Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 12/11/2007

Question
Hey Mr. Plonkey! I am a 19 year old student currently attending a university but have recently decided to change my career path. I have always wanted to get into acting but never really took it seriously until I recently found that I couldn't stop wishing that was what I was doing instead. I have no formal acting training other than a high school acting class and a basic college acting course. Ideally, this coming summer I want to move to an area such as CA or NY to seriously pursue my dream. I know that I would need an agent but am scared that I will not be able to find one without formal training. What would you recomend doing to prepare myself to be able to get an agent, and just becoming an actor in general? Also, do you have any tips for moving to an area such as LA to pursue acting? Any advice will be helpful!

Thank you!
--Brandye

Answer
Hey Brandye.  Ideally, you should give up the idea of LA or NYC and earn your stripes in some other metro area such as Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, Denver or San Diego.  You will just get lost the the huge metro areas (not that the listed places are that small). Here's what you need to do.  Go to some place where there is a lot of theatre and film action, such as those mentioned, and start building a resume.  When you have enough to impress an agent, you try for an agent, all the while working toward becoming an actor. It is far better to wait to go to LA after you have a SAG card than before.  For additional information, write me at kencosp@aol.com where I mentor aspiring actors at no charge.
I look forward to hearing from you, Doc