You've caught the acting bug, you have that undeniable and insatiable passion for the world of performance. Whether you've recently discovered a flair for the dramatic or you've been harbouring dreams of the stage or the screen for as long as you can remember, the million dollar question now is, "What's next?"
Embarking on a journey to become an actor is an exhilarating yet often frustrating experience. The allure of the spotlight, the thrill of embodying different characters, and the possibility of making a profound impact on audiences - it's a calling that ignites a unique kind of excitement. With this excitement comes a multitude of questions: Where do I start? How do I navigate auditions? What steps can I take to transform my passion into a tangible career? How do I deal with the rejections and the negativity?
Actors often find themselves overwhelmed with the abundance of information available online. In this guide, we will give you an overview of a few practical steps that will help you determine if acting is the right fit for you and provide a pathway towards a professional career in acting.
Clarify your passion and commitment: Before diving in, introspection is crucial to decide whether this is genuinely your calling. This inward journey will be different for everyone, but there are a few things you can do to help aid this process You could start by taking an acting class or participate in local theatre productions. These low-stake environments offer valuable insights into your comfort level with performing. Acting is not just a career, it's a commitment, even a way of life. Even if after these initial experiences, you remain committed and driven to pursue a career, there may still be a long way to go until you are able to secure paid work in this competitive industry.
Diversify your skill set: You can create a significant point of difference from other actors by adding additional skills to your acting skill set. Learning skills such as driving, horse riding, martial arts, acrobatics, ability to speak foreign languages and dialects, can not only enhance your visibility but also open up opportunities for roles that demand specific talents.
Building your portfolio: As a beginner, your resume may not have professional credits, but this doesn't mean it needs to be empty. Take charge of your career by generating your own material. Write scripts, re-create scenes from your favourite plays or movies, and practice self-tape auditions. Make sure you have high-quality headshots and demo reel for a well-rounded portfolio.
Be visible: Make sure that people can see what you are doing, what you are capable of and what you are like to work with. Use social media to your advantage and guard against material and content that works against you. Work out how to develop traffic to the media that will be of most use to you. Be sure to cross reference media on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, IMDB, and websites.
Representation: Once you've honed your skills and are ready for a more professional approach, it may be time for you to seek representation. Connecting with an agency, that specialises in providing actors to your preferred mediums, can provide you with access to a vast network within the industry, which in turn increases your visibility and chances of securing auditions. (We don't have to tell you that this is where we shine, but yes, this is where we shine).
The steps may or may not be the same for everyone, but you have to remember that your journey is uniquely yours with its own struggles and triumphs. Embrace the learning process, relish every audition, find inspiration in the setbacks, and most importantly let your love for acting guide you towards a fulfilling career. And remember, everyone's journey starts in exactly the same way, with a single step!