Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Acting

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Expert: - 12/4/2008


Question
Hi my name is Amanda and I'm 14 in highschool in Chicago.
I love to act!! I want to get a job for acting soon. I do not live near LA and can't afford an agent or to go to LA at this time, what should I do? I really want to become an actress

Answer
Amanda,

Thanks for writing. WIthout being able to move to LA, you really don't have much of a shot at getting cast in anything casting in LA.

But Chicago is a big theater and film town. I'd enroll in acting classes at The Goodman Theater or some other theater company that has quality acting classes. Audition for as many parts as you feel you're right for. Whenever you appear in something, invite agents to see your work. If they like what they see, they may be interested in representing you.

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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