Actors portray characters to educate and entertain
audience. The job requires natural talent, good interpersonal skills, ability
to memorize and interpret roles.
It requires practice, passion, stamina and loads of
confidence in your ability. Today more than ever acting is very lucrative and
there are many platforms to express your talent.
The job is very challenging and competitive because of
huge number of people seeking fame. You could earn regular income as an actor
however only a selected few become stars.
To learn the craft you need appropriate training,
certification and determination. Here is a step to step guide on how to become
an actor.
Step
by Step Guide on How to Become an Actor
Different
Types of Performing Art
The performing art is very broad and has different
aspects. Common types are choreography, singing, dancing and acting. More are
stage recitals, voice over and singing.
Acting
Techniques and Methodology
An actor should develop his craft to succeed. There are
different acting techniques such as Stanislavski system, lee Strasberg’s method
and Stella Adlers technique.
Other notable techniques are Meisner, Practical
Aesthetics, Uta Hagem method, Viola Spolin approach and Michael Chekhov method.
Where
to Act
An actor portrays characters in television productions,
movies and plays. They also lend their voice to commercials and children
cartoons.
Actors are seen on stage plays, documentaries, home videos,
movies and television productions. They work in music videos, YouTube videos,
voiceover and different entertainment medium. You find actors on podcasts,
local plays and commercials.
- children cartoons
- stage plays
- documentaries
- home videos
- Movies
- television productions
- music videos
- YouTube videos
- Voiceover
- Podcasts
- commercials.
The
Career Basics
The career basics include memorizing scripts, auditions
and characterization. You work both live and on prerecorded acts such as
movies.
You need to pass an audition to become one of the casts.
Most time the actor works as extras, supporting roles before headlining or
becoming a leading character.
Acting
Skills
There are certain skills you need to perform credibly.
You should be creative, have the ability to memorize scripts with excellent
communication skill. You need passion, determination, persistence and physical
stamina.
- Creative
- ability to memorize scripts
- excellent communication skill
- passion
- determination
- persistence
- Physical stamina.
Tools
of the Profession
Tools of the profession are stage lighting, digital
cameras and microphones. Others are motion picture software, costumes and
scripts.
- stage lighting
- digital cameras
- microphones
- motion picture software
- costumes
- Scripts.
Actor
Remunerations
Actor’s salaries and remunerations depend on many
factors. They need to sign contractual agreements based on the amount agreed by
both parties.
Some include the geographical location, type of
production and expertise of the practitioner. Hollywood stars earn six figure
incomes based on popularity, job description and brand.
They are able to attract such huge earns because they add
lots of economic value to the production. A new actor in America could earn $20
per hour based on the producers.
Steps
to Become an Actor
So your dream is to become a successful actor, enjoy your
craft and earn good pay. The step to become one differs with each individual.
High
School Theater
A good place to start developing your skill is high
school. Early training accounts for many actors and musicians success.
High School Theater is full of drama, plays, recitals and
stage plays. Such classes introduce student to the performing arts and is
guided by a trained thespian.
The student learns different acting technique, speech and
dramatization. They also learn script writing, editing, stage lighting and
production.
The students build confidence and have a foreknowledge of
what acting entails. There are also acting groups and associations. Many actors
have leveraged on the early couching to launch acting careers.
Join
a Play House
Popular television, stage and movie stars launched their
careers by joining a play house. A play house focuses on stage drama
presentations.
They have directors, producers, script writers and
actors. Find one in your locality and apply to join.
You could start with stage decorations, equipment
handling, lights and small roles. Try auditioning for acting roles in such
establishments.
Get
Educated
Many actors go through university and obtain degrees. You
could study for a bachelors and masters degree.
Enroll in an acting school to obtain a theater degree.
The schools provide professional tutors in different aspects of performing art.
Different
Training Institutions
There are different training institutions that offer
acting. They are Commercial acting schools, performing art school, community
college and university education.
Associate
Degree in Theater and Acting
You could get an associate degree in acting and theater.
The courses include basic costuming, history of cinema, acting fundamentals and
entertainment.
Bachelors
Degree in Acting and Theater
Many universities offer degree program in theater arts.
The programs usually run for 4 years with an award of bachelor’s degree in
theater arts.
Course offered by such institutions are dramatic
techniques, audition workshops, performing projects and Shakespearean/cultural
performances.
You might decide to further the education by acquiring a
master’s degree in acting and theater. Courses to expect are practicable
business of stage, dramatic interpretations, script interpretation and
traditional history.
If you are so inclined further the education and obtain a
PHD.
Acting
Institutions
- Play House
- High school
- Private Couching
- Universities
- Performing Art Schools
- Acting Schools
Potential
Career Choices
Bagging a degree in theater and performing art opens many
career choices. Apart from a career as an actor you could offer different
services.
Top choices include becoming an acting coach or opening
an acting studio. Others are producing, directing, acting, and set
designing.
Related career choices are film/video editing, camera
operations, and animation. More are announcer, multimedia artist or explore you
music and singing.
Acting
Career Choices
- acting coach
- opening an acting studio
- producing
- directing
- acting
- set designing
- film and video editing
- camera operations
- animation
- announcer
- multimedia artist
- Singing.
Build a Resume
A
good resume should accommodate all your productions. Make sure it covers stage
productions, commercials, short dramas, and stage work.
Hire an Agent
Every
actor needs an agent to find credible work. An agent offers huge network of
possible clients, productions and auditions. It is not compulsory to have an
agent however working with one could provide lots of opportunities.
