Becoming A Professional Actor Part 2

Okay-so you are probably a bit excited at this point-as it all sounds so easy-right?

Okay-as my 11th grade Economics teacher used to say-"Hold on red rider-put Thunder back in the stable"-a great theatrical reference, right? It isn't all that easy-which is why it is time to start formulating a game plan for yourself.

Now, you are rocking and rolling along and you are thinking this will be easy. And it all is easy to do-but you have to have a plan in place to go through the steps. If you are doing plays in school now-then keep it up-and don't stop your other extra-cirriculars....but, it is time to start prioritizing your time a bit better. This is where you have to start asking yourself questions! The first question is; how can I fit more into my already busy schedule? And where do I start?

First-write out your schedule-sounds dumb, but think about it. You probably use a little date reminder type of book to keep all the stuff you already have in your schedule-so break that thing out. And if you don't have one-go spend the 10 bucks to get a big one-81/2X11-the same size as a school notebook. You need to write out your schedule and see just where you can slide in more work. When you have your schedule in front of you, get your "P's" to sit down with you(if you need someone to drive you) and see if their schedule will allow more taxi service for you-if it won't-it is time to get out the public transportation schedule and find a bus, train, whatever is in your area.

When you have found the times that work for you to squeeeeeeze more work into your schedule-you can get on the web and start looking at all of the training grounds in your area. Look at Community Colleges, Universities, stand-alone acting schools, acting coaches, community theaters, etc. When you have found them the following will be necessary for you to make your decision:

1) what time are the classes that are right for you?

2) will they let you "audit" the class: Auditing a class is where you go to a few of them, observe, interview the teacher and the students so that you can decide if it is right for you.

3) Have your parents drive you or drive yourself, or take public transportation to and from the classes-so that you can decide if the schedule will fit the time getting to and from the classes.

4) for the community theatre-check and see if they have classes to take there-these will be cheaper than all of the others-and when you take a class attached to a community theatre, it is a lot easier to be cast in their plays. On-the-job training is a great way to go(though you aren't actually paid for community theater).

When you have found the place that is right for you-take a class. If you aren't already working the stage at school or at a community theater, then do a class on acting-DON"T DO ON CAMERA CLASSES IF YOU AREN"T ALREADY AN ACTOR-that is the cart before the horse.

If you already have the experience working the stage-then by all means take a beginning on-camera class. You will learn how to move on camera, where to stand, and you will learn that you don't need to amplify your voice on camera the way you do on stage. Make sure that they give you copies of your work in the on-camera classes-and watch them-a lot! Also, start using a camera at home. This is a good way to practice moving for the camera.

This is all very exciting. You are now starting to act like you do this for a living. This is the time when you will begin to understand that this is a business. And to make it in the buisness, you must be trained doing what you expect people to pay you to do!

Now that you are starting to view this as a job-and you should, because at this point, your job is to make yourself marketable. An agent can't sell you to casting directors if you can't act right? And that agent won't make a dime unless you are booking paying gigs-you see where I am going with this? I will spell it out. An agent wont' look twice at you unless you are trained. Ultimately, an agent spends a lot of dough on you every day, mailing your headshot and resume, messengering them, etc to casting directors. The agent has employees called bookers who do this-who they have to pay, so it costs money to represent you-and if you aren't a good risk for them-they won't hire you.

When you have done your home work on the acting schools/training grounds around your area, then shoot a comment here to me with any questions you have. Next time, I will get more into how to ask the right questions of your potential teachers, your potential classmates(when you audit the classes), and why you should never even consider taking a class from those "modeling schools" you see all over the internet and get mail from promising a career in the entertainment business. DON"T DO IT-they all pay the "acting teachers" a commission on the people they sign up-and most of them require you to have them do your headshots-and the headshots they all do look like modeling portfolio pictures-those dont' fly with casting directors!

See ya next time!

Matt