How would you start a career in the entertainment business and what’s the most important aspect casting directors and producers are looking for when you have no experience?

hello!

I found registering with local casting agencies (these should always be free!!) enabled me to begin working in independent movies and start off as an extra in television and movies. You do get "upgraded" and may even get a speaking role and your own trailer. My granddaughter just got her own trailer for a day and she's 20 months old!

The hours vary and there is a lot of down time between takes so bring a book, a battery charger for your phone and make some new friends!

There is a lot of people telling you no, however, if this is your passion, don't stop! Never take it personal. Many times you will audition and be the best that day but your hair is not the color the director had in mind or you are not 6 feet tall. Find ways to improve with each denial and move on to the next!

Faith,

While we sometimes hear of people with "no" experience going to a casting call and getting the job, most people will have had some experience. What are they looking for? The ability to recite the lines correctly. body language, facial expressions, emotion; and I don't know what else. If you want to get into acting, why wait? Does your school have a drama class/ drama team? The local community? Are you involved with a church that perhaps does performances for Christmas/Easter? If "no" to all of this, start looking for other ways to perform in front of people and get comfortable with it. I don't know what's available on-line, but I would check that out as well. YouTube? Having at least some experience will make you much less nervous when you do go to a casting call!

And, while you are working on getting some experience, start developing a portfolio of your work, so it will be all together in one place, making it easy to show to others.