I want to be an actor?

I am sure you have heard someone state the following: "I want to be an actor" I can do that. It is so easy and I love the camera" "How can I get in one of the TV shows like you?"

Yes, people do say this and often. I have no idea if it is because of reality TV or because many of us are so good at our job that it looks effortless. Well all of that is BS. This is one of the most difficult careers to ever step foot into. And the lack of understanding borderlines on disrespect and rude. In fact, it is one of the many reasons I started this blog. To set the record straight. To stop folks from saying dumb shit. Or to simply stop having a lottery ticket mentality when it comes to this bizness we lovingly call show bizness.

If you decide that this is what you want to do. Act, sing, dance, and perform in public spaces. First, seek out some training. Take a class. Take a few. First, you must realize if you even have the ability to sing, act, dance or perform. You may find that you can do 1 or 2 out of 4. And that is okay, but please oh please find that out first before simply crashing your first audition. Take improvisation so that you understand comedy and listening to fellow actors on stage.

Second, get a coach. Someone who can help you understand what tools are necessary for this life. If you are a musical theatre actor or an actor that sings, it is vital that you pull together a binder of music. Music that is in your key. Music that tells a story. Music from a variety of genres and demonstrate multiple difficulty levels. A vocal coach that is experienced in musical theatre is a great place to start. Learn how to read music. Maybe even play the piano.

Third, read read and read lots of plays. New scripts, old scripts, classical scripts, and more. Go an attend all shows regardless of what you like and don't like. Create a network of artists so that you can ask questions and truly find our what is what. You should have monologues that demonstrate that you understand your type and age range. Do you look like a mom? An aunt? A tease? A love interest? What? Record yourself performing your monologue so that you can critique and evaluate and fix.

Fourth, do not limit yourself. Always stretch and challenge your skill set. It is the only way that you grow and become better and better. Watch TV and film and find yourself. Look at the arcs of those who share your type and those who are opposite type in order to learn as much you can about the craft.

Now once you build the foundation and you are now certain that this is what you want to pursue. Other tools are a good headshot that looks like you and provides a snapshot of your personality. If you wear limited makeup at auditions do not get a glam shot that looks nothing like you. Be prepared to audition all the time. The more you are seen the more of a chance that you will be cast. Be ready for rejection. Lots and lots of rejection. And be ready to take criticism and use it to make you better instead of arrogance based on false  platitudes.

And this is just the beginning. So I repeat, do not disrespect the craft by thinking that it is as easy as a walk in the park. It is not. It is not impossible but like most lives worth living, it takes work, And you have to be willing to do the work. The research and the work.