hey sam! I am utterly confused as to how to begin my career in acting. I am constantly hearing conflicting messages from the actors around me, the people on these message boards, and I was wondering if you could help me out. I know there is no clear cut way to start an acting career. But what is my next step? I live in NY, I am already attending acting classes (ACTeen). I read books on acting. I am doing every school play offered and give my heart to every role - even the roles I hate (which i assume most actors do). I love acting but don't know where to start.

I want to do mailings to agents but I hear there is rarely any return on them. And I also hear that managers when you're starting out are pointless.

SAM, I love many things, but for me if I couldn't act I'd be horribly sad.

So the question I guess is: WHat do I do next to make my dreams a reality?

Thanks for reading this post.

I can't possibly answer your question. It's too general. Also, I don't know enough about you to respond in an honest manner.

My friend wrote a book which you absolutely need to read. It's called "An Agent Tells All". I think they sell it at the Drama Bookshop in Manhattan. If not, I'm sure Amazon carries it.

Remember - you've chosen the toughest career in the world and you have a long road ahead of you. So don't freak out. Stay focused on becoming the best possible actor you can be. The business part will come later.

Good luck!

I highly recommend the book Bonnie Gillespie wrote- Self Management for Actors.

quote:

I am doing every school play offered and give my heart to every role - even the roles I hate (which i assume most actors do). I love acting but don't know where to start

It sounds to me like you already have. You just expect it to go faster than it does.

How do you start acting? Start acting. Period.

Your question really seems to be "How do I most effectively start MARKETING my acting?", which is a different point and one the other posters have addressed. But for acting itself, you're already doing a good part of it.

What else could you do?

Work with friends to get together small bits to put up on YouTube.

Get BackStage every week and try to submit to a number of projects each week.

If you're in a place where there are open calls go to them if only to connect with other actors.

Get accent CD's and start working up a repertoire of accents (at some point you'll want to work with a coach, but this is a cheaper start).

Get monologue books and choose one or two each day and try to break it down, find a motivation, read it out loud etc.

Connect with people your own age who are acting, making films, etc., so you build up your own contemporary resources and are less dependent on knocking on the doors of "gatekeepers" (not that you can avoid that as well.)


Hmmm... There's quite a bit to do, as I think of it. The important thing is, having something to sell comes before worrying how to sell it. Be sure you give that priority.

I'm still new but when i was first starting the book that got me pumped for this craft was "True and False" by David Mamet. It's a quick and easy read that will break down the basics of your craft. I would suggest "An actor prepares" by stanislavsky to get a feel for theatre and how your body can be used. Until your more established in this business your essentially in sales. So remember that and just start small and build up that way. Also sit down and take the glory out of acting (money,women etc) and figure out exactly why you want to be an actor. I hope this helps and keep in mind that i'm still new but these are just some steps i took and different uses i find that keep me motivated and pumped.

Good luck,
Matt

wow. I appreciate the responses, JimC. You kinda hit it on the nose - not kinda - you really hit it on the nose. And Matt I appreciate your words. I'll look into the books Sam and everyone has suggested. I think sometimes when I think of everything I want to do I just get overwhelmed (story of my life... my 16 years of life). Haha. But I'll get there.

THanks again everyone