Sorry, this is my first post and I'm not sure if it's in the right place.

Obviously I want to act and obviously I've given it a lot of consideration, but there are a few things I'm worried about:

I live in Wisconsin, and my family insists that I go to college for something "sensible" before I leave to go pursue my dreams of being a working actress. Now I'll be at least 22 by the time I finish college and I don't want to waste my younger years here in WI where I know I'll never get a job- save for maybe a theatre production or two. Do you think 22 will be too old to get good jobs in one of the major cities? I know this is sort of a silly question, but I'm wondering because I know it takes a few years to start getting jobs in NY or LA as an actress.

I'm also wondering where I should move- I know the major cities are LA, NY and possibly London in terms of acting- and I'm willing to make the haul out to any of them and pay the price of living there (which I know is very high in all three, I've lived in CA before) but what are the pros and cons to being a working actor in each of the cities?

I'm also looking for good books for the aspiring actor- I'm reading True and Fase by David Mamet and I'm hungry for more books on method and theory when I finish this one.

If you're too old than most of us are screwed!!!! LOL.

HELL no is the answer.

Hey.

I did what your family is insisting. I'm 22 now and I just graduated college in May. I'm glad I did it this way because now I always have a bachelor's degree under my belt. Actors need to be able to work outside of acting. It's not an easy living. I'm just starting to really audition for things now and I want the same as everyone else lol. I recommend doing theatre within and possibly outside of school while your working on your degree and then going off.

However, this decision is only up to you. If you feel you'll do better at your age right now. Go for it. You can always go back to college no matter how old you are !

Get your degree first! It gets harder to go back to school the older you get. You really don't want to be in your 30's or 40's in class with teenagers.....
UW has some great campus's.
Check out some of the threads here for book suggestions, there are plenty.

quote:

Originally posted by giantblueox:
Sorry, this is my first post and I'm not sure if it's in the right place.

Obviously I want to act and obviously I've given it a lot of consideration, but there are a few things I'm worried about:

I live in Wisconsin, and my family insists that I go to college for something "sensible" before I leave to go pursue my dreams of being a working actress. Now I'll be at least 22 by the time I finish college and I don't want to waste my younger years here in WI where I know I'll never get a job- save for maybe a theatre production or two. Do you think 22 will be too old to get good jobs in one of the major cities? I know this is sort of a silly question, but I'm wondering because I know it takes a few years to start getting jobs in NY or LA as an actress.

I'm also looking for good books for the aspiring actor- I'm reading True and Fase by David Mamet and I'm hungry for more books on method and theory when I finish this one.

22 old? HA! They cast 22 year olds to play high school students! 26 year olds to play college!

Get your degree in something else to get a diversified education.

You're hungry for Method acting, when David Mamet pretty much says that it's junk in "True and False?"

I was in my mid 30's when I performed as a teenage burger boy in Grease at an Equity Theatre. You can be an actor at any age. Better roles as you age in some cases too. Get a degree in something to sustain you. Never give up.

quote:

Originally posted by giantblueox:
Sorry, this is my first post and I'm not sure if it's in the right place.

Obviously I want to act and obviously I've given it a lot of consideration, but there are a few things I'm worried about:

I live in Wisconsin, and my family insists that I go to college for something "sensible" before I leave to go pursue my dreams of being a working actress. Now I'll be at least 22 by the time I finish college and I don't want to waste my younger years here in WI where I know I'll never get a job- save for maybe a theatre production or two. Do you think 22 will be too old to get good jobs in one of the major cities? I know this is sort of a silly question, but I'm wondering because I know it takes a few years to start getting jobs in NY or LA as an actress.

I'm also wondering where I should move- I know the major cities are LA, NY and possibly London in terms of acting- and I'm willing to make the haul out to any of them and pay the price of living there (which I know is very high in all three, I've lived in CA before) but what are the pros and cons to being a working actor in each of the cities?

I'm also looking for good books for the aspiring actor- I'm reading True and Fase by David Mamet and I'm hungry for more books on method and theory when I finish this one.

