2 answers
Tamlin
Student
Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa
1
Question
Asked
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Is it possible for a young girl like me start a acting career?how?
I'm a young teenage girl with big dreams.In my hometown aren't really good oppertunities for us .I wanna start a acting career but i don't know how.Im not a experienced actor but im a fast learner.Im also a top student and i wanna continue in the business world too.So basically im aiming high,i wanna reach,be things and do things i thought i couldn't. All i need is some good advice and a good shot at this.
#movies,#acting,#entertainment
#entrepreneur,#career
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2 answers
Chuck Intrieri
Business Consulting
22
Answers
San Luis Obispo, California
Updated
Chuck’s Answer
Hello Tamlin:
It is possible. Follow these steps:
Headshots
Good headshots are essential for your child’s career. A headshot is your child’s business card. It is a casting director’s first impression and a way for your performer to get his or her foot in the door. Initially, parents need not spend money on headshots for children. A good candid photo will be sufficient for an initial interview. However, once your child progresses in his or her career, a professional headshot is essential. Headshots should be a natural representation of your child—a picture that shows their personality. Be sure to find a photographer who has worked with children and photographs in an environment that is compatible with what you want.
Résumé
A résumé provides casting directors with your child’s range of experience. It can be an indicator of your child’s type, which can help him or her land jobs. A résumé is not just a list of acting credits, it is also a place for your child to highlight special skills such as dance, dialects, and sports, as well as acting training. The résumé should be laid out simply in columns, making it easy to read. Do not include your home phone number or an address; instead, provide a cellphone contact. There is also no need to mention your child’s age or age range, as this is limiting.
Demo reel
While this isn’t essential for a beginning acting career, it can help. A demo reel provides an image of your child’s presence, how they look on film, and his or her acting ability. It is a bonus for casting directors, as they can gain a sense of your child’s personality.
Audition materials
Just as headshots are your child’s business cards, audition materials such as monologues and songs are the portfolio. Your child should have two short, contrasting monologues memorized that he or she feels comfortable performing in auditions or interviews. If your child sings, they should also have 16 bars of a song performance-ready. A personal connection to the monologue and song is an opportunity to show authenticity and skills, as well as a range of diversity.
Training
Training is an essential element of your child’s acting career. This is a competitive business where luck, talent, and opportunity meet. Having the right look for a role is key, but the talent is what wins out. In my professional opinion, a combination of weekly group classes, workshops, and private coaching is the best training regimen for your child’s artistic growth.
Supportive family
All of the elements I have discussed are important to your child’s acting career, but none so much as having familial support. Professional acting is a full-time job and it requires support and encouragement from everyone. Rejection is a large part of the entertainment industry; with every success your child experiences, multiple failures precede it. Acting takes a remarkable amount of courage and determination. It’s an industry in which you need to believe wholeheartedly in your abilities as a performer. In order for your child to succeed, you must take a leap of faith as a family and encourage each other on this fantastic journey.
Do the things suggested in my reply and audition for any acting possibility for you.
It is possible. Follow these steps:
Headshots
Good headshots are essential for your child’s career. A headshot is your child’s business card. It is a casting director’s first impression and a way for your performer to get his or her foot in the door. Initially, parents need not spend money on headshots for children. A good candid photo will be sufficient for an initial interview. However, once your child progresses in his or her career, a professional headshot is essential. Headshots should be a natural representation of your child—a picture that shows their personality. Be sure to find a photographer who has worked with children and photographs in an environment that is compatible with what you want.
Résumé
A résumé provides casting directors with your child’s range of experience. It can be an indicator of your child’s type, which can help him or her land jobs. A résumé is not just a list of acting credits, it is also a place for your child to highlight special skills such as dance, dialects, and sports, as well as acting training. The résumé should be laid out simply in columns, making it easy to read. Do not include your home phone number or an address; instead, provide a cellphone contact. There is also no need to mention your child’s age or age range, as this is limiting.
Demo reel
While this isn’t essential for a beginning acting career, it can help. A demo reel provides an image of your child’s presence, how they look on film, and his or her acting ability. It is a bonus for casting directors, as they can gain a sense of your child’s personality.
