Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/I am meant to become an actress.

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Expert: - 7/30/2010


Question

Vivienne Michelle
Hi Phil, my name is Vivienne and I was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. In the next month I will be moving up to Flagstaff,AZ, to attend NAU to major in Theatre. Since I was a little girl my dream career has been to become a big time actress. My parents saw it as only a "phase" when I was little so never bothered trying to get me started. As I went through elementary, junior high, and high school I was involved in talent shows, drama class, and choir. I've always been told how photogenic I am, and how much the camera loves me, which pushes me even more to the film business. My only need in this world is to become an actress and maybe one day spread my wings even farther and become a singer, director, producer, photographer and model. May you please help me get started?
I am 5'8", in shape, long and thick dark brown hair, brown/honey eyes, plump lips, long and slender body, and I have a very proportionate body. Please, if you can, help me with tips and advice of things that I could do to quickly break into this business, thank you.

Answer
Vivienne,

Thanks for writing. Sounds like you're already doing the right things, taking the first step by enrolling in a school that offers a degree in Theater. Training for the professional theater is the best training an actor can have. Eventually you'll need to move to Los Angeles, secure and agent, and begin making the rounds of auditions.

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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