Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Getting Noticed

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/29/2010


Question
Hi Phil,
My name is David and i live in a small town in England, i have always wanted to pursue a career in acting; even before i could imagine i wanted to act and perform. Seeing as i live in a small town it has become very difficult over the years to become noticed and hard to convince my parents that an agent would help. Being 16, having performed in many school plays most of them lead roles and having joint a acting classes, i have grown to become a reasonably talented actor. after college i hope to move on to a drama college, but still i have struggled to gain auditions or be noticed. Could you offer any advice on how to be noticed and have a chance to crack the big time ?

Thanks in advance

David

Answer
David,

Advice? There's not much I can say - but here's what I tell all who write me that want to be actors. It's almost impossible to make a living solely derived from acting. Be prepared to live a life of poverty. Because when it comes down to it, there are five elements that come into play with actors and here's the percentage of their importance: 2% talent, 1% training, 1% having a good agent, 1% having a great look, and 95% luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.