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What does it take to become an actress How can you get a job for one? Do you need to hire an agent, or will they contact you for a job??
I want to be an actress when I grow up, so I want to learn some of these skills from the experts themselves. So this will be an amazing experience for me.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Rose !
Right now you are thinking about Acting and the only way you will know about this career is to start acting at your school.
It's very difficult to say what "it takes" because each actor brings something unique to their career. It's just something that you'll discover by doing it. The emphasis on being an actor lies in how you look and how you sound. That is the superficial explanation, but there is a lot more to it, the intellectual and emotional aspects are just as important. One first needs to establish why they want to and why they should go into acting as a profession. Once you establish why you should be an actor, it will fuel your passion and you will do all the education, training and experience it takes. You will make financial and social sacrifices. You will be open minded and able to work with a very large group of diverse people. You will have a spontaneous streak, know the reality of how the business is run and have a keen awareness of the human experience and people so that you can bring it to your acting. It takes determination, tenacity and courage.
The experience is greatly different for every actor. You have to do what is doable for you at your age and in the location in which you live. Simply, you obtain work as an actor by being an actor and auditioning for projects. For this career, one registers for casting agencies that publish casting notices online and you submit your materials such as photos, resume and reel of your work to the production company. Actors do have agents and many Actors are independent, meaning they themselves directly submit their materials for productions without an agent involved.
Actors do not hire agents. Agents select actors to represent if the Agent believes they can market the actor and therefore generate money for their agency. So it is the agent OFFERING representation to the actor, not an actor hiring an agent. It is a selection and approval process on the part of the Agent.
If you want to learn from experts in the field of acting, you can look into any number of colleges in your town or acting schools in New York City or Los Angeles. A college education is the best way to go because you will learn a great deal about acting, learn the way the business is run, make contacts, encounter opportunities both on and off campus and discover yourself as an actor. Learning the craft must be done in person, on site around a classroom and a teacher. It cannot be learned online for so many reasons, so consider looking into what is happening in your school and community for acting, whether it be classes or productions to audition for when you are ready. Don't let acting be just a thought, put it into action for yourself now, especially with taking acting classes.
You are right - it will be an amazing experience for you and also a unique one. People can tell you how their career started or is, but yours will be completely different. Do return here to ask more questions as you move forward with taking active steps to fulfill your goals. Best wishes to you in all you do !
Right now you are thinking about Acting and the only way you will know about this career is to start acting at your school.
It's very difficult to say what "it takes" because each actor brings something unique to their career. It's just something that you'll discover by doing it. The emphasis on being an actor lies in how you look and how you sound. That is the superficial explanation, but there is a lot more to it, the intellectual and emotional aspects are just as important. One first needs to establish why they want to and why they should go into acting as a profession. Once you establish why you should be an actor, it will fuel your passion and you will do all the education, training and experience it takes. You will make financial and social sacrifices. You will be open minded and able to work with a very large group of diverse people. You will have a spontaneous streak, know the reality of how the business is run and have a keen awareness of the human experience and people so that you can bring it to your acting. It takes determination, tenacity and courage.
The experience is greatly different for every actor. You have to do what is doable for you at your age and in the location in which you live. Simply, you obtain work as an actor by being an actor and auditioning for projects. For this career, one registers for casting agencies that publish casting notices online and you submit your materials such as photos, resume and reel of your work to the production company. Actors do have agents and many Actors are independent, meaning they themselves directly submit their materials for productions without an agent involved.
Actors do not hire agents. Agents select actors to represent if the Agent believes they can market the actor and therefore generate money for their agency. So it is the agent OFFERING representation to the actor, not an actor hiring an agent. It is a selection and approval process on the part of the Agent.
If you want to learn from experts in the field of acting, you can look into any number of colleges in your town or acting schools in New York City or Los Angeles. A college education is the best way to go because you will learn a great deal about acting, learn the way the business is run, make contacts, encounter opportunities both on and off campus and discover yourself as an actor. Learning the craft must be done in person, on site around a classroom and a teacher. It cannot be learned online for so many reasons, so consider looking into what is happening in your school and community for acting, whether it be classes or productions to audition for when you are ready. Don't let acting be just a thought, put it into action for yourself now, especially with taking acting classes.
You are right - it will be an amazing experience for you and also a unique one. People can tell you how their career started or is, but yours will be completely different. Do return here to ask more questions as you move forward with taking active steps to fulfill your goals. Best wishes to you in all you do !
Updated
Angela’s Answer
Hi there!
I highly suggest starting in theatre. Join your local community theatre and Google theatre groups in your area and audition.
I would get signing lessons, you’ll need to know the same techniques anyway for acting because your breath is really important.
Take classes and be involved in whatever you can. Take improv!
Once you get enough experience, you’ll meet a lot of people through the experience, hopefully one of your colleagues could hook you up with an agent. It’s the best way to get one.
I jumped in right away and it was an awful experience. You’re more susceptible to weirdos trying to take advantage.
The more experienced you are in the craft, the more likely an agent will come to you. Also NEVER pay for an agent. They get paid through commission from what you book (15%). If an agent wants you to pay for headshots, classes, etc from THEIR connections, run!
Only focus on getting good and finding your own work. Even after you get an agent you’re still finding your own work.
I highly suggest starting in theatre. Join your local community theatre and Google theatre groups in your area and audition.
I would get signing lessons, you’ll need to know the same techniques anyway for acting because your breath is really important.
Take classes and be involved in whatever you can. Take improv!
Once you get enough experience, you’ll meet a lot of people through the experience, hopefully one of your colleagues could hook you up with an agent. It’s the best way to get one.
I jumped in right away and it was an awful experience. You’re more susceptible to weirdos trying to take advantage.
The more experienced you are in the craft, the more likely an agent will come to you. Also NEVER pay for an agent. They get paid through commission from what you book (15%). If an agent wants you to pay for headshots, classes, etc from THEIR connections, run!
Only focus on getting good and finding your own work. Even after you get an agent you’re still finding your own work.
Updated
Al’s Answer
Rose,
Acting can be an immensely rewarding and fulfilling career. It can also be an immensely rewarding and fulfilling "hobby". Both Angela and Michelle have given you a lot a good information. I would add a few cautions: 1. Acting can -- and often does -- demand a lot of time; 2. Classes, headshots, makeup, etc. can be rather expensive; 3. You need to have a strong sense of self and a "thick skin" -- because for every role that a director is looking to fill (cast) there are many more people auditioning, and you never know what exactly will be the thing that moves the director's choice (thus, don't take it personally when you don't get cast for something); and work on as many acting skills as you can manage to develop -- (accents, singing, dancing, stage combat, musical instruments, juggling...the list can be endless). Therefore, audition for the school plays; find some Community Theater groups in your area; as your experience and confidence grow, you ca search out other opportunities with professional outfits.
Acting can be an immensely rewarding and fulfilling career. It can also be an immensely rewarding and fulfilling "hobby". Both Angela and Michelle have given you a lot a good information. I would add a few cautions: 1. Acting can -- and often does -- demand a lot of time; 2. Classes, headshots, makeup, etc. can be rather expensive; 3. You need to have a strong sense of self and a "thick skin" -- because for every role that a director is looking to fill (cast) there are many more people auditioning, and you never know what exactly will be the thing that moves the director's choice (thus, don't take it personally when you don't get cast for something); and work on as many acting skills as you can manage to develop -- (accents, singing, dancing, stage combat, musical instruments, juggling...the list can be endless). Therefore, audition for the school plays; find some Community Theater groups in your area; as your experience and confidence grow, you ca search out other opportunities with professional outfits.