Drama Lessons Are The Foundation For A Good Career

By Bill G. Sheers

Who wants to be on TV? There are many different fields to choose from within game. Many people start off choosing the acting area when they start. It is the most visible of the mediums and the one most people are familiar with, usually because they have done plays in high school.

Do don't have to be an actor to be in the business. There are 1000's of different jobs that need to be done in order to get a film made. Cameramen, gaffers, directors, producers, location scouts....the list is endless. They may not be as sexy as being the next Tom Cruise, but they are good, rewarding jobs in a very exciting field.

I've got the acting bug -- It's fun, it really is. Acting can be very rewarding and a lot of fun. You need to start acting in anything you can as soon as you can. It will only help you in the long run. A head-shot and resume are in your future as well and there are many different books and web sites that can help you with that. But, start acting RIGHT NOW if it is something you realt want to do.

Film Schools need actors for their Projects -- Going to college and getting a drama or theater degree is a great way to not only meet people who are choosing the same career path, but to learn the craft of acting from professionals. You will be forced to learn different aspects of the business which will make you much more well rounded.

Acting Classes -- If you live in a city like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, or Chicago you are going to have people that teach programs that last 1-4 years that are not associated with a traditional school. These course can be just as good or better, so don't dismiss them when searching ways to study.

Acting Styles -- Method, Strasberg, Meinser...which one should I use? They are all good and it just depends on what works well for you.

Film School -- You don't want to be in front of the camera and hunted down by TMZ the rest of your life? Well, maybe being behind the camera is for you. Film school is a great way to fully emerge yourself in every aspect of the film making process.

NYU Film School - Often considered the best. If you get in here, you are playing with the big boys.

An Agent for your Career -- You are going to need an agent if you want to make it in showbiz. They have the connections and they keep the wheels of your career greased, no matter what aspect of the business you are in.

Be a Writier -- Many actors have found out they are better writing than acting on screen. Give it a try. You may just find out the same thing.

It can be a long, tough road. Don't let that discourage you if think it is something you really love. You will have to pay your dues, so don't expect o be recieved with open arms. There re 1000's trying to do the same thing. - 31887

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Free articles are available for you about acting colleges and top film schools over at actingcolleges.net.

Casting Acting Agencies

By Tami Gagspami

People who aspire to be famous are always looking for acting agencies. However, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of them and it is not easy deciding which ones are good. You really need to do a lot of research before you find a good one.

A number of them are just start up firms, while others are extremely credible and have been in the industry for years. Folks use acting agencies in the hopes of landing a gig or becoming famous. Most of them have connections to folks in the business that will help somebody become famous. You'll be in a position to network with the right folks and connections.

If you want to become famous and join the hundreds of thousands of others who do, you need to find some good acting agencies. However, you have to be realistic and know that the odds of making it are stacked against you with all of the competition.

But you almost certainly already know, so I don't even need to tell you, that most actors never even make enough to earn a decent living from acting. The industry is all about your look, and who you know.

Someone who knows the right directors or producers can break into the industry. Even if you study and act for several years there is no guarantee that you will ever become famous. The facts are that very few people ever really make it in Hollywood and become rich and famous.

Most of the actors who made it just got lucky when they were cast . Some acting agencies will help you get discovered and network, but really you are not guaranteed anything.

Many people give up on their dream of acting because they get frustrated and are not patient enough. They move to California thinking they are going to make it without realizing they are competing with thousands of others with the same goal.

Find more acting agencies if the first one you chose is not doing the job for you. Since there are so many you really have nothing to lose by joining a bunch of them. Several people use many different agencies and they can be found all over Hollywood and online. You may even be able to find some in your local city if there is a demand for actors where you live. - 31887

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Tami has written another interesting and practical article that you can browse before you fill out anything online, so make sure you check Tami Gagspamis post on acting agencies for the remainder of this article. For a very short time you can receivevisit us to receivemore free information on casting, talent and acting agencies.

Finding a Talent Agent to Represent You

By Mike Fenward

An agent is perhaps the most important thing any actor can have. Agency representation can benefit every actor no matter what field they specialize in, as they will maximize your exposure within the industry. This leaves you free to focus on other things, rather than worrying about finding and booking work yourself. While a Talent Agent is invaluable, acquiring representation can be a daunting task for the uninformed. You must be able to effectively market yourself or demonstrate your competency before they'll consider representing you.

Perhaps the most important step in this process is ensuring you have current headshots. You will not get anywhere with old or outdated material, even if they're look better than your current photographs. You're selling yourself, not your photographer or make-up artist. If your headshots differ greatly from how you look, an agency will be less likely to take you on. A good timeframe to keep in mind would be a year to eighteen months before you update your photographs if you can afford them. You don't need to get new headshots every month! The same can be said for your reel. Make sure it's as up to date as it can be. You want as much material as you can to sell yourself.

Don't ever assume that bright colors, exotic backdrops, fancy costumes, or crazy angles will make your headshot stand out. You're selling yourself, not your photographer's creativity, and anything that detracts from you will make you less memorable. Simplicity is your friend, and if your photographer wants to do some experimenting, find another one less inclined to "have fun." You aren't displaying these photographs. They're not supposed to be "cool," they're supposed to be you. They're your link to the industry, so keep them simple and focused on you. Find a photographer willing to work with you, and tell him to leave his fancy gel filters at home.

There are many types of agencies out there, from film to television to commercial, so make sure you find one in your chosen field. If you want to work in film, hire a film agent, as they'll find you work in film, feature-length or otherwise. The same is true for television, commercials, even modeling. Unless you're shooting to be an all-around actor or a jack of all trades, this will ensure you grow in your field. Spreading yourself around will potentially get you more work but it will limit your growth. You'll develop faster if you focus in one place.

Above all else, never forget this one thing: do not ever pay up front! Typically, agents will not ask for fees or an upfront payment to represent you. They make their money by taking a percentage of what you earn. The more work you do, the more they get paid. Paying up front can have disastrous results, especially if you don't get any work at all. In this case, you would have paid for nothing. On that same token, be mindful of what you sign. Read the fine print and don't ever sign immediately. Think about it, take their offer into consideration, and make an informed choice before you lay down your John Hancock.

Be smart and be careful, and you'll never put yourself in an unfavorable situation. Your career practically depends on being represented, so do not skimp! A great way to start is by using a site like TalentPostings.com where you can create an online profile to allow agents to find and contact you directly. Good luck out there. - 31887

About the Author:

Author Mike Fenward holds over 25 years industry knowledge. He currently specializes in helping aspiring actors find Casting Calls. If you would like to gain exposure to agents looking for talent, click here.