So You Want to Be an Actor?

The first thing you're going to need is a headshot and resume. Your headshot is an 8x10 photograph of your face. Up until now, headshots have always been black and white photographs, but today a lot of casting directors prefer looking at color headshots, especially for film. Your resume should include all of the acting work you've done that can fit on one 8x10 page, so that it can be stapled or glued behind your headshot. If you have done more work that fits one page, then select only the most important work you've done. Always include your height, your hair color, eye color and your weight (yes, that too!) on your resume. You also want to include your contact information (address, email, phone number) and obviously your name. List what you've done under these different categories: Film, Television, Commercials and Theater. Also include a category for Training (where you learned acting) and Skills (sports, languages,etc..). Do not overwhelm people with your skills! Even if you're amazing at a million things, only write 4 or 5 maximum. Casting directors won't even read your skills if there are too many. Try not to lie about anything on your resume. Don't say you can speak Russian if all you know how to say is "da." If you want to be taken seriously, then be serious! Also, never put your age on your resume, because by doing so you are only limiting the ranges you can play. And if your headshot looks absolutely beautiful, that's great, but people need to be able to recognize you right away. If you look like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie in your headshot, but in reality you're more of a Danny DeVito or a Rosie O'Donnell, then DO NOT USE that headshot because when you show up at a casting call, the casting directors will be deceived and will not consider you.

If you've just decided that you want to act, and you have no experience acting whatsoever, then you're going to have a tough time finding work. Everybody has to start somewhere...but where? Many casting calls are posted on the internet, on websites such as craigslist. Be careful when you go to casting calls and auditions that are posted on the internet, as they are not always monitored. If something sounds a little sketchy, then be sure to bring someone with you when you go, or let someone know where you're going to be. Nudity is NEVER required during any audition, so if they ask you to take it off, then look for the nearest Exit sign, because this is not a real audition.

Casting calls are also posted in newspapers such as Backstage or Show Business. Sometimes even a small local newspaper will print a casting call. Also check with colleges near you. Film students always need actors, so definitely check with the film or theater departments of colleges nearby. Sometimes casting calls are posted on the college website. Always bring your headshot and resume to these casting calls. Be patient, because people don't always take actors with little experience. Eventually, you will land a part if you keep trying.

Enroll yourself in an acting school or program. This is one of the best ways to meet other actors so you can share experiences and get advice from your teacher and other students. Your acting teacher will also help you find a monologue that is best for you. You will need to know a good monologue by heart when you audition, and in an acting school you'll be able to practice this monologue in front of other students and your teacher, and they will be giving you some useful feedback. Try to learn improvisation and classical theater, because these are two very good backgrounds to have on your resume and they will help you when you read other scripts. Always play parts that are withing your age range in acting school, because during a casting call, nobody is going to cast you as a 40 year old if you're 20...no matter how well you play a 40 year old person. Some acting schools make the mistake of assigning older roles to younger actors. It's good practice, but completely useless from a casting point of view, so ask your teacher if you can play in roles that are within your age range. A lot of acting teachers will also notify their students about casting calls, and most acting schools have casting calls posted on a wall. There are many benefits to being in an acting school, but most importantly, you are practicing your craft, which will make you a better actor and more prepared for casting calls and auditions.

