Acting: How to Get Started

Headshot

A headshot is one of the most essential tools that one must have to get started in acting. Headshots are professional black and white photos that casting directors use to determine who to cast for a particular role. These photos can be costly, ranging from $300-$500 dollars. If you cannot afford to have professional headshots done from the start, get a black and white photo package from a local photography studio such as Sears. Do not use random photos that you took while on a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure.

Doing so will make you look unprofessional. You may be able to get professional headshots for free by finding a student photographer. Some photographers are willing to offer their services free of charge, in exchange for credit and duplicates of the photos. The path that you choose is up to you. It will be determined by your preference and your budget. To get started in acting, try to have at least a dozen headshots to start with.

Resume
The second most important thing to jump start any acting career is a professional looking resume. If you do not have any acting experience, list educational and work history on your resume. Hobbies, awards and various activities can be added to your acting resume as well. Even if you do not have credits as an extra on NBC’s ER, or Law & Order, you may land a role based on your work with the YMCA. Make sure to include all contact information on your resume. This includes your email address and website.

Actors who are just starting out should have an email address and a website or Myspace page. If you do not have a website, you can create a quick Myspace page. Make sure to use the Myspace page specifically for acting purposes. Casting directors are likely to give a role to another actor if you have bouncing text and Beyonce’s latest music video playing on your page. Place your headshots and a summary of your resume on your Myspace page.

Film Office
Mostly every state in the country has a film office or film commission. These establishments provide information and services to the film and television industry. The main purpose of a film office or film commission is to bring mainstream television and film productions to the local area. A film office staff member will be able to assist you in locating productions that are shooting in town. He or she can also help you locate casting directors. You can use the information to try to get an audition for the productions that are going on in the area.

Acting Classes
Many aspiring actors attend Acting Classes to sharpen and broaden their skills. There are tons of acting classes being held in New York and Los Angeles. Aspiring actors who do not reside in Los Angeles or New York can find acting classes at a local community college or theater. Local theaters that show alternative and off-Broadway plays usually offer acting classes to subsidize their income during the off-season. Some Casting directors also offer acting classes. Casting directors can be found by contacting your local film office. There is a book called Ross Reports that is published throughout the year. You can find casting directors in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Florida by reading this publication.

Locating Casting Calls
It can be pretty easy to locate casting calls if you live in a busy area. Even if you do not reside in major metropolitan areas, casting calls can be found in many ways. Craigslist is a good resource for finding acting opportunities in film and television. The website even has separate sections for acting, film, television and theater. They also have a resume section where you can post your headshot and website information.

Your headshot and resume can also be posted in other areas. Many mainstream film productions and television programs have listed casting calls on craigslist. Casting calls can also be found in the classifieds section of Myspace. You can even locate casting calls in other areas of the country, by changing the search information on Myspace.

Auditions
There are many books on the market that can help aspiring actors prepare for auditions. Sometimes, you may land a role strictly because of your headshot and resume. In other cases, you will be required to Audition. They are a part of the acting process. You may be asked to read a script during an audition for a particular role. Aspiring actors should have a monologue prepared at all times. A monologue is a 1-2 minute dramatic piece that is performed for casting directors. You can prepare your own, or locate one either online or in an acting book such as The Ultimate Scene and Monologue Sourcebook by Ed Hooks.

The Truth about Money
Aspiring actors should not expect to make money when starting out. This is especially true for those who are acting in independent films. The majority of independent films offer credits and experience only. However, independent films are a great way to get more acting experience and boost your resume with film credits. After some time, you will no longer need your history at the YMCA on your resume to help you land acting roles. You will be able to replace that information with film credits.

Many actors who are somewhat established and live in New York and California still have other means for income. Unfortunately, actors do not make any money. That means that unless you are Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise or Eva Longoria, you will not be rolling in the dough. This applies for beginning actors and many who have a lot of film and television experience.

If you are looking to make money acting, try to find work as an extra on a Hollywood film or network television series like ER or Grey’s Anatomy. The pay scale may not make you rich, but you may be able to pay a bill or treat yourself to a nice dinner as a reward for getting a film credit.

Reference:

• www.craigslist.org