3 answers
Kindle
Student
Granite Falls, North Carolina
1
Question
Asked
403 views
what do you have to do in order to start acting?
I'm in 8th grade and I'm really interested in becoming an actor, I have been for a couple years now but I don't know what to do to start, I don't know if I need to have money, if I need to do certain stuff first, I just need tips on what to do.
3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kindle !
I applaud you for actually beginning acting at the age you are. I waited till I was 18, but I just guess the time was right for me then. It's great that you've started young. I see that you are getting a sense of what the future may hold for you as an actor and that is very smart. I would be very happy to give you some advice about what you may need.
Two things in the forefront which you will need are training and experience. Training does cost money and the acting coaching videos free on line are good, but you need actual in person training, so lessons cost money unless you have a class at your school currently. You will always be receiving training until you enter the professional world, so there is an expense involved in training. The experience comes in at school or in your community. The only usual expense of being in a play is gas for your car (or your parents' car) going to and from rehearsals or auditions. Hopefully there is a Drama Club or dept. at your school that puts on plays every year. Audition for every single play and show. Visit any local live theatres and find out their audition process and if their season may include any parts for your age range.
At your age, unless you were in New York or Los Angeles, you don't quite have to worry about the expense of photos and resumes just yet. When you are ready to start going out for parts that require photos and resumes, you'll need money for that.
After college, I went to L.A. and got a full time job in theatre, but would send my photos/resumes out all the time for acting work. If you plan to live on your own, yes, you'll need money to support yourself. If you pursue a professional career while living with your parents, you'll still want to have money for your financial needs, so yes, no matter what profession you go into, money is needed regardless of your living situation or field of work.
For right now, learn all you can. Focus on sharpening your skills in acting, singing and dancing/movement. Explore books and free instructional videos about acting. I also would suggest that once you get lots of experience, go to college and get a degree so that you can always have a backup plan to support yourself. Just keep doing what you're doing now and everything will fall into place as time moves on. It's a process and it may be the beginning for you now but we never stop learning.
I hope that this has been helpful and I wish you all the best in school !
I applaud you for actually beginning acting at the age you are. I waited till I was 18, but I just guess the time was right for me then. It's great that you've started young. I see that you are getting a sense of what the future may hold for you as an actor and that is very smart. I would be very happy to give you some advice about what you may need.
Two things in the forefront which you will need are training and experience. Training does cost money and the acting coaching videos free on line are good, but you need actual in person training, so lessons cost money unless you have a class at your school currently. You will always be receiving training until you enter the professional world, so there is an expense involved in training. The experience comes in at school or in your community. The only usual expense of being in a play is gas for your car (or your parents' car) going to and from rehearsals or auditions. Hopefully there is a Drama Club or dept. at your school that puts on plays every year. Audition for every single play and show. Visit any local live theatres and find out their audition process and if their season may include any parts for your age range.
At your age, unless you were in New York or Los Angeles, you don't quite have to worry about the expense of photos and resumes just yet. When you are ready to start going out for parts that require photos and resumes, you'll need money for that.
After college, I went to L.A. and got a full time job in theatre, but would send my photos/resumes out all the time for acting work. If you plan to live on your own, yes, you'll need money to support yourself. If you pursue a professional career while living with your parents, you'll still want to have money for your financial needs, so yes, no matter what profession you go into, money is needed regardless of your living situation or field of work.
For right now, learn all you can. Focus on sharpening your skills in acting, singing and dancing/movement. Explore books and free instructional videos about acting. I also would suggest that once you get lots of experience, go to college and get a degree so that you can always have a backup plan to support yourself. Just keep doing what you're doing now and everything will fall into place as time moves on. It's a process and it may be the beginning for you now but we never stop learning.
I hope that this has been helpful and I wish you all the best in school !
Christian Wolf
Producer, director, manager
9
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Christian’s Answer
The answer is simple. Start acting. Audition for school plays. Audition for community theater shows. If you don’t get the role you try out for, volunteer to be a part of the crew. The more you are around it, the more you will learn.
If these opportunities aren’t available to you, try shooting short videos on your phone and put them out in the world. Don’t be afraid to suck. You have to keep at it.
If these opportunities aren’t available to you, try shooting short videos on your phone and put them out in the world. Don’t be afraid to suck. You have to keep at it.
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Hi Kindle,
If you have a dream, follow it and never give up! To be an actor, you have various options. You can start getting academic education in acting or a related field. Also, you can find acting internships/practicum programs (either paid or unpaid just for starting your journey.) You can also look for reliable announcements: For instance, sometimes theatres or movie companies look for new actors (beginner level) and are really wiling to help them move forward.
I wish you all the best and success in your artistic journey!
If you have a dream, follow it and never give up! To be an actor, you have various options. You can start getting academic education in acting or a related field. Also, you can find acting internships/practicum programs (either paid or unpaid just for starting your journey.) You can also look for reliable announcements: For instance, sometimes theatres or movie companies look for new actors (beginner level) and are really wiling to help them move forward.
I wish you all the best and success in your artistic journey!
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