Acting is one of the most stressful careers imaginable. The following information will help the budding talent to easily and quickly find the path to success in the world of acting. Follow these 50 steps and refer to them often:
#1 Determine your talent. ~Are you a stage actor? A comic actor? A film actor?
#2 Determine your skills. ~Are you more comfortable in front of an audience or the camera?
#3 Build on your skills. ~Take a new class. Learn a new talent!
#4 Know your limitations. ~If you are 5'2", you may not be a runway model. If you are over 35, you may not be an ingenue.
#5 Build a support group. ~NO Family members! Find people who support you outside the acting world, they will center you.
#6 Learn to market. ~Get pictures and demos on yourself and your work.
#7 Keep a notebook on successes and failures. ~ All actors start an actor's notebook or diary.
#8 Network with other talent. ~ Find out who is working, who isn't and why?
#9 Network with agents. ~There are many talent agents out there for a variety of careers. Commercial, TV, film, even voice.
#10 Network with producers/directors. ~Many budding directors like to use the same people over and over.
#11 Study other talent. ~Learn what sparked their success!
#12 Put on blinders. ~ Do not fall into traps set by NO or YOU CAN'T-isms!
#13 Keep up to date on the industry.~ Watch TV, read magazines, see movies. Find out what is hot and how you can fit in!
#14 Have a resume. ~An actor's resume is their calling card!
#15 Have a contact letter. ~How producers will reach you? Create an introductory letter so people know how to contact you.
#16 Have a phone, cell phone. ~Be available and on call!
#17 Have an email address. ~Use all of today's technology to be informed!
#18 Have a website dedicated to your career. ~More than juts a resume. This is a real marketing tool!
#19 Have a mentor! ~The actor that stops learning his or her craft is finished!
#20 Learn a new skill! ~Better to market yourself if you can do things that others can't or don't know how.
#21 Re-market your career to overcome complacency. ~ ex. If you are no longer a fashion model, take acting classes!
#22 Work on your career at least 2 hours a week (MINIMUM)~ Spend time working on YOU!
#23 Do a play! ~ Best way to learn lines, how to take direction and build a character
#24 Take a class to hone skills. ~ Specific classes can win you auditions and roles!
#25 Have a monologue. ~ Learn two if possible... modern, classical!
#26 Learn primary basic dance steps. ~Even if you are NOT a dancer, this will show the director/producer you can move well!
#27 Learn a song a cappella. ~Even if you do NOT know how to sing well, it can teach you memorization and tone.
#28 Learn professionalism. ~Don't turn diva or egomanical, it gets nothing established.
#29 Keep temperamental moments in check. ~ We all have good day/bad days. learn to focus and relax.
#30 Help others. ~You WILL see them on the way up as well as during any down time.
#31 Know how to put on basic make-up. ~ This will help you more than you know. Look your best.
#32 Look like your pictures. ~Throw out OLD headshots or tuck them in a scrapbook.
#33 Learn to do at least one impersonation, magic trick or joke. ~It is a great ice breaker.
#34 Know a costumer! ~ Find costume designer or someone that sews very VERY well.
#35 Keep a costume closet. ~ A closet or chest for clothes, props and accessories you may need later.
#36 Learn patience. ~ Acting is really a waiting game.
#37 Regiment a diet when needed. ~ Keep your body in check!
#38 Save 10% of everything you earn...75% of everything you learn! ~Great advice!
#39 Trust in yourself. ~The more you learn, the more you can rely on being right in your career.
#40 Let go of auditions! ~You win some, lose some, but...more will come.
#41 Volunteering leads to respect. ~Help others when you can!
#42 A reputation starts when you are not in the room. ~Others will always judge you from performance.
#43 Support anyone's dream or desire. ~ No matter how small or far fetched, be a posiitve sounding board.
#44 Stay away from naysayers. ~The world has enough of them.
#45 Be happy or at least look happy! ~The world loves a clown who may be crying on the inside.
#46 Learn new acting techniques. ~Learn how to use a microphone, ear or teleprompter.
#47 Learn how to improvise. ~Think on your feet!
#48 Learn how to visualize. ~ See success, you will be successful!
#49 Work on observation skills (IE..you don't need to be drunk to play a drunk)
#50 Pass it forward!