15 Questions To Help You Plan Your Acting Career

By Anthony Lee Smith

For personal reasons, I spend a lot of time in Italy throughout the year. When I went to New York from Italy to study and work the last time, I was more focused than I had been in the past. I had more clarity about what I wanted, about who I was as an actor, about my capabilities, strengths and weaknesses. I did a SWOT self-analysis (which you can see in more detail on the website actingcareerstartup.com) and I was as honest and as forthright with myself as possible. I also asked myself and answered the questions that helped me to see my vision for the future of my life as well as with regard to my long-term acting goal. Then, I got even more specific and asked myself a series of questions designed to help me clarify my short-term acting career goals. This article is about the 15 questions I asked myself to help me clarify my long-term goals. Here they are:

1. Where would you like to be five years from now? What will your life be like? Visualize it. Think about where you will be living, what kind of job you will have (acting job that it is! If that's really what you want.).

2. How much would you like to earn? Be specific.

3. How does acting fit into the overall scope of your life? Do you want it to be the way you earn a living or will it provide the necessary skills to do something else, like speak in public, achieve greater self-confidence, integrate into training seminars, etc.)

4. What kind of acting career do you want? What genre are you particularly interested in? (film, tv, theatre, daytime, prime-time, etc.)

5. What kinds of roles do you see yourself interpreting? What type are you? Doctor, housewife, tough guy, evil witch, ivory soap girl, detective, etc.?

6. Is there a particular type of show, program, sit-com that you can identify with and would like to be part of?

7. What kinds of people will you need to surround yourself with who will be able to help you achieve your goal? Do you know anyone like that now who can help you and who you would like to take with you on this journey?

8. What resources will you need to reach that goal that you don't currently have (financial, character traits, skills, contacts)?

9. Where will you be living?

10. How will you promote yourself?

11. How will you keep in contact with casting directors and agents and other industry professionals?

12. How will you find acting work?

13. How will you compliment the work that your agent is doing? In other words, what will you do to promote yourself aside from what he or she will already be doing for you?

14. What will you do to promote yourself in a way that is different than most of the other actors?

15. What kind of person will you need to become in order to achieve what you want? In other words, what characteristics will you have in the future that you don't have now that will help you get where you are going?

Asking these questions for starters is part of a proven method of goal achievement, that can be applied to any career. It's what I learned in my life as a corporate senior manager in Nike and Levi's. It's what has helped me over the years to achieve goals over and over again. It's what has helped me thus far in my new endeavors as an entrepreneur, writer, motivational speaker and actor, having done film, television, industrials, voice-over, commercial work. Going through these crucial first steps can seem like a waste of time, but it's all about positioning yourself for success. Having said that, I will leave you with a quote from Abraham Lincoln who once said:

"If I had three hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first hour sharpening the axe."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/557921

Eleven Jobs That Can Help You Stay Focused On Your Acting Career

by Anthony Lee Smith

1. Try to get work in a casting director or an agent’s office. Sometimes in the industry trade papers agents and casting directors advertise for assistants and people to work a few hours a week opening mail and doing office chores. It’s a great way to learn what goes on in their offices. You get to see the kinds of mail other actors send in, overhear telephone conversations, and just basically see what it’s like first hand. 

2. The Actors Connection is an organization in New York that provides a great service to actors by giving them the opportunity to meet and audition for agents, casting directors and other industry professionals who are not always the easiest people to be able to meet. They do this in the form of seminars every evening and often even on Saturdays. During the seminars there are what I call “gate keepers” who keep the time and ensure that all the participants get an equal share of the industry professional’s time who is conducting the individual session. At times AC is looking for people to work, usually flexible hours as one of the “gate keepers”. That is also a great way to meet first hand casting directors and agents, listen in on the question and answer sessions before the individual, one on one sessions take place. A great way to learn! 

3. In addition, there are other acting schools around the city that look for assistants.

4. Theater companies looking for stage personel and production assistants often with no experience necessary. Prerequisite is to be responsible and a fast learner.

