Issue 37: The Nuts and Bolts of Becoming a Professional Actor

WELCOME!

Becoming an actor is a tempting dream for many a high school student. It's easy, right? Anyone can do it, right? It's a ton of fun and everyone gets a ton of money right off the bat, right?

Do you think you have what it takes to become a professional actor? Do you have students who are sure they're going to be the Next Big Thing? This month it's all Q & A: we're asking and answering questions on Becoming an Actor. How to avoid scams, do's and don'ts for resumes, and what you should look for in an acting school.

• THEATREFOLK BLOG
  Theatrefolk talks!
• INTRO
  An introduction to the newsletter
• BECOMING AN ACTOR
  How do I make it?
• AGENTS
  What do agents do and why do professional actors need them?
• AVOIDING SCAMS
  How to avoid acting scams.
• ACTING SCHOOLS
  What you should look for in an acting school.
• HEADSHOTS/RESUMES
  Two important tools for the professional actor.
• RESOURCES
  More places to continue your research.
• SHOUT
  Get our new musical!
• CONFERENCE ALERT
  Meet us in person.
• IN THE NEXT ISSUE
  What you can expect next.
• FACEBOOK
  More places to reach Theatrefolk.
• STAY IN TOUCH
  Contact Info/Read Our Blog.

Theatrefolk Blog

Keep up with the comings and goings of Theatrefolk on our blog. Most recently Lindsay talked about working on a new play and Craig detailed going through the audition process. Check it out!

Intro

We've heard the cry over and over again: "I want to be an actor!" From the outside, being an actor looks inciting. It looks like a happy shiny world where actors are discovered on street corners and put into block buster movies. It can look easy, and something that everyone can do. Yes it's fun, yes it's interesting, yes it's not your ordinary career. Having said that, it's important to understand the world you're getting into. Acting in high school is vastly different than acting on a professional level.

This newsletter will focus directly on the questions we've heard from teenagers about the professional acting biz.

Becoming an Actor

I want to be an actor. Where do I start?

1. Start acting
   Sounds simplistic, but if you're a teenager and you want to act this is the number one tip. Get on stage. Audition for the school play, audition for community theatre. Professional acting is audition-heavy, so the more practise you get the better.
2. Refine your Dream
   It's one thing to say, "I want to act!" It's another thing to say, "I want to work in theatre. I want to be in musicals. I want to be in film. I'd love to be on a television show." When you say you want to act, what exactly do you mean?
3. Refine your Dream II
   Ask yourself, "Why do I want to act?" Be honest. If you want to be famous, that's the answer. Don't sugar-coat it. The more you refine the 'why' the easier it will be to determine a path. For example, if you want to be a movie star, it's not going to happen in Kansas. If you want to perform in musicals, you need to start taking singing and dancing classes.
4. Take Classes
   Acting is a skill and a craft. There's always something you could be better at. Once you refine your dream, focus your classes on that particular dream. Don't have classes in your area? There's a summer camp for every area of the performing arts. Find the right one for you.
5. Volunteer
   Volunteering is a great way to get in the building. Volunteer at your local theatre. Does your town have a community television station? Volunteer there. Once you're in the building, watch, listen, and ask questions. Start learning right now.
6. Research
   DON'T go on Yahoo Answers and ask, "How do I become an actor?" and expect answers to be handed to you on a silver platter. If you want to be an actor, you do the work. Research your area: Do you live in an area that has many theatres? Just one? What kind of classes are available? Are there reliable agents? Research potential schools that will help you achieve your dream. Research the biz: Do you know what open auditions are? Do you know how much an agent's commission is? What's the process for commercial auditions? The more you know, the more prepared you'll be when you step into professional waters.

I'm really talented. Isn't that enough?

It's a great start, sure. And it certainly will help. Talent is something you can't teach an actor. But there are many, many talented actors out there. There are other factors at work. In commercials, for example, talent takes a backseat to appearance. Acting professionally takes more than talent. It takes know-how, determination and perseverance.

The person standing beside you at auditions is also talented. Plus they've researched the director, plus they take classes, plus they don't give up when they lose a job, plus they act in a professional manner, plus they never submit a resume without a personalized cover letter, plus they have more than one monologue and one song in their audition arsenal... the list goes on and on and it's easy to see how talent is just one part of the package.

