Is it always a must to attend acting school before acting in films?

Answer 1

I don't think you HAVE to, but it may be hard to get work if you don't have something to show for yourself. It also depends on your age and what kind of film you want to act in (independent director, local, hollywood, etc.). However, if you can attend acting school you will definitely increase your chances of being cast.

Answer 2

You learn a lot just by acting in film. But at the same time, you need someone to help you understand what you are doing right, and what you are doing wrong. The right instructor can make all the difference in the world. Working with other serious students... watching them perform... seeing what they are doing that you admire, and what you'd rather not emulate really helps as well.

Sometimes it can take years to find the right instructor. What works for you might not work for me and vice-versa. Ask fellow actors you admire who they recommend you study with... it doesn't take long to find a pattern there... but when it isn't working, don't hesitate to go find a new instructor. You'll find someone who works for you (works... as in you're on the same wavelength... you understand what they are saying, and it all makes sense to you... their input has real meaning to you, and you feel yourself improving with every class). If it ain't workin' don't hesitate to move on... it's all a learning experience. You may find later that what you thought was bad advice, was actually the best you've ever received... and you might consider going back...

Go out there and do it... audition for films... get into a class... and keep doing it. Professional actors are always in a class.

Answer 3

You are not likely to get a chance to act in films except
when a casting director auditions you !

And this will only happen if there is an "open" audition---
no union membership required like Aftra,Sag,etc

If you look something like the person they have in mind
you might be called out of a lineup

You might then be asked to read a few lines of dialogue
Believe me ---unless your voice and your appearance
don't match ---something your friends or your mother
could tell you---you don't need an acting school for that !

Casting directors cast "to type" ---you play yourself---
it's an advantage to look like Brad Pitt or Sean Connery
---but if you'll notice they stick to playing "macho" parts--
and themselves ---acting schools are for non-realists
who don't know how to look in a mirror to see what they
look like !

If you like what you see ---and can get a few hundred
others to agree with you ---try to get cast in a school
play where you act yourself ---audience reaction will
tell you a lot ---if you feel at ease ---it might be an
ambition worth pursuing ----but don't count on it too
much if you need the money ---

In the acting schools where I taught we could always
pick the one out of several hundred who would get
work of any kind ---on the first day of school !
It didn't hurt the others---they got their money's
worth ---they learned to improve their posture ,
to sit properly,to speak clearly ,etc and learned
self assurance ---so acting schools help in that
regard---but the rest is like winning the Lotto !

Answer 4

no, but it is a must to have an agent and to pass the audition, two things that are easier accomplished by having lots of experience and training.

Answer 5

No, but training is important