How can I convince my mom to support me pursuing an acting career?

Question

So I am a Senior this year and I am 18. I really want to get into acting, but my mom thinks it is a waste of time and that I will go nowhere basically. She didn't say those exact words, but I know she meant it. So there is this open casting call next week that has talent scouts and what not. This has been my dream for a very long time. Growing up, I always was a little different. I wasn't like everyone else. I didn't like sports. And since I got into High School, I have wanted to act. My drama teacher didn't like me, so she gave me a small part in the play. No one, not even my best friend, knows that I want to do this. My mom has agreed to let me go but she still has her doubts about me. This has been my lifelong dream to be an actress. How can I help her realize that she needs to put her trust in me that I can do anything I set my mind to&this is something I REALLY want?

Answer 1

"My mom has agreed to let me go"

That's the key. She obviously loves and trusts and supports you to that extent. Do your best at the casting call. If it's legitimate, try not to get too cocky if you get a job offer and try not to be too downcast if you don't. (Acting is a tough business and a lot of very talented people have to show up at a lot of casting calls before they score.) If it's a scam that's just trying to sell you expensive "acting" or "modeling" lessons, learn from the experience and move on.

At your age, you're probably getting ready to leave home for college. You'll have lots of chances to try out for plays there, and you'll meet professors who can steer you towards other audition opportunities. (You'll also meet plenty of other students who have grown up "a little different." You'll know that you're not alone.)

The more you act mature and responsible in all areas of your life, the more your mother will trust you to follow your dream.

Answer 2

You are 18 and can do what you like when you graduate. But until then you will need mom's support. Recognize that this casting call is a fraud and that they are probably trying to sell acting lessons, so they will tell everyone they are great but that they need these classes before they will represent them. No if your drama teacher didn't like you she wouldn't have given you any role at all. Maybe you have no talent. Until you have tried out for more plays and gotten large roles, we can be sure you have no talent. But if you try out for plays and get good roles, you may indeed have talent. Better find out before you spend any money on the idea of being an actor. You do not mention college, and there will surely be a play at school this spring, so be in it. There are also many summer acting camps that you could go to. If you will read my profile and write to me at my aol address and tell me what city you are in, I will find one close to you, if it is possible.

Answer 3

The best way to convince anyone of anything is always by doing rather than saying. Don't just TELL her it's your dream to be an actress. Many parents will just write this off as fluff and rightly so. When I was little, I told my mom I was going to be a fairy princess and she would say "of course, dear" and roll her eyes ...I imagine parents feel the same way when their child comes up, out of nowhere with no prior indication of interest, and says they want to be an actress.

So, first and foremost - if you've never done it, how do you KNOW you want to be an actress? You say it's your dream, but you have no idea what it's really like. Get out there and do it first.

Do your research on acting classes and ask if you can sign up for one. Look around for community theatre and audition for an upcoming show.

Show an interest in theatre in general and try to get tickets to professional theatres in your area. If they're too expensive, sign up to be an usher so you can see them for free.

Go to the library and check out tons of plays and start reading them.

Don't go to her with the statement "I can do anything I set my mind to and I really want this". This sentence is the kind of naive way of thinking parents want to protect their kids from. It doesn't matter how much you want it, it doesn't mean your going to get it. This is just the nature of the business.

Finally, the fact that she's letting you go to the open call shows some level of support, which is great. Build on that. If nothing comes from the call, show her you can suck it up and take rejection (this biz is full of it!) and get back out their with your classes and auditions.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I know how you feel because I am pretty much in the same situation as you are.
The first thing you need is commercial acting training. you may think you don't need it, but trust me, you will learn SO much about the business and everything that will help you with your career.
You also need to make a composite, with your headshot, basic info, full body shot, etc., and bring it to your audition. speak slowly, loudly, and clearly during your audition, and smile! the less nervous you are and the more relaxed you are, the more at ease you'll make the other people.
I bet your Mom doesn't want you to be hurt, because this is an extremely competitive business, and jobs are never promised. as long as you keep school your first priority and show your mom you're willing to do whatever it takes, things may turn around for you. i wish you the best of luck! never give up and follow your dreams :D

Answer 5

They're going to try to rip you off at that "open casting call with talent scouts". Guaranteed. Sorry to see the thumbs-downs given to the other people who tried to warn you that this isn't the way things are done in the real world.

Pursue an acting career if you want. But the people who are conducting this "open casting call with talent scouts" will not get you any acting work. They'll only try to sell you something.

Answer 6

there are no such things as open auditions with talent scouts, it's a firm trying to get you to pay money for web sites or lessons.

Auditions are held only at studios.

You want to try for the business, you need a reliable car, need to move to Los Angeles after the writer's strike end and before March, register with Central Casting, pay the $50 fee, find yourself a disposable job, do some extra work, get your picture and resume up and have $2,500 ready to buy you union card as they won't buy it for you.

Answer 7

i am sure that your mother is just worried because this is such a hard/competitive field to pursue. What i would recommend is a compromise, pursue your acting career, but also take some courses at your local community college for your AA for something to fall back on, you don't even have to go full time, i am sure that would please her. many actors/actresses go to university's at the same time! good luck!

Answer 8

Ballet lessons are expensive, can she afford them? If so then try making a deal with her. Offer to sign a written contract that you will keep up with the lessons for at least a year.