Hi. I'm a 20 year old, African American woman and I want to be an actress. I don't live in L.A. or New York unfortunately. I live in Atlanta, Georgia. And I'm not very sure how to start an acting career. All I do know is that I'll need alot of money. So I'm trying to start a home-based business that will allow me to work from home. I am doing this so I can make money and still have a bunch of time to commit to acting. I don't know much, but I do know the main problem working actors have is not having enough free time or enough money to fund their career.
The reason I asked the question, am I too old? Is because someone told me that the time/years it will take me to take acting classes, audition, do plays and short films(if i'm lucky),etc. I will be over 25 and it will be too late. I just turned 20 and this doesn't sound to promising. I don't believe this. But I do know that there are more cons than pros in this business.
Anywho, I know I must start out small. But my only problem is getting started. So if you have any suggestions or advice on anything that pertains to acting or show biz please share.
Thanks in advance!
Posts: 3 | Location: GA | Registered: January 19, 2008
WHAT?!?!?!?!!? old?!?!?!? if you truly want to be an ACTOR you will get better with age; Get involved in community theatre and any classes you can find - Atlanta has a WONDERFUL theatre community - start making enquiries!
Posts: 21 | Location: NYC | Registered: September 15, 2006
The best part about being an actor is that there is NO age limit. No matter what age you begin acting, even if you begin or re-begin much later in life, there is always a story to be told using a variety of ages.
Try not to focus on what others think. If you want to act, then do it! Don't let others' negative opinions influence you or keep you from you doing what you want to do. You are the one that will make it happen. I know... I'm doing it!
- MIB - If you can dream, you can do. Making it happen is up to you.
Posts: 773 | Location: SoCal | Registered: July 13, 2005
Frickin Samuel Jackson started when he was very old, not entirely sure how old, but he was MUCH older than 25 I assure you! Never let anyone tell you that you wont succeed, thats just bad buisness.
Thanks everyone. I know I'm not too old, but there's always someone in my face trying to put me down and tell me a million reasons why I shouldn't pursue acting. But I don't want to look back 15 years from now and wonder what if?
Well I am new to this, so does anybody have any other advice?
Posts: 3 | Location: GA | Registered: January 19, 2008
Just remember that's it's never too late. People start painting and writing at any age, so acting is the same way.
Look over the forums to see what can answer your questions already. See if you can take some classes and get involved in your area with whatever is going on in the acting community.
Posts: 87 | Location: Pittsburgh | Registered: October 07, 2007
There is a great deal of wonderful information in reference to the Atlanta Acting community in the back of Judy Kerr's book, Acting is Everything. She lists numerous Cities outside Los Angeles and Atlanta is stated in the Southeast section. Here are a few resources you may find helpful: www.artsinatlanta.org www.atlantafilms.com Has a great Message board, and the people are friendly and willing to help..It's comparable to Backstage, but in the South. www.theactorsguide.com The Actors Guide Southeast provides listings of Talent agents, Photographers, Classes and Related organizations www.allureimagemgmt.com www.houghtontalent.com www.peoplestore.net Hope you find this helpful! Please let us know how everything goes and remember Your Life Just Started!!
Posts: 3 | Location: New York | Registered: June 24, 2006
your first lesson in the acting world: don't listen to whoever gave you that advice. 20 is not too old. 25 is not too old. and it's silly that your friend/acquaintance thinks that it will take you 5 years to get somewhere. Where did he/she come up with that arbitrary number?
You have to work really hard at first, because it will seem like everyone has been doing it longer than you, so you have to work hard and fast to catch up. But determination and work ethic will get you somewhere, not just money. Yes money is necessary, but it will get you nowhere if you don't have the commitment to get yourself to the classes you paid for.
If you work hard, you'll get very far.
Posts: 20 | Location: southwest | Registered: January 19, 2008
To reiterate, 20 can't possibly be too old to start acting. That implies that once you turn a certain age, your career is over. Which is obviously far from true, as there are many actors and actresses of all ages doing very well for themselves.
Also, who would play the elderly characters if this was true? Just this week I went to a casting call for Central Casting NY, and let me tell you, there were A LOT of older people there. And in all honesty, those people, and the people with interesting looks, stood out more than all the young Hollywood-types combined.
So don't worry about what other people say, all right? They really don't know what they're talking about anyway. Just do your best. Good luck! ^__^*
Posts: 4 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: January 29, 2008
Originally posted by siriuslyyellow: Just to add a note:
To reiterate, 20 can't possibly be too old to start acting. That implies that once you turn a certain age, your career is over. Which is obviously far from true, as there are many actors and actresses of all ages doing very well for themselves.
Also, who would play the elderly characters if this was true? Just this week I went to a casting call for Central Casting NY, and let me tell you, there were A LOT of older people there. And in all honesty, those people, and the people with interesting looks, stood out more than all the young Hollywood-types combined.
So don't worry about what other people say, all right? They really don't know what they're talking about anyway. Just do your best. Good luck! ^__^*
That is extra work, not acting. Completely different situation.
Posts: 687 | Location: the universe | Registered: June 04, 2007
Heck no, 20's not too old, that's a great age to start an acting career. However, you can't let what others say discourage you because in all reality, that is what the acting business is all about--taking criticisms from everybody. So, if you want to get into the biz, you must put all insecurities aside and not worry about age, looks, etc.
Emerse yourself into the world of acting. Read books and plays. Watch and study movies. Take classes to perfect your craft. And at the tender age of 20 you have many years of acting ahead of you. I wish you a lot of luck!
