Quick Answer
Becoming an actor requires dedication to developing your craft through substantial training and practical experience. Take acting classes to build foundational skills like memorization techniques, effective vocal projection, body awareness, and imagination exercises. Study different acting methods to find an approach that resonates. Perform in community or school productions to get comfortable on stage and gain material for your resume. Research local agents and managers to understand their submission requirements. Compile marketing materials like headshots, reels, and resumes that reflect your brand. Attend open calls and auditions consistently. Develop relationships in the creative community by networking and making referrals. With substantial training, stage experience, professional materials, and persistence, aspiring actors can gain the skills and contacts necessary to break into the industry.
Introduction
Many people dream of becoming an actor and seeing their name in lights. Acting seems like an glamorous and exciting profession at first glance. But making it as a professional actor takes far more than raw talent and charismatic looks. Acting is an extremely competitive field with a high washout rate, yet also deeply fulfilling for those willing to put in the hard work.
Becoming a successful actor takes years of diligent training, constant improvement, patience through rejection, and smart career management. The acting path is filled with hardship, heartbreak, and uncertainty. But for those with the commitment and passion for the craft, it’s a deeply rewarding vocation.
If you have dreams of gracing the big screen or stage, this comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what you’ll need on your journey towards becoming a professional actor. We’ll cover the acting skills required through training and experience, mental toughness to endure constant rejection, business savvy to manage your freelance career, and more. While the road is challenging, success is attainable for dedicated actors who continually hone their abilities. Keep reading for an in-depth look at how to make your acting aspirations a reality.
Training and Education
While some actors are self-taught, training gives you skills and confidence needed for auditions and roles. Here are some options:
Acting Classes
Community theaters, local acting schools, universities offer acting classes. Learn basics like memorization, voice projection, movement.
Scene study classes let you perform scenes from plays and get feedback.
Improv classes teach you to think on your feet. Vital for acting.
Method acting teaches you to draw on personal memories/experiences to inform your acting.
Formal Education
Getting a university degree in theater or acting gives a strong foundation. You'll take classes on:
Acting fundamentals and different techniques
Voice, speech, movement, dance
Theater/acting history
Stage production
Theater technology
Directing
Playwriting
Theater management
A BFA or MFA specifically in acting gives intensive training. Applying what you learn in university productions is invaluable.
Private Coaching
Many actors work with private acting coaches throughout careers. Helps you hone skills, prepare for big auditions. Can be expensive but wise investment.
Gaining Experience
Ultimately, nothing teaches you more than hands-on acting experience. Here are paths to get experience:
Community Theater
Great way to start out. Smaller time commitment and pressure than professional gigs. Build fundamental skills like rehearsing, collaborating with directors/other actors, taking direction.
Drama School Productions
If you attend a university drama program, perform as much as possible in their productions. Apply what you're learning in class to live performances.
Background Work
Doing extra or background work for TV/movies gets you on professional sets. Observe how productions run, get comfortable on camera. Can lead to speaking roles.
Improv/Sketch Comedy
Joining an improv troupe or sketch comedy group gives stage experience. Improves thinking on your feet. Sketch writing skills could lead to bigger comedic opportunities.
Commercials/Voice Acting
Great way to get introduced to TV/film acting. Build resume credits. Commercial auditions favor fresh faces so ideal for newcomers. Voice acting similarly develops on-mic skills.
Smaller/Independent Films
Indie films generally have smaller budgets so accept less experienced actors. Opportunity to build reel and get on-set experience. Work with up-and-coming directors.
Theater Tours/Cruise Ships
Touring with theater productions or working as ship entertainers gets you consistent paying gigs. Develop skills and professionalism working full time as an actor. Gain stage experience and confidence.
Agents/Representation
At some point, you'll likely want talent agents or managers to get bigger auditions/roles. They know casting directors and negotiate contracts. You generally need credits, reel, and recommendation to be considered by reputable agents.
