How do I become an actor?

Question

Hello, I am 16 years of age and am a male. I would really like to become an actor but have no idea where to start...

I have never done acting before and was never in a school play or anything like that.

One problem that I do have is that I am a shy guy... I just can't be part of a school play or something like that but I still want to become an actor? How do I stop being shy and step up and do what ever it takes?

How do I become an actor? Where do I start?

Also... I mean like movie acting not theater

Answer 1

Do some research online and find several agencys and then apply for them. Send them a few pics of you including smiling, not smiling, head shot, body shot, and make sure they a good pics too. Dont put alot of makeup either and make sure you hair doesnt cover you face. Then include things about you like hair and eye color and weight. Then include contact info. I am currently in the process of this. I hope everything works out for you!
Best of luck!

Answer 2

First of all I am a 13 year old girl. I may not know much but I know a lot about acting. If you want to be a movie actor you should start with theater and then work your way up. Show business is a very tough one. And about your shyness. Look, I am a very very shy person, but I have been acting(on stage) for 3 years now and i rocked (every one says i have natural talent) but i am still a very shy girl i too want to be on the movie screen. So i say go for it and as i mentioned before it is a very hard business so no matter what gets in your way you can't give up and most importantly have FUN. cause if you don't it's probably not the right thing for you.

Answer 3

Heya : ) The tough part about the business is that someone is always succeeding without seeming to have done much to get there - they have the connections, they are models etc.. it is like that. is it fair? No. Will it change. No. And would you cash in on it if you were a model or had family in the business - yes...! lol If you dont have these things ....or even if you are lucky enough that you do.., if you want to be taken seriously....the best thing is to get yourself started with improving your acting and confidence to perform and audition, and start making contacts that way. Have a look on the internet at your local theatre - most have youth theatre groups. You dont need any experience and you will be encouraged all the way to the top if that is what you want. The people there know how to guide you to the next step. And it is all about baby steps up the ladder... It is nerve racking. Get used to it. It will be your life and learning to deal with nerves is why training is so important. Once you take you first acting class - you will already be ahead of someone who is still wishing they were someone famous but not doing anything about it!!! if you are in the uk have a look at the national youth theatre website for more stuff you can do in the holidays etc. Read the trade newspapers - in the UK it is 'the stage', in the USA it is 'backstage'. They have ads at the back for classes, auditions, workshops etc. Dont be scared, go for it! You can do it! Daisy: )

Answer 4

Take classes/lessons. Most stars start from the stage, get that drilled in your head first, so don't be expectant to automatically start on movies or anything... you can be an extra, but you'd need an agent for that (there's a kid in my class who does the occasional extra part in a movie... apparently he's in Deck the halls, the kid that peed on Santa's lap, w/e).
You HAVE to break out of your shy shell; no shy people make it in the Hollywood world - you have to be brave, hard-headed, wiling to accept rejection (and get used to it too, it happens a lot before anything good happens apparently), and have a strong enough personality to get by (aka, don't be shy but don't be bossy, right in the middle - be ready to take charge yet be willing to follow and speak up when needed).

And you have high expectations if you've never done acting before... wow, I'm sorry but you have to have some experience. Stage is where to start - get involved at your school in a play, drama club, take private lessons or take a class, SOMETHING! You can't just jump into a lead role in stage, it'll take a lot of dedication and hard work to get somewhere.

Once you get used to stage acting... well you can then go and find an agent, and you might be an extra for awhile.
Keep your eyes peeled for openings and auditions for characters in movies AFTER YOU'VE HAD ACTING EXPERIENCE.

Just remember, STARS THAT WORK THEIR WAY TO THE MOVIES START ON STAGE.

Answer 5

Many actors are very shy in real life ; but going onto a stage is something else , you are not you any more .
Acting is not an easy career and you have to be very bold and pushy to succeed . If you enjoy theatre , there are many other proffessions closely linked ; like stage manager , director , even more in television and films . Acting can bring you out of your shyness . A friend of mine at school was speachlessly shy . Our English teacher was an aspiring playwrite , who put him into a play at a local theatre . The play went on to London , I'm not sure that my friend went with it , but the experience completely changed his life . The teacher / playwrite became very famous for his plays and film scripts .
My advice to you is to finish your academic studies to the highest level , University degree if possible . Then go to RADA or LAMDA or WEBBER DOUGLAS schools of dramatic art for a couple of years . Young actors and actresses are much more appreciated when they are a little older and have some life experience .

Answer 6

It sounds like you are like everyone else who asks this question. You love the idea of being a famous movie actor. You aren't passionate about becoming great at the craft. If you don't have that passion going in you don't have what it takes. If you really wanted to act you'd find a way to get over your shyness and anything else that stood in your way. And the chances of you ever becoming a famous actor are so remote that if that is your goal don't even bother to get started.
And heed what NY gal said. It takes a long time to get good enough to act at the professional level. You need to try this and determine if you are one of the few who can be good enough. I think you need to try to align your expectations with reality. A few years ago my friend's 12 year old was whining about how he wanted to be a race car driver. He said he knew he was born to be the best. I told him that there were thousands of guys who drove race cars and were not famous.
Some of them taught at racing schools or did stunt driving. Most of them had other jobs but they did race. He's an adult now and he's never driven a race car once. Same with acting. You can do it but you'll never get rich at it. You'll always need another job. That's the reality. Still interested?

Answer 7

Hi,

if you really want to become an actor, you number one priority should be getting some good, solid training and continuing that for a long time.

I answer questions like this a lot and so instead of writing the same or similar answers over and over again, I have created a 36-page ebooklet that answers your question pretty thoroughly.
Just go to http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acs-blog.html , sign in on the right side of the page and you can download it for free. It's called: What It Takes To Become An Actor.

That should get you started!

Tony
ceo
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com

Answer 8

First, take acting classes for 10 years. After that, you can start to audition for roles.

Answer 9

Take a class in school and talk to your teachers and they will help you. Also go to college to learn how.

Answer 10

Taking acting classes can help you gain more confidence. It worked for me...