5. There are also a host of casting websites and organizations, such as Actors Access, Breakdown Services, NYCastings as well. If you do a Google search, you will find a slew of others. Why not see if they need help or could use your services?

6. There are also showcases and industry events that are organized to help actors promote their careers. It's a great way to meet casting directors and agents. The organization of those events is a big to do and they need hosts and hostesses to help the event go smoothly. You can find information about such events by simply keeping abreast of what’s going on in the industry. Read the trade papers regularly and check the top acting/casting websites.

7. Why not see if the local union offices of SAG, AFTRA and EQUITY could use some help? Find out where their offices are. See if you can find out what they might be looking for. Find out who the person is you need to contact and if your approach is to send a cover letter, then address the person by his name as opposed to To whom it may concern.

8. Do you have skills that one of the trade papers could be interested in, maybe to work in one of their offices? Could be an idea to contact Backstage, Ross Reports, probably the most read of the industry papers. Have a look on the internet or in the Drama Book Shop in New York to see some of the other possibilities that exist.

9. There are many production companies who are looking for good people with skills.

10. Do you have the skills to form a production company? I know someone, a fellow actor, who has done just that. It’s a great way to make industry contacts with people who could also help you further your career as an actor.

11. Do you have the skills to start and run your own small business, form your own company? What do you love to do? Could you turn your hobby into a business? If so, do you know other responsible and reliable people who share your same passion and who have good business skills? If so, maybe you could form your own company together with those people. Why not? As time goes on, you could gradually distance yourself from the daily business of running your small company and dedicate more and more time to acting and promote your acting career. The whole point of this article is to help you think. If you don't have a steady stream of residual income that will permit you to focus 100% of your time on your acting career and you have to work in the traditional sense to make ends meet, then at least do something that will keep you connected to the industry and at the same time help you grow in some way as an actor.

How to Become an Actor or Actress

Career advice on how to become an actor, get started in your acting career and achieve your dream of becoming a working actor.

Do you have a desire to perform? Do you enjoy entertaining friends or imitate life and people around you? If so, you may already have what it takes to break into the professional acting business.

To become a working actor, all it takes is a bit of research, a passion for acting and patience to wait for your chance to break into the show business.

“I have wanted to act for as long as I can remember. This guide gives me all the answers I couldn’t find anywhere else. It tells you how to find out about auditions, how to get an agent, how to meet casting directors and a lot more.”

Cool Facts about Being an Actor or Actress

The most obvious benefit when you become an actor is the chance to pursue your dream career and become a superstar, but there are others:

• Self satisfaction when you do a great job.

• You will meet other actresses, actors, and famous people.

• You get to do what you are passionate about for a living.

• You will get to see yourself on the silver screen.

• The money is very good if you are a popular actor or actress.

• You will get to go to glamorous parties and wear designer outfits.

• You will likely get to travel to some exotic places for shooting.

• You will get praised for your work and build a loyal fan base.

Steps To Become an Actor or Actress

When you decide on this career, you should lay out a plan that will guide you to how to become an actor, and meet your goal.

First and foremost, you will want or move to live in a major city. Living in a major metropolitan area can give you opportunities in independent film communities or live theaters that will help build your resume. While it is still possible to find acting work in a small town, however, the fact is it is not easy to get any major recognition for it.

The best actors study their craft, so as any aspiring actor or actress, you need to take some acting classes. Ask around for references from those actors you admire before enrolling.

Have some professional headshots done and a resume written. Keep revising your resume and adding new work, as well as dropping earlier projects (like school theater.) Read trade papers like Variety, Backstage, and Dramalogue, for casting calls and keep up with the internet sites that post auditions as well. Send headshots and notes directly to producers and directors requesting acting auditions.

Accept all invitations to industry auditons, parties and events. You never know who you will meet – and who you know is vital in this industry.