Actor Training Resources
Beyond formal education, there are many resources to continue developing acting skills:
Books/Plays
Read acting books like Stanislavski's work. Study plays you aspire to be cast in. Analyze story, characters, style. Insights make you a stronger, versatile actor.
Acting Podcasts
Podcasts hosted by working actors share valuable tips and industry insights. Hear how professionals train, audition, choose roles, manage careers.
YouTube/Social Media
Follow acting YouTube channels. Successful actors share training videos, vlogs documenting their work. Great free resource.
Workshops/Intensives
Many acting studios offer weekend intensives or multi-week workshops. Dedicated time to master skills like voice work, improv, cold reading technique.
Apps/Online Lessons
Apps provide acting lessons/exercises. Online coaching lets you take virtual lessons with teachers worldwide. Convenient training from home.
Scene Study Groups
Meet up informally with other actors to rehearse and constructively critique scenes. Good way to stay sharp between gigs.
Additional Skills For Actors
Besides pure acting ability, some other skills are extremely helpful:
Memorization
Quickly memorizing large amounts of dialogue is crucial. Develop rock solid memorization abilities.
Accents/Dialects
Mastering dialects and accents makes you suitable for more roles. Especially helpful for theater, period pieces, foreign characters.
Combat/Stage Fighting
Many plays/films feature fight scenes. Stage combat training keeps it realistic but safe. Highly marketable skill.
Dancing/Choreography
Musical theater and many TV/film roles require dance skills. Having a repertoire of styles like tap, ballet, hip hop makes you more versatile.
Vocal Training
Even actors with natural talent benefit from vocal lessons. Expand range, power, breath control. Eliminate vocal strain.
Musical Instruments
Proficiency with instruments like piano, guitar comes in handy surprisingly often. Especially with musical theater roles.
Improv/Comedy
Improv develops quick thinking which applies to acting in general. Comedic abilities also expand the roles you can play.
Self-Improvement Areas For Actors
Besides concrete skills, success also depends on continuous self-improvement in these areas:
Confidence
Having confidence when auditioning and performing is huge. Develop rock solid belief in yourself and your abilities.
Networking/Schmoozing
So much depends on who you know and constantly making contacts. Get comfortable introducing yourself to industry folks.
Perseverance Through Rejection
Auditioning involves constant rejection. Build resilience and don't take it personally. Persist through years of "no's" before the "yes's" come.
Handling Criticism
Critique is part of the job. Don't let it damage your self-esteem. Hear it objectively and use it to improve.
Public Speaking
As an actor you are a professional speaker and storyteller. Practice speaking clearly and engagingly in everyday situations.
Professionalism
Behave professionally at auditions, gigs. Be easy to work with. Build stellar reputation that gets you rehired.
Organization/Punctuality
Juggling a busy audition schedule requires grit. Be organized, prompt, dedicated. Always know your lines cold.
Self-Promotion
Advocate for yourself. Have acting resumes, headshots, reels available. Promote work on social media. Generate buzz.
Dealing With Rejection and Setbacks
Pursuing an acting career means facing constant rejection and setbacks. Here are some strategies for coping:
Separate Performance From Self-Worth
Audition rejections are not a judgement of your value as a person. Staying grounded in self-acceptance lessens blow of rejections.
Reframe as Learning Experiences
Every audition and role, even unsuccessful ones, provides learning and growth. Reflect on experiences to keep improving.
Avoid Taking It Personally
Understand repeated rejection is part of the business. Don't let it chip away your self-confidence. Focus on your own progress.
Lean On Your Support System
Stay connected to encouraging friends/family who bolster your spirits during the ups and downs. Don't isolate when struggling.
Take Breaks When Needed
It's easy to get burnt out. Take time off if rejections are really getting you down. Clear your head and recharge. The opportunities will still be there.
Focus On The Work, Not The Results
Place attention on the preparation and performance itself. Detach from worrying about the outcome. Process over product.
Visualize Future Success
When demoralized, imagine yourself succeeding as an actor. Visualization fuels motivation and hope during rough patches.
