TL;DR

They say acting is one of the most challenging businesses to get into — the only one that might be harder is screenwriting. Sorry writers! We’ve heard the stories of people working less-than-ideal jobs or taking on as many as three jobs to make ends meet while trying to “make it big.” If it’s so hard, what makes it such a desirable career to pursue?

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Is it the thought of walking the red carpet one day or having your name on a movie marquis? Perhaps it’s the possibility of working with your favorite actor or director? Could it be the thought of traveling to another country to film a movie?

Yes! Yes to all the above. It is an exciting and magical career choice, and it is totally 100% achievable with a little bit of luck, dedication to your craft, and perseverance.

How To Start An Acting Career With No Experience

There are tons of information about pursuing an acting career, but here are 13 things you may not know about acting that can help you succeed.

1. You are the product and your career is your business.

You have to learn how to sell yourself to agents and managers, and casting directors. What makes you the “one” for a role? What makes you stand out? Why would the director want to “buy” you and not another actor? This means you have to make investments in yourself. Just like any business has to invest in things to help it run smoothly or to keep it pleasing to the public, you have to do the same for your business – your career. You have to make sure the product is aesthetically pleasing for the role, marketable, and something the public desires. Do your market research.

Questions to ask yourself to help you identify your strengths:

• What are 3 strengths you can think of right away?

• What are you proud of in your life? What do you like about yourself?

• What do you do better than others?

• What do you get complimented on?

• What do your friends admire in you?

2. Headshots are a must!

A headshot is your professional calling card. Casting directors will use this to decide if you have the look they are looking for, and getting an audition depends largely on this in the beginning. Find a photographer who can offer you something different, so your headshots don’t look like everyone else’s, and your personality shines. Directors want to see who you really are and don’t want to feel you misrepresent yourself. Own your unique qualities and let them show in your portraits!

Pro Tip: If you are deciding on changing your look or hairstyle, consider taking pictures with your original look and also with the new look. Examples: Short hair and long hair, beard and no beard, dyed hair, and natural hair.

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3. Casting directors can be your allies.

They are the most important people you will meet before you are established, so make sure you impress them and get them to like you. You don’t do this by annoying them on social media. You do this by consistently doing great work when they call you in. They decide whether or not to give you a job. Make a good impression at every audition and maintain a good working relationship with them. 

4. Networking is crucial.

Networking is the best way to create a presence and get more auditions. You can also get referrals or send invites to any shows you have. But the more connections you make, the more memorable you are.

 5. An agent takes your career to the next level.

If you are going to be serious about your acting career (your business), you have to have someone manage it. Agents help you get higher-paying roles, and they help you avoid scams. But a few things to note about agents: They do not charge you to represent you. They get paid a commission when you land an acting job. While an agent may recommend a good photographer, they will not require you to use a specific photographer or take particular classes. Lastly, they will not require you to have nude photos. 

6. Get your online presence going.

This is a great way to promote yourself. Again, you are a product, and you need to market yourself. A website gives everyone you meet access to your resume, headshots, showreels, and other promotional materials. Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube are also great ways to connect with fans and brand yourself. With hard work and persistence, you can get your name out there and attract attention.

7. Join a talent showcase to help jumpstart your career.

Join an acting showcase if you really want to take control of your career and get exposure. This is a good option if you are not getting many auditions or don’t have a lot of experience and need to build your resume. It also gives your agent the chance to see you in action, and it is a great way to meet other actors. This is a great option when you are beginning your acting career.

Pro Tip: There are a lot of websites and scam agencies claiming to be able to help you become an actor or want to represent you. Do your research on every company before you sign up and give them your information! My mission here at The Modern Actor is to remind new actors of the do’s and don’ts of the industry. At the beginning of my career, I fell for scam agencies, I don’t want you to be a victim of the same thing!

8. Learn as much as you can about the industry.

This is a competitive industry, and there will always be someone who knows more or who is better looking. Invest in yourself to give yourself a better chance. Take directing or writing classes. Volunteer at a casting office, PA on a movie set. Find training or experience in some bigger cities like Los Angeles or New York. Volunteer at film festivals. Find ways to practice your craft. Never stop learning. 

Read More: 25 Major Reasons Actors Should Get A Theatre Degree

9. Background work is not a dead-end street.

This is not the road you want to travel down for too long. However, for a time, it’s okay to spend time on a set as an extra to get a feel for it when you have an acting role. Do you like spending that many hours on set? Does being on a set excite you? Do you think you can do what the lead actor is doing? As a non-union actor, the pay isn’t great but once you become Union, this becomes a worthy side hustle. Also, background work is a great place to network with other actors. Many TMA clients have found a community of actors this way, along with agents and coaches.

10. Skills go a long way.

I don’t mean acting skills, although you should probably be good at acting if you want to succeed as an actor. Skills such as martial arts, piano playing, shooting a weapon, or playing a sport can help you get a role over someone without these skills. Casting directors will more likely cast someone who possesses a skill needed for the role over someone they are going to have to teach a skill to. So practice your yodeling and get that dirndl ready! It may be just what you need to land a role. 

11. Your body is an investment.

Stay healthy. Avoid smoking, drinking, and drug use. Keep your mind sharp. Stay mentally and emotionally healthy. Practice yoga and meditation for stress relief. If you don’t take care of your body, you’re not going to be able to keep up with the hours necessary for networking, classes, showcases, etc. Remember, this is your business. You are a product, and you have to market yourself, which means you have to have an excellent product to sell if you want to be successful. Take care of yourself!

12. Be willing to listen.

It is important. You are one small part of a bigger story that requires you to give and take. You have to be able to recognize what cues a scene partner is giving you and how to play off of what you’re given. That involves listening. And, of course, you need to be willing to listen to directions. 

13. You are not competing with anyone, although you are.

You have the ability to succeed, and so does the next person. Rejection is not personal, although it definitely feels like it is. There are a million reasons why someone gets a role over you, but it doesn’t make you a failure. It means this just wasn’t your time. Bounce back quickly and move on! Your time will come. Sometimes it’s not about how talented you are but about how hard you work to get yourself out there. So, keep running your own race, and don’t worry about the person in the lane next to you. You aren’t meant to run their race. 

Conclusion

It is always a good idea to ask others in the business their thoughts about acting. Sure, they will tell you how hard it is and how you better be prepared to eat Ramen noodles or beans and rice for a long time while you’re getting established. But, more than likely, they will tell you that when you land that big role and all of the hard work and sacrifice pays off, it will be the most wonderful feeling you have ever felt, beyond anything you can imagine. And that, future red-carpet-walker, makes the challenging climb worth it!