4 answers
Melayah
Student
Winter Park, Florida
1
Question
Updated
2430 views
How can I become an actor at age 13?
Hi, I am 13 years old almost an 8th grader and I love acting so I told my mom that I wanted to do real acting like on TV be in a movie or TV show how can I make that happen?
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4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
2646
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Melayah !
Becoming a professional actress at age 13 while in junior high school and living in Winter Park will depend on what your parents are willing to support. A parent is going to have to pay for and provide oversight and supervision of your career 100%. Acting is not a guaranteed career, it's more like a chance one takes when making the moves to be in the right place after being fully trained as an actress. If you can drop everything, fly out to L.A. tonight and perform in front of a camera, you may be ready, however, if not, you may need to start your training once you are 18 and in college and do it on your own. Your school would also have to allow you to take indefinite time off. So, at age 13, it can be a difficult thing if everyone is not 100% committed and available to oversee your career.
There is a lot to learn and much life experience needed to be in the professional world as an actress. It's not just something people jump into because they want to do it. What you're seeing when you watch a movie or TV show is time spent collaborating with other entertainment professionals, a week of rehearsal, and for film can be months of location travel. It all looks wonderful when it's the finished product, but a lot of time, energy and commitment goes into it and you'll have to be sure, at age 13, that you can make that commitment with your mom along and know exactly what directors want to see. You'd also need to know how to interact with other actors on camera, too.
If you are not ready for this yet, you can easily begin training at college when you are 18 years old and do it on your own. Majoring in Theatre is usually a first step for everyone because it gives you a strong foundation for acting and you can always take film and television acting in the community. You'll also want to obtain your Bachelors Degree in Theatre because a bright future with more opportunity for other types of work can be enhanced by getting a college degree.
The other thing is that there really isn't an even frequent flow for 13 year old actors. You'd need to have an agent in New York or Los Angeles (and live there) that would know the industry and pinpoint roles for you to audition for for the age that you look, not specifically 13. In this industry, your age is the age that you look, not your actual age. You would also have to expect that you wouldn't get every role you audition for. Agents would need to choose you, not you choosing an agent. Actors are judged on how they look, how they sound and talent.
So determine if you are actually ready for this time and financial commitment right now at age 13 and that your mother would be by your side every moment, that you and your mom fully understand the television, film and theatre industries. If not, start at 18 years old through college.
No matter what else you hear, never put your images, name and information on social media in hopes to be an actress. It is not done this way and can lead to problems. Do not invest in photos until you are ready to work. For now, if you're not fully ready, do plays and video projects in school and throughout high school to gain initial experience before more advanced training at college. It's okay to wait until you are 18 to start advanced training for acting, that's when I started.
I hope this helps and I urge you to keep exploring this complex career and I wish you all this best !
Becoming a professional actress at age 13 while in junior high school and living in Winter Park will depend on what your parents are willing to support. A parent is going to have to pay for and provide oversight and supervision of your career 100%. Acting is not a guaranteed career, it's more like a chance one takes when making the moves to be in the right place after being fully trained as an actress. If you can drop everything, fly out to L.A. tonight and perform in front of a camera, you may be ready, however, if not, you may need to start your training once you are 18 and in college and do it on your own. Your school would also have to allow you to take indefinite time off. So, at age 13, it can be a difficult thing if everyone is not 100% committed and available to oversee your career.
There is a lot to learn and much life experience needed to be in the professional world as an actress. It's not just something people jump into because they want to do it. What you're seeing when you watch a movie or TV show is time spent collaborating with other entertainment professionals, a week of rehearsal, and for film can be months of location travel. It all looks wonderful when it's the finished product, but a lot of time, energy and commitment goes into it and you'll have to be sure, at age 13, that you can make that commitment with your mom along and know exactly what directors want to see. You'd also need to know how to interact with other actors on camera, too.
If you are not ready for this yet, you can easily begin training at college when you are 18 years old and do it on your own. Majoring in Theatre is usually a first step for everyone because it gives you a strong foundation for acting and you can always take film and television acting in the community. You'll also want to obtain your Bachelors Degree in Theatre because a bright future with more opportunity for other types of work can be enhanced by getting a college degree.
The other thing is that there really isn't an even frequent flow for 13 year old actors. You'd need to have an agent in New York or Los Angeles (and live there) that would know the industry and pinpoint roles for you to audition for for the age that you look, not specifically 13. In this industry, your age is the age that you look, not your actual age. You would also have to expect that you wouldn't get every role you audition for. Agents would need to choose you, not you choosing an agent. Actors are judged on how they look, how they sound and talent.
So determine if you are actually ready for this time and financial commitment right now at age 13 and that your mother would be by your side every moment, that you and your mom fully understand the television, film and theatre industries. If not, start at 18 years old through college.