You're going to need an agent. This is probably one of the most difficult tasks which actors must complete. First of all, you don't get the agent, the agent gets you. And in order to get an agent, you have to have been in a good play or a good film, but in order to be in a good play or a good film, you need an agent. It's a double edged sword, but getting an agent is certainly not impossible. Many actors have managed, so can you. It's not going to happen overnight though. The top 5 agencies today are CAA (Creative Artists Agency), ICM, (International Creative Management), William Morris Agency, Endeavor and UTA, (United Talent Agency). A smaller but equally powerful agency is The Firm. Don't even think about getting near these agencies. You're an unknown, and therefore you mean nothing to these agencies, so don't waste your time nor theirs. Obviously you want to have them as your ultimate goal, but for now, aim for smaller agencies. There are thousands of agencies in America. The best agencies will be in Los Angeles and New York, but if you don't live in either of those cities (you will eventually want to move to one of them if you're serious about acting) there are plenty of other agencies in other cities across the country. Most agents will not see you unless you have been referred to them by a director or a producer, so ask everyone you know if they have any contacts for you in order to help you get an agent. Also send out your headshot and resume to all of the smaller agencies in your area. You can find their addresses through the Ross Reports, a guide to agencies, managers, casting companies, etc. You can find the Ross Reports in news stands and bookstores. Another option is to put together a showcase, where you display yourself with a group of actors in a short play or a bunch of scenes, in front of agents. You send invitations to as many agents as possible, and some of them will show up to watch you perform, and decide whether they'll take you or not.

Look good. This is an industry where looks count A LOT. You don't need to be a beauty queen, but you certainly always want to look your best, stay in good shape and maintain a good look for yourself. Make sure you have the right haircut, the right makeup, the right clothes and stay healthy. You won't be cast in anything and agents won't be attracted to you if you look like a crazy drug addict. Actors should definitely get enough sleep, exercise and proper nutrition. If you haven't noticed, the majority of actors you see on television, films and plays are in excellent shape. Actors are also seen as role models, which obligates them to set a good example to society. If your teeth are yellow, bleach them. If you're balding, either go bald all the way or get treatment for your hair. If you think plastic surgery will enhance your look, then go for it.

There are exceptions of course. Look at Jason Alexander from Seinfeld, or Roseanne Barr. They are not sex bombs, but they're successful actors anyway. The key is that they are comedians. As a comedian, you can get away with a lot, so ask yourself what kind of actor you want to be . If you see yourself as the lover type, you need to be as attractive as possible. If you see yourself as the goofy type, anything goes.

Looks and talent will only take you so far. The most important quality you should have is a personality. You can be physically attractive and talented, but if you're not intriguing as a person--forget it! There needs to be a spark inside of you that sets you apart from the rest and leaves people wanting more. Watch interviews with successful actors and see how they grasp the audience and the interviewer's attention. You must captivate people with the way you talk and the way you move. It's that je ne sais quoi that stars are made of.

A positive attitude will take you far. Don't adopt a prima donna attitude, and don't act like you might be too good for some roles, because casting directors will be quick to find someone more appreciative. Always be thankful for the work you get and maintain a good raport with EVERYONE in the cast and crew. This is how you build a good reputation. If you're easy and fun to work with, people will want to work with you more often. Also, it is difficult not to give up hope when no jobs are coming your way, but you cannot despair. Not to sound like a fortune cookie, but if you keep perservering and thinking positively, good things will eventually come your way.

Be prepared to spend some money. It costs a lot of money to become an actor, developing your headshots can sometimes cost up to $500! Looking good can also cost you; think of the gym expenses, hair, makeup, clothes...this is all necessary. Acting classes aren't cheap either, and sometimes you even have to pay a hefty sum for being in a showcase, without any guarantee of getting an agent. Make sure you have enough money set aside for your acting needs.

Good luck. As the old saying goes, "Acting is 90% luck." You can be out of work for years, and suddenly get cast in a great role. In the words of Los Angeles talent agent, Adam Lieblein: "The acting pool is already huge, there are too few roles to go around, and the competition for the existing roles will be more fierce than usual. Stars are being offered roles that would have ordinarily been cast out of the general population of actors. Casting directors are given less time to cast and must fill their sessions principally with those actors who they know well and who they have confidence will not only be right for the part but will impress the producers. With all these things stacked against the average actor, why does anyone try? Simple: there is still a chance. There is a chance that a role will be written that is perfect. That the actor will be at the right place at the right time. [...] There is a chance that the audition will be amazing, the execs will fall in love, and that a star will be born. It does still happen. [...] It's like the lottery. Most people lose, so why does anyone buy a ticket? Because there is a chance you will win."