Expert: Peter Messaline - 6/13/2007

Question
Hi Peter,

Thank-you very much for your response. I currently reside in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I have taken up alot of drama classes throughout high school and afterwards. I've taken acting classes at a workshop located downtown Montreal called ASM Performing Arts Studio. I have taken dance classes as well in categories such as; Hip-hop and bellydancing.

Aside from performing arts schools and classes, I went to Vocational school and got a degree in "Aesthetics" which strictly pretains to the beauty and well being of an individual( skin care, skin treatments, make up, etc)and so on. As much as I truly love doing that, I feel as if it's more of a hobby rather than a life-long career. My ultimate dream has always been becoming involved and of course eventually seriously working in the performing arts business.

As for my experience 'acting' wise, well it isn't much, but I've done some 'extra' work, along with small school/theatrical plays, and have also been to a couple of auditions. Right now I'm at a crossroad in my life, and I really feel as if there's a serious void in my life and lifestyle, and I know it all goes back to the 'acting goal', and I'm just trying to see what I can do, and where I can go in order to seriously and genuinely pursue this goal/dream. I hope I made things a little more clearer, and you can possibly help me a little further? Thank-you so much for your time and feedback, I truly appreciate it,

Warm Regards,

Rebecca


Answer
That's a fuller picture. You sound like an interesting type.
What to do?

Without training or experience, you need to persuade people to trust you enough to cast you. Casting is always a leap of faith, and normally the actor's experience and training make that easier. You need to promote yourself out of the 'needy actress' classification, by being known, knowledgeable, not demanding, aware that any help you get is a compliment, even if it's useless. You want people to start thinking of you as a member of the IN group.

ASM has what seems to be a list of good working teachers. Talk to them, engage them in class and after it. When you are a bit further along, start asking them questions. Start with stuff you know something about, so that you seem less needy. Talk to them, write to them, get in touch and stay in touch. Talk about what you are doing and what they have just done. Talk about what's happening in Montreal. And build on your friendships in classes. Make it a habit to e-mail your news around as much as possible. You never know when a seed may sprout.
Mandy.com doesn't offer much in Montreal.
You might find out about the Film School at Concordia. Film schools always need actors for student projects, and you will be meeting more people in the industry, and learning about a range of parts much better than you'll get in mainstream films for years, perhaps ever.

Look at http://www.theatrebooks.com/actors_acting/acting_business.html
For a huge collection of books about being an actor. (hint: look at the very bottom of the list!)

Google around Montreal and film, TV, stage, acting, actor, casting, and that sort of thing, and see what you come up with. To be treated like one of the IN crowd, you will have to do your own research, and learn intentionally what other actors have picked up over years of chat.

I hope I have started you off down some useful lines of thought. Do read our book. It does not deal with the unique Montreal anglo acting reality, but more generally I think you'll find it helpful.

I hope so.
Use me again if you like