2 answers
Sophia
Student
Fairview, Alberta, Canada
1
Question
Asked
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How do I start acting? I'm 14, and got in a casting for heartland but didn't get in.
How do I start an acting career? and how do I be good at it? I've been in a casting for Heartland, but they didn't choose me. I'm good at poetry and fake fainting/falling, my mom says I could be a good voice actor and I can do many accents. I'm 14 though
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2 answers
Kevin Ealain
Actor/Carpenter
2
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Does your school have a drama/theatre club? Is there a community theatre in your area you can audition for?
As said by others there’s a lot more to acting than what most people think. Your biggest skill will be your ability to handle rejection. Not getting a part doesn’t mean you are good, it just means you weren’t what the casting team was looking for. But acting is a craft that has to be learned. I’d say hit up your local library and look for books on acting techniques and auditioning techniques. See if there’s theater camps in the summer in your area. Look for workshops you can take. Most of know it’s a long journey that has a lot of up’s and downs and isn’t a clear path to fame and fortune. But if you’re passionate and persistent it can be rewarding in many other ways.
As said by others there’s a lot more to acting than what most people think. Your biggest skill will be your ability to handle rejection. Not getting a part doesn’t mean you are good, it just means you weren’t what the casting team was looking for. But acting is a craft that has to be learned. I’d say hit up your local library and look for books on acting techniques and auditioning techniques. See if there’s theater camps in the summer in your area. Look for workshops you can take. Most of know it’s a long journey that has a lot of up’s and downs and isn’t a clear path to fame and fortune. But if you’re passionate and persistent it can be rewarding in many other ways.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1801
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Sophia !
I would be happy to share some advice and ideas for you. If your mother is very supportive of you and willing to oversee and accompany you throughout your career, that is a special good thing.
So, that's what happens. We get called for auditions and don't get every part. It's part of the territory. At least you auditioned. That in itself is an accomplishment. So, to have the career, keep doing what you're doing. Have your mother take you to any auditions that are forthcoming. It's a matter of being seen and that's how you will be seen.
You should also learn a lot more about acting. Acting is not mimicking or pretending. You are fortunate that you have taught yourself Stage Falling because it is a technique which I learned in college. Acting is believing and being a character. You seem to have a range of talent so I would advise doing as much acting as you can obtain in high school as well as out in the community. It's a bonus to have a mom that will be there with you while you are under the age of 18.
Remember this: you were not chosen for your last audition, not because you're not talented, not because your audition wasn't good. There's many reasons why we don't get parts. The casting people usually have a certain pre-set image of the characters, the chemistry they want for the entire cast and who would work well with the others visually and vocally. So do not take it personally. You didn't present Sophia, you presented a character.
Now, your first question has me thinking. You can't start acting until you've become an experience and skilled actor. You will still have to audition and will get some parts and not obtain other parts. It's the way it goes and most of us take it in stride. Because we realize that's how the business is. If you would have obtained the part for "Heartland", would you have known exactly what to do ? Acting is just one of those things that require a lot of experience and how much experience depends on the person. So I would advise that you get experience in school plays and if mom agrees, find an acting class for your age group out in the community. Also see if your high school has a Dual Enrollment Program and take a beginning acting course at a local community college if they offer this program in Canada. It takes some exploring in whatever community one lives in. Sometimes it's not evident where the theatre community is, so do searches online to make discoveries that will help you.
Theatre Alberta has a Summer Theatre School for teens (links are below). Do a search online for more events or opportunities in your area.
Everyone's Acting career goes differently and we all start out on different paths. Now is a good time for you to discover yours ! I would recommend attending college for a Bachelors Degree, but you have time to think about what route you really want to take and which way would be best for you. Do not give up because you can do it !
Best wishes in all you do !
THEATRE ALBERTA https://www.theatrealberta.com/artstrek/
THEATRE RESOURCES FOR YOUTH https://www.theatrealberta.com/youth/
I would be happy to share some advice and ideas for you. If your mother is very supportive of you and willing to oversee and accompany you throughout your career, that is a special good thing.
So, that's what happens. We get called for auditions and don't get every part. It's part of the territory. At least you auditioned. That in itself is an accomplishment. So, to have the career, keep doing what you're doing. Have your mother take you to any auditions that are forthcoming. It's a matter of being seen and that's how you will be seen.
You should also learn a lot more about acting. Acting is not mimicking or pretending. You are fortunate that you have taught yourself Stage Falling because it is a technique which I learned in college. Acting is believing and being a character. You seem to have a range of talent so I would advise doing as much acting as you can obtain in high school as well as out in the community. It's a bonus to have a mom that will be there with you while you are under the age of 18.
Remember this: you were not chosen for your last audition, not because you're not talented, not because your audition wasn't good. There's many reasons why we don't get parts. The casting people usually have a certain pre-set image of the characters, the chemistry they want for the entire cast and who would work well with the others visually and vocally. So do not take it personally. You didn't present Sophia, you presented a character.
Now, your first question has me thinking. You can't start acting until you've become an experience and skilled actor. You will still have to audition and will get some parts and not obtain other parts. It's the way it goes and most of us take it in stride. Because we realize that's how the business is. If you would have obtained the part for "Heartland", would you have known exactly what to do ? Acting is just one of those things that require a lot of experience and how much experience depends on the person. So I would advise that you get experience in school plays and if mom agrees, find an acting class for your age group out in the community. Also see if your high school has a Dual Enrollment Program and take a beginning acting course at a local community college if they offer this program in Canada. It takes some exploring in whatever community one lives in. Sometimes it's not evident where the theatre community is, so do searches online to make discoveries that will help you.
Theatre Alberta has a Summer Theatre School for teens (links are below). Do a search online for more events or opportunities in your area.
Everyone's Acting career goes differently and we all start out on different paths. Now is a good time for you to discover yours ! I would recommend attending college for a Bachelors Degree, but you have time to think about what route you really want to take and which way would be best for you. Do not give up because you can do it !
Best wishes in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: