Dreaming of stepping into the spotlight and launching your acting career? The allure of glamour and a promise of stardom has been a magnetic force for aspiring actors for a long time. Navigating the uncertain and often windy path of becoming a professional actor can be a challenging one. 

The Fundamentals of Acting

If you’re reading this, odds are you’re passionate about entertainment, light up at the idea of mastering the art of character portrayal, or dream of seeing yourself on the big screen. To become an actor requires an array of unique skills that can be tapped into at any moment. 

But first, it’s important to know the history of the acting profession, which traces back thousands of years to its origin in ancient cultures. The Renaissance period was another significant milestone in the evolution of the acting industry, which celebrated the works of playwrights like Shakespeare. Jumping ahead centuries, the invention of the camera introduced film, which changed the landscape of acting tremendously, leading to the modern acting industry we know today. 

The contemporary areas of the acting industry you should be most familiar with are as follows: 

• Theater Acting: Is the thrill of live performance something that draws you to acting? The performances of theater actors require vocal projection, consistent energy, precision in gestures, to name a few unique skills. 
• Film Acting: Maybe appearing on the big screen has been a long-time dream of yours. In contrast to theater, film acting requires attention to detail captured by close-up camera shots. Additionally, it film actors should have a deep understanding of the characters’ emotional trajectory. 
• TV Acting: A major difference between TV & film is the swiftness in production time, which requires adjustment to evolving scripts and the ability to maintain a character over time. 
• Commercial Acting: Finally, commercial acting’s biggest skill is the ability to grab attention. 

It’s okay if you aren’t sure exactly what type of actor you’d like to become, but it’s important to have awareness of the different methodologies and forms of acting while you set out on your acting journey. 

Starting from Square One 

Now, let’s talk about where you can take your first step on the path of your acting career. There may be many first steps, but that’s ok – exploring all of the avenues is a good thing. Here are a few ideas:

Acting Schools & Workshops 

Enrolling in an acting school is a great place to start on your road to becoming an actor. Acting schools have structured programs that are great for all levels of experience. Moreover, you’ll learn the basics of acting techniques and develop a foundational skillset. Acting workshops are often great for honing a specific acting skill or dipping your toes by trying out a shorter-commitment Acting 101 class. 

Community Theater 

The accolades of many successful actors were preceded by their involvement in community theater. Practicing your acting skills, meeting other aspiring actors with similar passions, and hands-on learning are all key to your success as an actor, and they can all be found in community theater. 

Acting Techniques 

Many people in the acting industry recognize 4 fundamental acting techniques. If you aren’t familiar with them, here’s an overview: 

• Meisner Technique: The goal of this technique is for the actor to not focus on themself, but rather focus on the other actors around. It emphasizes being present in the moment and engaged with the scene, rather than concentrating on one’s internal idea of the character. 
• Method Acting: Actors who use this technique, deeply immerse themselves in the character they play, often connecting their own experience with the character’s. 
• Classical Acting: The classical technique is rooted in Shakespearean acting, focusing rigidly on the screenplay in theater.
• Stanislavski’s System: This method is founded on “the art of experiencing.” Through this system, actors search for inner motives to justify the actions of the character while rehearsing. 

Step into your journey to becoming an actor with an open mind. Exploring various learning mechanisms and schools of thought in the acting world will shape your personal acting style.

Building a Portfolio & Networking

To be an actor means to be an artist. Therefore, just like most professional artists, building an impressive portfolio is key to becoming a successful actor. Moreover, in most career paths, networking is imperative, and the acting industry is no exception. 

Creating an Acting Resume 

Are you wondering what the basic items you should outline on your acting resume are? Here are some ideas: 

• Highlight any acting roles you’ve been in 
• What relevant coursework or acting workshops have you completed? 
• What unique acting skills do you have to offer? (singing, dancing, accents, etc)
• Have you received any recognition or accolades for your acting or other work in the industry? 

You’ll also include headshots in your portfolio – this is a must. Have some variety in your expression of the headshots to capture your personality and physical appearance. Lastly, you must include a showreel – a video compilation of your best performances. Pro-tip: keep it concise and include various types of performances. 

The Importance of Networking for Aspiring Actors

While the idea of networking can be daunting for some, as an aspiring actor, it is not something that you should shy away from. Connecting with people in the industry can present opportunities that you may not even have known existed. 

This doesn’t mean you need to feel pressured to meet everyone all at once. Start simply by joining online communities for actors. Maybe you’ll hear about seminars, workshops, or other events you can attend. You’ll likely find that once you start making connections, the easier it will become to make more. 

In the acting world, combining your talent with a compelling portfolio and a strong network is crucial. These two elements will be a great foundation for successful career as an actor.

Agents & Auditions: Breaking into the Spotlight as an Actor

How do you begin to find auditions for acting roles? Do you really need an agent to become an actor? Let’s talk about it: 

Auditions: Finding auditions is part of the adventure of becoming an actor. Casting websites and social media platforms are a great place to start looking for your ticket into an acting role. But don’t forget about the importance of what we discussed in the last section – networking! On your journey to becoming an actor, creating a robust network of connections may prove really helpful when looking for auditions. Once it’s time to show your skills in front of casting directors, remember: be punctual, prepared, and confident in your skills! 

Agents: Is having an agent absolutely necessary from the outset of your career? Not necessarily. In fact, many successful actors get their first roles independently. But when you are in a place where you are considering hiring an agent, they can be a hugely beneficial resource. Typically an agent will help an acting client find auditions that may be harder to get connected with otherwise, in addition to negotiating contracts and helping steer your acting career in the right direction. As your career progresses, another benefit of an agent can be the added credibility to your pursuit of becoming a successful actor. 

Regardless of where you’re at with auditions and agents, remember that relationships are important, and to approach even the smallest of opportunities with enthusiasm. 

Conclusion: Navigating your Acting Career

As we wrap up our exploration of becoming an actor, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges and rewards that shape this career path. Two key hurdles actors face are job stability in a competitive industry and the inherent criticism that comes with pursuing this career. These challenges are real, may be intimidating, but they are also crucial in shaping a resilient and adaptive actor. 

Sustaining a long-term career in acting requires persistent passion for the job, but also continuous learning in an ever-changing environment. Combining your passion with patience will support your longevity as an actor, as sometimes “success” can come about in unexpected ways. Lastly, the importance of personal development and mental well-being is not to be overlooked. Continuously developing your emotional intelligence and inner balacne will improve your strengths as an actor and help maintain that passion and patience. 

The journey to becoming an actor is an exciting one. There’s lots to learn, so if you still have questions, head to CareerVillage.org to get them answered by real professionals. Oh – and break a leg!