Many kids dream of becoming actors. But some of them do not pursue an acting career as they get older. This might be because they don’t know what to do next or have no idea what casting calls or showreel acting is. So, if you really want to break into the acting industry, there are a couple of secrets you need to know.
Things You Need to Know
Being an actor isn’t easy; any American or Australian actress can tell you that. There are bumps on the road that might not be as easy to overcome as others. To help you stay on top of your game and potentially land major acting jobs, there are things about acting you need to know. Here are some of them:
Know Your Strengths
The decision-makers in the film and television and theatre world are looking for actors who suit specific roles, and you need to be ok with the fact that that won’t be you most of the time. Rejection, for want of a better word, occurs every day everywhere in the acting world. So instead of getting down on yourself, find your strengths in what you can bring to an acting role and to a working team on a set or theatre and cultivate that. There is only one you! So make that the best you you can and leave the rest up to the universe.
Figure Out What You Want
Acting as a job encompasses a very broad field. Various kinds of acting require different skills, e.g. clowning, street theatre, kids television, drama etc. If all you are sure about is that you want an acting job, you may need to pause for a moment. Think about or even jot ideas down of what that looks like to you and discover what kind of acting it is you really want to try. Stage acting is different from on-screen acting; the same goes for voice acting. You are allowed to take on different career paths, but make sure to take things slowly and one at a time.
Rough Start
Anyone who had a long career in acting will tell you that there is no easy start to the industry. This is especially true in your first year of finding an acting job. If you have a faint-of-heart, sorry to say this, but you may not make it in this business. You need to find a strategy to keep yourself going.
Focus on Yourself
Someone has probably told you before that “jealousy is a killer in this industry”. And they are not wrong. One of the biggest mistakes you can make in the acting world is comparing yourself to others. Some people will always be better than you. If you compare yourself to them, you will only end up crushing your self-confidence. The only one you should focus on is yourself. Find ways to improve yourself as an actor and always be yourself. Don’t be your own saboteur.
Trust the Casting Director
You may think that the only person standing between you and your big break is the casting director. But that’s not true at all. The casting director’s job is to find the best actor to play the role. They also want you to do well on your audition. When you ace the audition, you make their jobs easier. The more talent they can find, the happier the director will be. So, trust the casting director. All you have to do is give them the best audition, and they can help you reach your dreams.
Always Be Professional
Getting an acting job is not something you do when you are bored. It is a real career that a lot of people work hard for. That is why you owe it to the people of the industry to keep things professional. This means you need to be always prepared with your requirements and audition piece. Being professional also means you need to be on time for every casting call. What you wear will also reflect your professionalism, so dress accordingly.
It Takes Character
You may have the best acting chops in town, but if you have a poor attitude, you aren’t going anywhere. More than one actor who auditioned can play the role perfectly; this is where personality comes in. If your attitude is one that most people don’t want to deal with for months on set, your chances of getting the part may be slim. Hence, you must always treat everyone with respect. Being a good person shouldn’t just be a rule in acting, but it is a general rule in life.
Giving Up Is Never an Option
Acting is a challenging career to pursue. It takes a lot of hard work, patience, and determination. This is not a career for anyone who gives up when the going gets tough. Acting is for those who are passionate and are willing to make sacrifices for what they love. You mustn’t give up, especially in acting, where things don’t always go your way. Find other opportunities and keep on trying. You will eventually find a break.
Try Not to be Perfect in Your Audition
Seriously! because that makes what the casting director sees more ‘real to life’ and in effect more interesting. It reveals your essence. Also, if you don’t connect to an audition piece straight away, keep working on it, keep trying, talk with fellow actors and brainstorm, you will find connection to it eventually and from there you can dive in and bring the audition piece to life. And have fun and remember don’t aim for perfection.
Acting Background
Another thing that can help you land an acting gig is a strong acting background. Casting directors want people with some kind of experience, such as acting school, being an extra, and whatever acting gig you can get a hold of. All these may not seem relevant at first, but as you gain more experience, your credibility as an actor also increases. So, don’t take your opportunities for granted.
Trust the Process
And the last thing is you must never forget to trust the process. There is a system to the acting industry; you just have to put your faith in it. You need to trust the people you meet along the way, from agents, directors, and fellow actors. Most importantly, trust yourself. Believe you did a great job with showreel acting and that you aced your audition. Because with enough confidence, you will be ready to play any role.
Looking for an Acting Job?
Need tips for your next acting job? Australian actress Erin Connor knows all about that. Find out more about her here.
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