Today is:    
Home    About Us    Contact Us   
  Actors  |  Acting Articles & Advice  |  Casting Calls & Auditions  |  Forums  |  Production Update  |  Resources  |  Video

Printable Version

Seven Steps for a Successful Acting Career
by Sarah Bennett

There are no "overnight discoveries" in the tinsel town. Almost all of the famous celebrities and actors you know today by name made it to the top by sheer hard work and of course a lot of career planning too. It is very important to approach you acting career in a planned manner and this article aims to help you do exactly that. Read on to discover the seven steps for a successful acting career.


1. Learn the rules of the game.
Read anything and everything you can lay your hands on regarding acting. With the Internet your access to articles on acting is unlimited; just know where to look for useful data. Once you are confident that you have a deep understanding of the acting business, try establishing contacts with actors in the industry. Keep meeting as many people as you can from various areas in the industry like directors, producers, editors, production managers, stage managers, grips and the like. Don't be shy. Ask questions and make it a point to take notes when they clarify your doubts. Sending a thank you card later on to those who answered your question is a good idea, too.

When you come across an actor that you feel has got to the place where you are aspiring to reach, interview him/her and persuade him/her to share their road map to success.

It is in this first step you lay a strong foundation for your career plan.

2. Analyze your odds.
It is not a simple task to become a Hollywood "A" list actor. The route to an Oscar is a pretty tedious and a tough one. It is always better to aim for the sky knowing fully well you may land on the roof. Aim to become a successful working actor who is able to bring the character to life effortlessly and you will soon find that your performance is beginning to get noticed and talked about.

3. Go to school.
Get trained on anything that can remotely help you improve your performance. Take classes on dance, signing, martial arts and personality development. Enroll with a good university and learn techniques of acting and the history of the industry. This would certainly boost your passion.

4. Get a head start with headshots.
Good headshots would portray your personality and give you the head start you need. The challenge lies in finding a photographer who can know your strengths and project them on your headshots. Take your time in selecting the photographer and doing the headshots. Don't rush because your headhshot can be your ticket to stardom.

5. Keep practicing.
Get going with any role that comes your way and give it your best. Don't eye the pay part during the early part of your career, every role you play gets you richer with experience. Being seen on the sets keeps you noticed in the industry and your chances of landing other roles are higher.

6. Network.
Be friendly, sociable and approachable. You will soon find that more and more people like you. This way your contacts in the industry expand and therefore increase your chances for success. Remember that most directors and producers like to work with people they are comfortable with.

7. Traverse the road positively.
Always have a positive outlook and never mix your personal problem with your profession. Try to brand yourself as a person who is fun to work with. Be very professional in managing the relationship of your peers. Have your radar for data always on and be hungry for any information that can help you get better. Finally act, act and keep acting.



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




Related Articles
 How Do You Build A Successful Acting Career?
 Seven Steps for a Successful Acting Career
 The Secret to Showbiz Success
 A Simple Tip for Acting Success
 Acting Success Tips
 Devise Your Acting Career Path
 Acting and Reality
 Preparing For The Beast
 Overcoming the Myth of Hollywood
 Are You Ready for Hollywood?
 The Actor's Sanity Test
 Aim For the Stars
 Become a Star
 An Interview with Talent Agent Angela Morris
 An Interview with Casting Director Judy Belshe

More Articles by Sarah Bennett
 How to Become an Actor
 Step by Step Guide to Becoming an Actor
 Building an Acting Résumé
 Creating the Perfect Acting Résumé
 Seven Steps for a Successful Acting Career
 Devise Your Acting Career Path

Reader Comments
I am Patricia Shinayder, from El Camino CA.
I loved ONLY THE STRONG, movie that you are in with Mark dacascus.

Just another fan here!

Care and love you !
Posted by Hi Sergio Kato :)) (2007-11-10)
:))
Posted by PATRICIA SHINAYDER (2007-11-10)

Post Your Comments      
(Message Rules)
Name:
Message:
Verification code:



Home  |  Articles
Acting Guides for Kids and Teens
If you want to break into show business and become an actor or actresses, look no further than Actingland.com. We provide acting guides, career advice, casting calls and audition notices. Register today and find the tools to help you start your acting career.
www.actingland.com
 Acting Articles & Advice
 Become a Movie Extra - It's Easy
 How to Become an Actor
 First Steps to Becoming an Actor
 Getting Started in Film Acting
 Break into Showbiz
 Tips for the Beginning Actor
 About Talent Agents
 About Casting Directors
 Casting Calls Yell Be Discovered!
 The Casting Process Explained
 Where to Learn Film Acting
 Acting is a Talent
 Acting Tips Not Taught in Drama Class
 How to Write an Actor's Résumé
 Grab the Casting Directors' Attention
 How to Find a Talent Agent
 Meeting with a Talent Agent
 Audition Rejection - Don't Take It Personally
 Audition Basics
 More...
 TV Production / Casting Calls / Auditions
 24
 Bones
 Cold Case
 CSI
 CSI: Miami
 CSI: New York
 Desperate Housewives
 Ghost Whisperer
 Grey's Anatomy
 Heroes
 House, M.D.
 Lost
 Medium
 Numbers
 One Tree Hill
 Prison Break
 Supernatural
 The Office
 Ugly Betty
 More...
 Films In Development / Pre-Production
 Alien vs. Predator 2
 Batman Begins Sequel
 Dallas
 Harold and Kumar Go to Amsterdam
 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
 Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
 Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
 Jurassic Park IV
 Knight Rider
 The Punisher 2
 Scary Movie 5
 Sin City 2
 Sin City 3
 Star Trek XI
 Superman: Man of Steel
 Super Troopers 2
 Terminator 4
 Wolverine
 Wonder Woman
 More...
 Actors & Actresses in the Spotlight
 Adam Brody  Jeremy Piven  Mila Kunis
 Angelina Jolie  Jessica Alba  Mischa Barton
 Ashlee Simpson  Jessica Simpson  Rachel Bilson
 Ashton Kutcher  Johnny Depp  Scarlett Johansson
 Brad Pitt  Jude Law  Seann William Scott
 Brittany Murphy  Katherine Heigl  Shia LaBeouf
 Denzel Washington  Katie Holmes  Tobey Maguire
 Elisha Cuthbert  Lindsay Lohan  Tom Cruise
 Eva Longoria  Matt Damon  Vince Vaughn
 Hilary Duff  Matthew Perry  Will Ferrell

Actor Profiles  Acting Articles  Casting Calls & Auditions  Post Casting Notices  Crew Calls & Film Jobs  Production Update  Film Resources  Video Clips 
Copyright © 2008 Actingbiz.com. All Rights Reserved. Message Rules  Terms of Service  Privacy Policy