No matter what else you hear, never put your images, name and information on social media in hopes to be an actress. It is not done this way and can lead to problems. Do not invest in photos until you are ready to work. For now, if you're not fully ready, do plays and video projects in school and throughout high school to gain initial experience before more advanced training at college. It's okay to wait until you are 18 to start advanced training for acting, that's when I started.
I hope this helps and I urge you to keep exploring this complex career and I wish you all this best !
Toni Deaver
Working to become significant, also Act, Direct, Write, Sing, Produce film/theater
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Toni’s Answer
Movies and Television shows always have roles written for young people. However, because of child labor laws and insurance demands, typically those roles are being played by adults 18 and older who look high school age. Commercials , Soap Opera and Theater are where folks younger than 18 can find most of their work. And these mediums are great for learning self discipline, self care, how to work with others, responsibility, and other life skills that will prove super important to having a successful life and a long lasting career.
I started acting on the local Bozo show when I was just a little kid. Though I acted in theater throughout high school and college, I didn't begin acting professionally again until I moved to a big market. I've found that often actors can feel discouraged and even depressed by the seeming lack of opportunity out in the world. I, however, know from experience, it's not who you know, it's who knows you. And the more knowledge and experience you can acquire in the entertainment industry, the more value you are going to bring to a project you want to be a part of. I've learned not only how to act and direct, how to help "young" actors on a set understand what's going on around them and how to "play" their part to accommodate the camera, but also how to produce, to read contracts, and how to spot, befriend and hang onto good people who know and have skills I don't have. So when any producer is looking for a skill l I don't have, then I am able to recommend someone who does and I've just become more valuable to 2 people in the industry. One needs a position filled by a trustworthy individual and the other needed a job. And because trustworthy, hardworking individuals are not easily found, they are both much more likely to remember me because I helped then. Now, after many decades doing this and that, I'm currently exec. prod some projects- all of which I'm attached to in some capacity.
Plus, as an actor, I'm cast in a series that's going into production soon, just because the lead producer is a friend and I've helped him in the past. If you learn to develop integrity in your life, and seek ways to bring value to people they will carry you far in all aspects of your life.
I started acting on the local Bozo show when I was just a little kid. Though I acted in theater throughout high school and college, I didn't begin acting professionally again until I moved to a big market. I've found that often actors can feel discouraged and even depressed by the seeming lack of opportunity out in the world. I, however, know from experience, it's not who you know, it's who knows you. And the more knowledge and experience you can acquire in the entertainment industry, the more value you are going to bring to a project you want to be a part of. I've learned not only how to act and direct, how to help "young" actors on a set understand what's going on around them and how to "play" their part to accommodate the camera, but also how to produce, to read contracts, and how to spot, befriend and hang onto good people who know and have skills I don't have. So when any producer is looking for a skill l I don't have, then I am able to recommend someone who does and I've just become more valuable to 2 people in the industry. One needs a position filled by a trustworthy individual and the other needed a job. And because trustworthy, hardworking individuals are not easily found, they are both much more likely to remember me because I helped then. Now, after many decades doing this and that, I'm currently exec. prod some projects- all of which I'm attached to in some capacity.
Plus, as an actor, I'm cast in a series that's going into production soon, just because the lead producer is a friend and I've helped him in the past. If you learn to develop integrity in your life, and seek ways to bring value to people they will carry you far in all aspects of your life.
Patrick Phillips
screenwriter
20
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Hi, Melayah! Agree, I would totally follow what Michelle and Karin both suggested - it's very smart, and very thorough. I can't add anything. Except maybe this quote I heard the very first time I worked as a crew member on a movie set. My boss, the prop master, told me, "There's more acting on set than just the actors." Ha! I dunno. I always that was kinda odd, but... he was right. I wish you tons of fun and success. Good luck, Melayah!
Best,
Patrick
Best,
Patrick
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
727
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Melayah,
I would suggest that you start close to home. Does your school have a theater group? Can you maybe convince a teacher to lead a theater group or a movie group? You can pick out a play or write a movie script with the group. Plan to perform at a school festival.
There are also theater companies and acting classes/camps in Winter Springs. Check them out. If your parents are on board you can start with some training.
https://cfcarts.com/event/middle-and-high-school-acting-camp-2/
https://cfcarts.com/perform/youth-theatre/camps/
https://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/fst-school/for-youth
https://winterspringsarts.org/
Also, listen to Michelle M. She is an actual actress and knows the business.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
I would suggest that you start close to home. Does your school have a theater group? Can you maybe convince a teacher to lead a theater group or a movie group? You can pick out a play or write a movie script with the group. Plan to perform at a school festival.
There are also theater companies and acting classes/camps in Winter Springs. Check them out. If your parents are on board you can start with some training.
https://cfcarts.com/event/middle-and-high-school-acting-camp-2/
https://cfcarts.com/perform/youth-theatre/camps/
https://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/fst-school/for-youth
https://winterspringsarts.org/
Also, listen to Michelle M. She is an actual actress and knows the business.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP