Do you have a child that is a prodigy when it comes to acting things out? Are you thinking about taking your child to auditions? Are you wondering how young is too young to start acting? Many parents who feel their child is an acting prodigy waiting to bust out ask themselves a billion questions before they make a move. They ask these questions because they worry about their child becoming the next child star who cannot make it in an adult acting world. Luckily, we are seeing many of the child stars of the 90s grow into adult roles, unlike the child stars of the 70s and the 80s.

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

For many, the dream of being in a film may seem far away. However, if you just want the movie experience, why not be an extra? The pay isn’t fantastic, but all you’re really going to do is stand around all day in the background, right? Plus, it can give you an excellent look at the behind-the-scenes of movie making.

Now, in order to get an extra role in a big film like Harry Potter, you are going to have to complete some basic steps.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself With Casting Services

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).

A few days ago I received an email from an actor with this headline: "$1000 For Anyone Who Can Get Me An Agent!" Enclosed was a headshot and resume. You may think this shows persistence and ingenuity, but it's not only a bad approach, it highlights a common problem: many actors waste enormous time and energy in trying to reach their goals.

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.

"Dear Chad, How do I get an agent, casting director or a manager's attention when I have no experience in the entertainment business? My resume is mainly made up of acting and dancing experience from high-school and college. How do I make my resume look more eye-catching so that they can look beyond my "no-experience" in the business? Very lost and extremely frustrated, - Victoria"