Top 15 Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Actors

As one of the aspiring actors in the industry, you have to understand what’s in store for you in the industry. Although you may have knowledge of your duties and responsibilities, this is not enough. There is more to portraying a character or role in a production.

Pursuing an acting career is also about chasing your dreams and turning them into reality. The moment you dive into the realm of entertainment, you need to go deeper and explore. You will be amazed at the tons of wonderful and exciting things you will see and experience in your journey.

So, to help you taker firmer steps onto your path towards success, here are several tips and tricks you can follow:

# 1: Know What Your Job Is

‘How do I become an actor?’

You may have asked yourself this question several times and done your research. If you have done that, then you must have already realized by now that you will never become an actor if you are not aware of what your job really is.

It is not simply memorizing lines. You have to understand your character, why you are in the set, and why you are doing this job. Otherwise, everything will be worthless. Moreover, there’s no way you will be able to get your job done if you don’t know what acting is really all about.

So, one of the most vital questions you should really ask is, ‘Why do you want to act?’.

If acting is something that only interests you, then you might like to think about if this is really the career you want to pursue. For almost all famous and successful actors, acting is part of their lives. It is not just a hobby. It is an art form that powers their entire beings.

Once you will fully grasp the meaning of what an acting job really is, then that is the time you will know which steps to take in your journey.

# 2: This is Show Business

Show business is not called such for no reason. As a matter of fact, it is a creative entrepreneurial endeavor that you will have to take. And, just as with any other type of business, you need to invest three important things and these are:

• Time
• Effort
• Money

Your headshots are just like business cards and they can be considered as the among the factors that could get you to Hollywood or the entertainment industry, in general. Because of this, it is wise to invest on getting the best headshot that could represent you. Regardless of whether you decide to get a professional photographer to take your headshot or not, the bottomline is you need to have one that is updated and of high quality.

There are good headshot photographers, who knows what they are doing and could give you what you want. However, if you have a friend or a loved one who can help you produce a photo with good lighting and quality, it should already suffice.

Another thing you should make sure of is that your headshot should look exactly like you. You can’t have a headshot with you having a darker hair color than when you would appear for an audition. Remember, directors, agents, and producers will use your headshot to remember you and this just won’t work if you look different in it.

Once you have your headshots, the next thing you should do is sign up with online talent resource sites. There are a lot of them on the Internet that will help you with finding auditions and casting calls as well as acting classes or workshops. Although you might be asked to pay membership fees in joining these sites, think of it as an investment into the business of promoting yourself in the entertainment world.

# 3: Your Resume Matters

Even if you have come across plenty of auditions or casting calls looking for actors, don’t get too excited yet. There are still a few steps you need to take and prepare for. You also need to gather all the tools needed to nail the job.

One of the most important tools you should have for your acting career is your resume. This piece of paper and everything you will put in it will prove your worth. This means that if you wish to casting professionals to know about your skills, acting experience, training, and workshops, then these should be included.

Just keep in mind that while you need to impress people with the things you place in your resume, you still need to limit your resume to only one page. While your acting experience and training will provide plus points for you, it is best if you will only add on those that are relevant to what you are applying for. This means that you will need to almost always update your acting resume for every role you audition for, even if it is only for background acting.

# 4: Don’t Act Desperate

Stay away from looking too desperate. If possible, maintain your boundaries as an aspiring talent. Determination and desperation are two different things. Although you can become an actor in an instant, when luck or fate would have it, being too aggressive just to get a job is just not right.

It may sound complex, but once you understand the difference between having strong determination in achieving a career and getting a shortcut to success, things will be simpler. You have to understand pursuing an acting career is a long process and a tough journey to take. You will not become successful in this career with just a snap of your fingers.

In other words, if casting people will tell you to wait for a callback, then so be it. Furthermore, if you have connections in the industry, don’t take advantage of them by asking for roles. You have to learn how to play fair and to work really hard to achieve your goals.

# 5: Don’t Take Things Personally

Keep in mind that while you need to really internalize all your characters, your acting profession should be separate from your personal life. Although you may always hear from your acting class teachers to take acting seriously, you also have to learn how to take it easy. Don’t take everything too personally.

You may have read in the news where some actors were lambasted for being too temperamental. It was probably because these people do not know how to draw a line between their jobs and their personal lives. You have to know who you are as a person and who you are on set.

While you might be perfect for a role, learn how to separate your character from the real you. Although you can use your personal experience to create an aggressive character, you don’t have to act that way throughout the day even if you are already off cam.

# 6: Start Small Before Going to Hollywood

Just because you want to become an actor, this doesn’t mean you have to be in Hollywood. Although you might need to get there in time, you can start working on your dream by exploring the opportunities available in your local area.

As a matter of fact, if you’re looking for ways on how to become a young actor, then you can always join in the acting productions in your local community. Even if it is just a church play or a mini-theater project in your town, go for it.

Did you know that there are some Hollywood actors who didn’t start their career in Hollywood? Although there are those really relocated to LA and have found their way to the industry, there are those who began their getting acting jobs in some other parts of the country.

Even if Los Angeles can be considered a significant place for aspiring actors, becoming an actor doesn’t only start and end here. You can stay and begin where you are, and from there, work your way up. On the other hand, if you really want to start a career at a particular location or area, you are free to do so. Large cities like LA, New York, Atlanta, Miami or Chicago do offer bigger and better opportunities.

# 7: Keep Your Skills Honed

Even if you have the talent in acting, always remember that this is not enough. You need to polish what you have and acquire some skills and techniques that will make your acting better.

Top actors didn’t reach where they are in this industry without constant learning and practice. Remember that practice really does make everything perfect, including acting.

