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Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Getting auditions for tv commercials

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Expert: - 6/22/2007


Question
Hello,
I have no acting experience but I have always been interested in pursuing acting in  tv commercials, shows or movies.  I don't have much interest in Theatre or singing.  I am 30 years old and have a family.  I am an average looking male and have a family and a day job.  Anyway, I am wondering how to get started.  I am looking to do this for the experience and not for financial gain.  It seems like everywhere you look online there are audition scams.  Any advice?

Answer
John,

Thanks for writing. The sure-fire way to keep from being scammed is to stand by this one rule: never pay for the privilege of auditioning. If someone charges you a fee to audition, they aren't legit. You should never have to pay a fee to audition.

To get started, you need to take acting classes to determine if you have talent and then if you do, to develop your talent. Once you've got some good solid training under your belt, then start by doing some scenework in a showcase or two. Invite agents to see your work in the showcase. If they like you, they may sign you. Once you have an agent, you've got someone to help you with getting auditions.

In a nutshell, that's how it works. 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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