Expert: Christy Murphy - 5/26/2010

Question
I have wanted to be an actress since I was a little girl in diapers, I even once had a shot to maybe get some names of who to call because my dad was a security guard for Brook Shield for a couple of months. I am now 18 so I don’t need my parents now to help me out with my passion which they never supported in the first place. Every day I Google talent agencies in the Sacramento area and look for auditions at the community theater, I want this so bad, but don’t know where I should start or what to do or if I am getting the correct information. How do I just get my foot in the door to just do a commercial without getting into these scams that are out there saying they have free casting calls if you just give them your home address and other private information? Do I need to go to a talent agency? Should I move to LA? I have so many questions but no one to help me. This is the only thing in life that I want to do; it’s all I think about. I have some experience, I am actually good, but because I don’t kiss my drama teachers ass like they all do I never get the roles that I know I deserve. I want this so bad and I know so many people want this as bad as me but I want it more… I just have to figure out how to get in there.

Answer
Hi Janelle!

Absolutely follow your dream! If you're young, and you've got the courage, I would recommend moving to Los Angeles. Save some money, and come on out. There are good deals on apartments these days. (By LA standards--which still means they are way expensive.) Perhaps scheduling a long weekend or a few days here to see if you like it. It is expensive. It is hard, but if it's your dream GO FOR IT!

Here's how to find out where to train and where to get an agent.

Go to Samuel French Bookstore. (The store itself. The location maps are here: http://www.samuelfrench.com/store/bookstores.php ) Ask them for the most recent book of agents (there are two companies that put together a book that is updated every other month and is like $20 or something close to that). Also get a copy of the book "Where to Train." They look like dinky books, because they are just stapled together but they're the real deal. Also you can pick up a copy of the "Ross Reports" and "Backstage West" to find out about open calls and auditions.

There is so much to learn, I can't cover it here, but you can find out EVERYTHING worth knowing from books at Samuel French. :)

Get into a good class. Classes will run you anywhere from $200 a month to $450 a month. let this be you. To avoid scams for classes, just ask to "audit" a class. Most schools will let you. Avoid any advertisements for "free" classes. Avoid paying a lot of money up front. Once you're in LA and taking classes, you can talk to other actors and find out who they use for headshots and whatnot. Getting recommendations from friends is a great way to go.

There are levels to the acting classes. Find a school with a good reputation that you can feel comfortable at. There will be the same political butt kissing you experience everywhere--maybe even more so her in Los Angeles. Find a place where you are not compromising your integrity, but also NOT shutting yourself out from opportunities. It's hard to not let the politics get to you. I've been there. Heck, I'll be there probably again in a day or so, but I've learned to shake it off. You gotta learn how to shake that stuff off. THIS IS THE REAL TEST AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN MAKE A LIVING IN SHOW BUSINESS. So many of my talented friends, just couldn't take the BS and gave up. The good news is the more successful you are, the less that stuff comes up (or maybe it does and you just won't care.)

Anyway, back to the nuts and bolts info ...

You will need headshots and a reel. Tons of film students and directors trying to break into the industry are casting for short films and other projects. You can work for free in exchange for a copy of your work to add for your real. Some projects will fall apart. Some people will be jerks. Some people will be dishonest. You'll just have to give it a go, and use your own judgment. Be sensible. If you feel unsafe don't go or speak up. Most honest people will INSTANTLY try to make you comfortable and not ask you to do something you're not comfortable with. If someone tries to tell you, you're ridiculous for feeling that way or "an amateur" for not doing what they want--GET OUT OF THERE.

Good headshots are expensive, but I'm going to tell you a little trick. When you first get into town (or maybe before you leave your current town), get some headshots done that look good (and make sure they look like YOU do in real life. Your headshots need to look like you in good lighting.) But don't spend too much money on these headshots. When you get an agent, that agent will tell you to get new headshots anyway. Find out from other actors at your agency (preferably the ones that book a lot) where they go theirs done, get a few names, and then go to that photographer. You'll spend about $350-500 on headshots. There are tons of deals on where to get them printed.

If you want to get used to being on a set and maybe just make some cash (you can also get your SAG card if you get "upgraded"), you can try extra work. There are many places that cast extras, but the grand daddy of them all is Central Casting. (If you've ever heard someone say that someone looks like they're "straight out of Central Casting," this is that Central Casting. Here is their website: http://www.centralcasting.org/ .

Keep your mind focused on the work and what you're doing. Be prepared for the opportunities that come your way, and try not focus on what other people get and how they're doing. Not everyone becomes a star, but many, many, people live lives filled with art and passion. You can be one of those people, if you're willing to gamble, work through the hard times, and not let those hard times harden your heart or effect your work. Channel it into your acting!

Please excuse any typos. I typed this quickly and wanted to get you an answer right away.

You've got time on your side. Even if you try it out and realize you don't like it, you'll never spend your life wondering, "What if I did it?"

Go for it!