Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 11/26/2009

Question
Hello, Im 14 years old and i come from Scotland. My dream is acting its all i want to do I take drama lessons and am part of drama clubs. Living in Scotland is the main prolem as not much work comes around, I would be looking for work in the Glasgow/Edinburgh area that is 2 hours drive from where I stay but it is the 2 most likely places to find work in Scotland and my parents are willing to help me in anyway. Where is the best way to find work? Ive been told get an agent is the best way to find work but how much experience would you need? The problem i have is i am unable to find any castings for commercials or short films near to where i stay which would be great to put on a resume to send to agencies but if i can't find any of these will i have to chance of getting an agent? Will acting lessons and school productions be enough? Thank you so much for any help you can give me.

Answer
Hello Caitlin, At 14 it is highly unlikely you will become a teen professional actress. There really is not much work for young teens and producers would rather use young looking adults than older teens due to labor laws. Second, to do anything professional, it is usually necessary that you have done a great deal as an amateur, lots of plays at school and at dramatic societies, for example. And, finally, getting an agent would be essential, if you have the right look and can read lines well, you might get representation. But agents do not make actors out of people, they are in the business of making money by matching actors with auditions. Then the actors have to get the parts.  Generally in the UK, it takes real training at university or professional academy to become a professional actress. So you might start preparing for on of these options. God bless, Doc