Becoming an Actor: 4 Tips to Help You Begin Your Acting Career
Kendon Tillis, Omar Cook, Duane Finley, Maurice Hardwick, Demetre Davis, Anthony Russell, and Adonis Armstrong on set of movie LA Undercover 2.
By: Omar Cook
Beginning your acting career can be an exciting yet daunting journey. While the entertainment industry offers endless opportunities, navigating the path to success requires careful and strategic planning.
Of course we all want to be the next biggest star, Oscar winner, and booking all of the top roles, but we have to start from somewhere. Here are four essential tips to help you begin your acting career on the right foot!
1. Enroll in Acting Classes
One of the first steps to beginning your acting career is by developing your skills through professional acting classes. These classes provide invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience, refine your talent, and build a strong foundation in acting techniques. Whether you're a complete novice or have some experience in the field, acting classes offer a supportive environment where you can learn from seasoned instructors and fellow aspiring actors. By immersing yourself in acting classes, you'll not only develop your craft but also network with industry professionals and discover new opportunities for growth.
To begin your journey with acting classes, check out 247LC Film Academy.
2. Invest in Professional Headshots
Acting is a competitive environment, and, first impressions matter. Professional headshots serve as your calling card in the industry, showcasing your unique look and personality to casting directors and talent agents. Investing in high-quality headshots is essential to making a memorable impression and increasing your chances of landing auditions. When choosing a photographer, choose someone with notable industry experience in capturing headshots for actors and performers. Ensure that your headshots accurately represent your age range, casting type, and potential roles, as you will need headshots to match certain character types.
3. Build a Professional Actor Reel
A video reel is a powerful tool for actors to showcase their talent and versatility to casting directors and agents. If you don't have professional reel footage yet, you can create your own by filming yourself performing 2-3 monologues or scenes. Use a high-quality camera, such as an iPhone, and make sure that you have good lighting and sound quality. Choose monologues or scenes that showcase your acting range and personality. Once you have your footage, edit it together with the most exciting scenes first, and include clips that showcase your talent. A great video reel can significantly increase your chances of receiving auditions and landing roles. As you begin to book more projects, update your video reel to reflect your current talent.
Omar Cook | Acting Demo Reel (2022)
4. Create a Profile on Casting Networks
In today's entertainment industry, casting networks have become the primary tools for actors seeking auditions and casting opportunities. Platforms like Backstage, Casting Networks, Actors Access, and central casting allow actors to create online profiles, upload headshots and resumes, and apply for auditions across various projects. By creating a profile on casting networks, you gain access to a vast network of casting calls, ranging from film and television productions, short films, to commercials and theater gigs. Be sure to regularly update your profile with recent headshots, credits, and demo reels to showcase your skills and experience effectively. Actors should make time at least twice a day to self submit to casting networks to begin receiving auditions.
Starting your acting career requires dedication, perseverance, and hustle. By enrolling in acting classes, investing in professional headshots and a reel, and creating profiles on casting networks, you'll set yourself up for success and take significant strides toward achieving your dreams in the world of acting. Acting is a journey and not an overnight process. Stay diligent to your goals, train your talents in class, and persevere through the up and down moments that come with working in a highly competitive industry.
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