How do I get started? What do I do? Is this legitimate? What would you do?
These are a few of the questions I get asked all the time. With this post, my hope is to provide answers for some or point others in a direction where those answers can be found. I, by no means, am making some egoist pronouncement of my prowess and dominance of the craft of Acting. I am merely providing some tools to get the job done. Whatever job that may be.
So you want to act? What kind of acting? Let me guess, movies. Right?
Every year with out fail, like some deep seated instinctual yearning, America’s Prom Queens and Homecoming Kings migrate to our poles of celebrity; L.A. or New York. They seek the gleem of the bright lights and the infectious and more notably fickle gaze of Hamilton’s beast. In this pursuit, these mighty kings and queens often find the darker resesses of celebrity and too late the glaring light of reality.
With great pride you announce, “That’s not me d.l., I’m not leaving Richmond just yet. And I want to act!” Well, pump the brakes sparky. There are still rules to the game (yes, on some level this is a game – You got to be in it to win it and the like).
- Rule #1: Be Prepared.
An actor is always prepared. Don’t under estimate a proper education. There are many workshops and courses offered through out the city(The Firehouse Theatre offers a great Meisner class).At the very least you should always have:
- A headshot,
- A resume (mine).
- A prepared monologue
You never know when or what will be asked of you. If you have at least two of the three things listed you will be on you way to presenting yourself in a professional manner.
- Rule #2: Know you environment.
Who is doing what where? What jobs are available and who is booking them? If you don’t have inside information you need representation. Consider a go see at Modelogic. They have set times when they view new talent. Visit the website or call.
You definitely must join the Virginia Film Alliances’ list Serv. This service will keep you up to date on all things Film in the surrounding areas:
- Rule #3: Know you community.
Go to the theatre, meet the actor – they won’t bite. Just don’t feed them after midnight, they will never leave. Ask them questions, be inquisitive and demystify the entire process. Actors have been seen congregating in some of the following places:You are welcome to send and ask me questions (via comments below or directly through email). Check back here often. I’ll update it with any new information.
Addendum 1: For those playing for keeps I suggest you get Unionized. More to the point, every actor needs an Agent. You can’t get without being in a union and you won’t get that sweet gig without an Agent. If you are waiting for Steven Spielberg to drive up and and “DISCOVER” you then I see a lot of porn in your foreseeable future. For those of us back here on earth (and less inclined to video tape yourself doing the one and only for $), you need hard work and to get your pro on. No matter what you are into Theatre, Commercial work or Film: we’ve got a union for you:
- A.F.T.R.A (Commercial Work / Voice Over – https://www.aftra.org/): The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is a national labor union representing over 70,000 performers, journalists and other artists working in the entertainment and news media.
- Equity (Theatre – http://www.actorsequity.org/ ) : Actors’ Equity Association (“AEA” or “Equity”), founded in 1913, is the labor union that represents more than 48,000 Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society.
- SAG (Motion Pitures – http://www.sag.org/) : Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights.
-dl
