Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 5/9/2010

Question
Hi I'm Sam,
I have a question about starting an acting career.
I can't spend alot of money on classes or anything, and I've never taken an acting class, I've only been in school plays. The first time I did a play its been my dream to be an actress. How do I get started in the acting career with little to no experience, but i feel I have alot of potential.
I cant travel far either, so do you know any directors/auditions in Indianapolis or anywhere around there? How can i get started?

Thank you for your answer,
Sam

Answer
Hi Sam,

Unfortunately I don't know of auditions there.

Thing is, while I admire your self-confidence and enthusiasm (both are very good to have) I have toi smile a little at your question. The reason? Because I remember when I got the idea to start acting too. Knowing all the things I know now, and having spent years gaining experience from doing it, I chuckle at myself from then. You see, you need to know a few things about what you are wanting to do. Kind of like jumping into a stick shift car and trying to drive a car for the first time. Lots of rules to know, lots of ways to make a mistake that really hurts and costs.

One of the BIG mistakes is expecting people will be nice and help you out on set. Also, that they will understand you are nervous or inexperienced and give you a break. They don't generally care, and and don't have time to teach you. The first thing to understand about this business: ITS A BUSINESS. The whole reason they can make a movie or commercial or stage a play...is because they have money to pay for it. They make them to make more MONEY to pay everyone. If you were going to pay someone, wouldn't you want to hire the best people you could afford? Here's the other part: every MINUTE everyone is on set filming something, it costs thousands of dollars! So, let's pretend that they hire someone who has never been on set, doesn't know what a mark looks like, never been under pressure before, can't remember lines (or understand what the lines mean) and because they are nervous and inexperienced, can't do the job. MORE MINUTES! MORE MONEY! Under those circumstances it is very, very rare that the director takes pity and acts as a crutch for the actor. Also, there are millions of unemployed actors right now, wanting to act. With all the stupid "reality shows" and the bad economy, famous actors are even doing commercials and everyone is desperate for jobs. Not hard to find experienced actors. And yes, everyone is replaceable if they don't work out. There is not just one actor for a role. Many of your favorite movies started out with different actors, before replacing them with someone better or who fit the role better.

Now, I understand the lack of money. I also understand living away from the action and classes. BUT...there are classes in even fairly small areas (SOMEWHERE!) but you have to find them. As to the money: get it from somewhere, earn it by working after school babysitting...whatever. Because again, it's necessary if you want this career. If not, you can wish. I have also seen people who accidentally got a chance to audition, but felt that they didn't need training because they were special, and....wasted everyone's time and got nowhere.  Also, they got remembered as bad actors and were blocked from auditioning again!

On auditions...."open auditions" are rare, and are usually just extras calls or projects that never see the light of day. You see, casting directors get hired by a movie studio to cast actors, they contact agents who have actors with experience and who have taken classes before and have proven talent. The agent sends them pictures based on the people they need. They look over the actors and ask to see a few of them. Then they audition them and decide who they want.

To get an agent, you have to submit a headshot with resume. They teach you about those in acting classes. The agent opens her mail and looks at your pic and resume and decides to contact you, or not. They kinda want classes to have been taken, and even better, to still be taking them! They prefer actors who are serious about getting better and are willing to risk spending money and time on classes and clothes and headshots and travel. Not so much people who just wanna be on tv or be famous and don't want to do anything to get it. Many more millions of those people available!

My BEST advice? Do what you can to get into classes. Read all the books you can find on acting and if you are stuck at the moment, stay true to your dream and be patient until you are able to go for it. If you lose interest by then, you definitely didn't really want it. Acting is often a lot of let downs and moments when you get your feelings hurt. It's the true actors who shake it off and keep going. Gotta be tough to hang in there. Often, after one or two disappointments the people who aren't cut out for it give up.


Best,

Taylor