What Aspiring Actors Need to Know

By Webmaster

  • What Aspiring Actors Need to Know

    First, stop saying that you’re “aspiring”

    (By Jim Webb)

    (Photo: Jeffrey Reed | Pexels)

    QUESTION:

    What do aspiring actors need to know?

    ANSWER:

    *find a mentor

    *take acting classes

    *get some training

    *get great headshots

    *submit yourself for acting jobs

    *get some experience

    *build your resume

    Oh yeah, and….stop being “aspiring!” Stop calling yourself an aspiring actor.

    (Photo: Ron Lach | Pexels)

    There are a mountain of instructional videos that supposedly teach aspiring actors how to become actors. There are a million books out there on how to become an actor. There are more podcasts on the subject than the law should allow.

    While resources like these can teach you the basics, no one can truly tell you how to become the next Broadway star or movie star. Every actor must chart their own course and find their own way.


    RELATED: 10 Tips for Beginning Actors


    Each actor has their own unique brand and skillset. Each actor will find lucky breaks in their own time. No so-called acting guru can do that for you.

    But there’s one thing every aspiring actor must do on the first day they decide to enter this business. They must shed the title “aspiring.”

    “Don’t consider yourself an ‘aspiring actor.’ Just do it!”

    (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

    As long as you see yourself as “aspiring”, you’ll never be fully committed. You’ll always be one foot in and one foot out.

    You’ll move on to something else, as soon as you find out that the business is tougher than you thought. You’ll move on as soon as you get bored. You’ll move on as soon as you get rejected, after an audition.

    You’ll delay spending money on your career. You’ll delay taking decisive actions, making plans and following through.

    But the moment you stop describing yourself as aspiring and begin calling yourself an actor, your whole attitude changes.

    (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels)

    Suddenly now, your mind says, “I’m an actor. I HAVE to go to class. I HAVE to get my headshots. I HAVE to work. I HAVE to compete with the other actors. I HAVE to succeed.

    And when things get tough, you won’t be so willing to quit. After all, you’re an actor! This is what you do. This is who you are. You’re not aspiring to become an actor. You ARE an actor.


    You Might Also Like:
    Harrison Ford’s Advice for Young Actors


     

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • 10 Apps Every Actor Should Consider Using

    10 Apps Every Actor Should Consider Using Here are ten must-have apps that every actor should consider adding to their toolkit (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Tracy Le Blanc | Pexels) As the world…

    How to Audition for National Commercials

    How to Audition for National Commercials Knowing how to stand out in the audition room is essential (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) Auditioning for national commercials offers actors a unique…

    20 Facts About Michael Chekhov

    20 Facts About Michael Chekhov Fascinating Insights into the Innovative Actor and Teacher (By Carmichael Phillips) (Michael Chekhov) Michael Chekhov, renowned for his pioneering contributions to acting theory and his innovative approach to…

    10 Essential Books Every Actor Should Read

    10 Essential Books Every Actor Should Read Ten must-read books that provide valuable insights, techniques, and wisdom for actors (By Jim Webb) (Photo by Ben White on Unsplash) Aspiring actors embark on a…

    Do Actors Really Smoke While Performing?

    Do Actors Really Smoke While Performing? Do actors use real cigarettes or prop cigarettes? (By Carmichael Phillips) (Photo: Radu Florin | Pexels) In some cases, actors may actually smoke while performing, especially in…

  • Ad

  • Should Actors Fear AI?

    Should Actors Fear AI? AI has the potential to both disrupt and enhance the acting industry (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) Actors, like professionals in many other fields, may have…

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting?

    QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Edmond Dantes | Pexels) QUESTION: Is 21 Too Late to Start Acting? ANSWER: It’s never too late to start acting. There…

    The First Rule for Acting

    The First Rule for Acting What is the most important thing in acting? (By Tonya Tannenbaum) (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya | Pexels) What’s the first rule for acting? Don’t think about it. Just answer!…

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally?

    QUESTION: Should I Film My Self-Tape Vertically or Horizontally? (By AM Staff) (Photo: George Milton | Pexels) QUESTION: Should I film my self-tape vertically or horizontally? ANSWER: Always shoot your self-tape horizontally. Always,…

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022

    10 Phenomenal Actors Who Died in 2022 (By AM Staff) The year 2022 flew by so fast! We hardly had a chance to enjoy it. We also hardly had time to celebrate the…

    Save $500 in 30 days!

    Save $500 in 30 days! Use this money challenge to save more money fast (By Jessica Baker) (Photo: Maitree Rimthong | Pexels) How much money is in your bank account right now? $400?…

    What Questions Should You Ask an Agent?

    What Questions Should You Ask an Agent? 10 questions to prepare before an agent meeting (By AM Staff) (Photo: Shvets Production | Pexels) QUESTION: I am going to an agent meeting. They are…

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition

    Important Rules to Follow During an Audition What makes an audition successful? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Teja J | Pexels) 1. First, be happy that you got the audition. Whether you land the…

  • Ad

  • QUESTION: | Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent?

    QUESTION: Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Yan Krukau | Pexels) QUESTION: Is It Hard to Get a Talent Agent? ANSWER: Signing with a quality, reputable agent…

    QUESTION: | How do I know if a talent manager is legit?

    QUESTION: How do I know if a talent manager is legit? (By AM Staff) (Photo: Andrea Piacquadio | Pexels) QUESTION: How do I know if a talent manager or talent agent is legit?…

    Giant Red Flag: Talent Agent Scams

    Giant Red Flag: Talent Agent Scams How to know if a talent agent or manager is legit (By AM Staff) (Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich | Pexels) Talent agents are great…until they’re not! There are…

  • Ad

  • 1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing | Part 2: Your Family

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing Part 2: Your Family (By AM Staff) (Photo: Engin Akyurt | Pexels) Your family can’t understand why you want to be an actor. You will…

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing! | Part 1: Auditions

    1001 Reasons Why Acting is So Damn Depressing! Part 1: Auditions (By AM Staff) (Photo: Gerd Altmann | Pexels) There’s 100 people competing in this job interview known as an audition. 100 FRIGGIN’ PEOPLE!…

    Never, Never, Never Do This!

    Never, Never, Never Do This! 5 Things Actors Should Never Do (By Jim Webb) (Photo: Cottonbro Studio | Pexels) This is a debatable topic. But from my perspective, there are 5 things every…

    QUESTION: Is It Okay to Turn Down an Audition or Acting Job?

    Question: Is It Okay to Turn Down an Audition or Acting Job? (By Staff) (Photo: Picas Joe | Pexels) ANSWER: Yes! But communicate your reluctance with your reps and others who need to…

    QUESTION: Are auditions free? How much do auditions cost? 

    QUESTION: Are auditions free? How much do auditions cost?  (By Staff) (Photo: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels) ANSWER: If someone charges you for the privilege to audition, it’s most likely a scam. Auditions are…

  • Ad