Most maddening, sometimes acting takes luck. Being in the right place at the right time. Living in the right city. Choosing a monologue that happens to hit a director the right way. There's nothing you can do to control that.

This is why it's important to have a passion for acting. That you really want to pursue this career. That nothing will get in your way. If anything stops you from wanting to do the other, much less fun parts to acting, you perhaps should consider another career.

How do I get discovered?

Ah, the age old question. "How do I instantly become an overnight movie star by walking down the street?" The whole "Being discovered" thing is largely a myth.

It may look like Zac Efron became an overnight sensation. He seemed to come out of 'nowhere' to star in High School Musical. Except that he didn't. He started acting in musicals when he was eleven. His first television roles were guest staring parts. He filmed TV pilots that didn't catch on. He has a career and a history of performance that lead to High School Musical.

Also, actors who look like they've become instant stars sometimes have help. They live in Los Angeles where there's easier access to auditions. They have parents or other relatives in the business. The story is not always as easy and straightforward as it seems.

Does discovery ever happen? Sure. A teenager goes to an open call because the directors are looking for something specific, gets cast in a role and their life changes. An agent goes to a high school production and signs the lead. It can happen. But to make 'discovery' your career goal will leave you sorely disappointed.

I live in Iowa, how do I get cast in a Hollywood movie?

Unless the production is casting in Iowa, it's highly unlikely. A lot of your success as a professional actor depends on location. You need to go where movies/television/commercials are being made. But Hollywood is not the only city with opportunities. Are these opportunities going to be high profile and long lasting? Probably not. But they will give you experience and credits.

Where do I find auditions?

Research. Find the arts council in your area and ask them for a heads up on audition posting. Look to local theatres. Is there an organization with an audition posting bulletin board? If you want film experience try colleges with film programs, they may be looking for actors. Look online. If you're interested participating in reality TV shows, those auditions will be posted on the network websites well in advance. Look for industry publications.

What are open casting calls?

Open casting calls are auditions that non-union actors may attend. They are sometimes called cattle calls, because feels like you're getting herded around like cattle!

Do I need to join a union? Can't I get into movies without them?

If you want an acting career, you will need to eventually join an acting union. You will only be able to reach a certain level as a non-union actor. It's not however, something you need to do before you even start acting professionally. You don't need to join a union before securing an agent.

• Here's a great link that describes the three American unions and when an actor should join them.
• This link includes the Canadian acting unions.
• And this is a beginner's guide to acting unions.

The bottom line? Acting is a job. It can be the funnest job in the world. But it's a profession. If you want to make it your job for life, you need to research your options. Put daydreams to the side and create a step-by-step realistic vision to your goal.

Agents

While it is possible to survive quite awhile in theatre without an agent, you'll need one if you're interested in movies and television. Agents do is submit their clients for auditions. For the most part, agents are the only people with access to movie, television and commercial auditions.

When an actor books a job, the agent negotiates the details of the contract on the actor's behalf. Agents receive a percentage from an actor's pay which is called a commission. They only get paid on booked work. Legitimate agents never ask for money from an actor up front.

How do I get an agent?

Be seen. Give an agent an opportunity to see you in action whether it's on the stage, or in local television or student film. Many acting schools invite agents to showcases. If you're going to send a resume to an agency, make sure they're accepting unsolicited submissions. Always include a cover letter which you will check and double check to make sure it's personable, individual, and perfect.

Once I get an agent I'm golden, right?

Alas, no. It is a fallacy that once an actor gets an agent they can sit back and let someone else do all the work. A agent cannot guarantee you acting work. They only submit you for auditions.

I found an agent in the paper – are they legit?

The agent who advertises is the one who is in desperate need of clients. Is that the kind of agent you want? In Canada it's illegal for agents to publicize. Do your homework before signing with an unknown agency. Are there any complaints against them with the Better Business Bureau? Are they licensed, if they need to be in your area?

The Bottom Line: Don't make the start of your career all about getting an agent. Get some experience before you start looking. An actor with some experience is always more marketable than an actor without experience. And remember, agents want actors. They need actors. They make money when actors work.