The formula to be on top of your career is:

Talent (Core Base) + Acting Classes + Practice + Application = Awesome Acting Skills

There are quite a number of schools or universities where you can enroll to become an expert in your craft. Additionally, you can also take a short courses or workshops to further enhance your acting techniques. The more techniques and skills you learn, the more your talent will be honed.

# 8: Work With an Agent or Not, It Doesn’t Matter

It may be a tough decision to make, but take this is an option for you if you wish to become part of the entertainment industry. If you are just starting out, you can opt out of getting yourself an agent. Although they will help open doors to more opportunities and jobs you cannot source out yourself, you can leave off hiring one until you have already established yourself in the business.

As a newbiew, you can just go online and find several acting breaks for yourself. Once you have found the auditions or casting calls suited for you, the next thing you can do is submit yourself for them. In short, even without an agent, there are many ways for you to find an acting job and start there.

# 9: Do What You Got to Do, Just Act

In pursuing a career in the entertainment world, you have got to do what you have to do. You just have to act, as this is what your job is all about. Just remember that no matter you do, do not ever quit.

If you are already thinking of quitting this early in the day, then this means you are not really fit to become an actor. What is essential in this business is your love for acting and your determination to pursue it at all cost, regardless of whether you have an agent or not.

This is where your passion for the job comes in. It’s all about your love for the craft. You wouldn’t mind slaving at auditioning and looking for whatever acting job you can find if you enjoy what you’re doing. And, the moment you get on set or on stage, you just got to act. That is all there is to it.

# 10: Be Professional

You have to be as professional as you can. So, if you’re asked to be on set first thing in the morning, then you have to be there on or before the call time. This will show everyone that you respect them and their time.

Don’t fool around. Instead, you have to take every opportunity seriously. Don’t just think about getting fame and fortune. You also have to think how you can contribute to the completion of a production..

# 11: Always Be Real

When you talk about being real, this is when you bring your character to reality on the stage or on the film set. Acting requires you to be 100 percent truthful and you can do this by really bringing an emotion right into your role and not just imitating someone to be able to do it.

Actors may know how to fake their roles, but you have to keep in mind that acting is not about faking. It is about being true to the character you are portraying. You have to be impulsive and deliver something raw and unexpected into the production.

In acting, you have to build up on the audience’s anticipation of what comes next. So, in other words, being real is all about making your character unpredictable. This is how you can help make the entire production more exciting. It may require a lot of hard work, but it will allow you to show your genuine skills and talent as an actor.

# 12: Be Confident

You can’t convey a believable and realistic role if you do not have confidence. Consider this as a very crucial requirement if you want to excel in this kind of craft. Once, you have gained enough confidence, then all else will follow.

However, confidence cannot simply be learned in acting school. While you may be taught how to be more self-assured, it is entirely up to you to cultivate this quality within yourself. And, one of the best ways to do this is to expose yourself to different types of people and to learn how to deal with all of them. You also have to believe in yourself and your capabilities to become an actor.

# 13: Prepare to Hustle

The entertainment industry is a busy world. In fact, even if you’re still trying to work your way into auditions and getting the jobs you want, you can instantly see how people are going about at achieving their individual goals.

You have to be prepared to hustle if you want to make it in the acting world. You won’t just have to prove yourself to a handful of people, but to a great number of casting and production professionals, who could either drop you like a hot potato or worship you at your feet for having that “it” factor they are looking for.

So, get your energy up and prepare yourself to go to thousands of auditions and casting calls as well as callbacks. You have to get busy in this getting your career on track, or else you will get left behind in the race.

# 14: Perfect Your Audition

Did you know that you will need more things other than your talent during an audition process? You need to possess other qualities to perfect your audition and below are just four of them:

Punctuality

Time is precious. It’s not just during the auditions. In everything you do, respect other people’s time.

There are advantages to being punctual. Aside from taking away from the stress of having to hurry through your pre-audition processes, this will also how responsible and dependable you are.

Confidence

Start showing your self-assurance and composure by smiling. This quality will not only allow you to deal well with others. It will also help you deliver the kind of performance that will knock the socks of all those casting professionals, who are present during auditions to assess your talents and capabilities.

A Listening Ear

Being an actor isn’t all about saying your lines. It’s also about having a listening ear. You have to learn how to consider other people’s advice, especially if they come from the expert’s. It’s alright to be quiet sometimes, if you are doing that to digest what the people in the industry have shared to you.

A Team Player

This means that aside from just thinking about yourself and your performance, you also have to consider others. Think about how your actions will affect them. It is not enough that you have the talent and skills to get a role. You also have to work well with everyone, if you wish for people to consider you an asset to a production.

If you are hard to get along with, then you will never be able to get a role no matter how good you are as an actor.

# 15: Know How to Create a Character

Lastly, as an aspiring actor, you must know how to create a character. Tom Cruise didn’t arrive at the peak of his career without knowing how to do this. There are different ways for you to do this. You can either tap at your own experience or use other acting techniques you may have learned in the acting courses or workshops you have been part of.

Regardless of how you make up your character, the most important thing is for you to have the imagination to really bring your role to life. The moment you recognize and understand this, then it would be easier for you delve deeper into every nuance that makes your character and be it.

The Bottom Line

Your acting coach may give you some advice or teach you essentials of the acting industry, but keep in mind that this is all about you. Whether you may find a career in Los Angeles or in your local area, everything is about the drive and the will to achieve your dreams.

In other words, you can have everyone help pave the way for your acting career, but if you do not have the passion to take the necessary steps in achieving your goals, then becoming an actor will never happen. Aspiring actors like yourself should believe that you have the power to obtain a career that will turn your dreams into reality.