Yes, go to school. In retrospect I realize that I became my true self in college. It is your true self that colors your audition and books the role, so go invent yourself and stretch your understanding of humanity and history and learn how to handle money and work out etc.
When you get to NYC or L.A. start training at only the best schools. Set your standards high and you'll get all kinds of work.
Meanwhile here are the books I recommend:
Learn how to analyze a script first:
Audition by Joanna Merlin
Learn to create your own monologue:
The Perfect Audition Monologue by Glen Alterman
Get a Shakespeare monologue and learn all the delicious double meanings:
Speak The Speech by Silverbrush & Plotkin

If you read only one book in four years, let it be Joanna Merlin's book! It's the basis of most MFA Acting programs, and it's what directors mean when they ask you to 'be specific.'

go to school, giantbluebox. it will give you a greater view of not only what you are capable of, but of the world around you and how to react to it - it's more valuable than gold, IMHO.

the self-esteem you will have from the education itself will help you in times that you feel that you have not done your best in your acting, yes, this will happen ...thus, giving you yet another perspective and more insight into the condition of man/society/world/etc... and this is what entertainment is all about - commenting on the condition. and you may also obtain other skills for your acting resume as well as your work resuem that can help when you really need to eat :-).

see it also as an opportunity to make friends in the business as well as to pick their brains. it's called networking - some of these people may go places you want to go too - you will have a bit of an 'in.'

education is key. if you have the opportunity, run with it. and don't believe anyone if they say it isn't worth it.

you won't be too old, by ANY means, to start an acting career. you will have more valuable ammunition to work with, though :-).

best wishes,
j

quote:

lanycactress

Yes, go to school. In retrospect I realize that I became my true self in college. It is your true self that colors your audition and books the role, so go invent yourself and stretch your understanding of humanity and history and learn how to handle money and work out etc.


JeGo
go to school, giantbluebox. it will give you a greater view of not only what you are capable of, but of the world around you and how to react to it - it's more valuable than gold, IMHO.

the self-esteem you will have from the education itself will help you in times that you feel that you have not done your best in your acting, yes, this will happen ...thus, giving you yet another perspective and more insight into the condition of man/society/world/etc... and this is what entertainment is all about - commenting on the condition. and you may also obtain other skills for your acting resume as well as your work resuem that can help when you really need to eat.

These ae brilliant responses. Speaking as one who didn't go, I wish I had. It took me a long time to find myself, and even still, I feel like I was absent the day they taught "Life 101."

And how about getting a degree in Acting? I mean would it help if you're 23, you're trying to pursue your acting career and have a bachelor's degree in Acting? Is it possible to find any kind of permanent job with this kind of degree in LA or NY, like teacher, lecturer, coach, or smth else? Thanks

Look at Shirley Henderson, she was 35 playing a 12-year-old. She doesn't look her age.

I'm 20 and was referred to by an agent this week as a "baby" for being so young.

22 aint that much of a difference.

Hello Pavel,

I received my BFA degree in performance. During my time in school, I was smart enough to learn various aspects of communications: acting, speech, journalism/news, desktop publishing, and of course, tape editing(which is now digital and much easier!), camera work, technical directing, stage managing, stage directing, producing, sound op, etc...

Even though I had never even turned on a computer before, by the end of the desktop publishing class, I was suggested as an intern by my professor b/c I just had a knack for it. I've continued in graphic design ever since.

Then, I secured a job when I really needed one as a PR/Marketing director of a small local GED office because I could write PSA copy and articles, could create flyers/brochures, and knew how to present myself...I was/am an actress, after all.

My daughter is in college studying theatre, as well. She is learning how to weld (!), direct, manage a box office, stage manage, electric/sound/set/prop design and implementation, design/construct costumes (the costuming professor has now taken her under his wing as a type of apprentice b/c she has a serious knack for art and costume construction), etc...

As you can see, the possibilities for learning skills in theatre and/or film acting schools are definitely there - it just depends if one wants to take advantage of the opportunity or not. That is why I love theatre and entertainment so much...you really can be anyone you want to be :-), and you can learn do almost anything that can bleed over into the working world, whether it be as a techie for films/tv/theatre or outside of entertainment work.

It's amazing the things that I have been able to do with ..."just" a performance degree.

Best Wishes,
j

quote:

Originally posted by Pavel:
And how about getting a degree in Acting? I mean would it help if you're 23, you're trying to pursue your acting career and have a bachelor's degree in Acting? Is it possible to find any kind of permanent job with this kind of degree in LA or NY, like teacher, lecturer, coach, or smth else? Thanks

To teach you in a college you would (most of the time) need an MFA. A BFA or BA is no more or less helpful to getting most jobs than a BA in anything else. To teach grades lower than college, you'd (most of the time) need a teaching credential. I believe people should get BAs or BFAs so they can experience college and grow as humans. Jobwise-the particular course of study you take (your major) is not very important unless you're thinking of going to med school or another specialty school. Even MFA acting programs are very open to undergrad majors of all sorts.