How To Become An Actor

BridgeTTC

Are you interested in becoming an actor? It can be a challenge but this guide will give you a crash course in how to get into acting even if you don’t have any experience yet. Follow these steps and hopefully you’ll be following your passion and acting in no time.

How to get into acting with no experience

Do your research
Research is key when it comes to learning a new skillset like acting. Start by studying up on some of the basics of acting through books or online articles and videos. This will help you get a better idea of what’s in store for you as an aspiring actor. It will also help you get a better idea of the direction you want to go in and to see if there is any particular area of acting you want to specialise in. Are you interested in stage acting, screen acting, or voice acting for instance. Are you more interested in comedy acting or more serious drama? You can try looking into the success stories of other actors and find out how they got from where you are now to where they are now. See what acting opportunities there are in your local area and start networking to find acting groups or events near you.

Attend workshops and classes
Actual practice is worth much more than theory so you’ll want to get as much experience as you can to develop your skills and understanding. Attending local classes and workshops will give you hands-on experience in a supportive environment among others who are all also there to learn. You’ll get a chance to practice acting both individually and in groups as well as ask questions of experienced teachers or directors.

Take a course
If you’re serious about becoming an actor then joining some kind of acting course or drama school will be the best route for you. Most actors you’ve heard of would have gone through some kind of full-time training like this as it’s seen as a rite of passage for aspiring actors. You’ll learn all the fundamentals of acting such as characterisation, script analysis, and proper voice technique as well as get the chance to perform in live theatre shows.

How to start an acting career

Know your stuff
The first step when building an acting career is to actually develop yourself as an actor. Not only does this apply to the craft itself so you can play parts effectively, but also the professionalism you exhibit when dealing with other actors and industry professionals. People will only want to work with you if you’re reliable and easy to get on with. You’ll need to be well-trained to show that you know your stuff so consider a drama school course or something similar to hone your skills and get things started. If you’re trying to be successful in the acting industry then make sure you know more about it first.

Get professional headshots done
These are high-quality photos of you that go on your CV and online profiles. These should ideally be done by a professional photographer. They will take a large batch of photos of you to choose from. You should try to avoid wearing fashion accessories like glasses or hats. Click here for examples of headshots.

Write an acting CV
Your acting CV should include basic information about you and your acting experience such as credits, training, headshot, contact details. Make sure you have some copies available in print form to bring to auditions.

Get acting credits
When you appear in a production you can add this credit to your acting CV. The more experience you have the more doors will be opened for you. When starting off you can look into appearing in indie short films and YouTube projects or getting involved in local theatre.

Join Spotlight and Equity
Once you have enough acting credits you’ll be eligible to join Spotlight and Equity which are highly recommended for all actors. Typically drama school credits will count towards your applications to these entities.

Record a professional showreel
This is a video that showcases your abilities and experience. A good showreel will include your best credits, genres you excel in, and a range of styles that you can do. This video quality should be high so it’s best to hire professional help with this. You could even approach final year film students who will be looking for actors for their projects.

Build up your online presence
In this digital age you’ll want to be active on as many online platforms as possible. Create acting profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and professional sites like Mandy. To be taken even more seriously you can get a website made for yourself where you can add showreels and credits. You may even want to hire a digital marketing agency who can increase the amount of online traffic that your site and social media channels are getting.

Get agency representation
Finding an agent to represent you can be challenging early on in your career but representation should be something that you’re striving to get. They will help you find acting roles and work hard to develop your career on your behalf. In a tough industry it always pays to have someone watching your back. You can attract attention from agents by appearing in productions or showcases. You should also be writing to agents to let them know you’re seeking representation and ask them to consider you.

Find auditions and casting calls
The aim of a professional actor is to get plenty of good acting roles and to this you’ll need to attend a lot of auditions and casting calls. An agent will help you with this but you should also be searching for jobs yourself. Apply to any jobs you see online, get networking, and use your contacts. Once you’re getting regular work and making a living from acting you’ll know you’ve definitely made it in to the world of professional acting!

Want to get into acting?

As mentioned earlier, taking an acting course is the best way to hone your skills and learn everything you need to succeed in the industry. The Bridge Theatre Training Company in London provides high-quality training to help you develop your acting skills and launch your career.