Expert: Phil Nemy - 8/30/2006

Question
Ok I need a little help if you can help me I need a full idea on what I need to do in the exact order of the steps needed to get into the Acting Career. Like Example: 1. You need to make a port pholio 2. Send it in to a agent or whatever and 3. exetra. So can you help me out It would make this a hole lot easier for me. Im 16 and I live in Augusta Georgia. So please help me with this to help me on my way to the Acting Career and hopefully right into Disney Channel. thats my main goal is to get into Disney channel and i can't do crap about it till I figure out what the steps are going to be. and if you can help get me into Disney Channel that would be one heck of a big break and blessing to me I have been trying for 8 months and I still have not gotten anywhere so please help me in these few questions thank you so much       -JT "Revan"

Answer
JT,

Thanks for writing. Okay, if you want to be an actor and work in television, and maybe one day end up on a program on The Disney Channel, then you're going to have to do the following:

1) First, move to Los Angeles. 98% of all casting for television is done in Los Angeles. If you're not in LA, you don't have a chance in hell of having an acting career in television.

2) Enroll in acting classes in LA. It's important that you continue to develop your knowledge and skills as an actor.

3) Get good, professional headshots made. You cannot be an actor in LA without a good headshot. It'a s MUST tool.

4) Prepare a well-written and professional looking resume. This is another must tool for every actor.

5) Begin appearing in Showcases in LA. Showcases are non-paid performances by actors for invited audiences of casting directors, agents, managers, directors, etc. Doing scenes and/or monologues in showcases gives potential employers the chance to see your talent at work. I mean, would you hire someone who says they can act without ever having seen them act?

6) Find an agent or manager to represent you. You need someone to be your advocate in LA, someone who can submit your headshot and resume for the right roles, someone who has relationships with Casting Directors. It's all about relationships in this town.

That's it in a nutshell. That's what you have to do to get started. Consider reading the section about ACTORS in my book GET A REEL JOB, as it goes into much more detail.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil