Wondering how to get into acting? The entertainment industry can feel unwelcoming and impenetrable, and for someone just starting an acting career, it's tough to find a toehold. So we asked nine industry professionals, from directors to acting coaches, for their best advice for an aspiring actor hoping to make it in Hollywood ro on Broadway. Here's their take on how to start acting, with tips on everything from improv classes to defining success means to you.
1. Focus on the craft of acting first
"Battles are always won at the start, so start at the beginning," advise acting coach Steve Brau and director Risa Bramon Garcia. "Don't get lost in the end game—the agents, the stardom, the bookings, the awards, etc. Start by taking every opportunity to act for its own sake—in class, in a play, in something you shoot on your own. When you do that consistently, the business reveals itself. We know this to be true and see it happen all the time!"
2. Decide whether acting will be a career or a hobby
"I am a major advocate of first starting with this question: Is acting an investigation, hobby, or a career?" says on-camera and commercial teacher Carolyne Barry. "It is easier to know where to start when you know where you want to go (at least at the beginning of your journey)." ...
3. Take acting classes
"I would suggest starting with an acting class," Barry says, "Do your research and auditing, then select the technique and teacher you want to train with. Then, commit yourself to that class for a least six months. If you love it, then continue, and when you can, add an improvisation and a commercial class or audition technique to see if you are interested in another area of acting. Continue reading from Backstage
