I'm about to turn 18 and I am moving to NY to start acting (movies & tv), but Ive been told several things!

Question

I want to act in movies and on tv (maybe), but Ive been told that acting in plays and all that would be better to get started. Only thing is I dont want to act in plays and not get the chance to start my dream until like my 20s. Is it possible for me to start acting on tv and in movies now at my age? Are directors open enough for new talent. Ive been told by everyone around me that I was "born to act." Is this possible?

Answer 1

Acting in plays can give you a respectable background. Just realize that everyone holding auditions are looking for a piece of the puzzle that will complete their project, it may not be your skill, so don't take it personally. BE patient if you have a slow start, if you were born to act it will happen. REMEMBER: You are selling yourself as an actress. Get a good agent, get to know people, and find an edge that you have and no one else does. No one wants another Julia Roberts, or Reese Witherspoon, we already have one. Hope you find what you are looking for. BREAK A LEG!

Answer 2

Sounds like you want to be a star. If that is your goal, than move to LA. If you are interested in acting, than plays are just as good and you have a better chance of getting a part. More importantly though, you will LEARN to be a good actor. At 18, you may have all the talent in the world, but you still have a lot to learn.
Moving to New York is a big scary deal.
My advise (and I know, I'm in the buisness) is move to New York if you want to and go to auditions every day. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. Don't give up.
Do as many plays as you can until you get an agent. Send you head shot and resume to agents. Make friends and connections. GET AN AGENT as soon as you can, and to get one you have to have an impressive resume so start doing plays!
I know many successful actors that are your age, but they have experience. They started doing professional theatre at 13 or 15 or younger sometimes.
You can get into movies, but your chances are slim to none without an agent.
Be professional, no one like a diva, even when that diva is a big star. You don't have the talent to be unprofessional, no one does. Even stars get fired.
Your reputation is everything, New York is the biggest small town in the world. The theatre community here is even smaller, everyone knows everyone eventually, if you actually work (most people don't).
Good Luck (or break a leg if you are superstitious).
New York is the best place in the world to live, an amazing place to learn to be a great actor, and full of opportunities if you are smart enough to make them.

Answer 3

You'll be lucky if you start your dream in your 20's don't be so anxious. If you are an unknown and have no professional acting jobs on your resume you should plan on working somewhere else while you look for a role. Do you have an agent? Is your family connected in some way to the business? If not, you've got a long row to hoe. Be patient it could take years to work yourself up to a tv or movie role.

Answer 4

many people say that people are born to act. you really can't have your hopes to high until you become successful.

don't think that just because your 18, you can't act. the old lady in the movie, titanic was 75 when she started acting. you can start acting at any age but most people think you need to start young so you can have experience when your older and a longer period of time to be famous. but really, it's all about talent.

it's a good idea to move to NY. NY and LA are the most famous places for filming but a lot of people are also moving there now to also become famous. so think realistically, not like a fantasy and good luck!

Answer 5

If you want to be in movies and on TV, move to L.A. If you want to learn how to act, move to New York, take acting lessons, and do theater. Of course you can work at your age, and a continual supply of new talent is essential because Hollywood eats it's young. No offense, but you sound terribly naive. I hope you don't come out here and end up in porn or selling yourself on the streetcorner because you didn't know what you were doing.

Answer 6

It wouldn't hurt to broaden your horizons. You might not get an awesome acting gig the minute you walk into New York. There are thousands of people that want to do what you do and not all of them make it.

Just think of american idol, all those people actually thought they could sing...only about 50 could.

You might like acting on stage, you might not, but it's something to have on your resume. Saying that you've acted in something. You have to start out small and work your way to the top.

Answer 7

You are going to have a very hard time there which cost of living is staggering high and acting and playing music is very competitive business and hard to break through. A lot of actors will tell you the first years are extremely tough to live to make a living in that kind of business, but follow your heart and head for your career path, and Good luck.

Answer 8

I have the same dream! Wow! that's amazing! Go For it girl! U know... i think that if you get a chance grab it, and use it! If you really want to make ur dream became true, and if ur really good at it, then take a chance and see what happens! They might recognize ur brilliant talent, and they might take u in some movie! If that's what u want, of course.
Good luck!

Answer 9

i'm going to upfront with you. you can start ballet at anytime but if you were thinking of it more than just leisure, you are to late. ballet takes years to master and the avg age of professionals are right at 20 years old and it is an early retiring profession too at the age of 40. by the time you are ready professionally you will probably be 25-30 so you would have 10 years to make all your money

Answer 10

Typically actors in New York do theatre - to be seen by agents and casting directors. Do whatever works for you.

If you plan, at some point, to get an agent, He/she determines where an actor is best suited, to work, i.e., soaps, commericals, movies, television, industrials, print, voice-overs, etc., The Agent is the professional NOT the actor!