How to Get Started Acting

by Mary Pratt

Little boy with film slate

For those of you who have the talent, confidence and determination in you, here are a few tips on the right way to get started acting.


There are many actors who wish to make it big in the film industry and in show business, but do not know where to start. For those of you who have the talent, confidence and determination in you, here are a few tips on the right way to get started acting.

Learn
You need to be a voracious reader and a hungry learner. Read and know everything you can get your hands on about acting. Having knowledge on various types, techniques and principles of acting would give you a great deal of confidence. Take lessons in personality development, dance, singing, martial arts and any thing that can give credit to your talent list. You also need to enroll in theaters in the neighborhood, be it school theater, community theater or a children's theater (if you are a kid).

Network
A community theater is a nerve center when it comes to networking or making contacts. In a school theater you only get to know the basics and you are most likely to meet teachers and aspiring actors. But in a community theater, the business gets much more serious and there's no guessing who can exert what influence to sign you on a role. So, the baseline is "Be nice" to everyone, and at the same time let them know that you aim high and your passion is acting. When you chance upon somebody who knows 'who's who' in the industry, don't shy away from asking a favor.

Practice
Keep acting. Do anything and any role that comes your way or if it doesn't come your way go in search of it until you find it. While knowing is one thing, practicing reinforces what you know. All the big timers in the industry today have the cutting edge because of the years of honing they have given themselves through rigorous practice in a medley of challenging roles. So the take away here is keep practicing and don't let any chance pass you. Join modeling competitions, talent shows, television series, or anything that can give you a chance to practice.

Homework - A Must
Make it customary to read a lot and update your knowledge on the industry. Researching on what you already know can further your acumen. Look up directories and web sites for established actors and email them your profile. For all you know they might trigger your career to a jumpstart.

Peer Group
If you had started early in life pursuing your dream career of acting, and right from kids' theater graduated to a university, then you may have a lot of people who can be your peer group. These are people with whom you might have maintained good contacts and who would be eager to see you perform. In all probabilities one of these well wishers would call you up for an opening with a role that is just right for you.

Is it too Late?
If the acting bug has bitten you rather late in life then you suddenly realize that you have an actor inside you who can perform miracles. "If only I had known this earlier" - this phrase can just be deleted from your mind for it is never too late to start, especially in acting, as there are roles for kids and as well as older people. There is a need for performers in all the age groups right from kids to oldies, so just wake up and make your dream come true.

Still Feeling Shy?
Are you still not sure if you are considering the right career path and want a hands-on assurance then there is still a chance for you. Get familiar with the industry by volunteering as a crew member. This will give you an excellent opportunity to see how things work.
Mary Pratt is an actress and voice talent who can be seen performing at various theatrical venues in and around Los Angeles. Her acting and career advice column "Expert Acting Advice" can be found on Actingland.com. For more career advice, acting jobs, casting calls, and movie audition notices visit www.actingland.com.

Copyright © Mary Pratt and Actingland, Inc. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed.
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Reader Comments

Hy my name is Belia I'm 23 years old
I really like to be a good actress and
I think this my destiny please I really need
Someone can help me so that I can write and get some knowledge about acting and I promise that you will never regret this I m willing to do whatever you want me to do please

Posted by Belia (2021-01-23) 13350

Hi i'm 18 years old and I have a talent of acting but I need help, I want to explore it but I need a sponsor please

Posted by Gift (2020-05-27) 13211

Hi am 18 years old and I have a great talent in acting and I needed to explore it but I need someone to sponsor me to Hollywood.

Posted by Patricia (2015-08-15) 7206

I realy want to act but i just dont know where to go or what to do

Posted by Thobeka (2015-04-21) 7164

I wanna get started with acting i like drama soapies and entertainment

Posted by Shaun (2015-01-24) 7130

Im really pretty have a funny adittude and im really for show biz Im 14 years old i live here in eastla and im just looking to be a hard working actress i knoe words wont make you choose me but i guarnte you ill be a money maker and ill get right to it please think about it thank's,

Posted by April espinoza (2012-07-16) 6246

Im really pretty have a funny adittude and im really for show biz Im 14 years old i live here in eastla and im just looking to be a hard working actress i knoe words wont make you choose me but i guarnte you ill be a money maker and ill get right to it please think about it thank's,

Posted by April espinoza (2012-07-16) 6245

hi am 16 years old i will be 17 next year, i really want to become an actor it's the talent giving to me from God, and i need someone who can help so i could get into film industry and i also write movie script am good at making stories and writting.. please help me am sure u won't be dissapointed if you are willing to help me send me a mail thank you Adios......

Posted by christopher (2011-12-08) 5269

OMG I love to act so much and i also love to sing I am in a middleschool choir as a soprano one and my dream is to become a famous actress and go to a preforming arts school to make my dreams come true I am thirteen yeras old and i am not afraid to sing and act in front of others.

Posted by Kiana Henry (2011-09-17) 4777

i have wanted to be an actor for sometime but do not know where to start, im twenty-two years old and my height is 6'0. I live in Kentucky and theres not much to learn from, someone help, email if you can. Thanks..

Posted by Joshua Roberts (2011-06-30) 3715

hey i am really interested in becoming a actress! my drama teacher says i have a lot of talent and can see me becoming a little actress and thats my dream not to be a little actress but a big one so please think about me x

Posted by Tamsin (2011-05-06) 3079

I am very interested in doing acting i have won the 1 pries in our school
my age 14 years , height is 5.6 i live in Goa
class IVV

Posted by Rohan Shah (2011-03-05) 2909

im going into the acting field and would like to get some knowledge about acting,im interesting to participate in school and college movies.

Posted by megel morgan (2010-09-20) 2714

Hi,can you help me become a successful movie star,i have always dreamt of Brad Pitt being my producer.Can you help me that my dream come true please

Posted by Tholwana Jessica khakhathiba (2010-09-06) 2702

hi i'm niniii i'm 16 and want to be an actress very much but now it's not imposible becouse i live in georgia in gori so there doesn't cos the talent so please help me somebody and take me abroad ta become an actress, i so much want to be an actress that i can do everything what do you want i have a great talent but n my country i had told that it doesn't cost so please help me somebody i only need to help some producer to take me abroad,if you interested in me please write me and help me....

Posted by Ni Nuca =]] (2010-05-20) 2544

ohh you know i want to be an actress and i'm looking for movie casting and so if anything will be please write in my mail,please please please

Posted by niniii (2010-05-05) 2504

Thanks this helps a lot :)

Posted by Bry (2009-12-31) 2266

This is a really great site, it's just that the articles don't answer all of my questions. I'm a teenager, and I want to begin acting because I really love to get into character and really be someone that I'm not sometimes. And I still feel a little shy around people. And in one of the articles it said become a crew member first and get to know how things work. Well, I already know how things work and I absolutely love being on stage. So should I take acting classes first? I feel that I could use the extra help.

Posted by No Name (2009-03-28) 1215

I think this is a great sit to visit for kid swho live in a small town such as myself. Thanks for the advice i am hhoing to try it and work my way to the top

Posted by Mdh (2008-06-16) 107

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