So You Want to Be an Actor?

When you watch TV or movies, do you long to be on that screen? Show business is, of course, a difficult industry to break into, but here are the steps to get you started.

Training

Before you can begin to audition for roles, you need to do some significant prep work. First, you should begin training in the art of acting. It is not as easy as it looks! Every casting director and agent will be looking for well-trained talent. If you live in a major market, such as Los Angeles, New York City or Atlanta, there are lots of reputable acting schools. Smaller cities, like Washington, DC, Chicago, and New Orleans, also have some good local acting schools. If you don't live near a city, look at the programs offered at your local community college or community theater. Training is extremely important, and you should continue taking classes throughout your career.

Headshots and Resume

Once you have some training under your belt, you'll need to start preparing your marketing materials. Most importantly, you'll need a couple of really good headshots. Be sure you do some research before selecting a photographer. Not all photographers understand the current industry standard (for example, in the '90s, actors used black-and-white headshots; today, everyone expects color photos). You should wear a solid-colored shirt that complements your hair and skin tone. You want to make sure that you are framed in a head and shoulders shot, and your eyes should be extremely expressive.

You'll need a smiling headshot for commercial submissions and a serious/brooding shot for film/TV submissions. Additionally, you'll need a good full-body shot. You can expect to pay between $250-600 for a good headshot photographer.

In addition to headshots, you'll need to put together your acting resume. At the top, you should prominently display your name, contact info, and some basic stats (height, hair color, eye color, and singing range, if you sing). It should contain any projects you've done, using the following category headings: Film, Television, Commercials, Theatre, Training, Special Skills. You may not have many credits in the beginning, but again, training is key, so you can at least list that.

Initial Work

Once you have some training and a headshot and resume, you can start submitting for projects. There are many self-submission websites online where you can sift through casting notices and submit for projects that interest you. In the beginning, it's important to start getting some credits, even if they are unpaid. Student films and community theater productions generally don't pay, but they are great experience and good initial credits to add to your resume. (Note: you do not want to include background/extra work on your resume. It is good experience, but since it's not really acting, it does not belong on your resume. It will make you appear to be an amateur.)

Reel

After you have some projects in the can, contact the directors and ask for footage. You will want to start compiling your reel. An acting reel is another vital marketing tool and all serious, professional actors have one. Once you have a few clips of your work in local commercials or student films, you can edit them together into a 2-3 minute reel. Make sure to have a title slide that lists your name and contact info.

Representation

Once you have a headshot, resume, reel, and some good beginner credits on your resume, it is time to start looking for representation. Many agencies will take on newcomers on a freelance basis, which means you are not officially signed, but they will submit you for work to see how well you do and will consider fully signing you in the future. This is a great arrangement and also allows you to work with multiple agents at one time.

Research agents in any market where you are willing to travel (i.e. if you live in Boston but are also willing to travel to NYC for work, then you'll want to look representation in both areas). Submit your headshot and resume via the agency's preferred method (some prefer email and others require a hard copy submission).

Agents can help you get work, but you should always continue submitting yourself for projects as well.

Day Job

You are well on your way to an acting career. Don't give up your day job, though. Almost all actors need at least one side job in order to stay afloat. Be sure to find a job that is flexible enough for you to be able to go to an audition or a shoot on very little notice. Many actors wait tables, tutor students, substitute teach, or do part-time administrative work to make ends meet.

You're an Actor!

Now you're an actor! And you can continue to work your way up the show business ladder by training with bigger and better acting schools/coaches, booking bigger projects, and using your new, better credits to get stronger representation. It's not an easy business, but it can be very fulfilling.