I am trying to become an actor. Where do I start?

Question

I am 15 years old. I been doing school musicals and stuff for the longest time. I just dont know where to start? What to do? Where can i find a agent that works with my age group? (and i also live in Los Angeles) Please Help.

Answer 1

Yes, you'll need for your parents to do much of the work for you.

What you'll need most to do is to look in the professional trade publications (Variety and others) for open audition calls. Those will give you your best shot at paying gigs. Your parent will need to go with you to sign necessary releases.

Work enough of those paying gigs and you'll qualify for a union card (most likely Screen Actor's Guild; visit their website for info) and THEN agents will consider you as a client.

You can also enhance your chances by enrolling in acting/movement/voice classes in the best studio or university programs you can manage. (University programs, in your case, would be probably summer workshops for HS students.) At these classes, you'll have a chance to network with people who are connected in the biz--and your connections are important, especially when you're starting out.

Answer 2

You can get a talent agent if your parent or guardian supports you working in the industry. Because of the contracts involved, you can't get an agent on your own until you reach the age of majority (18).

If you want to become a professional actor, you need to do a *lot* of acting, so that when you're acting, you are relaxed and natural. Most professional actors are "Method" actors - that is, they use techniques that allow them to make their character as lifelike as possible, by re-creating their character's emotions and influences, drawing on their own emotions and experiences.

The sooner you start learning and practicing Method acting, the better your chances of a professional acting career. Most high school "actors" are really just "performers" - putting on an impression of a role, rather than "becoming" their roles, but often, that's all that's asked for in high school productions.

Read the books by the great Russian director, Konstantin Stanislavsky, which deal with every aspect of method acting. They are actually a very interesting read, and are regarded by many professional actors as the "Bible(s)" of modern acting. Lee Strasberg is another historic figure in Method acting, and has authored helpful resources for actor training.

Find opportunities to practice your art whenever you can. Community and school theatre, drama classes, private lessons... whatever you can do to think about how you can realistically recreate a character. Even if you don't land major roles, take whatever role you do get, and use what you've learned to make it come to life. If you don't land a role, offer to work backstage, on lights or sound, stage managing, or on sets and costumes. Having an understanding of theatrecraft can do a lot to help your stagecraft.

Check out the links below for more information on Method acting.

Answer 3

You cannot get an agent because you are a minor.

It is necessary for an actor to sign a contract with an Agent.

You have to wait until you are older or ask one of your parents to sign an Agency contract for you.

Answer 4

There is differnt kinds of acting. Right now voice over for books on tape, instructional material, comercials, video games, cartoons, foriegn language translation etc. is the place to be. The demand is much greater than visual acting and still offers good money (one commercial can be worth $20,000-$60,000 for the actor).

Answer 5

there is this great website that will really help you out. It's called www.hollywoodnorthentertainment.com ...... I guarantee you it will help you if you help them.

Best of luck!