• Tips/help for a (possible) aspiring actor?
    12 replies, posted
Not really sure what to put yet as I'm really not totally sure if it's something I'd want to do, but this semester I had signed up for an acting class just to fill out some required credits and because I couldn't find anything else, but I actually ended up doing great in it and really loving it! It's only acting I though, so obviously too early to make a decision on if it's something I'd like to pursue, so next semester I'm taking a theater and an advanced acting class alongside some networking classes (CST was my major but I'm kind of realizing after having done most of the classes that I can't stand it) to try and help me decide, but I also want to see if I can find smaller acting/extra jobs on the side to help me learn more about the field and make an informed decision. I live on Long Island, does anybody have any suggestions on how to find anything that can help me wet my feet, aside from auditions at my college (since it's my last day so I'm gonna be in between semesters)? My professor suggested backstage.com, though looking there a lot of casting calls seem a bit too far for me to travel at the moment. On a personal note, this is really the first thing I've tried that has managed to interest me enough to do research on it, I've been doing well but kind of just been floating through my previous major because I was pushed into it, not really because I liked it. I think that's why I'm so interested in this as it is the first thing I've tried of my own volition that I've legitimately been interested in.
I would suggest looking for local theaters in your area if you wanted to get some experience in a production setting (I don't know if your Acting I class put a show on but I assume not). I know you said a lot of those casting calls are a bit too far to drive to but definitely keep an eye on it or even look for other casting companies in the area. There's not much else I can give you except say that I can kind of relate. I'm in my senior year of high school and I didn't realize until a couple years ago how much I loved to act. I was taking a couple computer classes a few years ago and thought it might be what I wanted to do when I get to college but I was always very ehh about it. I started acting and realized how great it is, so I decided that's what I'm going to go to college for.
Read your Stanislavsky. Do community theatre. Don't be a dick, especially to the crew.
Start small. Even independent productions hold auditions because they want the best actor possible. Not having a reel is fine, but you need to wow whoever you audition for or want to work with. Don't try to give suggestions to the cinematographer and the director. They likely know how to do it better than you, or have a certain visual aesthetic in mind that you aren't aware of. I [I]always[/I] have that one guy on set on my productions that tries to give me and the DP directions as to what we could do. As an actor, you should be busy with acting, not crew work.
Sing and learn to sing. Many fantastic actors can also sing because singing means voice control. You should be able to join a choir pretty easily if you have theatre stuff in your school, or just get some singing lessons, or sing when nobody is looking, but the important thing is learning to sing. It's not required, but like horseriding, it's a big plus for an actor to be able to do it.
Thanks for the responses, heh I already sing a lot when I'm alone/around friends but I'd imagine I'd need some sort coaching maybe.
Are you looking for purely theatrical work, or film? My girlfriend is trying to get into film acting work, short films are the best way to do this for sure. There's millions of websites out there containing ads for extras/small time roles in every kind of film from short to feature length.
Either honestly. I plan to audition for some plays at my college at least
[QUOTE=Bloodshot12;46775214]Either honestly. I plan to audition for some plays at my college at least[/QUOTE] She made a load of contacts when she was on set, like the camera people, sound guys, producers etc all tend to run projects on their own and she was being offered roles and connections all over the place. Would definitely recommend short film work.
Don't it's a hard cut throat business.
[QUOTE=DuCT;46746149]Read your Stanislavsky.[/QUOTE] This ignore anyone who tries to teach method
[QUOTE=BlackBirdNL;46779900]Don't it's a hard cut throat business.[/QUOTE] I would say go for it, if this is something they want to do. Then go for it, to many people regret not following their dreams. Let them follow it no matter how hard the road may be, but once they do start living the dream its prolly the best feeling in the world.
[QUOTE=MR-X;46819977]I would say go for it, if this is something they want to do. Then go for it, to many people regret not following their dreams. Let them follow it no matter how hard the road may be, but once they do start living the dream its prolly the best feeling in the world.[/QUOTE] Exactly. OP keep following your dream and if your one of the lucky ones, then congrats!
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