Income Potential of an Actor

More than almost any other profession, this is a completely wide open range. Beginning actresses and film extras might be paid just a few hundred dollars. However, the flip side of that is that A List Hollywood actresses (think Sandra Bullock and Angelina Jolie) regularly pull in $15 to $25 million per film.

In between those two extremes, you will find daytime television actress making $72,000 their first year, and up to $5,000 per episode for a well-known, seasoned actress like Susan Lucci.

Likewise, television actors in comedy or drama shows start out at the low end. Their pay can go up, depending upon the success of the show and their star power. For instance, Charlie Sheen earns $825,000 per episode of Two and a Half Men, and Mariska Hargitay earns $400,000 per episode of Law & Order.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not move to Hollywood and expect to land a major film role. It takes time and perseverance.

• Stress and lack of sleep are constants in the industry.

• You must be able to handle criticism and rejection. There will be a lot of no’s before you get a yes when you become an actress.

• You will need a “day job” until you get your break, to account for periods when you have no work, and no flow of acting money.

• When you do get a role, be aware that there can be long hours of rehearsals, and sometimes 70 and 80 hour work weeks.

• Personal relationships are often difficult because of the schedule an actress keeps, and traveling is frequent.

• Always be on your game. That means you need to always look your best, and keep your attitude optimistic and ready.

How Actors Can Make Good Use of YouTube for Their Career

If you’re an actor trying to expand your brand, in that case as many artists have discovered out, if you are not using the Internet, you’re getting put aside. What a lot of people do not realize is always that show business is a business. Therefore, any organization owner, or any business artist has got to use the new ways of advertising. So, you will need to show people why they should be serious about you, and in the product you should offer. The type of Internet tool that will allow you the chance to get your stuff available is YouTube.

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How to Become an Actress???

Have you always dreamed of becoming an actress? Imagined being wrapped in the glitz, the glamor... Constantly thought about that feeling of pure and raw energy coursing through you when you deliver a dialog? Or felt the exhilaration that you would, when the spot lights focus on to your face? The definitive moment when the director says 'Action!' and you walk slowly and surely over to where the suave lead waits for you... Sigh! If only all this could come true. Who says it can't? Just follow our lead on how to become an actress, and soon enough you'll be prepared to enthrall the world with your performances. So you want to learn how to become an actress right? Read on.

Let's get one thing straight right now, becoming an actress is not easy. It cannot happen with the click of a finger. It requires hard work and a lot of talent. Many girls dream of being spotted at a mall by an agent, who then goes on to hire them and they become great actresses. First of all, agents do not keep scrounging the street all the time for talent, and two, (surprise surprise!) that is not the only route to becoming an actress. There isn't any point depending on fate in that manner. Instead we should focus on things that are in our own hands,

Becoming an Actress

Get Perfect

If you want to become an actress with no experience, it won't work. You HAVE to know your craft to perfection. If you aren't confident of acting, do everything you can to become perfect first. Take acting and dance classes. Maybe even voice modulation or speech classes. If you don't have the money to spend for classes, then try borrowing acting tapes from your local library. Read as many books as you can on acting as well. Learn the different types of acting. These are some of the most crucial points to follow for how to become an actress. Read more on acting tips.

Practice

Practice whenever you get the opportunity. Stand in front of the mirror and study yourself. A better option is to record yourself and then view the footage to know what your strengths and weaknesses are so that you can hone or improve them respectively. Practice with a group if possible. This will allow you to learn important skills about sharing space with other actors and how to play off their dialogs.

Become Active

Start to put yourself out there. Take part in community plays, school theatrics, etc. There is a chance someone might notice you. Or that you might meet people who can help you with your career. And the best thing is that it will help you to develop your acting skills.

Brush Up on Dialogs

Learn and prepare several monologues. Perfect these dialogs and the technique you will use to deliver them. Sometimes at auditions, the producers might ask you to exhibit something. At this time, having a monologue ready will help. It will show them that you were well prepared and your versatility will be seen through the dialogs.

