So - You Want to Be an Actor?

What it doesn't take to be an overnight success.

I've been in the entertainment business long enough to see everything from legitimate projects to scams, legitimate castings to scams, and legitimate classes and seminars to, well, you get the point.

Often I'm approached on a set or project and asked how I got my start, or more commonly, "how can I do what you do?"

Education.

I tell people the same thing. I have been an actor and stuntman for a long enough time to certainly be considered professional (over two decades). My background is classical and musical theatre. I benefited from the old school method of learning stunts, by being taken under a veteran stuntman's wing and taught the basics, a foundation to which I continue to augment with more training and tutelage. This applies to both my acting and stunt skills, as teacher and student.

Education can take many forms.

If you live in or near one of the major metropolitan areas where there is a lot of theatre or film work, sign up for classes in the former, and get yourself registered with an extras casting agency for the latter. At the very least, get involved in community theatre.

In the theatre environment, you will learn blocking and action choreography, as well as set construction and a host of other skills.

On a film set you'll learn about all these things and more, like what all those departments listed in the credits do, and the discipline that goes into making a motion picture. Look at it this way: you're getting paid to learn.

If you're interested in the stunt side of things, spend time learning gymnastics, dance, or developing skills that will help you tune into your body's athletic ability. This can be anything from sports to hiking.

Oftentimes I see classified listings and advertisments offering jobs as an extra, and other talent-based jobs often touting remarkable sums of compensation.

On a non-union project (Something NOT governed by the Screen Actor's Guild -SAG, or American Federation of Television and Radio Artists - AFTRA) pay scales vary wildly. Even on a signatory project, in certain states, if you're not a member of one of these guilds pay can be significantly less than is advertised in one of these "job offers."

The most important thing to remember is this: You should not pay to be listed with an agency, or join one of these job listing providers.

There are exceptions, such as an extras agency that might charge you 25.00 to 50.00 dollars a year to keep you in their database but don't charge you a dime in commission.

And there are plenty of websites that charge for site hosting. In most cases, you can find a talent or entertainment focused site that will let you post your info for free.

If you are going to sign up for a class, do the research. Ask to audit a class, and talk to current and former students. If the facility is legitimate, they usually won't have a problem with either. Utilize the internet to find out about the company.

The critical key is this: if they're promising you work, and want something, like money, up front, then suggest to them if they're so confident in your ability to gain work that perhaps they ought to take a commission from your PAY.

Be Smart, be Practical. Most online (not all, but most) are not marketed and do not service the industry. When someone signs up, their information and vitals languish. Most casting directors who do use online resources use legitimate online resources, like IActor (The SAG website for talent).

Take the time and ask people in the business. Use common sense. And when you're talking to anyone in the industry, be courteous and professional, and ask questions, but don't let down your guard. In this, as in any endeavor, education is your key to understanding. This applies to everything from headshots to how to format a cover letter to a coordinator.

By the way, there is no such thing as an overnight success in this business. It is a business, first and foremost. Remember that to gain the most out of it as you begin or continue our journey.

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