Feb
9
Parents Play a Huge Part in a Child’s Acting Career
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Some parents push their children into acting. But did you know that training the child how to sing or dance is just one of the things you have to work on?
This is because most casting directors look at other factors before accepting them. They look at the life of the child outside of acting and what extra curricular activities do they engage in. The ideal child actor they are looking for is someone relaxed and confident in his or her abilities.
But the casting director will also look at you, the parent because they know that when the child has a project, you will be the one to bring them to work. They will also need your help making the child memorize the lines in the script and encourage them to do their best in front of the camera.
Before you get the part, one major hurdle that every child has to face is the audition.
Some parents hear about the opening from an ad in the newspaper or in television. If you have an agent working for you, he or she will give you a call and tell you when and where it is going to take place.
Make sure that your child is wearing the right clothes. Ideally, this should be a shirt or blouse without any logo. Never let your child wear the part even if the ad states that they are looking for someone to play a certain character.
Just like applying for a job interview, leave the house early and make sure that you get there 30 minutes before the start of the audition. Once you get there, find the office so you can sign up your child. If it asks you to write down your child’s Social Security Number, don’t because this could easily be stolen and used by someone else.
Your child should be ready to perform the skit the moment their name is called so make him or her relax by letting them do something else like play with their PSP or Gameboy. When it’s their turn, hand over to the casting director your child’s resume and headshot.
If it is a closed audition, you won’t be able to watch it so you will have to wait in the holding area until it is all over. If you are allowed to stay, just watch and keep quiet. There will be time to ask questions later when the child is done and you can talk about it once you walk out the door.
The support you give to your child must never cease regardless of the outcome of the audition. If the casting director says no, cheer them up and tell them that there will be other auditions in the future. Give them positive feedback of how they did up there then later on tell them where they can improve on.
If the casting director has accepted your child, be happy and be prepared to help them excel in their craft because this could be the start of their acting career which could continue well into adulthood. Should they become famous, one of the people they will never forget and have a debt of gratitude to is you, the parent because you encouraged and pushed them to become a star.
Feb
8
Talent and Experience Helps In Your Acting Career
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Hundreds or even thousands of people audition just to play a part in a movie or show. One good example is American Idol that went across the country just to choose 24 finalists that will begin their season’s show. Talent and experience played a part for those who made it and this is the same for those who decide to pursue an acting career.
Everyone knows that your big break in the entertainment industry begins with the audition. There are many held in different parts of the country and if you are a beginner with no training, you won’t do that well and chances are, you will just make a big fool of yourself.
Just think, how many times did you laugh when someone who tried to be the next American Idol wore a hideous costume or sang out of tune? It may not be funny if you were the one in front of the camera but then again, that is what happens when you go in unprepared.
This is why people who want to become aspiring actors and actresses must enroll in acting classes. They also get themselves involve in school plays or small productions because the experience they get here will be very useful when they decide to break out and let the world know who they are.
After attending a few classes and workshops, this is the time you need to take a few headshots and prepare your portfolio. When you go to an audition, this is what the casting director will be looking at as well as judging your performance.
If you don’t get the part, try to find work as an extra as this will give you a better understanding of how shows and movies are made. You may even get the chance to talk to the actors and actresses present so they can give you a few tips and pointers which you can use.
When you are ready, find out when there is an audition or casting call taking place. You can also get this through the web. Some of these charge people a fee just to look at the listings so before you pay a dime, find out if this site is really worth value for your money.
Part of being an actor is joining the union. This depends of course on which media you are specializing in so you could sign up with the Screen Actor’s Guild or the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
Being a member will help you land a job whenever there is an opening and make sure you are paid correctly for the skills that you have provided.
Talent alone will not always guarantee that you get the part when you go for an audition. This is because most casting directors also look at your work experience.
If you want to a successful acting career, don’t jump in with your head first and expect to be a star overnight. You have to be patient just like an infant learning to walk for the first time. Be open minded and be willing to learn because being successful in this craft never ends.
You may not get this from reading books but by playing different roles and talking to those in the business.
Feb
7
Have you ever dreamt about starting an acting career? You cannot be blamed. Many people see the show business as easy money making craft. It looks easy. All you need is a pretty face and an acting talent to match that. But not all actors are good on that department either. Others are plainly lucky.
So what do you have to know about this profession? These tips aim to shine light at hopefuls and wannabes and also for those who didn’t know that an actor lies within them.
1. If you really want to venture into this business, you’ve got to start somewhere. The best way to attack this is by looking at your current location. There may be local productions in your hometown that will be willing to give you a part. You can also try doing VTRs for advertising agencies. Commercials can be a good way to experience what’s it like to be in front of the lights and cameras.
2. There are certain workshops and schools that will give you an overview of the different methods of acting. They will teach you scientific techniques of how to approach the craft. They can also ask you to pattern your acting bits to known formulas associated with different personalities.
3. The academe can certainly help. But do not limit yourself with that. You have to expose yourself to experience the real thing. You can try doing theaters and plays. Or if luck won’t still allow it, you can apply as staff to these productions at first. This way, you can observe how the system works and you can meet a variety of people who can help you in the future.
