4 answers
lizzie
Student
Corpus Christi, Texas
1
Question
Updated
919 views
How do I start an acting career at 13?
Hi! I'm an 8th grader soon to be 14 and soon to be a freshman. I'm in my schools drama class and have done a few plays. I really want to be an actress but don't know where to start. My mom is okay with me getting headshots done but wants me to take theater classes first. I've been interested in acting since 5th grade and want to get my career started early.
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4 answers
Brea Bee
Actor
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Brea’s Answer
Dear Lizzie,
Pursuing an acting career is rewarding, exciting and challenging! The very first thing you want to do is to find a good and reputable acting class in your area. It is so important for you to learn as much as possible about yourself as a performer from a trained professional who can help you to highlight and enhance your natural strengths as an actor, and help you work on aspects that may be challenging to you. You will also have the opportunity to make great new friends in class, and learn more about the business from their own experiences. The more you can practice and be challenged to grow as an actor in class, the more prepared you will be for auditions and jobs!
Try to find local community theaters and see if they have any auditions for roles in your age range. I began my career at age 10 by acting in local theaters which allowed me to gain real life experience and learn from working actors. It also taught me about the level of commitment and professionalism that is required of actors when working on a show in a company. It really is the best education for a young actor!
You might also find out if your city has a local film office website that will list any upcoming productions or casting notices for local talent and kids roles specifically. Another great way to get on camera experience is in student films. Local colleges with a film department are constantly casting short films and often have teenaged characters to cast. Just make sure you always have a parent/guardian with you as there are very strict rules for minors on set! Actors Access is a very helpful website that lists breakdowns for projects based on location which helps you to see what is shooting in your part of the country. You can also create an account on Actors Access that allows you to submit your headshot and resume to casting notices and any performance clips you may have from shows or class.
Regarding headshots, please don't feel pressured to spend a ton of money on pictures when you are just starting out. You are growing so fast at your age that you might need to have a new headshot just a year later and that can get expensive! Our phones have incredible cameras in them and you really just need a solid background and natural sunlight to get a good shot. Until you have an agent, they don't have to be professional pictures. They just need to look like you! If an agency is interested in working with you, they will refer you to photographers in the area if they feel you need a more polished or commercial shot.
Hope this answered some of your questions! Best of luck to you!
Pursuing an acting career is rewarding, exciting and challenging! The very first thing you want to do is to find a good and reputable acting class in your area. It is so important for you to learn as much as possible about yourself as a performer from a trained professional who can help you to highlight and enhance your natural strengths as an actor, and help you work on aspects that may be challenging to you. You will also have the opportunity to make great new friends in class, and learn more about the business from their own experiences. The more you can practice and be challenged to grow as an actor in class, the more prepared you will be for auditions and jobs!
Try to find local community theaters and see if they have any auditions for roles in your age range. I began my career at age 10 by acting in local theaters which allowed me to gain real life experience and learn from working actors. It also taught me about the level of commitment and professionalism that is required of actors when working on a show in a company. It really is the best education for a young actor!
You might also find out if your city has a local film office website that will list any upcoming productions or casting notices for local talent and kids roles specifically. Another great way to get on camera experience is in student films. Local colleges with a film department are constantly casting short films and often have teenaged characters to cast. Just make sure you always have a parent/guardian with you as there are very strict rules for minors on set! Actors Access is a very helpful website that lists breakdowns for projects based on location which helps you to see what is shooting in your part of the country. You can also create an account on Actors Access that allows you to submit your headshot and resume to casting notices and any performance clips you may have from shows or class.
Regarding headshots, please don't feel pressured to spend a ton of money on pictures when you are just starting out. You are growing so fast at your age that you might need to have a new headshot just a year later and that can get expensive! Our phones have incredible cameras in them and you really just need a solid background and natural sunlight to get a good shot. Until you have an agent, they don't have to be professional pictures. They just need to look like you! If an agency is interested in working with you, they will refer you to photographers in the area if they feel you need a more polished or commercial shot.
Hope this answered some of your questions! Best of luck to you!
Isaac Lira
Actor
2
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Isaac’s Answer
I'd suggest giving YouTube a shot. It could be a fun platform for you and your friends to showcase your projects, or even display your acting skills. Personally, that's the route I would have taken. It's an exciting opportunity worth exploring!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Lizzie !
It is so fabulous that you have started acting at a younger age and that you already have some experience. I would say that all you need to do is continue with acting classes and auditioning for the plays at school. You are already an actress. Being famous doesn't make one an actress. You apparently have the ability and have done acting, so you are already an actress. You will need to keep this in mind as you go along.
Getting paid for your acting will make you a professional actress. You will need your parent to oversee your career 100% and understand contracts and understand the way the business works. To be available for work which your agent sends you for, you will have to be available everyday all day, which means that you'd have to not be going to school. I highly advise not dropping out of school and I also advise pursuing acting once you are 18 and can do it independently. By that time, you will have gained a lot of experience and most likely will be ready for what the industry is like. You will also need your own transportation. I can relate to the eagerness you must have to start professionally now, but it is going to be much better for you to wait until you are 18 and can navigate and make your own decisions about your career.