Actor Scams

Young actors fall prey to scams every day. They so want to be in the business, they'll do anything to make it happen. Unfortunately there are many people out there who know this and will also do anything to get money out of the naive actor.

How do I know if an agent is a scam?

• If the agent tries to get you to take new headshots, but only with their photographer – scam.
• If the agent says you have to take classes with their teachers and only their teachers – scam
• If the agent spins a lot of stories about who they represent, and how much money you're going to make and how famous you're going to be and yet you never get any auditions – scam.
• If the agent says they can get you exclusive access to a director – scam.
• If the agent says they can guarantee you work – scam.
• If the agent gives you a restrictive timeline, "I need to know by tomorrow morning if you're going to sign" – scam.
• If the agent asks for a registration fee, a consultation fee, an administrative fee, or any amount of money up front – scam.

How do I know if an audition is a scam?

• The location: You arrive at the address given to you for the audition. It's not an office. It's not a theatre. It's someone's home. If this has not been relayed to you beforehand, or if you are alone, do not go through with it.
• The situation: Many large theatres have general auditions. It's a chance for the Artistic Director to see talent in an open audition. But if there's a posting for a general audition and it's not a recognized company, be wary. More often than not small companies do not have the time or resources for generals. They audition for specific projects. And especially if it's a so-called movie company. They will always audition for something specific.
• The company: You see a posting for an unknown company. You Google the name and you can't find any information. There' s no production history. You Google the contact person and can't find any information. This is not good news. Always research the people and the company before you go to an audition.
• The Bottom Line: Trust your instincts. If the situation feels creepy, if it feels not right, is it really worth it to carry through?

Acting Schools

Do I need to go to college or university?

This depends. If you grew up in an area with no theatres, and you've only performed in one or two school shows, then college is going to be a necessary step. College will help you define your acting goals, practise your skills, and allow you to become more familiar with the audition process. College/university can also provide you with contacts: a network of other actors, up-and-coming directors, guest artists. Contacts are an absolute necessity to surviving as a professional actor.

What if I don't get into a top school?

You don't need a top school. Top schools cannot guarantee an acting career. An agent or director is not necessarily going to choose an actor with a degree from a top school over one without. And what if a top school isn't for you? What if you don't feel comfortable there? What if the teaching style is hurtful rather than helpful? What if you can't afford it? You need a place to work on your skills, get stage time, audition practise, a varied but focused curriculum, access to outside theatre performances, and access to guest artists.

How do I know which school is right for me?

Research. What classes do they offer in your specific field? How large are the classes? When do students get on stage during the program – is it right away or not till fourth year? What is the background of the professors? Do they still work professionally? How current are their credits? How many of the school's alumni are currently working actors? Does the school have an agent showcase? How many students do they accept in the first year? How many actually graduate? Watch out: Some schools accept a huge number of students in their first year (for funding purposes) and aggressively cut for the second year. You could end up wasting a year of tuition.

Isn't it better to get acting right away after high school? Lots of celebrities never go to college!

You can't base your career on what others have done. Focus on what you need to do to move forward. Do actors succeed without college? Of course! Talent can't be taught. Determination can't be taught. And if a substantial opportunity presents itself don't look back. But if you've never been in front of a camera, if you've never attended a professional audition, if you don't have much stage experience, if you don't have any contacts, then a college/university education is going to be worthwhile.

The Bottom Line: Training is never a bad thing. But a top school is not necessarily your best bet. Choose a school based on your true needs.

Headshots and Resumes

Headshots and resumes are necessary. They say what you look like and what you've done.

Why do I need a headshot?

The headshot is a memory tool. You want those on the other side of the table to remember you, and remember your acting. The headshot acts as that connection. A poorly produced amateur headshot gives the impression you are not taking your career seriously.

What makes a good headshot?

• Your headshot must be 8"x10".
• The focus of the picture is on you, not your clothes, not the background, not the photographer's skills.
• The picture must look like you. It's a beginner's mistake to wear too much makeup, or to change hairstyles such that the person in the picture doesn't even look like them anymore.
• The picture must not only look like you, but represent you. If you're a comedic actor, why would you have a serious frown in your headshot?
• Don't worry about precisely having the same "look" as other actors. The details have evolved over the years – colour photos are more accepted now, as are three-quarter shots, as opposed to face-only.

