I want to get into acting but..?

Question

I live on a really small island with nothing that has auditioning or anything and our movie theater has about 3 moves tops. I am 11 years old almost 12 but I look older for my age...well I look about 12 maybe almost 13...i am 5'1" but hey lets not get into that. i am not fat or anything either. I am a healthy weight. I dont have anything that can get me into acting on my island. Nobody knows about my secret acting obsession. In middle school we can choose between band and drama. I am going to do band because drama doesn't really help you with the whole acting thing...and most of my friends are doing band. Does anyone know any place or website or anything that can help me get into a good acting career? This is something I really want to do and I just don't know how to get into the business! Can anyone plzz help me? Oh and I don't have any experience!!!!!!! except plays but I am a fairly good actor in those.

Answer 1

Taking Drama or Band depends on how good each of the programs are. It doesnt sound like either of the two is very selective. If the music program is better than the drama program take it. It will teach you how to perform and that is what you need to learn about. There are many actors who never had any training until they were out of high school. - Jack Lemmon, for one. You should try searching the web for Acting 101 and see what you find. Good luck.

Answer 2

I've been an actor for over 30 years, so here's some input from someone who's been there and done it:

First of all, take drama, not band. You may think the drama class won't help you, but what can you learn about acting if you're playing a musical instrument instead of doing plays?

The first lesson you have to learn is: take whatever advantages that are available, and make the most of them. The kids in your acting class will have the same dreams and drive that you have, and the more people you know who share your passion, the better off you are. Also, your acting teacher will know a lot more about what your next step should be than the band teacher.

Do everything you can where you are. When you're older, you can get off the island and look for work in a larger city. Which do you think will help you more -- experience in an acting class, or experience in the band?

If you really want to be an actor, go for it 100%. I don't know where your island is, but check out auditions.com. Or type "acting auditions" in your search engine, and explore what comes up.

If you really want this, you can make it happen. Don't give up.

Answer 3

Honey, be patient. Your time will come, I promise.

I know it's hard to believe, at age 11, that you don't have to decide your entire future right now--but you don't. There'll be plenty of time to get your acting training and the experience you need to do this professionally.

When I was your age, I didn't have many theatre opportunities, either. I took band. It was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it now for the world. I made some of my dearest friends in band class. And musical training is very useful in theatre. Now I teach drama to kids your age. But like you, I couldn't get the stuff I needed in middle school. I actually had to wait until college before I had real chances to be on stage.

If you don't have the opportunity to perform right now, why not use this time to learn about theatre in other ways? See every movie or play you can, then find someone you can talk about it with--did you like it? Why or why not? What would've made it better?

Even if you take band class, I bet the drama teacher at your school would love to meet you and give you some ideas. Maybe he/she would let you help out with a play after school? Let you borrow some plays to read or plays on DVD to watch? Talk with you about your interests?

Write to some of your favorite movie actors. Ask them how they got where they are today and what advice they'd give someone your age who's just starting out and lives somewhere small. You may have to write a lot of letters to get a response--but imagine how great you'll feel when you do! You can also read interviews with them on the internet.

Most importantly, don't give up. If this is something truly important for you, you'll find a way to make it work. You can do it. Good luck!

Answer 4

Well, im sure its hard, if ur on an island, but i have the same dream,. but dude, if u rele like this stuff, and ur passionate about it....switch into drama, or do it as soon as possible. it will help you, you will get experience, it will help you with stage fright, you theter etticate, and everything u need to know about this buisness. and i do a lot of plays a year, and it helps a lot. good luck, just be your slef, and dont be affraid to shine, and be different from ur friens. :D

Answer 5

When you want to practice acting. remember just be yourself, its all in the state of your mentality. you dont even need professional help. look at will smith he never had any professional help. when he acts he is being himself.