Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/i want to be an actress

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Expert: - 6/25/2009


Question

Ashley<3
hi, my name is Ashley, him 13,
i'm from Ohio where almost nothing in television goes on. I've known since i was 6 that i wanted to be an actress, i am an extreme drama queen and can play almost any part. i want to get started in acting but my parents don't want me to all that much this young.
what can i do to get myself noticed by a director or something?

Answer
Ashley,

Short of robbing a bank or taking your clothes off and running naked down the biggest street in your home town, there isn't MUCH you can do to be noticed by a Hollywood director. See, you have to understand that no one is looking for you. The ONLY reason that they might take an interest in you is if they happen to come to your city to hold auditions for a project they are casting. Otherwise, unless you're in Los Angeles and in front of them at an audition, you're not going to be noticed.

My suggestion is enroll in acting classes locally, do as much local theater as you can, and when you're ready to go to college, enroll at a university that has a terrific BFA degree program in acting that will develop your talent. THEN move to LA and pursue your dream.

Good luck!

Phil

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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