How do I know a photographer is good?

• Choose a professional photographer who specializes in headshots. Do not use family or friends.
• Make an appointment to see the photographer's portfolio. Do you like the pictures? Do you like the photographer's style? Do the people in the photos look like "real people"?
• Are you comfortable with the photographer? Tension will show in the photos.
• Don't shop on price. You can easily get a lousy photo from an expensive photographer, and a great photo from a less-expensive one.
• Watch out for extra fees. You just want your picture taken. You only need 8"x10". No other size is necessary.

Shooting the photo

• Bring several clothing options for the shoot. A good photographer will help you choose what will show you at your best. Shoot at least two different "looks".
• Most photographers will offer you the services of a professional makeup artist. This can be a very good idea, especially if you're not comfortable with putting on your own makeup. Be VERY FIRM that (unless you're a 'glamour type') you don't want to look like a model; you just want to look like yourself.
• At some point after the session the photographer will give you what is known as a "contact sheet". This is a photo containing a composite of all the photos taken in the session. Do ask the photographer's advice for which shots are the best, but don't take this as the final choice. Seek advice from others, emphasizing that you want photos that look like you. Ask your mom, your best friend, your teacher(s), anyone who knows you well. If you have an agent then you definitely want their opinion too. But remember that the final decision should be yours.

EXERCISE: Go to google and type 'headshot' into the search box. Click on 'Images' to see a wide variety of headshots. To make this a class exercise, choose 5-10 pictures and show them in class. Ask students what impression they get from the headshot. Is the picture warm (inviting) or cold (detracting)? Do they like the person in the photo? Why or why not? What type of part would the students cast this actor? Does the photo showcase the actor or the photographer?

Is an acting resume the same as a resume for a regular job?

It's important to remember that acting is a job. It's not show fun, it's show business. The resume goes hand in hand with the headshot to act as your business card. The resume shows what you've done, what special skills you might have, any union affiliations, your vital statistics (height, weight, eye colour, vocal range) and where you can be contacted. The contact information is extremely important: if you're wanted for a callback or a part, they'll get your contact info from the resume.

What if I don't have any credits? It's ok if I exaggerate a little on my resume, right? Who will know?

No. No. No. And No. You will get caught.

What are 'special skills?'

These are unique things that you can do that enhance your hireability: juggling, ride a horse, drive a stick shift, speak another language. Often a director will hire an actor with a necessary skill already in place, rather than have to train someone. If a director is looking for an actor who can play the piano, they'll look in the special skills section of your resume.

Can I put my resume on coloured paper to make it stand out?

No. White paper. Format and trim your resume so that it is 8 x 10 and attach it to the back of your photo. Staple, do not paper clip. And don't put the staple through your contact information!

Resumes are only one page long and should be in 12pt type. Do not use fancy fonts. Do not use more than one embellishment (if you're going to bold certain parts, don't use underline) Do not hand write changes on your resume. If you move, print a new resume. If you add a new credit, print a new credit. All these choices reflect on you and whether or not a director will want to see you.

The Bottom Line: The headshot and resume are necessary. Think of them as business cards. Make them simple and straightforward. No bells and whistles.

Resources

More resources on the nuts and bolts of professional acting

• Acting As A Business Third Edition: Strategies for Success<br/>By Brian O'Neil
• How to be a Working Actor, 5th Edition: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film, &amp; Television<br/>By Mari Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers
• Tons of articles about becoming a professional actor
• How to become a film and television actor
• A database of resources for the starting actor
• Playbill's jobs database
• Backstage is an industry newspaper with casting calls. Some areas of the site require a subscription.

Shout!

After many days, months and years, much blood, sweat and tears, (hey that rhymed!) high notes and low notes, much joy and excitement, Shout! the musical is now available! Let's Shout it out!

www.ShoutTheMusical.com

Conference Alert

Here's our upcoming conference schedule. If you're attending, please drop by and say hi!

In the Next Issue

Part Two of our Three part Analysis and Exercise series on Arthur Miller. In March we'll look at All My Sons.

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