Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 10/27/2008

Question
HI I'M ALI, I LIVE IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI AND I AM CURRENTLY ATTENDING A UNIVERSITY. I HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE MY FOCUS FILM AND WOULD LOVE TO TRY AND BEGIN AN ACTING CAREER. I AM PLANNING ON TAKING SOME CLASSES BUT AM UNSURE HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING SOME REAL FILM EXPERIENCE. IF I AM ABLE TO GET STARTED, I WANT TO GO ALL THE WAY WITH IT...HOW CAN I GET MY FOOT IN THE DOOR, AND SOME AUDITIONS???

Answer
Hello Ali, The first thing a person should do before embarking on a film acting career (perhaps the most difficult of all ways to earn a living) is to make sure he has the innate talent for acting.  You do this by auditioning for plays at school and in the community. When you have been in several plays and done well in major roles, you may assume you have talent and can move on to the second step which is to take some carefully selected classes at a professional acting studio. At this point you also have to assess if you have the personality to continue in acting.  Continue doing these two things, adding auditioning for student and non-professional films, to build a resume. When you have a good resume, seek representation by an agent.  Learn how the acting business works and continue. This is a process that can take many years. It helps if you are doing this process where there is a lot of theatre and film production such as Atlanta or San Diego. You are not going to get any professional auditions without an agent. Web sites are frauds that want your money, avoid them.  For more information and to ask me more about having a film career, write me at kencosp@aol.com. Best wishes, Doc