Audition materials
Just as headshots are your child’s business cards, audition materials such as monologues and songs are the portfolio. Your child should have two short, contrasting monologues memorized that he or she feels comfortable performing in auditions or interviews. If your child sings, they should also have 16 bars of a song performance-ready. A personal connection to the monologue and song is an opportunity to show authenticity and skills, as well as a range of diversity.
Training
Training is an essential element of your child’s acting career. This is a competitive business where luck, talent, and opportunity meet. Having the right look for a role is key, but the talent is what wins out. In my professional opinion, a combination of weekly group classes, workshops, and private coaching is the best training regimen for your child’s artistic growth.
Supportive family
All of the elements I have discussed are important to your child’s acting career, but none so much as having familial support. Professional acting is a full-time job and it requires support and encouragement from everyone. Rejection is a large part of the entertainment industry; with every success your child experiences, multiple failures precede it. Acting takes a remarkable amount of courage and determination. It’s an industry in which you need to believe wholeheartedly in your abilities as a performer. In order for your child to succeed, you must take a leap of faith as a family and encourage each other on this fantastic journey.
Chuck recommends the following next steps:
Hi Chuck,and thank you.
Your answer really helped me.And I'll do as you said in your reply and go for auditions .Thank you.
Tamlin
Tamlin: It is my pleasure to help you.
Chuck Intrieri
Hi Tamlin!
My name is Courtney and I got my BFA in Acting from Missouri State University! I'd be happy to help answer your questions!
Dreaming big dreams takes courage and strength and I applaud you for that! Being a willing and fast learner means more than having experience, so no worries!
I understand where you're coming from as far as not having a lot of opportunities in your area to pursue acting. With the virus shutting down a lot of opportunities this year, it also provides a unique challenge.
Courtney Hittle
My advice would be to get together with some of your friends who have similar passions and write your own scripts and act in them! You can really learn a lot by creating your own plays and films. Don't worry about them being good quality. They'll get better as you go! Even professional actors are always creating their own projects to sharpen their skills. My classmates and I did a showcase for industry professionals in LA, and one thing they talked about the most was the importance of creating your own content. It helps you find your voice as an actor, keeps your skills fresh, and can be used to show the people you're auditioning for what you can do and what you're passionate about!
Courtney Hittle
Courtney Hittle
Actress
1
Answer
Springfield, Missouri
Updated
Courtney’s Answer
Hi Tamlin!
My name is Courtney and I got my BFA in Acting from Missouri State University! I'd be happy to help answer your questions!
Dreaming big dreams takes courage and strength and I applaud you for that! Being a willing and fast learner means more than having experience, so no worries!
I understand where you're coming from as far as not having a lot of opportunities in your area to pursue acting. With the virus shutting down a lot of opportunities this year, it also provides a unique challenge.
My advice would be to get together with some of your friends who have similar passions and write your own scripts and act in them! You can really learn a lot by creating your own plays and films. Don't worry about them being good quality. They'll get better as you go! Even professional actors are always creating their own projects to sharpen their skills. My classmates and I did a showcase for industry professionals in LA, and one thing they talked about the most was the importance of creating your own content. It helps you find your voice as an actor, keeps your skills fresh, and can be used to show the people you're auditioning for what you can do and what you're passionate about!
If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out!
Best wishes! Keep dreaming big!
My name is Courtney and I got my BFA in Acting from Missouri State University! I'd be happy to help answer your questions!
Dreaming big dreams takes courage and strength and I applaud you for that! Being a willing and fast learner means more than having experience, so no worries!
I understand where you're coming from as far as not having a lot of opportunities in your area to pursue acting. With the virus shutting down a lot of opportunities this year, it also provides a unique challenge.
My advice would be to get together with some of your friends who have similar passions and write your own scripts and act in them! You can really learn a lot by creating your own plays and films. Don't worry about them being good quality. They'll get better as you go! Even professional actors are always creating their own projects to sharpen their skills. My classmates and I did a showcase for industry professionals in LA, and one thing they talked about the most was the importance of creating your own content. It helps you find your voice as an actor, keeps your skills fresh, and can be used to show the people you're auditioning for what you can do and what you're passionate about!
If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out!
Best wishes! Keep dreaming big!