Expert: Phil Nemy - 12/8/2007

Question
hi! I'm 29 and always wanted to get into acting. where would someone like me start? i do have a good job but i am not really happy and always been drawn to acting and it eats at me so i would like to give it a try.

Answer
Shawn,

Thanks for writing. You say you have a good job. Honestly, unless you are extraordinarily talented and/or you are incredibly attractive, I would suggest not giving up your good job to pursue a career that statistically indicates that the odds are greatly against your ever being able to support yourself or your future family strictly from acting employment (sorry, had to give you the bad news up front).

That said, if you still want to pursue an acting career, my suggestion would be that you get into some good acting classes first. You need to study the craft of acting and develop your talent. Make sure that you supplement your actor training with classes in cold reading and improvisation. Both of these will serve you well.

Once you've had some good training, you need to have professional headshot photos taken that make you look great! Then, you need to start auditioning for anything and everything you can. I don't know where you live, so there may not be much around you. You may have to consider moving to a city that is active with theater, film and TV work. If you appear in a play or showcase, invite agents and casting directors to see your work. If the agent likes your work, he may agree to represent you. If the casting director likes your work, he may bring you in for an audition for the project he's casting.

That's how it works. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil