Have you been dreaming of being an actor for years, knowing you are good at it, but finding it hard to take concrete initiatives? Well, the time has come to confront reality (isn't that what your mother would say after all?) And to pursue your dreams. A new star is about to be born… do you want to be you?
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Learning the Art of Acting
Step 1. Study acting in a school or art institute
Even if you can do otherwise, if maybe you don't live in Rome or Milan, it is still a recommended choice. You will have the opportunity to deal with professionals, to learn acting techniques and to act on stage. From a practical point of view, you will enrich your resume, you will have the opportunity to get noticed and to create a network of contacts. In addition to this, your teachers will inspire you to work harder, practically taking over the part related to keeping you motivated.
What do Lindsay Lohan, Tom Cruise and Jessica Simpson have in common? In addition to being world-class stars, none of them have completed their studies. While it is possible to be successful without high-level educational qualifications, think carefully before making risky choices
Step 2. Attend an acting workshop
Some of these workshops are very intensive; you will have the opportunity to learn a lot in just 2-3 weeks of attendance. You will be able to participate in different shows with different roles, sometimes even being paid.
- In summer, when schools are closed, you need to take advantage of the time available by attending drama workshops and courses. But if you have to work and can't do it, try to read and learn about the art of acting. Go see shows, read theory manuals, and confront new ideas and new schools of thought.
- If you are interested in theater, summer offers many opportunities to start. Performances, musicals, even the opera are set up in a few weeks and constitute valuable experiences. Look for an audition in your hometown in the spring, then keep yourself busy when school is out.
Step 3. Join a local theater company
This is one more step than participating in school or university productions. Carving out a space in the theater can put you in contact with people in the sector. You will also get an idea of your level and you can certainly evaluate your level of acting knowledge against that of the competition.
Even if you're not interested in plays and musicals, any acting experience will help improve your resume and teach you something new. Plus, you'll have the chance to make friends
Step 4. Hire an acting teacher to improve your technique
A personal teacher can help you highlight your strengths and fill in your gaps. Try to find a master with experience and good references.
Talk to the staff and teachers of your school or theater where you work. Surely someone will be able to introduce you to someone else who can in turn help you find what you are looking for
Step 5. Identify your strengths
Often at castings you will be asked to list your skills and abilities, such as different accents, particular skills or characterizations. Develop different skills so that you can propose yourself in different contexts.
Finding out in which contexts your talent is best expressed can help you choose the right path. Actors are in demand in a variety of very different situations - if you're a beginner, ask yourself if you see yourself better on screens or on stage
Part 2 of 5: For Movie Actors
Step 1. Go live in a big city
The best is Rome, but you can take the first steps wherever there is a film production of acceptable quality. You may need to look for a waiter job, even better if you are given the flexibility to show up for auditions. That's all you will need.
If you are serious about it, you must necessarily move to a big city. If your financial situation doesn't allow it, start by trying to improve it. Wanting is power
Step 2. Join as an extra
When you're in the right place, build bonds and participate in productions as an extra. Castings for these roles are everywhere on the Internet.
It won't be the height of aspiration, but it will be enough to enhance your resume. In all likelihood, you'll need to be on the sidelines most of the time, so bring a book, knitting, or anything else with you to help pass the time while the scenes are set up
Step 3. Find an agent
It will help you search for auditions and get into the business. A good agent will only get paid when you are successful, so stay away from those who ask big bucks even if you don't have a job.
Find out about who to contact and where to start. Other actors can give you advice and can even put you in touch with them
Step 4. Join an entertainment industry union
You may soon be successful! Joining a union is a clear sign that you mean business. Once you have found employment as an apprentice or experienced as an extra, you can consider yourself part of the system.
Go in search of organizations in the entertainment world. Once you sign up, you can get some benefits, and all of this will only cost you a small fee per year. It will be worth it
Part 3 of 5: For Theater Actors
Step 1. Amplify your acting style
Acting on stage requires a completely different set of skills and abilities (well, maybe not completely!). It is easy to tell if an actor who works in television has had training on the stage of a theater. When you are on stage, you have to entertain people who are "miles" away - consequently, everything has to be amplified.
Start working on your voice. It is the tool that allows you to earn a living. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol, and anything else that can dehydrate your vocal cords. You must always be able to rely on a powerful and confident voice
Step 2. Develop your acting skills on stage
Many argue that acting on stage is more difficult than doing it in a movie; after all, movie actors can hide behind the camera. On stage, you are the one who creates the magic. Start by attending classes to help convince your examiners of your skills.
- Fighting lessons on stage; they can show you how to fight convincingly without hurting you or looking like a frenzy. Numerous opportunities may open up for you, both in regular plays and musicals.
- Practice dialects. A dialect teacher can help you get started. However, if your diction does not match the correct one in your country, you may need to get rid of your accent. Otherwise you would just end up finding roles as a character actor.
- Learn the stage parts. If you are a little interested in musicals, it will be a good idea to take singing and dancing lessons. Having a skill or two isn't enough to get serious in the industry.
- Do something that makes you special. If you've been a clown for 12 years, great! It will come in handy. If you are an athlete, great! Any skill that sets you apart from others will come in handy over time. So cultivate your hobbies - they will allow you to have many more opportunities.
Step 3. Consider joining an association of professional actors
While it is possible to be successful without signing up, they may still offer you the opportunity to participate in auditions that you would otherwise be barred from.
