Being an actor means being a storyteller. An actor is someone who adapts to the persona of someone else. They take on the mannerisms of that character completely. Actors make a character real enough for people to love or hate it.
If you are someone who can do all this and thrive, acting is for you. Maybe since your childhood, you have been mimicking people around you. Maybe you love re-enacting stories from your childhood.
If this is true for you and you want to be an actor, continue reading. Remember that being an actor is not an easy job path. People with contacts in the industry find it challenging to make it big.
For someone new to the industry, the challenges are even more. After all, if your craft is not great or your audience does not accept you, you will not get opportunities. Sometimes even great actors do not get well-deserved opportunities, making their careers stagnant. Use the tips below to ensure you have a great career and start it right.
Get qualifications
You do not need a formal education to become an actor per se. If you have the skills and opportunities, you can make your name. However, it doesn’t hurt to know the craft. Learning about acting helps you understand many things, how the industry works, and make contacts. If you choose to go for formal training, there are many degrees you can opt for. Some of these are:
- Diploma in Acting and Theatre
- Bachelor of Acting
- BA (Hons) Acting
- BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen
After knowing the criteria for entering acting school, you should research the best ones. Here are a few of the best colleges:
- TISCH School of the Arts, New York University
- American Conservatory Theatre
- University of Southern California
- Yale School of Drama, Yale University
- Guildhall School of Music and Drama
- Texas State University
Know and hone your skills.
Even if you do not apply to an acting school, honing your skills is necessary. To be an actor, you need many skills. Spontaneous is the best skill, as you have to perform multiple roles. Before you start giving auditions, work on these skills. For instance, learning fluent enunciation and pronunciation always helps. You also need to learn body movement art and improvisation. Lastly, other skills like horseback riding, swimming, dancing, and more always help land better opportunities.
Consider doing local gigs.
You cannot get roles without putting yourself out there. So, doing local gigs can always help. Work locally before you shift to the main city, where the magic happens. Audition for commercials or do theatre work. It can help you get practical knowledge, which can help you perform better. Even a small side role can help you get picked up by an agency or bigger directors.
Work with an agency.
As an aspiring actor, working with a talent agency is always beneficial. Contact an agency there if you wish to move to the main city. Or find a local agency with good reviews. An agency will help you make contacts, get gigs, create a portfolio, and more.
Attend events
Many events are happening in the film and television industries. Make it a point to attend a few of them. It is the best place to meet industry leaders, make contacts, and get opportunities.
Create a resume, headshot, and demo reel.
Your talent agency can help with this, but it also requires a resume and headshot. Also, if you want to approach casting directors, they will require these before considering casting you for any roles. That is why you should not say no to smaller roles earlier in your career. They are the stepping stones to bigger opportunities. Moreover, as you work, update the reel and resume.
Go on auditions
Many actors get roles because they have contacts. But things are changing. Now everyone must give auditions to land roles. So, when an opportunity to audition comes your way, do not let it go. Also, be ready to face rejection. You will give multiple auditions in a day before you get selected for a good role. Even after that, there are mock shootsand so much more. Rejections will happen, but be positive and continue working hard.
Understand your niche
To be successful, you should know your niche. As an artist, you want to explore all characters, and you should. But to get to that point, you should work on the things you are best at. Maybe you are great at comedy, or you prefer TV or theatre. Knowing all this will help you achieve success.
Finding the right agency to represent you, learning the art of acting, auditioning enough, and not giving up. These four tips are the most effective in helping you be an actor. Without hard work and sacrifices, you cannot be the next star.
