How does one become an actress when parents think its a joke?

Question

so me and a friend r going to la this i said we should addition for fun but i really want to be one so Bad!!
But u see my parents think its kind of funny and im also 15

Answer 1

Based off the information you gave in your question, if someone came up to me and just said "I want to be an actress", I would not take them seriously either unless they had something to back that up with. In this case, actions speak louder than words. Have you acted before? Are you just pulling this out of thin air becuase you think it would be fun? There are tons of people out there who want to be actors. Heck, I know people who have successful, happy careers who say they would quit their job if offered a movie role in a blockbuster.
However, the reality of the business is that only a small percantage of people are actually successful enough to make their living as an actor (where it's they're full time job) and a miniscule percentage are "stars". I imagine your parents aren't taking you seriously because they think it's a pipe dream.
If you are serious, don't say you want to do it, just do it .Take classes, get involved with drama clubs, do community plays, anything. A couple years down the road, if you're still doing it and still passionate about it, your parents will see that that you truly do love it and aren't just chasing some fantasy of riches and fame. THEY will be the ones who start asking "So, when can I come see your next play?" "Any plan to move to LA/NY?" "Do you think you'll be able to quit your day job soon?"
At least this has been my experience :)

Answer 2

When people think it's a joke. Remind them that James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro , Angelina Jolie are all actors. Without actors there would be no movies or tv shows. It's a business none of us would want to be without. What if all those actors I mentioned above were told acting's a joke and didn't pursue it? It's an art form. People often think art is not a career, but of course it is, but not if you're only fantasizing about it. It's a career and getting into it is extremely difficult. The thing is, even the Beatles were told to get a real job and forget about music because it's not a real career.
But here's the deal, acting is a joke if not taking seriously. If someone just wants to be a star and not work at it. Acting is a BUSINESS just like any business. Anyone can say, "I want to be an astronaut" or whatever, but you don't suddenly become an astronaut. It takes a lot of learning, doing.
As for how to get into acting -- do as much as you can, in school, student films, anywhere. The more you do, the better you'll be and the more connections you'll make in the biz.... I could go on, but this is too long already......
----from a pro actor

Answer 3

Hello. So you want to become an actress?? Well, it is a noble profession and your parents should realize that. However, they might take you more seriously about your passion to become an actress if you get involved with school plays, take acting classes, vocal lessons and take some dance classes. There are all tools you will need for when you become an actress. When you are ready for college you need to look at schools that have good theater arts programs. There are many throughout the country. The best probably being Julliard in New York City. But, there are other great schools as well. I am from the Chicago area and I know DePaul University, Northwestern University and Illinois State University all have excellent programs. In New York, NYU has a good theater program as well as Julliard and Yale in Connecticut. However, you do not have to go to college to become an actor. There are also many acting workshops around the country as well. But, I think if you want your parents to take you seriously I think a college program is your best bet. That way you can major in Theater Arts and perhaps have another major in say education or something else in case the acting thing doesn't work out. You will have something to fall back on. I didn't discover that I wanted to become an actor until I finished my Masters degree. So I went the acting school route i.e. Second City, The Actors Studio in Chicago etc... But whatever you do is fine. But, I really think if you want your parents on your side, a college theater program will convince them you are serious. In the mean time though, get involved with school plays, community theater, take dance classes and take vocal classes. These will all look good on your college application if you want to apply to the theater study program. When your parents see that you are doing all of these things to get into a college theater program they will see your are serious and their attitude towards your ambitions will change. I hope this helps, take care and break a leg.

Answer 4

If you are serious, act as much as you can, whether its a lead role or a non speaking part. Experience is key, along with an amount of inherent talent. Try out for any high school production you can, whether shakespeare, or one acts, or musicals. Try out at any community theatre, etc...If you don't get a part in the play, they will probably have you on crew, which is a great way to get your foot in the door and give you some appreciation for the people behind the scenes. When I was in high school, a lot of getting a decent role was about paying your dues. You should also take drama classes, they will help you learn about what an actor does, and how they prepare, etc. Drama teachers also usually have a part in who gets certain roles in a production, so if they know who you are, that much better. Good luck, or should I say...Break a leg! (that was lame)

Answer 5

You are 15 and going to LA? Uh huh. And you are going to "addition"? Are you also going to subtraction? Listen to your parents at this point. You are not ready. You can't even spell it correctly. And it's not "me and a friend", it's "a friend and I". And your sentence is not a sentence. I'm just trying to point out to you that you are in no way prepared and you will make a fool of yourself at this point. You need to finish school and then you need to go to college and get a degree in theatre and film performance. Then you might be ready. In the meantime, try concentrating on reading and writing well. You will need it for memorizing scripts if you ever really get into the business.

Answer 6

Plan on going to a college or university that has a respected peforming arts program. If your high school has a performing arts program get involved that will get you started in the right direction.

Answer 7

You're a minor and cannot sign a contract with a Talent Agent, so you must do what your parents tell you!

Talent Agents will not meet with minors!

Answer 8

Just keep going with it and see how far you can go. If you can turn it into a career, they won't think it's a joke anymore.

Answer 9

Well,tell them your very serious,and ancious (if thats how you spell it)and tell them that it will be good to prepare for your career