From one aspiring actor to others, which city in your opinion would be a better choice to start an acting career? I'm open to do Theater, but my heart is in TV and Film. What do you think?
2007-01-20 09:53:43 · 14 answers · asked by metrolover80 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
L.A. and New York are where much of the industry is located, but consider this: many of the most succesful actors from the last fifty years studied in Chicago at Second City and IO (among other places). Indeed, you will get better training and more stage time in Chicago or Toronto than you will probably get in NYC or L.A.
Ultimately, this depends on what kind of acting you wish to persue. I will point out that, while much of what you would do in a Second City or IO situation would be comedy, many of the actors from these schools went on to do some pretty serious work. Ed Asner, Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, John Belushi, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Mike Myers, Bill Murray and dozens and dozens of others all came from the Chicago and Toronto traditions.
Anyhow, LA and NYC have a good reputation for being places where the industry (and some outstanding training) is located, but look at the backgrounds of some of the actors that you admire and find out where they really got their starts. The answers will sometimes surprise you.
2007-01-20 10:49:19 · answer #1 · answered by Joey Michaels 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both are tough to break into an acting career. I hope you've had some experience in your home town! If your heart is on TV and film, then LA would be a good choice. Also, LA might be a little kinder. Warmer weather, the beach, mountains just outside where you can get away from it all. Everyone is an actor there, so you will have a lot of actor friends sharing casting calls and such.
If you like gray corridors of tall buildings and gray faces to go along... go to NY city.
Getting that 'break' can happen anywhere. Go where you think you will thrive.
2007-01-20 10:14:46 · answer #2 · answered by mama T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends. If you're just interested in an acting job and not interested in actually "learning" to act then I'd say L.A.
If acting to you is more than just a job, it's a passion or something you feel driven to do then I'd say head to N.Y. and try to get into the Pace University MFA program. They're offering the program in partnership with the prestigious Actor's Studio Drama School. See the links below for more info. Check out the WikiPedia link for some idea of the caliber of actors that have come out of the Actor's Studio Drama School.
Good luck either way!
2007-01-20 10:00:50 · answer #3 · answered by Digital Haruspex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In your own hometown for starters. Join community theater, school plays, acting workshops. You will need an agent and they are VERY hard to secure, as they want only the supremely talented. You need connections. Remember, LA is full of waiters who are waiting tables while waiting for that big chance. Most will continue to wait tables. NYC the same way. If live theater is your bag, then NYC is where you go. If TV and film, LA. But again, you need looks, connections in the business, talent, more talent, and charisma.
2007-01-20 10:19:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Theater is NYC and the UK, Film and TV is in L.A. and Vancouver B.C.
Independent films are located all over the US.
If I were you, I'd stay where you are, find a local independent film company and build your resume because being a big fish in a small pond will get you work faster than the competition that will make you feel despondent and lost.
2007-01-20 10:35:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends. If you want film-definitely go to LA. If you HAVE to do theatre, there is some in LA, but NYC is the place to be. Make sure you're prepared to move to New York, though. It's really hard to break into it here. At least in LA you can do extra work.
Besides, living in New York is tough. Sleep on it, but definitely do it.
2007-01-20 10:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by Year of the Monkey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your true passion is TV and Film, I would suggest LA since that's where so many shows/movies are shot. Also, most theatre tours audition in LA, so you could get exposure doing that then ease into film as well. Good luck!
2007-01-20 10:41:47 · answer #7 · answered by Alex R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm only 15 but I'm looking into acting also. I recommend that you start off local and maybe get an acting coach/agent and go from there. Also do online searches for acting auditions for commercials and television extras.
2007-01-20 09:59:55 · answer #8 · answered by music ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say NYC. I think LA is overrated and to start off I think theater would be great. Good luck!!!
2007-01-20 10:02:43 · answer #9 · answered by Stumped 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My nephew started in off-Broadway theatres and was doing pretty good getting roles till his day-job required him to put it aside for a while. On stage, you'll know fairly soon if you have any talent by the audience response.
2007-01-20 10:03:16 · answer #10 · answered by Catfish_Woman154 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