4. Networking is extremely important in this career. It matters who you know, especially when you are only starting. Only a few will be lucky enough to be tapped as actors. Most of the well-known actors of today have to tap a lot of doors and windows before fate lets them in. As much as possible, attend gatherings and parties wherein there are a lot of possibilities that you will be introduced to the right people. Don’t forget to bring along professional-looking business cards that you will be proud to pass along.
5. Do not get tired at looking for opportunities. With the boom of the Internet age, many job offers for this scene are being posted online. You can also go through the entertainment or classified ads section of newspapers or on jobs postings on the boards of theaters, film or TV productions.
6. You must be driven by your desire. You cannot give up the first time you get rejected. You have to go through a lot of auditions in your entire career. You have to prepare yourself to be let down in many occasions. Take them by heart and learn from them. They will certainly make you a better actor. They will help you on your future auditions.
7. Keep on improving yourself to be able to improve your craft. Remember that if you really want it, you have to prove to people that you deserve the chance.
Although, not everybody will be big in the showbiz industry, you can at least aim to play the role that you dream to do. When you’re already there, don’t forget the steps you had to undertake in starting an acting career. This way, you will appreciate what you have, enough to make it last.
Feb
6
Starting your child’s acting career is not that different compared to an adult. The only difference is that as a parent, you are the one encouraging your child to attend auditions, classes and other events so an agent or someone from the entertainment industry will take notice and give them a chance to be on television or the movies.
The best way to get your foot in the door is to hire an agent. This individual must be licensed so you are sure that if your child is accepted, they can legally negotiate deals for you. A licensed talent agent will never ask money up front since they only get paid whenever you land a part.
If you want, you can also have manager to look after your child’s interest although this is not required. Those who want to have one are usually represented by the parents themselves perhaps to balance school and other things that happen as they go through life.
Should the parents be unable to act as the child’s manger, then they can hire one. All they have to do is take some photos and then send this through the mail. If you do not receive anything within a 3 month period, take some new photos and send it out again which is the same thing you have to do when you are looking for an agent.
While waiting for the phone to ring, your child’s acting career can be further developed by getting projects in student films. You can visit the nearby college or university’s film department to see if there are any ads. It won’t pay much but at least your child will get the experience and add another project to their existing resume.
It will also be a good idea to find an acting coach as this will help your child build his ability and confidence.
In time, someone will your child for an appointment. Before you go to the interview, do some research about the company so you know that this is not a scam. If everything looks legitimate, prepare your child by asking him or her some questions that the agent will likely ask as this will help a lot when they are speaking face to face with that individual. One thing that parents will have to do during the interview is just sit there, keep quiet and listen.
There is no guarantee that when you are called in for an interview that your child will already be accepted. If things go well, then you have taken your first steps towards an acting career. This means attending auditions right after school and getting ready to attend bookings if a deal has been made.
If the agent says otherwise, don’t feel bad and keep looking. Maybe your child is not ready yet to shine in the limelight but as long as you are both patient and persistent, it will happen.
An agent normally gets 10% to 30% for every project that your child will make during their acting career. If you and your child are happy with the efforts being done by the agent, then you can stick with them for the long haul. Should things go sour, perhaps it is time to talk to them one last time and then decide to get rid of them and hire someone else.
Feb
5
An Acting Career Should Have a Resume and a Headshot
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Preparing for an audition also includes having a resume and a few headshot pictures. This is because aside from performing your monologue or reading from a script, cast directors want to know how you look on camera or on stage as well as your previous work experiences. To help you, here a few do’s and don’ts in doing both.
When you submit a resume, make sure that this is stapled to the back of your headshot. If the resume is much larger than the picture, trim it a bit so they appear to be the same size.
For those who don’t know what a head shot is, it is picture of your entire face. It must be very artistic and is intended to put you in the best possible light. This is usually printed on an 8 by 10 inch format. Your name should be placed on the print or just below it.
As for your resume, just tell the truth of your previous accomplishments. Make sure that your contact details are up to date so it will be easy for the casting director or a representative to easily get in touch with you for a call back.
Creating a resume is easy. If you are going to an audition, make sure that it will focus on the part you are trying to get. For instance, if you want a part in a Broadway event, make sure you list down your previous experiences in the theater. If this is for a movie, tell them what you did even if you played a supporting role or as an extra. Should this be for a commercial, mention what your roles was as well.
You should bring at least 5 copies of your resume and head shots every time you go to the audition because you may never know who else will want one.
Now it is time for the things you must never do.
The most important is never lie about your experience. Just like applying for a job, the casting directors will get someone to do a background check about your credentials so it is only a matter of time before they find out the truth.
The same goes for special skills which you claim that you have but actually don’t. People won’t be able to do a background check here but they will find out when you are told to do something and suck at it.
When you submit a resume, make sure that this is printed on a sheet of paper that measures more than 8 ½ x 11. Again, this is because of the size of the head shot. If you insist doing that, chances are your resume will be thrown away.
Since you are not the only actor applying for a part, don’t waste the time of the casting director by giving them a resume that is more than one page. If you have a lot to say, put the most relevant using a 10 point font. If they want more information and this won’t fit in your resume, mention it later on during the interview.
A resume is a piece of paper with a list of your accomplishments. You must never staple reviews or clipping from newspapers.
An acting career should always have a resume and a headshot. Write a few drafts and take some photos then just use the best.