Starting in the Business of Acting

So, after finishing high school, you came to Hollywood to make it. Your parents are probably quite skeptical about your choice and would prefer that you first finish college. However, they respect and support your decision and are willing to give you the benefit of a doubt.

..... or, you just finished college as a theater major. You have decent training in acting and you think that the sky is the limit and an actor is what you are meant to be. You are ready to do whatever it takes.

..... or, you've been a lawyer or a doctor and decided that you have made enough money and don't really want to continue your practice any more. Instead, you want to pursue the dream that you've always had.... ACTING!

So, where do you begin?

Headshots

First of all, you should do you research and find the best photographer that fits your budget. On average, you should pay between $250-$350.00 for 3-4 looks. From all the images, you should be able to get one perfect commercial and one perfect theatrical headshot. Once you have picked the right images (whether you have representation or not), it's time to go to a printing company and order your first headshots.

Representation

Once you have your headshots printed and your resume put together, it's time to look for representation. If you have a good commercial look and an outgoing personality, and your headshots reflect that, it should be relatively easy to find commercial representation.

To be considered for theatrical representation, you should also have a demo reel ready to mail in with your submission. If you are a beginning actor, it will be tough to get theatrical representation by a decent agency if you don't have legitimate credits. Your best bet would be to self-submit yourself via actorsaccess.com and nowcasting.com and look for projects that would help you build your theatrical reel.

Beginning actors ofen take on any project they are offered: whether it is a student film or a thesis project or a small budget non-union production. There are several factors to consider when making a decision: you should do your research thoroughly and find out about the director of the film, the cast and be clear about compensation for your work. Most often, you will be provided with "copy,credit, and meals." However, once the filming is finished and the crew gets in the "post-production" mode, it will be next to impossible for you to get a copy of your work. To ensure that you get it, protect yourself and discuss the terms in advance.

Independent Iniviative

Once you secure representation, do not think that your work is done. Having an agent doesn't mean you have it made. You should still be seeking projects on your own and inform your agent if a production company expresses interest in utilizing your talent in their project. It's your agent's job to negotiate the best possible deal for you.

Staying in Class

Whether of not you have had formal acting training prior to pursuing acting career, you should always stay in class and train your acting muscle. There are many acting schools and private coaches in Los Angeles and it's often hard to pick the one that best suits your needs. Ask your agent which school or what coach they can recommend for you and why. Agents have a lot of experience in developing talent and generally they know what casting directors and film directors want.

Networking

Acting is a social career. You can meet the right people everywhere. Do not sit at home hoping you will make by watching "The Secret." . You should attend seminars and workshops taught by casting directors, go to screenings and discussion panels organized by SAG. Socialize and make friends with industry professionals. If you have talent, they will notice it.