and try comercials or maybe start an acting group with your friends, that isn tprofesional but it will help you. trust me. you can try improv to help your acting skills. if you dont know what imrpov is, its when you make up something on the spot. it helps if a mistake is made in a play. trust me i act, not really profesionally but i have auditioned for broadway and have done movies and i have a couple friends on broadway. if you really get into acting, then when you get older move to ny or la. i live in ny

Answer 7

STOP everything and concentrate on your studies.Your dream is a temporary phenomenon and it will washed away as you grow older and older.The primary level of Education will take you to some level and will give power to understand the character you may role in future.So education is a must for you.You should have healthy body and healthy mind too dear.

Answer 8

you have to go to an acting school they will find you an agent .anyway good luck.

Answer 9

just practis and u will be an actress fast as you blink ur eyes