Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/acting after 40

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Expert: - 3/26/2009


Question
Hello Phil,

I am interested in starting a career in acting. Although I am in my forties I still feel that it is something I always wanted to do. I was hoping that I could get some advise on where to begin. Should I apply to an accredited acting school or more of a private smaller scale studio setting? I hope to find someplace where I can learn the accomplished basics (with least expense possible)and be able to start auditioning soon after. Also which school or class would be best for someone beginning at my age?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
Thanks
E

Answer
Elaina,

Thanks for writing. Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you - I've been out of town on business.

Starting an acting career after 40 IS doable, but certainly is more difficult simply because there are not as many parts for women in their 40's. If you've never done any serious acting before, you should definitely enroll in some quality acting classes. If your local area doesn't offer anything worthwhile, then move to Los Angeles and enroll in classes here. You'll need to be in LA anyway to pursue your career, and you can feel confident that there are good classes here.

You could certainly consider going back to college and enrolling in a BFA Acting program, but rather than incur that expense, just enroll in a good acting workshop that meets once or twice a week.

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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