You may have taken acting classes at the local college, private acting studio, or acting lessons online and are ready to use everything you’ve learned in the real world. Either way, you’ll want to start building your acting career and take the first few steps toward the bright future you deserve. But how exactly can you transition from taking online acting lessons to making dreams come true? Creating the ideal career can seem like a tall order, especially when you’re just starting, but you can carve out your path by taking the following steps.
Determine your casting type
When you know your casting type and build on it, you can become more visible to casting directors looking for someone who looks, behaves, and speaks like you. This, in turn, will increase your chances of being accepted for the roles you audition for, and you’ll avoid wasting time running after roles that aren’t really “you.”
Prepare your headshots and demo reels
It’s only possible to audition with headshots and demo reels, so you’ll have to prepare these requirements before you finish your acting lessons online and start looking for casting calls. Make sure your headshots look professional, highlight your best angles, and showcase the features that will make you a shoo-in for specific roles. The same principle applies to your demo reels: they should shine the spotlight on your creativity and acting skills and range without rambling too much.
The notable advantage of online lessons is the convenience of shooting a scene for your demo reel right from home, guided by the expertise of Hollywood’s top acting coach. With the prevalent trend of online auditions, you can also receive assistance from our acting coach, Brad Heller, in recording a polished audition tape. This opportunity has significantly contributed to our students’ increased success in booking roles.
Look for the right agent
It’s generally advisable to work with an acting agent when you already have some experience under your belt, but it will be good to do your research even if you’re still in the first stage of your career. In fact, it’s a good idea to start looking early since it will give you plenty of time to weed out untrustworthy agents and find those who can help you bring your vision to life.
Be ready to start small
Unless you’re fortunate, you probably won’t get your big break after just a few auditions. And it’s not just you — if you ask any professional actor, they’ll tell you they’ve had to go through numerous challenges before moving their career forward. Because of this, you shouldn’t hesitate to accept even small roles.
Regardless of how insignificant they might seem, they can add bulk to your acting portfolio and help you get your foot in the door by showing casting directors that you’re not afraid to work hard.
Continue your training
Just because you’ve completed acting lessons and workshops doesn’t mean you should stop learning! To stay on top of the game, you’ll want to take acting lessons and do other things to improve your skills and become an even better actor. These, in turn, will help you stand out during casting calls and get the roles you want.