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How to Become an Actor
by Sarah Bennett

(continued from part 1)

If you find there just aren't any local theater, film, or drama departments in your area that suit you, you'll have to go at it alone. Buy, borrow, or rent a camcorder and start making your own performance videos. Start shooting yourself acting a scene from your favorite movie. Then move on to classical theatrical monologues you'll find online and in books at the library. After taping several quick video clips, move on to making your own short films. Ask your friends to participle in them with you. And have your friends and family critique your acting ability. Keep making them and you'll improve.


Actor Vin Diesel started performing on stage when he was seven years old. But as he grew older he longed to be in feature films. The problem was, he just wasn't getting the parts he wanted. So he did what he had the power to do - he produced, directed, and starred in his own short film titled "Multi-Facial." Steven Spielberg saw his short film and based upon his performance, he was cast in the Oscar-winning film "Saving Private Ryan." From there Vin went on to become the action super-star of many Hollywood motion pictures.

The next step you should plan for is to build a sound acting resume. With each new acting project you'll have one more entry to add to your actor's resume. And each time you add to your resume you'll have an easier time landing that next acting role. The larger, and fuller your resume, the easier it will be to find acting jobs. And once you have a resume completely filled with your list of acting experience, skills and talents, you can flaunt it and begin marketing yourself. Call up ad agencies for casting in their TV commercials and don't forget to get the contact of the person handling casting for their productions.

Eventually, after you've performed in countless community, school and church productions and successfully appeared in local broadcast and cable television commercials, you might consider making the move to bigger cities, like New York for theater or Los Angeles for film and television productions. You may also consider applying for a membership in the 'Screen Actor's Guild or the Actors' Equity, after you have been hired for a few union productions. Enrolling in these unions makes sense as these unions demand higher wages for their members.

Above all, the best way to get experience and education is by continuing to act as much as possible. Constantly be on the lookout for casting calls and audition notices in newspapers, on web sites, and posted to community notice boards, etc. If you work hard and are dedicated and devoted, you will soon see opportunity come knocking your way.



Copyright © Sarah Bennett. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author. Not to be reproduced or distributed.




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Reader Comments
what do i do to become an actor

