what do i need to become an actor?

Question

I'm 15 years going on to 16 and i have been in three musicals and a couple of plays. i've starred in two musicals an have had a leading role in my frist musical so i know somewhat qabout acting. but i wanna know what i may need to be a complete actor. I have curently been inducted into th International Thespian Society but what else might i need to be a full head on Actor?

I have am determind and set for a future in Acting. i would like to major in theater performing arts. anything that has acting in it.

Answer 1

You already are an actor! And I disagree with TheaterDoc. I grew up with Eric Stolz and Anthony Edwards in Santa Barbara. They were doing national TV commercials and "ABC After School Specials" when they were still in High School! High school plays are fantastic. Sure, it is always great to study beyond High School theater. But you have done a lot more than I did when I started. I was working as a regular on General Hospital without ever doing high school plays or taking any acting classes. So just keep going forward, you are already well on you way.

Your next step should be to get an agent:

Talent agents for actors come in two main types theatrical (Television and Film) and commercial ( for commercials). There are also dance, print, and voice-over agents who specialize in these fields, and signing with one of these agents can be a great way for actors with these other skills to cross over into one of the other areas. Being with the same agency for everything is called being "signed across the board," but many actors prefer to have separate agents for different types of work, become some agencies might be strong commercially, but not as strong theatrically, or vice versa. Agents get information about auditions for roles, either directly from casting directors and producers calling them asking for client submissions, or from a fax/email service called "the breakdowns," a daily list of roles being cast, sent only to agents and managers, although there is a black market for this information within the acting community and many actors without representation self-submit for available roles, which some casting people don't mind, others hate, and the owner of Breakdown Services abhors. Remember actors--your agents work for you, but they only get 10% of what you make, so that means you need to do 90% of the work--especially when you are getting started. That means always be professional, know your craft, don't shy away from networking and letting CD, producers and directors know about your accomplishments & upcoming appearances by sending out postcards, know your type and how you fit into the current market, and above all, make sure you and your agent are on the same page about what kinds of parts you will be submitted for. And NEVER pay an agent or manager up front to represent you. They only make money when they make you money.






The Plan of Attack

Most agents refuse any off-the-street drop-ins. In other words, they'll see new talent by appointment only. Don't bother phoning in for one (just yet), because without a face, you're just another voice: and unless that voice is absolutely incredible (and the agent handles a lot of voice-over work), it simply won't get you in.

Instead, mail off your photo and resume, along with a very special cover letter. What makes that letter so special? Simple... prove that you understand how valuable their time is:

So many people try cramming in their whole "hopes and dreams autobiography" into the cover letter, it resembles a chapter from a novel. The agent hasn't the time, nor the interest, to be a publisher. Any submission that takes more than 15 seconds to scan through and read will likely be filed in the trash.

Here's a sample of how to keep it short:


WANNABE TALENT
1234 Hopeful Avenue
Dreamland, BC

Attn: Ms. A. Gent


Please accept my photos and resume for possible consideration of future representation. I will contact your offices next week to verify your receipt of this package.

Thank you very much for your time,


Johnny Smartguy



That's it... nothing else... just plain and simple. The agent even has 10 seconds left to take a quick glance at your photo(s) and stats now.

The big trick comes the following week (give it a full week before calling in, and try to make the call on a Tuesday or Wednesday when they may be less frantic in the office). Just call up and say:

"Hi, my name's [Johnny Smartguy] and I'm just calling to confirm you received my photo and resume."

Chances are you'll get a response of "the agents will be looking at it", or "there are no openings right now, try back in a few months", or even the infamous "the agents will call you back if they're interested." Whatever the response, simply answer:

"No problem, I don't want to take up your time. I just promised I would make sure the package got there okay. I don't want to keep you. Thank you very much for your time [pause]"...

They'll either be impressed (and relieved) at the short conversation, or they'll be caught so off-guard that they'll try to explain further. If they haven't said goodbye, then just repeat a variation of your previous words [always offering them the opportunity to end the conversation and reinforcing that you know their time is valuable]. They're so used to the "can I come in" pleading that you've really thrown them for a loop by not asking them for something.


Call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been made against the agency.


Tips & Warnings

* Agents making their living by earning a percentage of each job they book for a model. Do not pay any up-front fees to an agent.

* If you're not happy with the number of auditions or bookings you are getting, set up an appointment with your agent and discuss what you can do to generate more jobs.

* If the agent lies to you, makes outrageous promises or asks for up-front money (to cover phone calls or mailing expenses on your behalf), keep looking. Legitimate agents do not ask for expense money.







Go to the website link below. It is the Screen Actors Guild Agent list for both SAG franchised and non-franchised agencies in all states:




http://www.sag.org/sagWebApp/application?origin=page1.jsp&event=bea.portal.framework.internal.refresh&pageid=AgentInformation

Answer 2

Heya : ) The hard side approximately the industry is that anybody is regularly succeeding with out seeming to have performed a lot to get there - they've the connections, they're items and many others.. it's like that. is it reasonable? No. Will it difference. No. And could you coins in on it when you had been a mannequin or had loved ones within the industry - sure...! lol If you dont have those matters ....or despite the fact that you're fortunate ample that you just do.., when you wish to be taken severely....the excellent factor is to get your self began with bettering your performing and trust to participate in and audition, and begin making contacts that manner. Have a seem on the web at your nearby theatre - so much have adolescence theatre organizations. You dont want any enjoy and you're going to be influenced all of the technique to the highest if that's what you wish. The men and women there know the way to consultant you to the next move. And it's all approximately child steps up the ladder... It is nerve racking. Get used to it. It might be your existence and finding out to manage nerves is why coaching is so essential. Once you're taking you first performing elegance - you're going to already be forward of anybody who remains to be wishing they had been anybody popular however now not doing something approximately it!!! if you're within the united kingdom have a seem on the countrywide adolescence theatre internet site for extra stuff you'll be able to do within the vacations and many others. Read the exchange newspapers - within the UK it's 'the degree', within the USA it's 'behind the curtain'. They have advertisements on the again for categories, auditions, workshops and many others. Dont be scared, opt for it! You can do it! Daisy: )

Answer 3

Hi,

If you do a search here on answers you will see other answers to this question, as it comes up usually a couple of times each day. I answer this question a lot and so instead of writing the same or similar answers over and over again, I have created an ebooklet that will give you a lot of intormation as to what you need to do to get started. 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.

The second resource is about getting an agent, although, if you have no training yet, then I doubt that you are ready, but here it is anyway: http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/how_to_get_an_agent.html . It takes you through a process that I used to get two agents and a personal manager in a short period of time in New York. Using the same process, I also got casting directors to actually start calling me in directly for auditions.

Good luck!

Tony
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com

Answer 4

You need more experience in a different venue than HS. You need a good professional class. You need to do some serious reading. Start with "Acting Professionally" by Cohen. You need a mentor to help you made the right choices on the way to a career. So I urge you to read my profile, and to ask me any other questions you may have.

Answer 5

start taking acting classes
get an agent
and start trying out for minor roles.

Like passenger #3

Answer 6

Talent. Workability. Willingness to accept failure. Faith in yourself. Strong soul. Understanding of the closest to you. Gifted teacher. Good agent. BIG luck.

Good luck!

Answer 7

You have to really want to become an actor. Its all in your head. You have to give 110% and always remember details.