Expert: Phil Nemy - 4/16/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Phil,
I'm not really sure where to begin when it comes to a professional acting career. I am in high school in NY and have done all my school shows and some in the community theater but I think that I'd try to specifically pursue an acting career(specifically film/television).

Since I'm towards the end of my junior year of course I'm thinking about colleges that I'd like to attend to and again I don't really know where I should apply that would benefit me the most. I thought UCLA would be the perfect school but I went onto the website and it said that that school isn't meant for somebody who would want to launch their career professionally immediately so I wasn't sure if that was a negative thing or not.

I modeled when I was a baby up to the age of 4, and did voice-overs for commercials until I'll say about the age of 8 or 9, however I did audition for a movie once and I can't help but feel that my resume will never be enough for me to ever land a role in a film or on TV. It's not that I am pessimistic or don't believe in myself because when it comes to this I think i have more drive than anybody but I wanted to know if there truly is a chance of me ever making a film or a commercial role even if my resume may not be as top notch as somebody elses.

So, all in all I guess my questions are:
1. what colleges would be the best for acting that would help me with auditioning and trying to launch my career as soon as possible? if anything i feel like California is the best place to begin even though i do live in new York...
2. is there a low possibility of me ever landing something even though I'm not in the union and may not have the best resume compared to others? i mean everyone has to start somewhere right?

I'm sorry if this is a hassle, I really appreciate if you were to respond at all, your response is something I look forward to reading!

Really, Thank you so much. :)
Katherine

ANSWER: Katherine,

Thanks for writing. I am of the belief that good training as an actor is crucial to being an employable actor. That said, there are many actors working in television and film today that I think are lousy actors, but they have a great "look" and unfortunately, when it comes to film and TV in Hollywood, it isn't so much about talent as it is "the look."

If you want to develop your talent, then the best training is training as an actor for the stage. That doesn't mean you MUST pursue a career in the professional theater. It simply means that acting for the stage is the foundation of ALL forms of acting, so it's the best place to start. The best actors in the world trained in the theater and always go BACK to the theater because it challenges them the most. So enroll in a college or university with an exceptional actor's training program, one with a great reputation, and one that offers a BFA degree. Schools like Carnegie Mellon, Julliard, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Cal Arts, SMU, NC School for the Arts, Webster University, Brandeis University, Boston U, and Univ of Wash at Seattle all have good programs. UCLA is good as well for theater but it's known more for its film program, as is USC.

To answer your second question, is it possible to land a job as an actor even though you're not in the SAG, AEA or AFTRA? Yes. Will you ever be able to make a living supporting yourself completely from income earned from acting? Doubtful. 95% of all members of the SAG are unemployed at any given moment. So statistically speaking, the odds are against you. But if you love it, and you MUST act, then never give up on your dream.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks!

Yes, I've always been a part of theater, I really do love it. I've taken acting, singing and dance classes too because you can always improve (in my opinion) even if you are an A-list celebrity. As much as I love the theater I'm not sure if that's where I want to only be. I'd really love to try it all, but I think mainly on film/television (not to say I wouldn't love to be on Broadway or even an Off Broadway show). Thank you for the college suggestions, it's tough for me to get a feel for what schools have exactly what I may be looking for and what ones don't. I feel like some of those schools like Carnegie Mellon and Julliard for instance, even though they may be some of the best, that means they are some of the hardest to get into. I don't know if schools that are looking for thespians and musicians/performers in general are looking for above and beyond exceptional grades? I do have a 98 average which I guess is good but still, I feel like I could always do better. And with those schools specifically, I thought those were also more music oriented? I could be making that up though.

And the whole being in the union, thing confuses me. I know a lot of auditions you can't be a part of if you aren't in the union but you can't like be...idk it just seems like it's impossible to get in, haha.

And sorry, but last but now least, I know the chances of me becoming famous at all are very very slim, but I don't think I'll ever stop trying. I know it's what I want to do with my life. I mean I don't know if you had the same feeling doing what you did, but I know when I'm up on stage, not only is it an adrenaline rush you get but... just something else entirely. Like it's home almost. I know it's right, doing this. I will most certainly never give up. :)

Thanks again, your words of wisdom are appreciated. :)
-Katherine

Answer
Katherine,

Most good schools like CMU and Julliard place much less importance on grades than the do on talent and auditions. If your audition is terrific, then you'll probably get in, even if your grades are just okay.

Julliard was founded as a music school, but back in the 1970's, they started a drama school division and it is now considered one of the best.

And yes, it is a challenging industry to get into. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!

Good luck!

Phil