Posted by jesse mcmaster (2007-11-04)
i want to become a actress like ash
Posted by neha (2007-11-30)
I WANT TO BECOME AN ACTOR AND BE IN SCARY MOVIES!!
Posted by danny valcarcel (2007-12-06)
I want to become an actress more than anything
Posted by Aisha Brown (2007-12-21)
hi i am scared i want to become an actor its th be st i i will become an actor but i keep looking at my self and saying i am ugly but its stupid and my mum keeps saying i have to take it 4 g.c.s.e but i dont want 2 b old and do acting how do i get were i wana be and i want a friend who knows all about it
Posted by kyle (2008-01-01)
kyle, just get a bt more confidence; it is essential to this career path and any others, too. Acting and performing has alot to do with self-confidence, and in order to have that you must have high self-esteem.
You shouldn't worry about age too much. I know it's hard to wait, but it will probably be easier if you do it after the GCSE,or maybe even after you're done school. If you want to act in films, they usually have private tutors on set, but it gets hard to keep up with schoolwork, because you're working days. While you're waiting, I'd suggest taking a drama class and acting in a play or two if you're not already. always keep your eyes open for opportunities, and grab them when you get them. they may not come straght away, but if you keep looking, you'll find one.
Posted by JAnin (2008-01-05)
hi i want to become an actor
Posted by Harsh Patni (2008-01-16)
i want to become an actor what will i do i am a guy of 19 yrs old i know how to act properly and i can play my role very well.pls i need your help
Posted by ikechi James Anulaobi (2008-02-06)
Hi, I would love to have a part in a T.V. sitcom or even a movie. I love acting. I would love it, to see my name in lights.
Posted by Casey Luther (2008-02-08)
Hi. I want to become an actress so much because I think it would be an awesome job and experience. I want to be like in episodic show or a movie.
Posted by Erin (2008-02-09)
hi i have been wanting to become an actor for sometime now and still are looking for work. i am 14 years old and was wondering if you could help me. many thanks
harri
Posted by harri burbury (2008-02-10)
Hey there please help lol i have a GCSE in drama and would like to be a full time actor how do i got about making my next step any thin that could help please E-mail me with some answers would be appreciated.
Posted by Matt (2008-02-16)
i would like to be an Actor beacuse acting is not a want its a need for me :) I would like to star in Tv shows like Wizards of Waverly Place :) my screen name is topherweeks513 if your an agent looking for an actor just ask me. :)
Posted by Christopher Weeks (2008-02-19)
Penguins!
Posted by Bob! (2008-02-19)
Hello the best think to become a actore is i thinks so thats what i fallow
think your self you are you, you acting do your best when your like 8 years old or lower or hight you can still do it i am 13 years old i always try'ed hard always i never gaved up if i gaved up thats it when your little do best in drama get highter lvl and better school i had a lvl 8 in drama and i got send to the acture school the hightest drama actore school mates. SAY TO YOUR SELF SAY THAT. I SHOULD NEVER EVER GIVE UP !!!!! keep trying!!!
Posted by MiniIce (2008-02-23)
hi im 13 is it to young to start acting i really want to but i dont kno how to start
Posted by dakota (2008-02-24)
When I was 7 years old my feelings were that the life is like a movie and I'm an actor play the role, now I'm 27 and still feeling that, still an actor, and wanna be an professional actor.God
Posted by ileos (2008-02-25)
Hi,
Acting is my heartbeat, am currently seeking to attend a acting school, am already accepted, but I have to come up with $40.000.00 for tuition of two years, do you know organizations that sponsor the Arts. if you have any info please let me know
Posted by Jen Jen (2008-02-25)
im really shy, but i really want to do acting, so does my friend, but were too shy, and we dont know how to find auditions;and how to satrt in the acting business
help!
Posted by chels (2008-02-25)
I have no experience but i am really good at acting and i don't know where i can find an agent with out getting scammed or conned for money.. Help me PLEASE
Posted by Rachel (2008-02-28)
I Wanna Be In Corro, Sad, I Knoo =[
Posted by Garyy Smithhhh (2008-02-28)
HI,
my name is bryton gore and i would like to qualify as an actor.i am 15 yrs old and have quite a few experience but if you give can use me in any script that you think is possible then im all yours,and i also want to be an actor because half of my family has a history of acting,people in my family like: ben vereen(chicken geroge),cedric simmons.
Posted by Bryton gore (2008-03-03)
my name is riya i am 13yrs old. i want to be an actress I CAN ACT , DANCE , & SING. I HAVE DONE 7 SCHOOL PLAY & 3 SCHOOL MUCILES . i want to be an actress because i dont now when i get on the stage .i just know i shod be there.
Posted by riya (2008-03-22)
Good Site.
Posted by Fred (2008-03-22)
I am a ten year old boy who wants to be an actor. I have attended the John Robert Powers acting academy and I know that something that is deap in my to do. I dont only want to do it for the money but I want to make people laugh.
Posted by Jacob Smith (2008-03-24)
hi my name i s mai doua vanng and im 13 going on 14 years old. it hasnt occured to me to become an actor when i was small. but as i was watching highschool musical 2 i started to want to be an actor. i dont want the money, but i just want to travel, make new friends, and have fun.
Posted by mai doua vang (2008-03-31)
Hi my names Alex,
People say i should act because of my funnyness. Acting is what i want to do though. Im struggling with acne. Will that effect my carrer? Im 14 years old, i want to be able to act on a show like Drake And Josh. HOW CAN I GET HELP????

