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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/I Don't Understand How To Become An Actress

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Expert: - 7/1/2006


Question
Hello, I have some questions, I hope that doesn't bother you. Okay, I really want to be an actress, but people keep saying until someone offers you to be an actress. Who is that someone? I don't live in major cities where directors and producers are just walking up and down the street. Well, I live near Dallas, actually 25 mintues away, but it's not a major city where people are just walking down the street asking people, do you want to be an actress. What should I do? Thanks!:)

Answer
Jordyn,

Thanks for writing. You're thinking is correct. You're not an actress until someone offers you a role to play. You're not a professional actress until someone offers you a role to play AND offeres to pay you for that role. If you live outside of Dallas, there are professional theatres in Dallas at which you can audition for roles.  You may also wish to call a theatre in Dallas for a recommendation on an acting class - in order to develop your talent as an actress, you need to enroll in acting classes.

I hope this information helps.

Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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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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