How to Become an Actor

We’ve all seen an actor on TV and said, “That could be me.” Guess what? It could. The TV/Film business is full of nepotism, favoritism, and casting couches, but there is a lot of opportunity for serious actors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Join AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). See Resources below. You can pay a onetime fee to become a member. After that, you will have a very reasonable annual fee to maintain your membership.
2. AFTRA will provide you with the following: o List of AFTRA-franchised agents o Casting notices o Networking events o Acting training courses for commercials and TV roles o Current show sheets
3. Join a casting agency. Agencies specialize in casting background and specialty actors on the set of movies, commercials, music videos and TV shows. You will do a lot of sitting and waiting when you’re doing this kind of work which will give you an opportunity to see how the seasoned actors work up close. Also, you will be able to pick up many of the key terms and phrases used by the directors and actors.
4. Arrive early to casting jobs. You will get to know the 1st or 2nd AD (Assistant Director) which in many cases, leads to stand-in roles. Stand-in roles pay more than the normal background roles and often lead to speaking roles which earn you Taft Hartley status and an opportunity to join SAG (Screen Actors Guild).

Tips & Warnings

• An acting job can be very appealing. Don’t do something immoral or illegal to get a part. You will regret it and it will come back to haunt you at some point.
• Develop tough skin. There will be a lot of rejection.

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