The Basics Of How To Get Started In Acting

By Lela Perkins


It's never too late for someone to get begin an acting career. It's important to learn how to get started in acting in terms of learning the craft and getting known in the industry, to put one on the right path for finding work. Knowing which steps to take and carrying them out is the beginning to becoming a professional actor or actress.

The best way to learn acting is to study at a post-secondary institute. These schools will teach students about its many aspects and will provide hands-on practice through various productions. Even those who have graduated from such a program should continue to take lessons from professional drama coaches. Becoming well-versed in as many types of performance as possible, will increase one's chances of getting a role.

Getting some good quality "headshots" is another must for someone who wants to act. There are some photographers who feature this type of work and can provide aspiring performers with a variety of promotional images. Ideally some will be color while others are black and white, and the series will include both informal and formal, close-up and full-body shots. Both digital and print versions should be available, with the latter being brought to auditions along with one's resume.

Developing an organized resume is the next step. It needs to list any productions the performer has appeared in, as well as where they trained and which program they have completed. Lessons and workshops should also be mentioned, as should specific skills such as acrobatics or foreign accents.

It can be helpful to find a good agent as well. Generally it's beneficial to have such a connection as these professionals receive many casting calls each day and help one get more auditions. They have an incentive to find work for every actor they represent because they receive a percentage of the money paid for each role.

Especially when a novice performer is starting out, he or she should welcome any opportunity to gain acting experience. Those small roles which pay little or nothing should not be turned down, as they still count and can lead to bigger and better roles in the future. Examples of these opportunities include appearing in a student film, working as an extra, or doing community theater.

As a performer attends more auditions, he or she will likely be considered for more roles by casting directors. It's necessary to give these people the right impression when going to auditions. Always being punctual, polite, suitably dressed, and prepared with any necessary materials is important. The more people in the industry one meets through "networking", the greater the chances are that they might be able help with one's professional advancement. It can also be useful to join an actor's union.

Patience and persistence are two qualities a performer must have in order to be successful. When discovering how to get started in acting, they must recognize that in most cases it takes time to make a name for oneself and the only way this is going to happen is by actively getting out there and going to as many auditions as possible. Rejection must be accepted as a reality, but eventually it can pave the way to success.




About the Author: