How to become an actor

[geordieboy]

Hello again folks,

I joined this forum a while back but what with one thing or another not been around so much of late.

Please accept my apologies if this is already a discussion elsewhere but i couldn't find owt.

Basically, i want to be an actor. I think i always have but never had the guts or the know how to go about it. Now after years of people telling me i should be an actor/comedian and deep in my heart knowing i should have a crack at it i'm now 37 and seriously considering getting into it. However i have no idea where to start. I certainly can't afford University to do a drama course. Shanes films are the kind of films i love, as well as Mike leigh and films where the people who seem to be real and you can identify with.

I'm not looking to be rich and famous or owt like that but would certainly love to get into it seriously and give it a go. I'm an ugly bastard mind you so i wouldn't be any pin-up material. Some people have a face that's been lived in? Well mine has had squatters !

Is anyone on here an actor and could give me some pointers on where to start as i really have no idea. I was going to join Am dram but i wonder if that's something people do as a bit of fun rather than a way into the acting world, i dunno.

Thanks in advance.


On another note entirely i work at a hotel in Brighton and just last week we had the exhibition for the Photographer Gavin watson and his book launch for 'skins' Some amazing photography and was wondering if Shane met or used him at all for this is England as apparantly Gavin is THE photographer for that scene.

Thanks again.

[Dave]

A good idea might be to offer your services to keen amateur film-makers.... many of whom you will find in the film-making section of this forum!

If not, perhaps make your acting talents available to students local to your area. find out about film courses or similar, and contact someone involved in such a course.

I think those are probably the best ways to just dive into it without mucking about 'learning' the craft. There's rarely a better way to learn something than just having go!

If you have your own camera (any quality)... why not try a few things yourself... some monologues for example.

[jill]

Geordieboy. There are quite a few websites where you can offer your services (upload a profile for free).

Eg:

www.uk.castingcallpro.com/

and

www.thecastingwebsite.com/

Some of them operate a 'closed shop' (i.e you need some qualification), some not. Maybe you should just surf and registered your profile where you can, and hope that student film makers and others looking for lo/no charge actors wil find you out? Good luck!

[Tom]

In addition to the other comments, may I just say there are lots of ways 'in', but none are particularly easy.

I started as an actor, then became a filmmaker to give myself work. It's tough for all starting out. I would suggest serious local theatre (avoid musicals) and getting in with some filmmakers. After a few projects, approach a few agents and see where you go next.

Good luck. Tom.

[eyepennies]

Extra work is always a fun way into acting. Not saying that you're going to become the next Brad Pitt but you'll definatly get to be part of some interesting productions.

I would consider getting yourself an agent if you are seriously serious about all this.

Why not join a local am.dram. society?

[geordieboy]

Thanks for all your comments and links everyone, i will look into al of them.

As i say i have never acted before in my life and i could be living in dreamworld and may not be able to act at all but it's something i really wouldn't have a go at and giving it a crack, what have a i got to lose apart from maybe some people laughing at me? That happens a lot anyway so that's water off a ducks back :-)

Thanks again.

Geordie.

[Tom]

Yeah, you'll get a few raised eyebrows and the occasional chuckle, but so what? If you stick with it, it'll work itself out. Trust me.

[geordieboy]

Jul 18, 2008 19:48:49 GMT Tom said:

Yeah, you'll get a few raised eyebrows and the occasional chuckle, but so what? If you stick with it, it'll work itself out. Trust me.

I think that would be half of the fun

It's just a confidence thing with me really, i need to build on that.

Also i just want to add that after the email that went round about loads of people sending shane job requests/scripts etc. That was not my intention here. I joined this forum a while back just when This is England was about to be released but just been busy since then to be around.But after been here i remembered there seemed to be a lot of sound people who were genuine with their thoughts on film and thought it would be a goiod place to ask. It works out that it was.

I know i don't need to explain myself but i thought i would just so you's know really. I can imgaine Shane gets a lot of requests like that. Victim of his own success i guess?

I may not speak a lot in the next few days as i just want to browse around the forums reading the board really. Probably dig up some really old threads giving my tuppence worth.

Thanks again.

:-)

[lee2112]

Hello geordieboy!

I would recommend looking into some kind of acting lessons and/or short course somewhere. I've just graduated from a drama school and I think it's important to equip yourself with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in 'the business'. There's more to it than just turning up and acting, for example, if you wanted to be a builder you can't just turn up and start laying bricks, you need to know your craft (I realise some people do this but there we go, they're not skilled workers, so then the same can be said for actors).

So that's my advice if you're serious and want to make a career of it. However, if it's just for the craic, am. dram is a good place to start and making friends with film makers. Whatever your aim, hope you do well!

[Tom]

Whilst I'm not trying to court controversy or dismiss the concept of drama school, I do hear that 'skilled training' a lot. And from my run, it's not totally correct that the training is a completely legitimate route. Whilst I can advocate that many actors I've employed do have drama school training, just as many don't, and you couldn't put a piece of paper between them on the talent or skills issues.

I've worked with 'trained' actors who have sometimes been stifled by their experience. Like anyone who relies too much on tools, a few can't break loose from a technique and they were often rigid. Of course, it is beneficial for many, especially in conquering fears and getting an agent, but in terms of an edge? I'm not convinced. I learnt more from second hand books, DVD's and my own instincts and ideas than any £2k a term could've taught me. So whilst I don't dismiss training out of hand, I do think that doing it as a must for a serious career is a misconception. Bags of confidence and intuition gets you much further than any education.

Nothing is completely necessary in a career of uncertainties.

[Gareth]

any decent books on acting you can recomend Tom??

[Tom]

Hey.

One of the best ones I read was Michael Caine's book on acting. He gives a lot of straightforward and simple advice, and skips all the junk and ingrained waffle.

Ultimately, acting is a part of the storytelling spectrum, and it's just about linking psychology to expression. Some people can over complicate it, but I think it's a very simple process once u learn to react instinctively to what is being said or what is happening around you.

Like I say, acting is not exclusive, and drama school does hold some value, but it doesn't mean too much to me. I can get a £20,000 education out of a couple of books and studying my favourite actor's movies.

Maybe it's just me, but do think it's better to figure out your own styles and techniques.

[Gareth]

well found this: ,

I'm more interested from a directing perspective but obviously the best way to learn somethings by doing it!

[geordieboy]

Jul 25, 2008 12:07:28 GMT Tom said:

Hey.

One of the best ones I read was Michael Caine's book on acting. He gives a lot of straightforward and simple advice, and skips all the junk and ingrained waffle.

Ultimately, acting is a part of the storytelling spectrum, and it's just about linking psychology to expression. Some people can over complicate it, but I think it's a very simple process once u learn to react instinctively to what is being said or what is happening around you.

Like I say, acting is not exclusive, and drama school does hold some value, but it doesn't mean too much to me. I can get a £20,000 education out of a couple of books and studying my favourite actor's movies.

Maybe it's just me, but do think it's better to figure out your own styles and techniques.

I remember a few years ago a really late show on bbc2 i believe it was when Michael Caine was in front of a group of drama students and basicaly giving them tips. Even stuff down to when to blink, when not to etc. It was a fascinating insight into his world and techniques. Things like the difference between acting on film and on stage. In a film he would put a mark on a floor to where he wanted to be at a certain time of dialogue so he could turn on the spot or be closer to his fellow actor(s). Caine can often come across as always being very much the same in many of his films, cockney accent etc, in fact i can't think of a film where he has an accent apart from cockney (add film here) but when you actually study him he's actually a very diverse actor or at least i think he is. Alfie is just an amazing piece of acting and still to this day one of my favourite all time films. That and Billy liar (I know Caines not in it but i don't know of another part of this forum where i may be able to meantion that)

So anyway back to my original topic. I've been mentioning to a few friends about my plans to try and get into a bit of acting, instaed of my expected response of laughter and ridicule everyone has been really supportive and this has given me some added confidence (well apart from one mate saying 'you're an ugly bastard but that means you have character, these film lot always need ugly fuckers) which is probabaly true if a little damaging to the soul. So yes, it may take me a while to get round to it but i will, when i feel ready. I feel it's soon though.

Cheers everyone, appreciate all your comments and advice.

(Goes off to practice 'forlorn')

[Gareth]

Jul 29, 2008 0:14:09 GMT geordieboy said:

I remember a few years ago a really late show on bbc2 i believe it was when Michael Caine was in front of a group of drama students and basicaly giving them tips. Even stuff down to when to blink, when not to etc. It was a fascinating insight into his world and techniques. Things like the difference between acting on film and on stage. In a film he would put a mark on a floor to where he wanted to be at a certain time of dialogue so he could turn on the spot or be closer to his fellow actor(s). Caine can often come across as always being very much the same in many of his films, cockney accent etc, in fact i can't think of a film where he has an accent apart from cockney (add film here) but when you actually study him he's actually a very diverse actor or at least i think he is. Alfie is just an amazing piece of acting and still to this day one of my favourite all time films. That and Billy liar (I know Caines not in it but i don't know of another part of this forum where i may be able to meantion that)

yeah that'd be this: ,