Hey guys! I've been gone a while but for good reason. Well, maybe not a good reason for you but a good reason for me. I've started getting serious about my acting and fashion stylist careers. I've been spending many hours doing research and I thought I would share it with you guys! Starting with acting:
So the first thing you need before you can do anything as an actor is experience. As they say, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." And when you're trying to get to know someone, they want to see what makes you special. Why should they give you the time of day? So if you don't have much experience, chances are they're probably thinking that it's some phase you're going through. That you're not really serious about becoming an actor. Or that you just don't have any talent.
So how do you get experience? Well I just learned this myself and when I learned it I was like "Duhh. Why didn't I think of that before?" There are plenty of things to do no matter where you live.
1. If you're still in high school, use up some of your elective courses for Theatre Arts/Drama. Create or join a Thespian group for after school. Audition for school plays. If there are any kind of filmmaking classes or extracurriculars, go to the Film Teacher or some of the students and ask if they need actors. If they don't, leave your name and email address/phone number so when they have positions available, they will have your info.
2. If you've already graduated (or you can still be in high school) Google local community theatres. Write them down on pen and paper and call them up. Ask where you can find auditions. If you're not yet comfortable with auditioning, ask if you can help with prop set up or anything backstage. Maybe you can even intern somewhere. Don't exclude any opportunity because anything can help and will be great for a resume.
3. Touching on the earlier subject of not being comfortable to audition, get your butt in acting classes if you're not in high school. Again, Google local acting classes. And don't just commit to one place for a long period of time (unless that's what you really want to do) but it's always good to go from place to place because what one teacher may not tell you another one will. Take maybe one 8 week course one place and another someplace else. This can also help your resume look fuller. If you don't have the money for a class, ask if you can audit which basically means sit in on a class for free to see if it's something you'd be interested in. And if you do like it, ask your parents, save your allowance, or if you're old enough, get a job.
4. Most actors are pretty good singers, so try to take some singing lessons if time and money permits. It also helps with your speaking voice!
5. Prepare at least 3 monologues (get them, memorize them and practice them). You should have a classic one (such as Shakespeare), a dramatic and a comedic. This shows you are versatile and you don't only have to do one thing.
6. Google your local film commission. For me, I typed in Dallas Film Office (just replace Dallas for wherever you live) and it gave me a film commission which gives you everything from extras casting to make up artists/stylists and independent films. If it has to do with film in your region, it's on the website. Find some local independent films and audition or become an extra.
Once you do all of that (or most of it), it's time you got a little bit more serious because by now, you're positive that this is what you want to do. Save up some money (about $400 or a little more) and research some good photographers. It's time to get a headshot. Make sure that your photographer isn't asking you to pay an absurd amount. Like I said around $400 or $500 is ideal depending on how many copies you want.
When you have all that and you're pretty confident you won't be turned down, it's time to start researching agents. Now remember while you're researching, agents don't ask for money upfront. If they do, it's a scam. Now once your signed, they will ask for maybe prints and other stuff and in that case, if it's not unreasonable, go for it. Just make sure you know what the expenses are before you sign the contract.
That's basically everything I researched so far. If you want to know more, click
here and there are some really good tips. I haven't acted on any of this information yet but I'm trying to get a job and as soon as I do, then I will!
As for styling, you can call your local community theatres and see if the costumer needs any interns or any kind of help. You can also Google local stylists/image consultants/costume designers and ask the same thing. Look up fashion houses/showrooms that are close to you and maybe they know about local fashion shows and internships that you can participate in.
As I've said, there are many opportunities, you just have to know how to get them. I have researched all of the above and all of my local places and we're going to make some things happen sometime this week hopefully.
Good luck to you!
