I want to be an actress more than anything in the world...but i need help...plz read on...?

Question

I want to be an actress. i have a few problems though. First i do not have supporting parents. They both are completely against it and wont let me get an agent or even thinking about acting. Do i need an agent? Second, if i dont have an agent how wilol i know where i can audition? Third, do i have to take classes? If so, do i have to pay? Im only 15 but i hear i should get an early start and i would love to get into this business as soon as possible. How long does it take?

Answer 1

If your parents are not supportive, you need to show them what you can do and that this is a realistic, attainable goal for a career. I am sure they would have no objection to you participating in local or school theatre. If you are serious you should be doing that anyway. Work up to maybe auditioning for regional or university stage productions, and you can make some new contacts there.

geography is a big factor for auditions and managers... if you live anywhere near where commercials, film or stage work is happening, then you should be able to check out auditions, but as a minor you will need your parents help and support. If they are not on board this may have to wait. Playbill.com (see below) has info on stage auditions all over the country... check it out!

Beware acting seminars and classes that charge $$. These can be scams, although many do attend workshops for a fee as a means of getting industry connections. Reputable ones will tell you upfront what they can and can't offer you.

A good college program will help with several things. You are a few years out, but not too early to start looking.

#1 you will gain skills in a variety of settings and interests. For instance, at a decent college theatre/ acting program you can take classes in stagecraft (lighting, set design, etc) history of theatre, writing (screen plays, etc.) music (in case you have singing aspirations) dance, and humanities in general, which will help you better understand and portray characters you might end up playing someday.

#2 you can make connections. Ina field like this, connections are EVERYTHING. You could be the best "Whatever" in the world, but if no one knows you and you know no one, you will probablly never get a shot. The guy sitting next to you in a class in college could end up casting some major production some day. Or your teachers could have friends in the industry looking for that perfect person for a part. Look for a program that has generated graduates that are working, and has faculty that have connections.

#3 Experience... you will get to be in a lot of shows, independent films (make friends with those film majors!!), tours, master classes and more.... drink it all in, make freinds and graduate with a decent GPA. Even if you end up going some other direction, a Bachelors degree can help you get lots of other jobs in a variety of fields. Teaching is another "fall back" option.

As far as the parents go, offer to get a degree in English Ed., Dance Ed, Music Ed, whatever your pleasure... most states don't have theatre ed degrees, but if yours does, go that route. Teach during the year, and audition all summer! Who knows where you could end up???

But you MUST act... reading about acting is like painting about music... the only way to get better at it it to DO IT!!!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I think the first thing you have to do is ask yourself WHY you want to be an actress. If it's "to be a star," then you have a completely different set of objectives than if it's "to be an artist." It's not that those are the only two choices.
But if it's to be a star, you will almost certainly need to be either incredibly attractive or somehow physically different--enormously tall, mannishly muscles, etc. And if stardom is what you want, you might have to sell part of your soul for it.

If it's to be an artist, find out everything you can about all the arts. See like a painter, listen like a musician, taste like a chef, and experience the tactile sensations and movement like a dancer. Read a lot, and not just plays or books about movies/theatre. Read poetry and Jane Austen and Dickens and philosophy and history.

But first know WHY.

Answer 3

The first thing you need to do is watch great actors, and read about acting. People will say reading about acting is pointless, and the only way to do it is to practice, but that's not true. You need to be educated as well as have practice. Theory without practice or practice without theory is a waste. You need to do both.

I'm not sure if your interest lies in film or theater, or both. Michael Caine has a great book on Film Acting, which you should read if that interests you. Even if you are film focused I would still look into the writings of Stanislovsky and Stella Adler (who was Marlon Brando's teacher, among man others.) Yoshi Oida also has a couple great little books that are fast reads. Make sure not to read books by people who aren't rooted in an actual tradition. Everyone has their own tricks, or ways to act, but look to the masters. Don't be taken in by someone's crazy theory, find something that is useable.

The research you can do without your parent's help. Practice becomes harder. I would suggest go to college and make theater an extracurricular. Go to lots of plays, be analytical. Don't be afraid to be critical.

