How does one break into acting?
 

My son's really into drama. He's taking advanced classes in high school in theater and music so he's got a passion for it. He's quite good, IMO. He sings and plays piano too. Plus, he's been acting in community theater since age 6 so he has plenty of experience performing in front of a large group. I'd like to help him get further along but don't know how to go about it. I don't want to get scammed by fake talent agencies.

This weekend, he's signed up for auditions with the John Robert Powers group. Big name but is the corporation legit? How else can he break in to show biz?

How old is he and where do you live?

Can he "perform" on command?


I couldn't resist, Chris. :)

He's 15 and we live in the SF Bay Area.

He has a disadvantage in that he's not your typical child actor who can play roles younger than himself. He's just too big at 5'11" and 195 lbs. Most of the kids in theater seem to be rather short and skinny.

have him get into sales - he will have to act all the time and the chance of making decent money is better than on stage or the big screen...

Encourage him to get as much stage time as possible. When he is not in school get him involved in a theatre troop of some sort (don't let school slip for his pursuits). Find a commercial agent and get him out to some auditions (get some headshots). Find a college with a good theatre arts curriculum, like Yale preferably.

Note: The wolves run Hollywood. Make sure his head is torqued on properly.

Evidentially, age doesn't matter. Remember Lawrence Fishburn's character in "Apocalypse Now"? I once heard he was 15 when he played that role.

Your best advice is to get him an agent and take him to as many auditions as possible. He'll need lots of head shots, which I'm sure you can get in SF. Video is stage performances as well. Theater is a great venue. Encourage many roles to build up his talent. He should stick with the stage for as long as possible while hoping to get into film.

My biggest warning, and this comes from hearing harrowing tales of former child actors: don't force or prod. They're just kids, and can burn out very fast.

I hear ya. I actually tried to discourage him from signing up for adv drama class because it's an early bird class (7th subject) and his schedule is full enough with sports, preparing for the SAT and AP classes. He's a ham though and loves being on stage.

I'd rather he become an attorney (seriously) or follow in my footsteps and get into sales as Lubemaster Mike suggested.

speeder in 3...2...1...

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sorry, speeder's an actor that does other stuff on the side to pay the bills, I figured he'd be chiming in any minute now.

Speeder does gay liberal porn.

My sister and brother in law are both actors in LA. Their latest project with be a commecial for Lowes. Already shot, should be released soon.

1) Learn to act. Get experience. That does not nessecarily mean go to school for it, but it can't hurt. Get as much stage time as possible.

2) Go where the action is, LA or NYC. My sister lived in the bay area when she was younger, and regrets it. She got work because she could model, it cost her years of experience in the acting realm.

3) Have a side skill that can pay the bills. My sister does commecial photography in the lean times. My bro does production work. The old joke about every waiter in LA being an actor is true. Get a usable skill that could be a fall back. Even if he has some success, it could take a long time and the years can be uneven.

4) Have a tough skin and don't be afraid of rejection. My sis and bro sometimes go to 2-3 auditions a day. Week after week (month after month) of rejection. You simply have to view that as part of the job. People do just crushing things to you. Tell you that you have the part, then change their mind the day of the shoot......you gotta have heart.

5) Get a good agent, and don't afraid to dump them if they are not getting you out there.

Isn't all liberal porn happy and carefree?

Oh, wait. You mean THAT kind of gay....well thats just down right yucky.

Is he self-absorbed and under the misapprehension that the world is interested in his politics? Those seem to be two crucial requirements to be an actor.

I don't know much about the business but a friend met an agent (?) who handles extras. So far this friend has been on several Law and Orders, Supranos and a movie. Granted they're non speaking roles but the exposure to the business is probably good for a up and coming actor. He also mentioned he'd be eligible to get a SAG card shortly. I'm not sure what the requirements are.

I can't stress 3, 4 and 5 enough... especially 3, if he is 15 he should be getting education in something else (plan B). Talent and good looks are great but the entertainment biz is one big crap shoot no matter how good you are.

I have a neighbor that is a director I could ask her about talent agency's if you like.

i have nothing to add.

Yes, Speeder may have mentioned once or twice that he knows some actors:)

Brilliant! Perfectly executed!!!! You start next week as the new prosecutor on Law and Order.......