Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Improving Skills
• Part 2 of 4: Building a Personal Brand
• Part 3 of 4: Casting Auditions
• Part 4 of 4: Continue Your Career
• Tips
• Warnings

Acting allows you to try on new roles and characters that are different from us. It might be a little intimidating, but remember, every famous actor has gotten started at some point too. The key to becoming an actor is a lot of practice and training, personal branding and auditions. With hard work and dedication to the profession, you can become a star on the big screen!

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Improving Skills

1. 1 Improve memoryto remember your roles. Start with small sections of the script, working with roles that share the same emotionality. Improve the role by repeating and memorizing it visually. Keep working on memorizing the lines until you are perfect at memorizing the entire scene.
   • Exercise regularly and eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids to improve memory.
   • Associate the role with any movement you perform during the scene. This way, you will have mental clues to help you.
   • Take frequent breaks. Each time you sit down to start learning the text again, try repeating the lines you learned before.
2. 2 Work on staging your voice. Since the audience may be seated quite far from the stage, work on speaking the words clearly and loudly.Stay away from cigarettes, alcohol, and anything that dehydrates your vocal cords and may interfere with your performance.
   • If you're in a movie, pay attention to the feel of the scene. You shouldn't speak loudly and expressively if everyone else is sad.
   • Making your voice powerful is not the same as shouting.
   • Breathe through your diaphragm to make your voice as deep and loud as possible.
3. 3 Work on different dialects. Practice reading aloud in different voices and accents to become a more versatile actor. If possible, watch videos of people speaking the dialect you are rehearsing to see how they pronounce the words.
   • If possible, talk to the native speaker of the dialect you want to master - this will give you the opportunity to notice small details that you did not notice before.
   • Hire a dialect teacher, if possible, so they can help you get started.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Dan Klein

   
   
   Theater and Performing Arts Lecturer Dan Klein is an improviser who teaches in the Theater and Performing Arts Department at Stanford University and at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Has been teaching improvisation, creativity and storytelling to students and organizations from all over the world for over 20 years. Received his BA from Stanford University in 1991.

   Dan Klein
   Theater and Performing Arts Teacher

   Practice out loud. Dan Klein, a teacher of improvisation and storytelling, says: “Some people are naturally good hearing and have an easy accent, while others have to learn more. You can find videos online with different accents and dialects and try to copy them. You may even find specialized literature on learning dialects and converting sounds. The main thing is to remember to always practice out loud. "

   
   
4. 4 Channel your emotions into the role. Watch the script and identify the main emotions in the scene. Whatever your character should be feeling at that moment, make sure your performance conveys it. For example, if your character is sad, you need to speak more softly and use fewer gestures than if it were an overly aroused character.
   • The emotional state of the scene will also help you remember your lines as you associate the scene's dialogue with how you feel.
5. 5 Work on your stage skills. Express emotion with your entire face and use gestures to let your audience understand how your character is feeling. Work on other skills, such as dancing, singing, and dance performances, to be more competitive.
   • Staged fighting classes can show you how to fight convincingly without getting hurt. Knowing how to do this can open up many roles, both in plays and musicals.
   • Take dance lessons. The more skills you have, the more versatile you are, and the more likely you are to land a role.
   • Do something unusual. Any skills that most other performers don't have can pay off in the long run, so don't give up on your hobbies.
6. 6 Study acting at a theater university or college. While it is possible to try to become an actor without special education, going to a drama school or university is the surest way to enter a professional environment. You will meet professionals, master acting skills and get the chance to work on stage. It will also help you write your resume, show yourself, and make the connections you want. Your teachers will constantly push you to do more, practically caring about your motivation.
   • There is no guarantee that after graduating from acting school you will become a professional actor. As long as you keep honing your skill and practice, you can become the next star.
7. 7 Take acting classes where you live. Some of them can be intense enough that you can learn the material in 2-3 weeks. You can do multiple shows, fill multiple roles, and maybe even get paid for your work.
   • If you are too busy at work or school to attend these classes, it is important to constantly read and learn new material. Go to auditions, read theory and open yourself up to new ideas and thoughts.
   • Contact your local theater to see if they have any special events or workshops you might like to attend.
   • If you are interested in theater, then fall is a great time to get started. Plays, musicals and even operas provide a very valuable life experience. Audition in late spring or early summer (before the close of theater season) to prepare for the new season.
8. 8 Practice acting in amateur theaters such as MOST, ELF, ZHIV, and others. Find out in the theaters of your city what performances they are putting on now. Once you get a role in a production, you will meet other actors who are improving their skills just like you. This way you can get more experience. You will also get an idea of ​​how different you are from the competition.
   • Consider working behind the scenes if the performances they put on don't interest you.
   • Even if you don't want to work on stage or stage plays or musicals, any experience in the theater field will be useful for your resume. It also gives you the opportunity to learn new things and make friends.
9. 9 Hire an acting tutor to help you with your technique. Look for a tutor with extensive industry experience and connections. He can give you the attention you need to work on your weak points, as well as hone what you are already doing well.
   • Ask someone you know about a tutor. Talk to the staff and instructors of the courses you attend or the theater you work with. Someone probably knows a professional who can help you.
   • Find someone who works in different genres in order to learn from him the necessary knowledge and experience.

