Launch Your Acting Career: Essential Tips
Your headshot, resume, reels (if available), and slateshot have just been successfully uploaded to a casting network such as Actors Access. What should you do next? It's time to get busy and be proactive! While you patiently wait for your casting emails to flood your inbox, it’s important to focus on honing your craft. Dedicate this time to practice and improve your skills, so you will be fully prepared and ready to shine when the audition notice finally arrives.
Enroll in a class or workshop focused on acting! This can greatly enhance your skills and knowledge of the craft.
Follow casting directors on social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, to gain valuable insights into their current and upcoming projects.
You can also express your genuine interest in their work by reaching out through a friendly message or note.
This initial contact can serve as the foundation for establishing a productive working relationship with the casting director. However, be cautious not to write too frequently; it’s best to send a short email or a friendly note when you have exciting updates about a new project you're involved in.
Make it a point to check legitimate casting call websites, like Backstage, for various notices and opportunities. Importantly, you do not necessarily need an agent to audition for many of these roles.
Use this time wisely to practice self-taping, as while in-person auditions remain a part of the process, self-tape auditions now account for the vast majority of auditions within the industry.
Consider researching nearby studios that offer self-taping services at reasonable rates, ideally no more than $60 per hour, and pro-rated for shorter sessions.
With perseverance and practice, you'll develop the skills needed to succeed in the competitive world of acting.
Ultimately, you’ll want to set up your own studio ideally in your home. This will save you time and money.
Tips on creating your home studio
When setting up your home studio, consider the location's proximity to ambient noise. Some of this noise can be edited out but taping should, ideally, occur in as quiet a place as possible.
Consider the natural lighting of the taping location as well as the ability to light the space with lamps and ring lights. Are there sufficient outlets for my equipment?
In addition to lighting equipment, you will need a videotaping device. It can be a high-quality smartphone, tablet, or video camera.
Balancing sound with a microphone. It is very simple to buy a small clip-on mic to add to your lapel to capture your sound. You can also buy one that attaches to your camera that buffers ambient noise for clear sound.
Final thoughts on getting started in the business
With just a few thoughtful moves, you can get started in the business. Get registered and upload your materials to a casting network, connect with casting directors on social networks, and practice your self-tapes until your next audition. Break-a-leg!
