Breaking Into Acting: 9 Tips for Aspiring Actors

Professional acting is a career path that requires tenacity, preparation, patience, luck, and impeccable timing. As an aspiring actor, you must take a professional approach to the job, putting in the necessary practice and networking to land the coveted role.

Every actor carves their own unique path to success. These nine essential tips can help you establish yourself as an industry professional:

1. 1. Set a schedule. The best way to take advantage of the time between jobs and auditions is to use it to improve your skill set. Create a routine that mimics a conventional workday: Start each day at a set time and devote yourself to improving different components of your craft. Incorporate voice work, full-body conditioning, and reading scripts into your daily routine. Adhering to a consistent routine will enhance your skills, putting you in the best position to nail your next audition.
2. 2. Network with other industry professionals. Befriending other actors can make working in major industry hubs like Los Angeles or New York City less intimidating for new actors. Networking within your peer group is invaluable in the entertainment industry. You should also network with aspiring directors who can potentially cast you in their next film or theatrical production. When networking, look for possible connections that you share with another professional outside of entertainment. Cultivating a friendship in the networking process can have a meaningful impact on your personal and professional growth.
   
3. 3. Create with your peers. When you find a group of like-minded creatives in the entertainment industry, brainstorm ways to collaborate for free or with a small budget. If your group includes actors, screenwriters, and directors, you can put together a live theatre performance. If you have a friend with a camera and lighting setup, your group can create a short film or web series centered in your apartment. Outside of producing new work, you can also gather with your acting peers for character studies, table reads, and rehearsing. Your new acquaintances can become a fully realized creative team.
4. 4. Seek representation. While new actors aren’t typically on the radar of major talent agencies like CAA, WME, or UTA, you can affiliate with a smaller acting agency. Affiliating with a talent agent can open the door to auditions, but you’ll need to perform thorough research to ensure the agency is a good fit for your needs. Talk to existing clients, search online for feedback, and ask your peer group and acting teacher if they have experience with the agency. If you aspire to write and perform, consider seeking out a manager. Managers may be a better fit for writers and directors, but they can help balance the full portfolio of an actor's endeavors. It’s important to note that agents and managers typically commission at least 10 percent of your gross earnings on a project.
5. 5. Be courteous to casting directors. Casting directors are always seeking young actors and seasoned actors to fill the casting needs of their clients. Be courteous and professional when submitting headshots and resumes to casting directors. As a general rule, it's best to maintain a professional relationship to avoid projecting the idea that you're just trying to befriend them to score the job.
6. 6. Take classes. Acting is a craft that requires practice, reassessment, and fine-tuning. Taking group classes or studying with a personal acting coach, can be an excellent way to hone your craft between jobs and auditions. There are many private acting schools in New York and L.A. targeted toward working and aspiring actors. These classes can help you improve your skills and meet new peers.
7. 7. Practice on camera. Many actors begin their acting careers in live theatre, which involves different performance techniques than on-camera acting. The camera exaggerates detail; what may feel like a subtle facial expression may come across as over-the-top upon scrutiny from the camera. Use your phone to record your next rehearsal, then review your on-camera acting work to better understand how your face and body language project onscreen.
8. 8. Be on time. Whether you're heading to an audition room, a rehearsal, a film set, a talent agent's office, or the first day of drama school, arrive within fifteen minutes of the scheduled meeting time. Being on time is a mark of professionalism, and it shows the other party that you respect their time. Arriving late to a rehearsal or audition can make you appear unprofessional and flustered, compromising your ability to perform at your highest level.
9. 9. Take care of your mental health. Show business is a highly competitive industry that is rife with rejection. You can audition dozens of times before receiving a callback, so it’s essential to reinforce your confidence so that you can better handle rejection and criticism about your performance. Practicing meditation, yoga, or mindfulness exercises is a great way to help balance the stressors of the job. If you notice a marked difference in your attitude, sleeping patterns, or eating habits, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for support.

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