Acting is a scary and bedazzling business, and it can be scary to know where to start, and when you started it can be difficult to keep going. Acting is also one of the most fun, emotional and rewarding creative careers there is. Here are the top 5 tips for aspiring actors trying to catch their big break.
Study
As with any craft you need to put in some work. Acting is creative and fun, yes, but there are many things to learn, to elevate yourself from someone having fun to a true artist. There are a few great books for aspiring performers to read, highlight, and bookmark.
The Actor’s Art and Craft- by William Esper and Damon DiMarco, a perfect guide to comprehensible and tested techniques, so if you’re ever having trouble finding “it”, you’ll know how to deal with it.
Another type of studying involves watching the performances of other actors, movies, and tv, anything that allows you to analyze the methods of people you admire.
And don’t just learn about acting, learn about the process of filmmaking, writing, learn about different kinds of people and the psychology of them.
Be yourself
The reason the actors become successful is because they put bits of themselves in the roles they play, they are memorable and unique. So as icky and this sounds, make your brand. What do you like, what are you passionate about, outside of acting, what is important to you, what is your sense of humor, what is your style? Once you have identified what your true self looks like, do not water it down, show people who you are.
One important point, however, don’t be a jackass. Be kind to everyone, all the time. Help people to follow their own dreams and be their true self, that’s a guaranteed way to be a superstar.
Be prepared
Acting is a tough business, and you need to be prepared for rejection, criticism and some really bad moments. And the sad fact is, the chances of becoming an A-list Hollywood celebrity are 0.0086% percent, you need to make sure that the only reason you are pursuing acting is for the love of it, not the glamour, wealth or prestige, chances are, you will get none of that.
Practice
Acting is acting, so the best way to get better is to do it. Practice challenging characters, that are the opposite of what you are used to. Try out scenes that seem daunting or even excruciating. Perfect a wide range of accents. And don’t ever stop. Keep yourself ready, and just enjoy the craft.
“Goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency.” —Denzel Washington
Be proactive
Sometimes you need to make things happen for yourself. Going to auditions, practicing and waiting for the phone to ring isn’t always enough. Acting is an incredibly difficult business, which means you need to work incredibly hard. Marketing yourself is a huge help, and social media has made this a lot easier, it might not be in your nature to do this, which is fine, and you have something in common with Joaquin Phoenix, but if you don’t mind doing it, then get out there, and show the world who you are. Youtube could also be a great place to make little shorts and star yourself in them, and you have a lot of creative freedom on there.
Going on to casting sites such as Backstage, or Starcast can also be good, and you might get cast in some student films. Don’t turn your nose up at things, if you think they are beneath you. Get over yourself. Only turn down jobs if you really have to.
Look up other ways to edge your way into the industry, like an open mic night. And many actors will agree that it helps to get a job on set in a low profile position, such as writer or production assistant, this will help to get you some important contacts, and show them that you are an ambitious and hardworking person.
There is a heck of a lot more to working in acting, but these tips will definitely help. You and I might even be sharing a glass of champagne at the Oscars one day!
