How do you get into the "Biz"? -(You know, Hollywood.)?

Question

Recently I have become obsessed with the entertainment industry, especially acting. I need to know first off how to break out of this shell I'm in. I also need to know tips and tricks on auditioning so I can kick this career off. I'm not intrigued by the glitz and glamour but by the entire lump of it all. How can a teen figured it out? :-(

Answer 1

You need experience and education. Your chances of getting a professional role at your age are quite poor. If you got to Hollywood and started hitting the open auditions, you'd find yourself competing with dozens of actors your age who've been working since age 5 or earlier--as well as some young adult actors who can look and act like teens. The casting director in almost EVERY one of those auditions will either go for an experienced teen or they'll take an adult to avoid child labor laws.

The most likely way for you to get into show biz will involve a long-term plan.

For experience, start right now by getting into as many amateur acting roles as you can. Wherever you live, there are plays--look for community theatre groups and local college theatre departments, as well as your own school plays. Call them and ask if they have any parts in upcoming shows for a person like you. Don't worry about audition tips at this point, they'll just have you read some of the parts and they'll see how you look and how you walk, then they'll work with you if you fit their idea of the show. If you don't get a role in the show, volunteer to help out backstage.

As you do these amateur shows, you make contacts with experienced, knowledgeable theatre people. Keep in touch with the best of them.

Meanwhile, you need education. Right now, polish your skills by getting instruction in dance, voice, and acting. Those first two might come from private lessons or classes at your school or community center--the acting would often come in workshops for teens at local colleges or community centers.

And when you get the time, try to read lots of plays.

Now for the future; when you're in your junior year of HS, start looking for colleges. You want to get into a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree program--NOT a plain old bachelor of arts (BA), the "fine" in the middle indicates a big difference. Ask your contacts in theatre to recommend schools, as well as your HS counselor.

Your goal is to identify four or five schools--one or two that are very hard to get into, one or two that are somewhat competitive for admissions, and one that accepts everybody (that's your "safety net" in case none of the others admit you).

Early in your senior year, apply to all of those colleges. You do it early because (1) you beat the deadline for a wider range of financial aid (2) most BFA programs have their own admissions process--getting into the college doesn't automatically give you the right to be a BFA theatre major. The BFA program admissions will usually require an acting resume (which is where all the amateur shows you've done get listed), references (which are best from the theatre people you know), and auditions (you probably have to travel there at your own expense).

Complete a BFA program, and you'll have highly developed skills as a performer--and also you'll have complete knowledge of the ins and outs of the entertainment biz.

This is how 99% of professional actors in the USA get into the career. (Most of the other 1% got famous in some other field, like sports/hip hop/modeling, first.)

Answer 2

You probably can't figure it out. You need much more that tips and tricks on auditioning, the very first thing you need is your parents' approval that you should see a career as an actor (because they have to sign everything for you until you are 18). Then you need acting experience, so be in all the school plays. Then you need a mentor. Then you need professional classes. Then you need more experince acting, then you need a resume, guided reading, a head shot, tips and tricks for auditioning, then you need an agent. All of this could take a few years. For more info, read my profile and write me at my aol address. I help young actors for free.

Answer 3

move to L.A. and keep going to casting calls or put videos of yourself on youtube doing a dance or something stupid

Answer 4

Get an agent, oh and some experience.

-Laila

Answer 5

http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/teen_acting.html

Answer 6

which country do you belong to?