Hey guys,
I am a 29 year old male who has NEVER acted in my life and I would like some guidance on starting out in the acting business. First off, is 29 too old to start? Is it essential to take acting classes and if so do you have any recommendations? Would it be crazy to go to auditions before getting some type of training and if not where is a good source for valid auditions? Should I try to get an agent or would that be silly considering my lack of experience. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and take care,
Michael A. Bires Jr.

Hey Michael,

29 is not too old. Yes, you should take classes. I would not try to get an agent until you have some experience. Chances are, it would be a frustrating endeavor to try to find an agent when you haven't done anything yet. Poke around these boards, read old threads, get into a good class, see as much theater as you can, read books....those are all good ways to get started. Good luck.

I would suggest tha you get some training, then start with small auditions off LA Casting and websites like that.

When I came to town, I had some experience, but not a lot. I took two months of classes, five days a week, and that really gave me the skills to start booking non-paying projects. Now I'm ready to go to the next level I think.

There are plenty of good schools if you are in the LA area. I went to the Acting Corps, and I do totally recommend them, but there are many options to consider. Are you going to move to LA, or stay in Irvine. Because a five day a week class with that commute wouldn't be practical.

Go to one or two audtions. Beginners luck and inate ablitily maybe yours who knows. Stranger things have happened. Also find out if you like this stuff or not!

Then get in a great class and enjoy the process. I agree 29 is not too old. Let us know how it goes. Definatly don't get in front of a whole bunch of industry folks until you are ready.

Do you guys think acting classes are a better starting point than a private coach? Thank you very much for all of your input, I really do appreciate it! Take Care, Mike

I love classes because you learn so much from watching others and you build a community of people who are trying to obtain the same goal.

You never forget people who you were in acting class with. Sometimes they become lifetime artistic pals.

Good luck. Let me know where you land.

quote:

Do you guys think acting classes are a better starting point than a private coach?

I think it all depends on where you're at and what kind of person you are. I like classes for general work because I learn so much from watching others. For big auditions, I use a private coach.

O.K., last question and then I am going to get the ball rolling: I live in the Irvine area and saw a company called First Take that offers classes from 6pm-9pm on Sunday nights in LA. That would be perfect for me because I just opened another nutrition store and I am working it Monday-Saturday. Is there a company or coach or both that you could recommend that would work with my schedule and location. Thank you so much for your help and take care,
Mike

Michael,
Do some basic research on LA since that seems accessible to you; I spend at least one 5 hour sit down at the computer a week tearing through actor-fodder online looking for auditions, classes in LA (and I'm not even there yet)

No, not too old.
Yes, general classes; you'll learn just as much from watching others as you will working on yourself (if just what not to do), and just getting into acting means you need to learn some basic mechanics that a one-on-one coach would (I suspect) expect of you, plus 1-on-1 would be alot more $.

Go to see theatre productions as many as you can whenever you can, same as the benefits from watching others in class; educational and inspirational.

As for a specific class / coach; list five actors you like most and research who / where they trained with; keep searching until you find one in LA; call and arrange to audit a class which is to sit in free and see if you likey.

best,
nf

Here's something I learned from interview Bill Esper. Find out if you really love acting first. Before you do anything else. Act in some plays and film just for fun. THat means the church basement and what not.

Your never too old to start acting! After researching the top 20 acting schools in Los Angeles i found the best training that I have come across in 20 years of acting experience is "The Berg Studios" headed by Gregory Berger-Sobeck. www.thebergstudios.com check it out. I am often impressed to see the results that first time actors have a the studio so this is not exclusive to professional actors. The teachers have MFA's from Yale school of Drama and I have found their instruction to be beyond exceptional. You'll find everyone at the studio is extremely supportive and about the work.