Expert: Phil Nemy - 11/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello, My name is Oliver and i live in New York state and recently moved from the united kingdom. I've recently liked the idea of staring on a show on the Disney channel.

Thing is i don't know whats needed. E.g. would i need some kind of agent, what do i need to do to get in?

The most detailed answer for how a good way to get in and what is needed would be great

Thanks.

ANSWER: Oliver,

Thanks for writing. In order to be a working actor, let alone a star on the Disney Channel, you need a number of things. First, you need talent. Second, you need to develop your talent by enrolling in top-flight acting classes. Third, you need a headshot and a resume. And finally, you need an agent. Once you have these things, you can begin to pursue your career.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply to this Phil but i dont know how to do these things.

Im 14 and i mean i dont know the first thing about getting on the disney channel

If you could provide me on background information on this it would be a great help

Thanks

Answer
Oliver,

The reality is that there is no guarantee that you will EVER appear on The Disney Channel. But the way you can hedge your bet is to first get into come acting classes in NYC. The HB Studios in NYC, for example, has an excellent reputation with its acting classes. Start there - you need training.

Once you hjave the training, then you need professional headshot photographs taken of you. If you look in an issue of Backstage Magazine, which you'll find at newsstands in NYC and at Samuel French Bookstore or the Dramatists Bookshop, you'll see advertisements for photographers who do that kind of work. You'll spend anywhere from $500 to $1000 for good headshots. Once you have your headshots, develop of resume of your work and send both your resume and headshots to casting directors and talent agents. Ask the Casting Directors for a general interview and tell the talent agents you're looking for representation and would like to get a meeting with them. Follow up one week later with phone calls to see if you can get the meetings and interviews.

You can also look in Backstage for auditions as it will list open call auditions for film, TV, commercials, industrials, etc. Audition for as many parts as you think you're right for. Some productions won't audition you unless you have representation which is why you need to get an agent.

The Disney Channel doesn't just audition people daily, weekly or monthly. They only audition actors when they have a new project they are filming. Your agent will know when this occurs and he can submit your headshot for you to help you get an audition.

Essentially that's it. Read my book, GET A REEL JOB, for more details about this. You can find it at www.reeljob.net or at amazon.com.

Good luck!

Phil