new here & in need of advice - Actors Forum is the Community to Talk, Learn and Study Acting.

cmb82 · 02-07-2007, 07:56 PM

hey everyone....I don't know exactly where to start but here goes.......

I want to get started on an acting career.....I've done local theater/drama groups when I was younger & fell in love with it.....I love everything about the craft & want to learn all that I can as well as turn it into a career....the only problem I have is....I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE HELL TO START....I'm in one of the greatest cities in the world (NYC) and yet I have no clue as to how to get my foot in the door....should I start w/ acting classes or a coach & try to network from there? or should I just try to find an agent who will want to give me a shot? I know so many people get ripped off each day by scam artists and I do NOT want to be one of those people.....I want to meet ligitamate people in the business who can help mentor me & guide me in the right direction....I've waited so long to pursue a dream & Im finally ready to go for it!!!!!

now that Im done with my little sob story

....how have some of you gotten into the business?? if anyone here is from NY who can give a little insight that would be so much appreciated....i need all the help I can get!!!!

Billy1970 · 02-09-2007, 02:25 AM

Well, first off...do you want to be a theater performer or a film and television actor?

Either way, acting classes are most definitely a necessity, and you will learn a lot just by being around other actors. Bear in mind that it is going to take a long time for you to see any meaningful results as far as a 'career' is concerned. The level of competition out there is tremendous, and most of the people that are working regularly have been at it for quite some time.

I would suggest you pick up at least one book each on Stella Adler, Robert Lewis, Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg and their associated techniques. Once you are familiar with them and what they taught, find a teacher or studio that suits you and start your learning.

As far as finding an agent, agent's make money by sending out talent that can book gigs. If you are fairly inexperienced, booking those gigs is pretty tough and as such, finding an agent shouldn't necessarily be a priority right now.

Whatever you do, don't spend any money on anything other than classes right now! Workshops, headshots, seminars and all that stuff should come after you spend a few months in a good school. The other actors in class will be able to help you determine better which are scams and which are more worthwhile, as most of them will have seen, done or had a friend who has done a lot of different things in that realm.

Have patience, and realize that it's a long road ahead. If you can hang onto that, you'll be fine. Best of Luck!

cmb82 · 02-09-2007, 08:36 AM

Billy1970...thanks so much for your help!!....I'd like to do film & television

I've been looking into getting into local theaters....I called up about a few open calls/auditions coming up in the next few weeks....if I can find a drama group locally that I can work with on a frequent basis that would be a good start I assume

Also...I;ve tried to find some good acting classes...one I came across is Lisa Regina's acting classes.... it's on camera training & the price is fairly reasonable...but I don't want to settle on the very FIRST classes I come across....I want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth & will walk away from the classes more educated & confident

are there any reliable websites w/ a list of acting classes/schools ???

Billy1970 · 02-09-2007, 04:47 PM

You are very welcome!

The only acting school that I have been to in NY is the Terry Schreiber Studios, down near F.I.T. They seem like a pretty solid group there, you may want to give them a whirl. The website is http://tschreiber.com/index.htm

Also, since you are interested in film and television acting, I have a book on just that subject. Don't worry, this isn't a sales pitch, it's completely free to download and read, no obligation. You can get straight to it here: FREE ACTING BOOK if you are interested.

Sorry I can't help more with the class situation, but like I said, I had a pretty good feeling about the folk over at T. Schreiber's place.

If you ever need info on classes out here in sunny Ellay, I could probably be of more assistance. I check the boards pretty often, feel free to drop a line if you have any other questions.

Best of Luck!

Malka · 03-16-2007, 06:05 PM

To get started, take ANY role (but be sensible, of course) you are offered.

I mean, not like in a pornographic movie or anything, but even a non-Union film, or start in radio or news. ANYTHING to do with the entertainment business will get you one step further.

Take classes. Nothing helps more than either reading a book or watching a tutorial video or EVEN taking a hands-on course at a local Drama studio or college.

I'll give you a good example regarding my second paragraph. I've been told I'm a great writer, so I started sending in scripts to producers. They took them instantly, and we produced a short film. Then; one day fooling around in the lunch room in the studio; I began reading from my script. The director saw; loved me, and ever since I've been acting in plays, movies, commercials, music videos, news and radio. I guess I had it easy; since all I had to do was write a script and within a month I was acting, but for others it's next to impossible to get started.

One tip: never give up.

Hope this helped and good look with you're acting career!