1. What is the best advice you can give to an aspiring actor?
2. Where should I go when auditioning?
3. What are the types of questions casting directors ask you?
4. How to get noticed?
5. How to pick an agent?
6. How to avoid acting scams?
7. How to start an acting career?
8. Should you move to another state to start an acting career, if so where?
9. What are some acting tips that will help me succeed in this career?
What is the best advice you can give to an aspiring actor?
Just being an actor isn’t good enough these days. Actors in current times are triple threats. They can sing, dance, and act. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to be skilled in some other area. Learn to play an instrument. You need to stand out from the rest of your competition. It’s best to have other talents than acting. Just like college directors, casting directors want a well-rounded person who can offer more to them than just one thing.
Where should I look when auditioning?
If the director doesn’t tell you where to look, find a place on a wall and focus on that spot. Speak to the wall. Don’t constantly look around talking to random objects then the casting director. You want the scene to be realistic. In real life the person you’re talking wouldn't be jumping from one place to another when it comes to monologues.
What are the types of questions casting directors ask you?
Casting director’s questions range from asking about the last production you were in to what are your hobbies. Think of it as a job interview. They just want to feel what kind of person you are and if you qualified enough to work with their company. Be genuinely. Don’t try to give the answer that you think they want to hear. You don’t know what they might be looking for. Don’t give scripted answers. Answer the questions sincerely and professionally.
How to get noticed?
In order to get noticed you need to put yourself out there. You have to be driven person because there are so many people in this business who are. If you let them, they’ll get right in front of you. You can’t be shy. You have to let your friends and family know that you’re trying to get into the acting industry. Therefore, if they hear something about an audition they can let you know. You can’t let your goal be a secret.
To get noticed, you might want to get an agent. Agents connect you with casting directors who will give you a shot to be in their production. A way to get notice you can be in multiple plays, movies, TV shows, commercials, etc. To get notice you have to stand out and you have to work hard.
How to find an agent?
Research about different agencies out there and invite one of them to see you perform. If they would like to represent see how many people they represent. This gives you an idea on how much time their probably going to devote to your career. For example, if one person is representing 100 people then you might not get the best representation you could have. If your acting career is just starting it might be a good idea to start off with a small agency. One way I found my agent was by representing myself and bumping into one on set.
Was this advice helpful to you? Do you do something differently? If so, What? Do you have any other advice you would give an inspiring actor?