How to become a Professional Actor

Getting Started 

Surprisingly, it is both easier, and harder than you think. It's not just about getting an agent anymore, as there's many different ways to get acting jobs. And very many different jobs related to this business. So here are some of my basic tips and ideas for getting started. 

Headshots and Showreels

So first things first, Lets get your headshots for casting directors to see. At first, using a friend who's willing to take photos for you for free is good for a certain level. Anything amdram, student films, ect. Use those opportunities whilst you're learning or whilst building up your material.  Also use those photos as test photos. See what looks good on you and what background, (figure out your casting type, if you haven't already). If one of your t-shirts clashes or reflects light from anything, that could ruin professional photos. So you don't want that to happen when you're spending a couple hundred quid for a few photos.

Once you're ready to start auditioning for bigger/paying roles, even if that's for smaller roles, but more professional, then it is time to invest in some professional headshots, by a headshot photographer. Hiring a landscape photographer, or a stage photographer are different to hiring a headshot photographer. As the headshot photographer is trained and has experience of capturing your essence, and editing your photos properly in a way to bring out your eyes, and add the right amount of light and shadow ect. Whereas someone who takes photos of people on stage or of the land, does not edit the same. The lighting crew or nature picks how visible the subject is, or even the colour of light. So whilst the photographer may be able to take your headshots, it won't be to the same capacity as a headshot photographer. 

Alongside that, Building up a showreel is key. This is what you will send off to casting directors, so that they can see what type of characters you play, as well as your acting skills. Your showreel shouldn't be too long or short, as if it's too long, casting directors want to watch as they dont have the time. But if it's too short then what's the point in watching it? Your best off with your showreel being 1-2 minutes long, and should consist of at least 2 separate videos. And should consist of at least one monologue of you.

You can write these scenes yourself or borrow them from tv and films. However you need to check the copyright for each piece if it's not your own. As you wouldn't like to get into trouble later down the line.

Alternatively, if you've been in a student film or a short film, and there's a good scene of you, ask those that created the film if you could have a coppy of the film, and if you can use a scene for your showreel. They properly wont mind. They might however ask that you wait until the film is released before you post your showreel to social media.

Special Skills and Accents

So, How do you stand out from the rest? Is there something you can do better than anyone else in the auction room? Can you sing? Or dance? Or fight? Did you use to take horse riding classes when you were younger? Well maybe it's time to start taking those lessons again, as you never know what wants someone with those skills. For instance, Disney Pixar is making a live action movie of Brave and they want someone who can do an authentic Scottish accent, and is trained in archery. And let's say for this example you are scottish, and your 2nd class of archery and you're comfortable riding on horses. Then you would properly be in a higher chance for being casted as merida, than some english lass who can only ride a horse for example. 

Speaking of which, accents are also a special skill. Not only can you put down your own accent, but any others you can. Having a generic English speaking accent is a good one to start with, as many uk shows will have american actors, played by english actors as its easier for costs. The same goes for Americans using americans as english characters. Whilst we notice in England that the actor is putting on an accent 9/10, it passes as an English accent in America, because those accents in Mary Poppins, is pretty much all they know about the English accent.

Casting Calls/Websites

Now, let’s sort out how to find casting calls. Of course there are many different casting websites, such as: Spotlight, Mandy and  StarNow. But these can be a bit expensive. If you don't have a big budget then you can try vshowcards. Which is a relatively new casting website, that mainly focuses on indie films, ect. These are usually still paid gigs. However, if you have no budget for casting, then you're best looking for casting calls on social media. E.g. facebook groups focused on your borough. These might not pay well, or at all, as they will most likely be on a no budget, and student films, or amture dramtics plays. However it is a good start to get some experience and start to build up your CV.

Speaking of CV's.

You will need your own actors/performers CV for casting directors to see what you've done in the past and who you've worked with, as you never know, one of their friends or old colleagues might have been in the same show as you, and that directors  might have gone to watch. ( This is why you should never lie about whats on your cv, as you probably will get caught!)

Now you're on the way to build up your actors CV, but what next???

Well, welcome to my new series of blogs, ready to help the newest and the next generation of actors prepare for this industry. Take steps, and move towards their life goals of being in this industry.