The Basics of Being an Actor: What to Do to Get Started

Imagine becoming a famous movie star.

How does being a world-renowned movie start sound to you? Imagine the screaming fans waiting for you at premiers, the people lining up to watch your movies, the money you get from your blockbusters.
Sounds great right?

However, the reality is that very few actors manage to work their way into B-movie territory, much less A movies. Those that do manage to find success have usually spent years paying their dues in theater and small budget flicks and TV shows.

Indeed, working your way from the bottom up is a part of the acting industry that’s here to stay. However, it’s not all bad. Paying your dues allows you to gain more experience and insight into how acting works. If gives you time to learn and hone your craft, becoming a better actor who’s ready for complex roles. It also allows you to forge connections with key people in the industry, which pays off when it’s time to find jobs.

Here’s what you can do to get the ball rolling.

Join Casting Calls

Numerous televisions studios in the country hold casting calls for new shows, movies, commercials and all sorts of productions set for shooting. Oftentimes, many acting agencies in Pennsylvania, New York and LA hold casting calls to sign new talents. Go ahead and attend these casting calls to get your name out there. If you don’t get the part, don’t despair. At least you got your name in the talent pool.

Join the Indie Scene 

Audition for an independent movie. Sure the sets will be Spartan, and the pay will likely be small, but indie films are a great vehicle for you to hone your craft while potentially getting the attention of critics, agents and film studios. Many of today’s most prolific names in acting and filmmaking first got their start in the indie scene, so don’t shy away from it.

Indie films also usually play around with more complex roles, allowing you to learn things you wouldn’t normally pickup in mainstream productions.

Find an Agent

You’ll often hear many people say that you know you’ve hit the big time when you’re getting an agent to help your career. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get an agent if you’re still a novice. Quite the contrary in fact, as agents, who secure jobs for talents, can help jumpstart your career quickly. Of course, it all boils down to whether or not you can sign up with acting agencies in Pennsylvania.