Dealing With Success and Maintaining Humility
If your career takes off, success and fame brings different challenges. Stay grounded with these tips:
Express Gratitude
Consistently thank the people who helped you - instructors, agents, directors. Success is not achieved alone. Appreciate those on your team.
Give Back
Use your position to help others break into the industry. Recommend new talent to your agent. Audition unknown actors for your projects.
Stay Down-To-Earth
Don't let fame and fortune inflate your ego. Treat crews/fans with friendliness and respect. Remember your roots.
Keep Studying
Never stop learning, even at the height of success. Take classes, work with coaches. Hone your instrument lifelong.
Save/Invest Wisely
The acting income is unstable. Manage money prudently. Live below means. Save for dry spells and retirement.
Avoid Excessive Partying/Drugs
Steer clear of temptations and toxic scene behavior. Protect your instrument, reputation and bankability.
Maintain Work/Life Balance
Don't become consumed by career. Make time for family, friends, passions outside work. Keep perspective and replenish yourself.
Handling the Business Side of Acting
Beyond art and craft, acting is a business. Manage the business aspects wisely:
Research the Market
Know what's selling. What genres/archetypes are in demand? Align your image and training accordingly. Market yourself strategically.
Build Your Brand
Define and consistently project your personal brand. What makes you unique? Use image, style, online presence to build recognition.
DIY Marketing
Don't rely solely on agents to get you work. Make acting resumes, profile pages, websites. Self-promote actively on social media.
Learn to Negotiate
Study negotiating tactics before accepting jobs. Know your worth. Politely push for higher rates when possible. Say no if undervalued.
Understand the Trade-Offs
Certain gigs pay well but limit future options (e.g. softcore). Be selective about potential "boxes" you could get put in.
Save for Dry Spells
Acting income fluctuates wildly. Build emergency savings fund. Invest wisely. Buy insurance. Financially prepare for instability.
Know Your Rights/Contracts
Study acting labor laws, union rules. Understand what you are signing. Look out for your interests in binding contracts.
Dealing With Rejection At Auditions
Auditions typically involve constant rejection. Strategies to cope:
Don't Take It Personally
Rejections reflect factors beyond your control - age, type, what producers want that day. It's not about your worth.
Focus On the Experience
Rather than pressuring yourself to book the role, focus on enjoying the process and using the opportunity to improve.
Learn From It
Ask the casting team for feedback after. Improve weak areas. Adjust approach for next time.
Know When To Move On
If a project/role is repeatedly rejecting you after many tries, take it as a sign to shift focus elsewhere.
Come Prepared and Confident
Thorough preparation and believing in yourself maximizes chances of booking. Don't undermine yourself with self-doubt.
Have a Growth Mindset
View auditions as valuable growth and learning experiences, not pass/fail tests. This mindset reduces pressure.
Find the Fun
Lightheartedly enjoy auditions and simply put your best skills forward, rather than worrying about factors outside your control.
Keep Perspective
Auditions are a narrow window into your abilities. Don't let one determine your self-worth. Focus on big picture.
Key Takeaways
To recap, succeeding as an actor requires:
Comprehensive training through classes, degree programs and/or reputable coaches
Relentless perseverance through years of rejection and small roles while building skills and resume
Gaining experience through commercials, theater, indie films, background work
Continuous improvement by training and learning throughout your career
Thick skin and self-confidence to endure constant rejection
Wise management of the financial ups and downs
Staying humble, grateful and generous once achieving success
Acting is not an easy profession but tremendously rewarding if you possess dedication, passion and talent. With drive and patience, a successful acting career is possible.
Selecting Acting Coaches
When seeking private acting coaches, it's important to vet them thoroughly, as instruction quality varies greatly. Here are tips:
Verify credentials. Where did they train? What's their experience level? Do they have industry connections?
Ask for references. Reach out to former students for candid feedback.
Audit a class. Observe their teaching style before committing.
Look for specific expertise relevant to you - e.g. dialects, comedy, on-camera, etc.