It is not a linear process, unfortunately, but it is natural that it is not a simple thing. You will therefore have to do research, inform yourself through your network of acquaintances on how they did it. Everyone finds their own way to do it
Part 4 of 5: Preparing for the auditions
Step 1. Learn a good number of monologues
If you are prepared, you will probably already have a repertoire that you can use when needed. Otherwise it will be easy (just a few seconds of searching on the Internet) to find one. These short plays are often used during castings for theater and cinema. They allow you to show your talent in a short period of time.
- You will need contrasting monologues. Even if you always play comic parts, have a couple of serious monologues ready, to show if asked for.
- For singers, you will need 16/32 bars of a few songs that are ready and you feel confident about. In some specimens the genre is not specified, while in others they will ask to show something similar to what they intend to produce. So, make sure you always have some "on hand".
Step 2. Prepare a resume
Add all the productions you have participated in, workshops, university and amateur shows. Even if they are not closely related to the world of acting, they can still be useful. Also add backstage work. Show them that you are a balanced artist and that you have experience with technological tools, set design and costumes.
List any specific skills you have (dancing, singing, dialectic, wrestling, etc.) on your resume. Don't lie shamelessly though. You could be caught out on the exam
Step 3. Know yourself
Decide what kind of actor you want to be. Are you more of a character actor or do you prefer leading roles? Are you the co-star girl or the perfect villain? If you find a specialization that suits you, especially at the beginning, it will be easier to choose the castings that suit you the most.
There's nothing wrong with being a character actor. In fact, if you show up at specific auditions for your role, you will have a better chance of success. Who would ever say that Christian De Sica is not a good actor, even if he has played more or less the same role for a lifetime? He is simply aware of what works best and repeats it every time. So look at yourself - what comes most naturally to you?
Step 4. Make a photo book
The first thing a director will want to see, especially in the case of film productions, is your presentation book attached to your resume. It is important to take care of this as soon as possible and make prints - you will have to distribute a lot of them. Make sure they are up to date!
By saving money you will hardly be able to have a nice photo book. Often photographers are in the same position as you and are just trying to build their own portfolio. Look for up-and-coming photographers who want to do it for a low price, or maybe for free. The beauty of photo books is that no set or particular clothing is required
Step 5. Prepare yourself best
You will never know what a director might ask of you during a casting, but you will certainly have control over your preparation. Always be on time; bring with you the resume, the book and all the material, including a pen or pencil, that you may need during the casting, and take care of your appearance as best as possible. This is all you need to do.
Be talkative. You may at any time meet the person who can help you find your way. That guy with the headphones on, hiding in the corner of the room, may have more power than you can imagine. And even if not now, it may have some in the future. So talk to everyone and plug into the environment
Step 6. Do lots of auditions
Taking part in castings is a good way to make yourself known. Once people start to recognize you, it will be easier for them to consider you for some role that fits you. The real challenge is to get your name to circulate.
You will receive a lot of waste, it happens to everyone. Part of the acting job is showing up for auditions - if you never audition, you'll never get a job. So, don't be discouraged by no and keep on your way. Sooner or later the time for yes will come
Part 5 of 5: Building Your Personal Brand
Step 1. Think of yourself as an entrepreneur
You are an artist, but you also need to be able to sell yourself. Sell your looks, your voice, your body and your acting talent. Be aware that whoever is in charge of auditioning sees you as a product and a means of making money. This has negative and positive aspects, but being aware of it will help you keep your head on your shoulders.
Don't get depressed about it; what does not kill you make you stronger. Refusals are not a judgment on you. It has to do with how you relate to the idea they have of the product they are looking for. You will sooner or later be suited to someone else's needs
Step 2. Carve out some space on the Internet
Insert your book and your resume on a web page. Post videos of your performances on Youtube. Create a Facebook profile and Twitter account. It takes time, but you never know who might visit your page and decide to hire you. Furthermore, the Internet is a good way to acquire fans and followers and take advantage of them further.
You can also put a demo on specialized sites. Or make your own website! Why not?
Step 3. Create a large network of contacts
Be proactive and professional; above all be someone you would like to work with yourself. People you know may give you the opportunity to find jobs and can also recommend you.
Avoid getting a bad reputation. If you have the reputation of a listless person who is difficult to work with, or a haughty person, you will have a harder time finding opportunities. In the beginning it is important not to be too demanding
Step 4. Always keep an eye on the market
Read industry magazines and sites to stay up to date on what's going on in your field. Watch shows and participate in projects with friends and acquaintances to keep yourself active.
Read, study, and create social relationships. Although you may think that the ability to act is something innate, things aren't that simple. Maintain contact with screenwriters and directors, become familiar with theory, and frequent the theater and cinema environment. Guessing which direction the market might take can give you an edge over others. Maybe you could be the protagonist of the next big project
Advice
There are a lot of people who would like to be an actor, but who have no idea what it means to be an actor on a professional level. Ask the opinion of other actors you know, inform yourself and try to understand if that kind of life is really for you
Warnings
- It's not all roses and flowers, in reality there will be a lot of sweat. You'll probably have to tighten your belt for a while, get over it.
- Acting is a truly competitive world and you may never get to the level you want. Be realistic but don't give up on being ambitious too - find the right balance.
