What Is Acting?
To "act" is the performance of a character in a
theatre play, on television or in films and movies.
Acting can also be an improvisation, whereby an actor
creates a character off the top of his or her head, and
performs that character by making up lines, situations
and confrontations.
The process of acting originated in Greece, hundreds of
years ago. The first actor is believed to be Thespis of
Icaria.
Acting is the process by which an actor creates a
character or reads on from a script, transforms himself
or herself into that character and attempts to convince
an audience that he or she is that character in real
life. Acting performances are considered successful
when the actor is successful at making the character
appear to be a real-life person, with all the emotions,
complexities and dimensions of a real human being.
How Do I Break
Into Acting?
Breaking into acting is different for each
actor. There is no uniform way to jumpstart an acting
career. However, there are a few basic items that every
actor needs to get started in show business, including
experience, training, a headshot and acting resume, and
representation (for professional actors).
Experience
Perhaps the best way to begin your acting
career is to get involved in local community theatres.
Look in the phone book for community theatres in
your area and ask them how you can get involved.
Community theatres in your area are a great way to gain
experience as an actor. You can get exposed to plays
from Shakespeare and others. You can learn how to learn
lines and perform characters before live audiences. And
you can interact with other actors who can guide you and
share information about the industry.
Training
If you live in or near a large city, there
should be some acting classes in the area. Find a good
acting coach or teacher you can train with. Training is
essential to any actor, the same way training would be
important to an airline pilot. Without training, an
airline pilot will crash and burn. Without proper
training, an actor will, metaphorically, do the same.
The more training you have, the better you will be able
to perform and the wider your range of performances will
be.
Headshot/Resume
Your headshot is an 8 x 10, usually black and
white representation of you. On the back of the photo,
you will place your resume, detailing all the work
you've done, training you've received, and special
skills you have. Your headshot is like a business card.
It is the essential to get a great headshot that (1)
looks like you, (2) represents your career path, (3) and
details all your skills, training and experience.
Talent Agency
A talent agency is a company that helps an actor
find work, negotiate contracts and manage their careers.
A talent agency is not always essential, depending on
where you live. But it can always be helpful because
talent agencies understand the industry, understand the
work available in your area, and understand what is
needed to become a successful actor in your area.