Part 2 of 4: Building a Personal Brand

1. 1 Register on social networks. Post videos of your performances on YouTube or create a Facebook, Instagram or VKontakte page where fans can view your content and share your photos or performances with other users. It takes time, but you never know who might accidentally stumble upon your information and decide to hire you. Actively maintain your social media presence, and create pages on actor search sites (such as the Actors Base) to connect with the theater and film world.
   • Think of yourself as an entrepreneur. You are not only an artist, but also a businessman. Use relevant hashtags to get the most views.
   • Create a personal website with an easy-to-remember URL. Use your name as the web address if it is not already taken.
   • Connect with active communities on the social network to find and establish business contacts to find like-minded people.
2. 2 Take photos. Ask a professional photographer to take a photo of you so you have beautiful portrait photos. Use a minimal amount of makeup so that filmmakers will know what you look like when viewing photos. When taking pictures, look directly into the camera.
   • Ask budding photographers if they can work with you for a small fee or even free. The great thing about portrait photography is that you don't need special decorations and props for such a photo shoot.
   • Update your portrait photo every 2 or 3 years so the casting directors know how you look now.
3. 3 Make useful connections in different areas. Stay connected and build your reputation as a professional.Be the first to reach out to the person and show genuine interest. Those with whom you have connections can help you with the available vacancies and provide you with valuable information about your job and business.
   • Take care of a good reputation. If everyone knows you as a lazy person who is difficult to work with, or arrogant and narcissistic, you have little chance of getting a job.
   • Use websites to find and establish business contacts to connect with others in your area and area.
4. 4 Stay on top of what's happening in the industry. Check out industry newspapers and websites to find out what the current business trends are. Go to shows and work on other projects with friends and acquaintances constantly so that your creative fire does not die out.
   • Stay up to date with new playwrights and directors, learn theory and develop. Knowing which direction the "scene" is heading will help you stay one step ahead. Maybe you will be the inspiration for the next big project!

Part 3 of 4: Casting Auditions

1. 1 Study a variety of monologues. Watch 1-2 minute monologues online or buy an acting book with monologues from famous works. Practice presenting them with your voice and your acting style. Monologues are often used in plays, films and shows, and they allow you to showcase your talents in a short time.
   • Choose a monologue based on your character type. Don't read an elderly person's monologue if you're young, and vice versa.
   • Study contrasting monologues. Even if you always play a funny person, prepare a couple of serious monologues to tell if asked.
   • If you are a singer, prepare 16–32 measures from several songs and master them. Some auditions need to show a particular genre, while others remain undefined.
2. 2 Write a resume. List your strengths in acting in a notebook and list your most important skills. Add any performances you have participated in in camps, workshops, universities, and community theaters. Make sure you only list recent roles so that the casting director isn't overwhelmed by the workload of your resume.
   • List all your abilities (dancing, singing, martial arts, etc.) on your resume. Don't lie about your skills.
3. 3 Come prepared. You need to arrive on time, find out the listening material, bring all the materials you need (including a pen or pencil), and look neat. You won't be able to control what the director who is filming the project thinks of you, but you can control how well you present yourself.
   • Be talkative and confident in your talent. You never know who and where you will meet. That guy hiding in a corner with a headset on may have a lot more power than you think, and even if he doesn't, that doesn't mean he won't do it later. So communicate with others and "spin" in this area.
4. 4 Audition often. Auditions are a good way to become recognizable. Once people start to recognize you, they are more likely to consider you for roles. PR of your name is half the battle.
   • You will receive rejections. Relax, keep working on yourself, a positive answer will not keep you waiting long.

Part 4 of 4: Continue Your Career

1. 1 Move to a big city if possible. Start with a local theater and a location that you can easily get to. Save the money you earn so you can relocate to a larger city where more roles are available and movies are often shot.
   • Consider moving to Moscow or St. Petersburg for Russia, or other cities outside the country (such as Los Angeles, London, Toronto, or Mumbai).
2. 2 While you are just getting started in this field, look for advertising roles. Look for auditions for commercials on sites (for example VseKastings.ru). When auditioning, dress for the role you are playing so the directors can easily imagine you in it.
   • An advertising role is a small role, but it will give you the opportunity to reach a wider audience and make your face public.
   • Be wary of offers that seem too good to you, as this could be a scam. Be wary of offers via email or off-site professional sites that promise to pay too much for a job for candidates without the required experience.
3. 3 Become an extra in big movies. Once you reach a certain level of acting, try yourself as an extra by going through the casting. Today on the Internet there are many invitations to different castings. For example, it is worth visiting such large sites as https://www.vsekastingi.ru/castings/massovki/, http://kastingi.com/board/massovki
   • While not the main role, you can still include it on your resume to show that you have experience.
4. 4 Hire a manager. Find out from your friends in the acting environment who to go to and where to start. Make calls or send inquiry letters to agencies to see if they are looking for new talent to represent. An agent will help you arrange castings for the roles you want to get.
   • Managers only get paid for their work when they find it for you. Do not hire those who ask for a large amount for their services without providing them to the fullest.
5. 5 Join a union of actors. One of the main trade unions in Russia is the Independent Trade Union of Theater and Film Actors. If you live in another country, search the internet for relevant information. Such a union will help you while you work in this profession. In addition, the union assists in emerging tensions between parties by providing free legal advice.
   • The trade unions have membership fees, which are set by the trade union independently. The membership fee is about 1200 rubles per year (100 rubles per month).

Tips

• Many people want to be actors, but they don't really understand what an actor's lifestyle is like. Talk to other actors and find out how their days usually go.
• Behave the way a character would behave every day to practice.
• Keep looking for castings and don't give up. If it seems impossible, but becoming an actor is your dream, let people see you strive for it.

Warnings

• Acting is an extremely competitive field, and you may never be as famous as you would like. Be realistic but ambitious at the same time.
• There may be times when you can't find a job and you have to save every penny. Take a second job and notify your employer that you are an actor in case the role unexpectedly turns up for you.