PLEASE HELP ME
Posted by Alex Russell (2008-05-06)
I became very perssionate about acting hwen I was just a little guy about 8 years old and upto now I still love acting wth a passion but I have never got the opportunity to auditon anywere or even acting though I have done very many stage performances especially in dancing and singing.If there is any opportunity for me to audition anywere or even get an opportunity to appear as an extra in any movie,I would be very greatfull.Please help me I want to meet my dream and fufill my talent.
Posted by MARVIN (2008-05-27)
hiim 12 and ive had a great passion for acting and i want to show it.
Posted by benny (2008-05-30)
I <3 Acting !!! =]
Posted by Lanloun (2008-06-07)
I <3 Acting !!! =]
Posted by Lanloun (2008-06-07)
I have always wanted to act since the age of 4 and i am now 16.
Ive always felt that acting was my life. Im deep in love with acting and I know that I have talent. Ive been in this acting production for 3 years and I absolutely love it! I dont care about the fame, or the money. It comes from the heart, acting is so important to me. I can spend days watching movie and analyzing actors' perfomances and I study acting every day. My acting coach says that the first time he saw me act, he was blown away by my perfomance. He also said that I have a lot of talent and that I have the determination to audtion and to persue an acting career on television or on the big screen. But I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere. There are no acting agents in my town and if I tell my parents that acting is what I want to do in life. They'll just laugh at me.
Posted by Chloe (2008-06-26)
Acting is my love, my life, all I ever wanted to do, I know about plenty movies (Imdb.com) and plenty actors, I'm open to all kinds of movies, documentaries or plays. People have told me that just from a video I made, "Faggy Jason" on YouTube, that I should go to Hollywood. And nothing is gonna to get in the way of my dream of being a legendary Actor, after all I'm a 16 yr. old, mixed with lord knows what, gay male, I heard it all plus more, I'm ready for this....contact me at www.myspace.com/loverboi4lyfe
Posted by Rossi Potts Jr. (2008-06-28)
hi, acting is about luck and who u kno....to be honest all of u shall and will fail so get a real qualification and save wasting money on drama schools that will hate you... get over yourselves.. mums
Posted by ACTOR FOR PROFFESSION-EALLLL (2008-07-03)
I am 13 and I think that I am fat and ugly.. or thats the way i feel when i look at the actress's in the movies and magazines... but it has been my dream scence I was 8. And I was hoping that someone could help me achive that dream...I would most definetly want to become and actress in one of the Disney movies like High School Musical!!.. so please help me!
Posted by Brittany Leighton (2008-07-05)
hi im ashley , im not afraid to be an actor im just doubting the fact that people wouuld like to see a bahamian do well and i have heard many comments please help me with my decision.---- oh and in twelve.
Posted by ashley moree (2008-07-16)
Hi Im israel campos and i Want 2 Become An Actor im 12 years old and i want 2 be in da disney channel with my own show but i heard that ican just find an agent that can represent me but its hard and my parents found a place for me to act but its 2 much money if an agent reads this or any one in the acting Bissnes Reads this Please Txt Me Back To 602 502 5883 Any Tips
Posted by israel (2008-07-18)
Hi Im israel campos and i Want 2 Become An Actor im 12 years old and i want 2 be in da disney channel with my own show but i heard that ican just find an agent that can represent me but its hard and my parents found a place for me to act but its 2 much money if an agent reads this or any one in the acting Bissnes Reads this Please Txt Me Back To 602 502 5883 Any Tips
Posted by israel (2008-07-18)
hi my name is deshay and I'm 11 years old and I would like to
become a celebrity I can sing I can act and I would love
to be a actor
Posted by deshay (2008-07-23)
Hi this is deshay again and I really want to be on
disney channle in the suite life of zack and
cody my phone number is 563-6064
just in case you people want to
get in touch with me because I really want to get
in the bissness please call tell zack and cody I said hi
Posted by Deshay (2008-07-23)
hey guys its shay I would like to say I am messing up in
math well like my times table like 6,7,8,9 because we just
start working on it in 5th grade and I'm repeating it and at
first I was doing grate and I thank its because of all the
nose in the classroom but if I get help than I may
get in my right grade please help me and if we
do meet I'm not big big but I do have a little fat
but I'm lossing it I'm working out and I have
hair on my head .. ps. write me later or call me
tonight or write tonight
Posted by shay shay (2008-07-23)

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