If everything is set up for you to start professionally now, your parents overseeing and transportation, paid for your membership and dues to join the SAG-AFTRA Union, will be able to accompany you to auditions, rehearsals and on days of the projects, you can inquire at the one talent agency in your town, The Blanco Agency. Read the information at their website at the link below. You can also register at Actors Access because casting notices appear from all locations and you can see which locations would be good for you to work at. You will be expected to be reliable, flexible and available for work.
My advice is to give it some time and plan for a professional career after you graduate high school. I always do advise college as well, but you must take the path that will be best for you. Never give up !
THE BLANCO AGENCY IN CORPUS CHRISTI FOR REPRESENTATION https://www.theblancoagency.com/
ACTORS ACCESS actorsaccess.com
It is so fabulous that you have started acting at a younger age and that you already have some experience. I would say that all you need to do is continue with acting classes and auditioning for the plays at school. You are already an actress. Being famous doesn't make one an actress. You apparently have the ability and have done acting, so you are already an actress. You will need to keep this in mind as you go along.
Getting paid for your acting will make you a professional actress. You will need your parent to oversee your career 100% and understand contracts and understand the way the business works. To be available for work which your agent sends you for, you will have to be available everyday all day, which means that you'd have to not be going to school. I highly advise not dropping out of school and I also advise pursuing acting once you are 18 and can do it independently. By that time, you will have gained a lot of experience and most likely will be ready for what the industry is like. You will also need your own transportation. I can relate to the eagerness you must have to start professionally now, but it is going to be much better for you to wait until you are 18 and can navigate and make your own decisions about your career.
If everything is set up for you to start professionally now, your parents overseeing and transportation, paid for your membership and dues to join the SAG-AFTRA Union, will be able to accompany you to auditions, rehearsals and on days of the projects, you can inquire at the one talent agency in your town, The Blanco Agency. Read the information at their website at the link below. You can also register at Actors Access because casting notices appear from all locations and you can see which locations would be good for you to work at. You will be expected to be reliable, flexible and available for work.
My advice is to give it some time and plan for a professional career after you graduate high school. I always do advise college as well, but you must take the path that will be best for you. Never give up !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Sharyn Grose
CareerVillage.org TeamResume writing/career coaching, arts & entertainment
18
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Sharyn’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hi Lizzie!
My daughter acted at a young age in film, tv, commercials and theater. She is now in college. On-camera acting is a little different than theater acting but I'm a big fan of having a stage background. There are many skills learned in that environment that help support on-camera acting. Theater classes are great in giving you a foundation in the art of acting. To be a successful actor means continually getting better at the craft of acting.
To get started, talk to your mom about getting an agent. I'm not very familiar with the market in Texas, but a quick Google search showed that there are at least a couple agencies and management companies. You want to research the agencies and make sure they have a good reputation. Sumit your headshots and resume to the agency for consideration. For your resume, you can list the plays you have been in, any theater or acting classes you've taken, include the drama club, and any special skills you might have (for example singing, dancing, bike riding, sports). You should NOT pay upfront fees to be represented. The agency receives a commission on the work that you get. Usually, commission ranges from 10 - 20%.
While you wait for agencies to respond to your submissions, you can still take theater classes. It shows you want to get better at acting. You can also get an account on reputable online platforms like Casting Networks or Actor's Access and submit yourself to film, TV, and commercial auditions. When agencies respond to your submission, they may have you with your mom come into the agency so they can meet you in person. They may have you audition by reading a script to determine if they want to represent you.
Your mom will need to be very involved in your pursuit of an acting career because she will be your biggest advocate. Research the entertainment industry in Texas with your mom. A resource that helped me some years ago was Children in Film https://childreninfilm.com/parents/.
I hope this was helpful! Wishing you much success on your journey! Can't wait to see you on the screen!
My daughter acted at a young age in film, tv, commercials and theater. She is now in college. On-camera acting is a little different than theater acting but I'm a big fan of having a stage background. There are many skills learned in that environment that help support on-camera acting. Theater classes are great in giving you a foundation in the art of acting. To be a successful actor means continually getting better at the craft of acting.
To get started, talk to your mom about getting an agent. I'm not very familiar with the market in Texas, but a quick Google search showed that there are at least a couple agencies and management companies. You want to research the agencies and make sure they have a good reputation. Sumit your headshots and resume to the agency for consideration. For your resume, you can list the plays you have been in, any theater or acting classes you've taken, include the drama club, and any special skills you might have (for example singing, dancing, bike riding, sports). You should NOT pay upfront fees to be represented. The agency receives a commission on the work that you get. Usually, commission ranges from 10 - 20%.
While you wait for agencies to respond to your submissions, you can still take theater classes. It shows you want to get better at acting. You can also get an account on reputable online platforms like Casting Networks or Actor's Access and submit yourself to film, TV, and commercial auditions. When agencies respond to your submission, they may have you with your mom come into the agency so they can meet you in person. They may have you audition by reading a script to determine if they want to represent you.
Your mom will need to be very involved in your pursuit of an acting career because she will be your biggest advocate. Research the entertainment industry in Texas with your mom. A resource that helped me some years ago was Children in Film https://childreninfilm.com/parents/.
I hope this was helpful! Wishing you much success on your journey! Can't wait to see you on the screen!
This was super helpful, thank you!
lizzie