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How to become an Actor

The Basics

Study the craft & go to acting school. At least a part time class.
Audition as much as possible.
Build your resume and take some headshots.
Get an agent when you are ready.
Practice everyday to stay sharp.
Write an acting blog to self promote.

….and read the rest of the article for more tips

**This will be a short list based on some of my experiences…and some things that I have learned along the way from other people about how to become an actor in any city.

The first thing I would say is to take your own initiative and to find your own work. I know this may be obvious to some. There were times when I just didn’t want to pay to be on a casting site and there was nothing on Mandy for me at the time. So I actually found some roles on craigslist!

There are always places to find acting auditions or acting jobs. And, sometimes you don’t need any experience to start. I would also recommend reading any of the stanislavski books.

So let’s start where you are now. I’ll assume that you live in a city now, or maybe you don’t. Maybe you already have some experience in acting and maybe you don’t.

What kind of actor do you want to be or hope to become? It’s good to think about this ahead of time.

Do you want to be one of the great action movie actors, western actors, horror actors or comedy actors? Or something in between.

1. Never burn your bridges

Sometimes actors can start to think that they are too good or too talented for a role. Or have a bad attitude when they don’t get the work they feel they deserve. This may be true that they deserve more or want more because they have worked hard. But let’s try to remember that the director picked you out of maybe more than 100 people. Or if you didn’t get the role this time, it was probably close. And there is always a next time. If you don’t burn te bridge by having a bad attitude and giving a poor impression because you might cross paths again in the future.

2. It’s really important to network!

When I got involved in the acting world I always thought of it in a way that I had to do a lot of the ground work. That I would have to go out there and promote myself and network. That’s what I used background work for some years ago. And I did meet people that could of helped along the way, but that didn’t happen the way that I expected at the time. I’m still in touch with a couple of them.

There was or is a Film meet up group run monthly in Toronto, which I went to a few times but I didn’t keep up with it. But, it is true that you are always your best agent and you never know who you will meet. There are a lot of independent directors, producers and writers looking for new actors for their next short film. So, you should definitely go to these networking events!

3. Brand yourself correctly

It is best to have your imdb (internet movie data base) updated with your correct name and credits at all times. Some people have a few credits from productions with a different spelling of their name and they don’t bother to correct it. You’d better make sure your page is accurate, up-to-date with photos, a bio that states some of the work you have done and what you are working on now or in the near future. Also have a professional and personal facebook page, business cards, and an up to date website.

What kind of work have you done? What do you see yourself doing? Do you know your type for roles? Will you do every little web-series out there for no money just so you can have some work behind you?

4. Be a little picky with your work.

Be careful of ‘The web-series.’ Everyone has a web-series these days, and a lot of them aren’t very good. They don’t have the talent level needed most likely, and there really are producers out there that don’t know what they are doing. One example of this was when I was hired for a Web-Series. When I read over the script I did like the writing so I went for it. This was a few years ago now. But if I remember correctly, the problem came about when the director/writer was expecting us to complete 23 episodes in one day! I knew there was something seriously wrong with that, so I started to feel the pressure of trying to do everything in one take. And I had the lead role! So, let’s just say the day didn’t go so well.

Actors should never…

5. Be out of reach

Actors must always be contactable. If you are represented, make sure that your agent has all of your contact details including phone, email, home address, and your emergency contacts. If you a freelancing, make sure your casting profiles have your current contact details. A few years ago I had applied for a role in a music video. I can’t remember how I had found the ad but, the artist had called me at around 11 0’clock at night and I was sleeping or about to. After a short conversation I was hired for the role. That music video ended up getting over 1 million views. If I had never answered the phone or they couldn’t reach me, I would have never gotten that gig. Never be out of reach.

6. Pay money to an agent

Agents should never charge for their services. They take a cut of your work, that is all. They may recommend a headshot photographer or that you sign up to particular casting websites, but don’t ever pay your agent.

7. Give up

If this is something that you really want, and you really enjoy it. Don’t give up.

8. Listen to negative people

I’ve learned that even though there are some people in your life that you see quite often. Even on a daily basis that you would consider your “friend,” not everyone wants the best for you. Some people want you to fail, even though they pretend to support you. I’ve gone through my fair share of hearing negative comments about me doing stand up. And I’ve just learned to accept it. That this is something that is going to happen.

I’ve even had strangers get mad at me because I was doing it and they weren’t. And they wanted to. There was one guy I met at starbucks while I was writing, and he told me he wanted to do it but he got into construction work. A few days later or maybe even a week later when I saw him at the same starbucks, he gave me this glare and it seemed like he was mad at me. I am not responsible for the life choices that people make. Or if someone gets married and they just don’t seem to have time for themselves much anymore. This is not my fault.

Enjoy the business,

Have fun! And good luck!

Steve Hopkins

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