Actress questions.?

Question

Hey everyone! I'm Jessica and i'm 14. For the past couple of years i've been wanting to be an actress. Specifically on the Disney Channel, just like everyone else. (:

I have a natural voice and i only went for singing lessons for about a month; and we all know you aren't going to be amazing after only a month. I've been dancing on a travel competition team since i was six. So i have all of the training in that field.

Acting is probably my weakest, though everyone says i'm probably amazing because i'm such a "drama queen." Haha.

I've been to a week long camp for dancing, singing, and acting.
It was alot of fun and i met some amazing kids.
But i don't know where else to go now.

I mean i'm entering high school and our drama courses are awesome but i want to start auditioning when i'm young.
But there are 2 problems.
1. BOTH parents work full time. We live near the City but it's not like we can go there everyday for auditions.
and 2. I don't have an agent.

Help?

Answer 1

OK, first of all I really don't recommend Craig's List. There are better options out there that are not such a dodgy option. I'm not saying the auditions aren't legit, but why take the chance when there are better and safer places to look?

The industry standard is backstage.com, it has been for a long time. The print version used to be called Dramalogue. You can do a free casting search, but you do have to subscribe if you want to see all of the info. Depending on where you live it may not be worth it to subscribe but it's worth doing the free search to see what comes up.

Another great option is actorsaccess.com It's an offshoot of another industry standard, Breakdown Services. The Breakdowns are the casting notices that agents get every morning. actorsaccess gives you limited access to some of thoselistings. It won't give you access to the best stuff, you'll need an agent for that but it's better than nothing for sure. These listings include some of the same types of listings as backstage, where as the real breakdowns would not normaly include student films and community theatre productions, these will. You will however see some minor roles for major shows.

If you go this route without an agent, you can pick and choose which projects you decide you want to submit yourself for, however if you get a job someone will have to commit to taking you and staying with you. If your parents cannot take time off, is there a grandparent or someone around that can stay with you? You really need to make sure you always have an adult with you is knows the labor laws and is going to be your advocate.

If you're going to get serious about an acting career, you need to commit to training. You need acting classes, voice lessons and dance classes. Disney kids are triple threats! Also, your whole family will need to make a commitment to your career because you will need to live where the action is and for Disney casting that's Los Angeles. If that's the city you live near, you will need to go into the city a few times a week for auditions. If you don't live here, some families have one parent temporarily relocate with the talented child for pilot season and see if they get anything. If you parents have the mean you can always try that, but you also have to get an agent... That's the reality of the situation. You and your family need to really talk about this. Can you handle the stress? The financial toll? It's a big deal, but many families do it every year.

More info:
If you want to find a legitimate agent to represent you for commercials, TV & film go to Sag.org. Use the dropdown menu on the right labeled 'resources' and choose 'agent information'. On the next screen, on the left choose 'Find a SAG franchised agent' and follow the directions. You can look up agents all over the US, but there are higher concentrations where the work is (Los Angeles, NY, IL, FL, GA etc.). THere's also Ross Reports, but unless you can find it in print near you, you have to subscribe online. http://www.backstage.com/bso/rossreports/directories.jsp

Then you can send them your headshot, resume, and a cover letter stating that you are seeking representation and wait to see if they call you in for an interview.

Good luck!

Answer 2

hi jessica
my name is tamara and i am an actress. you may never see my name in lights or on the big screen but i do act. i act at a local community theater even though you wnat something bigger than that its a great place to start. it will give you experience and you'll have a blast learning from the other actors. and whats great is you don't need an agent just a callback. just look up theaters in you phone book and not movie theaters but live theater. i have a blast acting and i know you will too. Good luck and i'll keep an eye out for your name on the disney channel.

Answer 3

Well, you can't jump to the Disney Channel from your living room. I takes time, practice, lots of hardwork, and a tiny bit of luck to make it big. Don't worry about agencies yet. There are not natural born brain surgeons. They must study and practice. Likewise, all actors must learn their craft.

If you are a minor, you need to have your parents with you on everyone of these suggstions.

First, work hard at school. Audtion for every school play and keep your grades up! You need your education.

With your parents permission, call a local community theater and ask the Artistic Director whom she/he recommends for classes. Check with your local Community or Jr. College or Adult Ed program, these places often offer introductory classes. Seek out local theater troops and ask them, they may even take you under their wing.

How much do they cost? That really varies. Introductory classes at a Community Theater or Jr. College run a few weeks are likely between $150 to $275. Take one of these to see if you like it. I can only say that a expensive teacher is not necessarily a good teacher, but when you go cheap you often get what you paid for.

Get lots of experience in school and community theater. Find a after-school youth theater. Take acting classes! You can even get friend together and with a digital video camera act in your own movie. Again, with parents permisson, put it on you-tube and see what people think. After getting some experience, search around on Yahoo Answers for information on Acting Resume' and Head shot.


Have your parents use "Craig's List" Gigs-Talent -with your parents to find roles in student/independent short film. Roles in these short film gives you experience and you don't have to make the commitment to drive as often as working in a play. (Be careful with Craig's list - there is a lot of Model Gig's looking for adult work. Just use your head and be careful and always have your Mom or Dad with you on an audition.)

To get ready to audition learn a few good monologues. I suggest a Dramatic Monologue for your age range, a Comic, and a Classical (Shakespeare). You willneed to practice reading "sides" the short scripts that directors have you read and perform for TV and film.

Then get a Headshot done. Make sure you have the picture on disc so you can print it out. Later you will want it professional printed, but to start in community theater computer printed will be okay. Make a resume' and staple or glue it to the back of the headshot. Look around on-line for an example of a acting resume' to model yours after.

Send you resume' to casting agents and go to open calls in bigger areas. Know you really are going to need your folks help here because good agents know that you can work with out there consent. You are going to need then to drive you a lot once this gets going.

Look into summer drama camps, sounds like you already figured that one out. Good for you!

You can also go to the big regional auditions for summer stock theater where many directors go. Theses gigs are temporary, but a great place to get experience.