Expert: Phil Nemy - 6/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello my name is Pedro I am 14 years old and I was wondering if you can help me with a question? I live in Arizona and I would like to see what I need to do to be a actor for Disney, I have a lot of relatives in California so I can go there easily but I want to know if I need to get in to a school for acting or do they teach you in Disney because I don’t know much I think I can do it because I don’t get nervous in front of people and I  always wanted to be a Disney actor.

I hope you can help thanks,
Pedro


ANSWER: Pedro,

Thanks for writing. If you want to be an actor, then you need training. Disney does not have an acting school, so you'll need to find another reputable training program in Arizona. Try contacting the Arizona Film Commission and see if they can provide you with any names of reputable acting teachers.

You're also going to need an agent, so ask the commission if they have a list of talent agents in your area.

That's what you'll need to do to get started. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello I just have one more quick question,know I have seen that almost all the actors have started from young age. I read that you worked for Disney is there teens that started form 14 years of age? I have to get in to a training program like you said to get better know the program is before right.
Well I hope you can help thanks,
Pedro

Answer
Pedro,

Thanks for the follow-up. Disney doesn't hire any staff employees under the age of 18. When it comes to actors, the producers of the show will hire any actor who is right for the part, regardless of age.

You're right when you say that a number of actors got their first roles in their teen years, and have continued working as actors.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil