Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Acting for older women

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Expert: - 10/22/2008


Question
Hello, I'm just wondering if there is acting work for women my age? I'm 53 but I look in my forties. I'm on the other side of the country, Boston. I'll be taking acting classes in the Spring and already have done a mock TV commercial. I have been interested in acting since I was a young girl but didn't have the confidence to do anything about it until now. Do I really have to go to LA or are there movies available here? I belong to Boston Casting for a year as a movie extra.

Answer
Irene,

Thanks for writing. Yes, there is acting work for women your age and the age you look. You do NOT have to move to Los Angeles to be cast in something. You can certainly be cast in whatever films are shot Boston area. The key is to get your name and face into the minds of the Boston area casting directors. You can do this by sending them a headshot/resume and and asking for a general interview so they can get to know you a bit.

Also, if you're appearing in anything in which they can see you (play, musical, improv group, commercial, industrial, etc.) then send them a notice informing them of when you are appearing and that you can get them a free ticket (if it's a live performance). You need to have as many relationships with casting directors as you can as they are the ones that can get you auditions when films and TV shows come into town.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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