How do I get started as an actress?

Question

I really want to start trying to become an actress once I graduate High School, and I'm only 4 years away from graduation. If anyone knows, I'd like you to tell me how you can get started in the business, and know when and where to audition. I'm going to be a movie/TV actress, mainly, and I need to know how to acquire an agent. This answer would help me so much! Thanks.

Answer 1

Monica,

Getting started in the acting industry is a challenge, but if you're determined then nothing can stop you! As a HS Freshman, I would say the first thing to do is to begin gaining experience and training. Sign up for drama class, join the drama club, start getting used to reading scripts (you can find so many online for film, TV, and theatre!), get an acting coach, and get educated! Training is vital. Acting is behaving truthfully while under imaginary circumstances, and in order to behave truthfully you must develop a deep understanding of the following;

1) Your own type, look, physicality, vocal qualities, habits, and opinions

2) Why people do the things they do (why does this person walk, dance, speak, listen, wash dishes, sleep, and laugh the way they do?)

3) The expressive body/voice

From there you learn script analysis, character development, relationship building, object specification, etc.

You must then develop audition technique skills in order to feel comfortable and confident in the audition room. Being outgoing is not the same as being good at auditioning. You are born with talent, but skill must be learned!

Next is performance technique skills. What are the subtle differences between acting in film and acting on stage? How do you get rid of stage fright? How do you remember where your mark is without looking at the floor?

Finally, you must learn to navigate the industry. An agent will work with you if you are trained, talented, skilled, motivated, and interesting. What's the difference between an agent and a manager? How do you dress for auditions? Where do you even go to FIND auditions (backstage, castingnetworks, actorsaccess...)? How do you make a self-tape audition video? How many audition monologues do you have in your arsenal?

This is not as easy path, but if you are passionate about it, you will find joy and satisfaction in life on a daily basis. Even through the mountains of rejection that we actors face non-stop.

I hope this helped!

Darius A. Journigan