Focus on Appearance

Learn to focus on your appearance. Try not to be shabby and unkempt. It is not necessary to look glamorous and put on a layer of make up every time you leave the house, but make sure that you look good. Eat well and keep fit. Highlight your good features. This will give you confidence and style. 

Prepare a Portfolio

Get a portfolio shot with maximum focus on head shots. This is what will help the producers remember you. The best option is to have your resume printed on the back of the head shots. This will help the producers in knowing everything about you. Read more on beauty tips - looking thinner in photographs.

Prepare a Resume

Make sure that you prepare a resume that you update regularly. It should mention your education, acting experience and credentials, along with rewards received and your contact information. It is necessary that you carry this on all your auditions. This will help the producers to know you better and lend you a very professional appeal.

Acting Records

Make a collection of all the acting gigs that you have done. This will help you to showcase your versatility as far as acting is concerned. At an audition when there are so many others vying for the part, your montage of acting might help to distinguish you from the rest. So keep it handy and it might just turn out to be the key in starting your career.

Networking

Networking and building contacts is crucial for this field. More often than not, one will get a job through contacts in this field. That is why you need to learn to get noticed and staying in the limelight. Find out where your chances of getting a job are maximum and if possible move there. Try and get to know people of that field and tell them to keep you updated if any opportunity shows up.

Hire an Agent

If possible, hire an agent. This goes a long way because there is someone else who is managing your career for you. He will help you in making contacts and tell you about all the auditions that are to happen. Some agencies do not accept actors for auditions, unless they come through an agent.

Audition

Visit as many auditions as you can. Even if it is not something that you are interested in, go for it. This will help you to become comfortable with the audition process on the whole. Other than this reason, auditions are the only way to get noticed, and up your chances for a gig. 

Yes, it's not an easy process to becoming an actress and even though we have all the answers on how to become an actress, fate plays an important role too. But perfecting ourselves is what we can do, and we shouldn't shy from that. So how about it then? Ready to become an actress? All the best!

List of Free Online Acting Courses, Classes, Lessons and Workshops

Learning acting without an in-person instructor can be challenging, but dedicated acting students can find free lessons, virtual workshops and acting tips online. Students can acquire basic performance skills and learn how to prepare for auditions through materials offered by Utah State University, MIT and Open University, among others.

Requirements and Information
Self-directed online acting workshops are open to students at any level of experience. Some OpenCourseWare (OCW) learning opportunities encourage students to work through modules in a certain order; others offer reading material on various acting topics that students can utilize according to their interest.

Students won't be able to receive feedback on rehearsals or performances, but in some cases they can ask questions and get personalized tips on discussion boards. Free courses may provide text for students to download, or recommend plays and books for student use. Academic credits and degrees aren't available for these courses.

List of Free Online Acting Resources
Acting Workshop Online at AWOL
This site offers text-based acting lessons, a glossary of acting terms and tips on finding agents, casting directors and community theater productions. It offers an extensive Q&A section where users can comment.

Metaphysical Acting for Supernaturally Good Performances at Ask a Healer
Designed for students who want to get in touch with the spiritual side of acting, this class addresses the body, voice, emotion and mind of an actor. The written tutorials are meant to be read progressively.

Acting Auditions 101 at Suite 101
This course takes students through aspects of the successful audition, including vocal preparation, audition research, monologues and headshots. Additional texts that students may need to purchase are recommended, but not necessary, for using course materials.

Acting Magazine
Students can access articles on preparing for roles and auditioning, plus information about basic theater terms, monologues, resumes and unions.

The Performing Arts of Theatre at Utah State University
This course material covers the performance and historical aspects of acting. Students experiment with acting and improvisational exercises, and can access selected course readingsfor free online.

Theater Arts: Suburbia at MIT
This course guides students through progressive aspects of a theater production using Eric Bogosian's play 'subUrbia'. Students may need special software to access audio and video examples of the production and download notes from rehearsals.

Approaching Plays at The Open University
In this course, students analyze selected plays to learn how actors use stage direction, create conflict and express emotion. A glossary of theater terms and a list of recommended reading is provided.

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