If college is not an option, remember: once you are on your own, supporting yourself, you can make it happen. Start saving money for acting classes (again, avoid classes that are not rooted in actual techniques. Scene study is a waste of time for a beginner, focus instead on Technique classes.) It's important to find a teacher who will challenge you, and avoid teachers who will just pump your ego up. Sadly too many American acting institutions are about making everyone feel good instead of actually calling acting students out on their flaws and making them better performers. Find a teacher that will make you work and isn't afraid to knock you down a couple pegs.

You don't need an agent right away, and it's never too late to jump into it. The older you get, the less competition for the good paying acting jobs. Of course you could get lucky early on, but the reality is most people don't. So just work at it, get better everyday, save money for the future, and take advantage of your parents wanting you to do something else by learning other skills. When you get out into the real world, make sure you get a flexible job, heck, get several. The biggest challenge to being an actor is making ends meet between paying acting gigs. You don't want to get a job that will prevent you from auditioning during the days and you don't want to get a job that will prevent you from rehearsing at night! It's tricky, but many actors find a good balance through catering and temping, that kind of thing.

You're young, and I'm sure if you apply yourself you will have a satisfying, reward career. Remember - though most people don't get famous, but *lots* of people make it, use acting as a primary income, and have artistically fulfilling lives!

Answer 4

The person above me is correct. I have been acting for almost 7 years and I am now looking to get an agent. Im 13 btw. My parents werent very supportive at first and whenever I tell adults that I want to be an actress my mom sais "I hope she changes her mind." Now they are a little more supportive. My mom is still making me look for collages and figure out my plan B for what I want to be. Im trying to get a national scholorship so I can go to a collage in NY with my bff or one in California, but my mom is trying to get me to apply for one that is just for out state. I wasnt even born here so I hate where I live. Yes you should get an early start even though its best to go at it at 18. Try to talk to your parents about it and tell them that you have a plan B for if (or in their case when) it doesnt work out. Most classes you have to pay for. You could start auditioning for local plays in your area and if their pro theatres, then you will probably get paid to be in the production. Its not just an overnight thing. You will work for years until you get success unless you have a family member in the buisness.

Answer 5

Here goes, me about to counter what just about everyone here has said.

OK first and foremost, if you are really serious you need to explain that you your parents.

I'm kind torn on what to tell you because i'm not sure what kind of acting you want to do and why.

I'll come straight out and tell you if you want to do it for money, you're doing it for the wrong reason, cuz you're not gonna see money for a while unless you're super talented and uber lucky. (in which case you wouldn't need classes right?)

Here's how it goes, i'm not sure how much acting classes will do for you, i've never known anybody that has. But don't get me wrong, you want to practise the craft. I suggest if you wanna take classes, take improv classes not acting classes.

If you want an agent i say go for it, just make sure you find one who will actually work for you (yeah right ! lol). And for someone who doesn't know where to look for auditions or is looking for a better chance, they are a good way to turn. I know plenty of people who had/have agents while still in high school (one of them actually guest starred on Summerland, that was his best job but still it got him on tv).

I'd say look into pilot season in LA if you're looking for tv acting.

you'll be spending alot of money getting urself on your feet in the acting world so i suggest you get a job (you'll need things like headshots, a cell phone is almost a must, and transportation is your first and foremost lol).

really i'd rather not spend too much time explaining things becauase i can go on in muliple topics, you need to figure out what kind of acting you want to do and such.

Answer 6

You need an agent if you want to audition for acting roles.
Listen to your parents.

Even if you could get an agent, an agent will not accept you as a client because you are a minor and your parents would have to sign a contract for you to be resented by a Talent Agency.

Listen to your parents they know best. You are a child, NOT adult. Your parents know what is best.

Answer 7

An Agent?? how about an education first, most actors are college educted indiviiduals! with English, Jounalism, or Theatre degrees... then you work hard on your own, establish yourself, with talent. then think of agent, unless your rich and want to pay someone else to find you work? read the trades "variety' and look at alll!!! those other people out-there lookin for that smae thing. acting isn't based on looks! its talent! and a lot of hard work! go to seminars, at local colleges in L>A>? or in New York, observe, listen, ask, and see. challenges that will occur, it's not an overnight thing!

Answer 8

i'm not sure if u need an agent!? but, u should talk to ur parents about taking classes. u might have 2 pay for them but, u can earn money bye doing chores for neighbors.

Answer 9

Focus on your education - ultimately it will make you a better actor. In three years you will be 18, then it will not matter what your parents think.

Answer 10

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