Ensure they offer a curriculum. Avoid coaches who only offer general motivational advice without concrete technique.
Consider personality match. Respond best to tough love or gentle encouragement?
Investigate rates. Avoid either very cheap (red flag) or unaffordably expensive.
Go in with clear goals. Communicate the areas you want to improve. Ensure they can tailor training.
Discontinue if not seeing results, growth within a few months. Don't stick with bad fits hoping for improvement.
Creating an Acting Business Plan
Acting is freelance work so creating a business plan helps you strategically build your career, not just passively go on auditions.
Elements of an acting business plan:
Mission statement
Your career purpose, vision, goals. What fulfills you as an actor? Dream roles? Creative challenges?
Target market analysis
Your "niche" - age range, types, attributes you embody that are most castable. Leverage your niche.
SWOT analysis
Analyze your strengths, weaknesses as an actor, opportunities available, threats/risks to avoid.
SMART goals
Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound goals. E.g. Book 5 commercials in the next 6 months.
Growth strategy
Short and long-term plans to systematically build skills, experience, network, recognition.
Budget/financial forecasting
Project income and expenses. Plan for variability and dry spells. Set savings goals.
Marketing plan
Strategic self-promotion to attract opportunities - online presence, networking events, targeting influencers etc.
Performance tracking
Record auditions, callbacks, bookings. Analyze progress over time. Adjust strategies as needed.
Creating an intentional business plan rather than just improvising helps actors progress efficiently toward goals. It provides clarity and direction when the acting journey can otherwise feel aimless and frustrating.
Self-Tape Audition Tips
Many auditions now use video self-tapes rather than in-person. Some tips for self-taping:
Prep
Study the sides extensively. Memorize dialogue perfectly. Work out character choices.
Rehearse on-camera until the performance feels polished but fresh. Avoid seeming over-rehearsed.
Time yourself to ensure staying within limit.
Setup
Frame yourself from mid-chest up. Simple backgrounds only. Avoid distracting elements.
Use adequate front lighting. Side lighting creates unflattering shadows.
Place camera at eye level. Looking down distorts facial features.
Record strong audio. Use external mic if built-in mic sounds muffled.
Performance
Slate clearly with name, height, location.
Make engaged eye contact with the lens. Don't look down at sides.
Stand at mark and limit blocking to essential organic movement.
Take a moment before starting to get grounded. Breathe and focus.
Avoid stopping/restarting. Power through mistakes like you would on stage.
Delivering professional self-tape auditions requires practice but increases odds of getting callbacks as more roles use this system.
| Training and Education | Gaining Experience | Additional Skills for Actors |
|---|---|---|
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| Self-Improvement Areas | Handling Rejection and Setbacks | Dealing With Success and Humility |
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| Business Side of Acting | Dealing With Audition Rejection | Key Takeaways |
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| Selecting Acting Coaches | Creating an Acting Business Plan | Self-Tape Audition Tips |
|---|---|---|
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| Actor Training Resources | Handling the Business Side | Maintaining Humility and Perspective |
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Conclusion
Becoming a successful actor requires tremendous dedication, perseverance, hard work, and passion. The acting path is certainly not for the faint of heart - it necessitates weathering constant rejection, intense training, financial instability, and more. But for those willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears, acting can be an incredibly fulfilling, meaningful vocation.
The information in this guide gives aspiring actors an honest look at what it takes to make it in this competitive industry. From honing your skills through a mix of education and experience, to strategically managing the business side of acting, to coping emotionally with rejection, this covers the full spectrum of competencies required to succeed. While the acting journey is challenging, it is undeniably rewarding for those who wholeheartedly commit to the craft.
For any dreamers out there debating whether you have what it takes, use the knowledge in this guide to make an informed decision. Understand the demands and what you’ll need to sacrifice, but also trust that you have the inner strength to persist. If acting is your true passion, hold onto your vision and let it guide you through the difficult but gratifying path ahead. With laser focus, relentless commitment and humility, a thriving acting career awaits.