Expert: Phil Nemy - 7/2/2009

Question
i want to start a acting career. i have no experience other than a few school plays.  I'm really am not the richest guy in the world. im 15 I live with my single mom in a very bad part of louisville, ky. so money is really a problem for me. I really believe that if i could afford head shots or acting classes that i could make somewhat of a good funny actor someday. my mom try's really hard to help and i know she wants to but she cant. in know i won't screw up if i get a chance to prove my abilities. i just won't to take my family out of the hood and give us a better life. acting is my calling. I really don't know where to start.
I was hoping that an experienced actor would know what to do in my sitution.  

Answer
Davon,

Thanks for writing. I wish I could be of help to you, but based on what you've told me, there isn't much I can do. You need headshots and you need acting classes both of which cost money. More importantly, you need to live in Los Angeles where 95% of all casting is performed. You're not far from being ready for college. Work hard, get good grades in school so that you can be accepted to a top-shelf university with a very strong BFA degree program in acting. And pray that they give you a scholarship or help you to secure financial aid. Getting into a really strong acting program will give you some exposure to better casting directors and may help you to get cast in some work.

Good luck!

Phil