How can I start my acting career?

You're getting way ahead of yourself if you're looking for an agent, since an agent's job is to provide casting directors with experienced, professional actors who can show up to jobs knowing exactly what's expected of them. Legitimate agents (the kind who can actually help you find work -- not the kind who recruit "talent" in malls or online) won't represent people who haven't already proven themselves in a professional setting, so you'll need some professional acting experience before agents will even consider representing you. Just about everyone you see on TV or in movies started out in community theater, since that's about the only place an aspiring actor can learn while gaining the experience required to access other opportunities. If you enroll in classes at a local theater, you can find out whether or not you have the talent and determination required to pursue acting as a career. If you show that you're talented and committed to learning and mastering the craft of acting, you'll be considered for roles in upcoming productions. Once you've appeared in a few of those, you'll have the experience required to shop for an agent who may be able to find you other work. Most stage actors also work in commercials, TV and movies, so your theater peers will be able to recommend legitimate agents when you're ready to take that step. The dues-paying process is important to agents because it weeds out the wannabes from the people who are serious about the craft of acting. Just about everyone thinks it would be fun to be in movies or on TV, but very few of those people would devote years to studying acting and doing low-profile work just so they'd have access to TV or movie auditions. Agents know that most people who claim they want to be actors really just want to be famous. That's why they can't be bothered with theater. But most A-list actors still make time in their schedules to do stage work because they know live performances help them keep their acting chops fresh. Anyone can get a scene right if he/she has an unlimited number of tries. But TV and movie production are incredibly expensive, so directors can't afford to waste time with amateurs. Agents recruit their actors from theater because they know stage actors are more than capable of doing film work. You have to start your own career. Agents are simply go-betweens who provide directors with qualified professionals. There should be no shortage of community theaters in your area, though. Enrolling in classes at a local theater will be a good first step, since you can't even know if you have talent unless you dive in and give acting a try.

Becoming an Actor/Actress Find every opportunity in your traveling distance that does Plays or Musicals. Check the schools and community groups as well as professional. Contact them and ask to be notified of any auditions. If you do not get a part, offer to help in any way (paint scenery, usher etc.) Just being around the production you will learn a lot. Study Dance, Music and Acting. You must be able to do at least one great and the others well enough to let the others work around you. Find classes or instructors that have produced talent. Work on your image. You have to be a go getter, with lots of confidence and at the same time come across as humble. Develop work ethics. Never be late. Never be absent. Always be attentive. Always show respect for others, even when you do not think they deserve it. If and when approached by a talent agent or agency. Check them out carefully. If you are too young to sign a contract, remember your parents will need to be very involved. You have to do a lot locally before you can move on up. Going to LA or NY is taking you where the competition is so severe that your chances of ever being seen by anyone is slim. Getting know in your own town and state, gives you a heads up. You will also be seen by the directors who come to direct locals shows, or to just check out what is going on. Agents They are in business. They are trying to make money. They should not however insist that you take their classes or use their photographer. They do not look at your picture and resume and go out and try to find you a job. You should give them enough information about your skills and decent photos of you. Almost all agents know where to find out about casting for theater and movies. When these castings are announced they look through their files to see who might have a chance. If you appear to have a chance they will notify you. Until you have found work several times they are not going to go out and try to sell you to a producer .Read these web sites and all their links. http://www.actingbiz.com/articles/how_to%E2%80%A6 http://www.agentassociation.com/ This one for finding an agent in your area. http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent

Becoming an Actor/Actress Find every opportunity in your traveling distance that does Plays or Musicals. Check the schools and community groups as well as professional. Contact them and ask to be notified of any auditions. If you do not get a part, offer to help in any way (paint scenery, usher etc.) Just being around the production you will learn a lot. Study Dance, Music and Acting. You must be able to do at least one great and the others well enough to let the others work around you. Find classes or instructors that have produced talent. Work on your image. You have to be a go getter, with lots of confidence and at the same time come across as humble. Develop work ethics. Never be late. Never be absent. Always be attentive. Always show respect for others, even when you do not think they deserve it. If and when approached by a talent agent or agency. Check them out carefully. If you are too young to sign a contract, remember your parents will need to be very involved. You have to do a lot locally before you can move on up. Going to LA or NY is taking you where the competition is so severe that your chances of ever being seen by anyone is slim. Getting know in your own town and state, gives you a heads up. You will also be seen by the directors who come to direct locals shows, or to just check out what is going on. Agents They are in business. They are trying to make money. They should not however insist that you take their classes or use their photographer. They do not look at your picture and resume and go out and try to find you a job. You should give them enough information about your skills and decent photos of you. Almost all agents know where to find out about casting for theater and movies. When these castings are announced they look through their files to see who might have a chance. If you appear to have a chance they will notify you. Until you have found work several times they are not going to go out and try to sell you to a producer .Read these web sites and all their links. http://www.actingbiz.com/articles/how_to%E2%80%A6 http://www.agentassociation.com/ This one for finding an agent in your area. http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent