In order to be successful in the acting industry, you have to set realistic goals for yourself. Without those goals, you have nothing to reach for. If you set unrealistic goals, then you’re never going to reach them. You have to sit down, think of what you want, and then look at the path it takes to get there. You just can’t jump from the bottom straight to the top. Yes, that does happen on some occasions when a person is “discovered,” but that is something that doesn’t happen as often as it used to. There was once a day in which being “discovered” was a common occurrence.

Issue #302

Well, if you haven't acted in school plays and high school drama classes, you can do classes and/or productions through your local community colleges theatre arts/drama programs, in community theatre, and in films made by Film Students at local universities without any prior experience (all of these performances are
acceptable on a resume).

Observations on Acting: Part II
by Janus

[Janus is a New York actor and acting coach who wishes to remain anonymous. These reflections were written after witnessing a month of casting for a New York theater project. We here pick up where we left off last week...]

Again the caveat: Disagree if you wish, but realize there are other valid approaches which MIGHT work if your own approaches are (1) not getting auditions from submissions, (2) not getting callbacks, (3) not getting you cast.

5. GET SOME BOOK LARNIN'

Again the caveat: Disagree if you wish, but realize there are other valid approaches which MIGHT work if your own approaches are (1) not getting auditions from submissions, (2) not getting callbacks, (3) not getting you cast.

1. What You Should Already Know
Recap: Please review last fall's note about self-submissions. I open up to 50 self-submissions a week or receive email requests for interviews. The packages are ALWAYS hand-addressed, sometimes scrawled illegibly; the cover notes often a ripped out notebook sheet, the resumes a disorganized mess.

"Can Nude Modeling Ruin My Acting Career? - Jessie"

I've never labored over a question as much as this one. I almost didn't answer it for fear of offending or misleading. But in the end, I remembered that good always flows from honest and open discussion.

Dear Chad, Thanks for all the great advice you give to actors! I too have a question. I've posed for Playboy and Perfect 10. Now I'm thinking of doing a (classy) nude website. Can all this become a big black mark on my acting resume? Should I stop before it's too late? -Michelle

Every month I get a few emails from actors soliciting advice on moving to New York to pursue an acting career. This email, which I received a few weeks ago, is representative:

5 NETWORKING TIPS FROM A WORKING ACTRESS (1348 words)
By Sally Golan

Okay, so who is Sally Golan and why is she giving us advice on how to network in the business? Simple! Who better to take advice from than someone who is in the same position as you and with lots of personal experience to share?

How to Balance Acting and a Home Life
By Chad Gracia

Who says you can't have it all? You can but it's time to grow (up) if you want to be a working actor and have a relationship, aka a home life.

First, you have to make a choice. It's not a forever choice - one you can't change. Yet, right now assess what you want to put in and get out of your acting career.

Making the Most of Summer Acting Experiences
By Chad Gracia