Anyone have any tips on?

Question

I really want to get into acting, singing, dancing, playing guitar, ect. I'm not just a fan of some movie or band I just enjoy to do all these things. I have my heart set on it. Does anyone have any tips on how to become an actor, like on Disney Channel? So far I have taken Hip-Hop dance lessons for about half maybe 3/4s of a year. I have been in a choir since I was in forth grade. I am about to take guitar lessons. I am going to save the voice lessons till I am some what older. (By the way I'm 13) I am going to try out for the school play and drama club. Does anyone know what else I need to do? Any Tips!? Thanks!

PS- I'm not just doing it for fame!

Answer 1

Well your answer started ok, but you had to throw in Disney Channel. When you get into the business, you cannot choose your auditions. You get what you get. To be an actor on a Disney show you need to have an agent. To get an agent you need to have serious training and experience which means making a real commitment to your career at a very early age. That also means having a very supportive and dedicated family as well. They have to put their lives on hold for your career because most Disney shows tape in Los Angeles, if you don’t live there you’ll have to move or one of your parents will have to be willing to live there with you while you audition for shows and hope that you get something and if you do, then you have to stay there.

Disney kids are triple threats. They sing, act, and dance and they do all three very well. If you’re not already in classes for all three disciplines, you better get a move on! You also need to have experience… a resume with real credits. You can start with local theatres, student films, etc. but eventually if you’re going to be taken seriously you have to start booking at least under 5’s, guest spots, etc. and work your way up to leads. Once you have a few things an agent may consider taking you on.

You also said you were 13. Being underage, you need support from your family and friends. You absolutely need to have the full support of your family because they not only need to sign off on your contracts and be your advocate (be fully aware of all child labor laws and help uphold them while you're on set) but they need to drive you to all your auditions and stay on set with you at all times or hire someone to be there with you).

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.). Another great resource is Ross Reports especially because they update their info so often but not all of the agents they list are SAG and you have to pay for the list. That doesn’t mean they’re not legit, but that’s why I always tell people to start with the SAG list. It’s free and those agents have signed an agreement to put the actor first! www.rossreports.com If you subscribe to backstage.com you can get a combo subscription which can come in handy but can also get quite expensive.

Then you can send the agencies 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. You never call the agencies directly. That is a big no-no! At least it is in LA. Please remember that reputable agents take exactly 10% of your pay AFTER they help you get a job. Not one cent more and not one cent before. Anything else is a scam. This is strictly for talent agents, not modeling agents or talent managers who take different percentages.

Once you have an agent, they will get you the auditions, but until then you can check out actorsaccess.com. You can also see if your state has a film alliance / commission / society or whatever your state calls theirs (some have more than one). Sometimes they post audition information for projects filming locally. For theatre (and other auditions on backstage), you can go to backstage.com or www.actorsequity.com (click on casting call) If you find the audition on the Equity site, you still may be able to go, as long as their not taking appointments from equity actor's only :-) On backstage.com you have to pay to get all of the info, but the initial search is free and you may be able to see enough info to find out the rest on your own without paying.

good lucK!

Answer 2

First off, get into singing classes now! If you want to be an actress/dancer/etc, especially on the Disney Channel, you have to be a triple threat. Take more dance classes (as many as you can), singing lessons, take acting classes. And by all means, go out for the drama club, and the school plays. Remember, PRACTICE! And also remember my motto "Dream it, do it" because anyone can do anything they set their heart on.