An acting career is a journey that starts not with a single defining moment, but with a series of deliberate steps. Success is not accidental; it is built on a foundation of dedicated preparation, continuous skill refinement, and a clear understanding of the professional landscape. This path requires resilience and a commitment to mastering the craft.
Develop Your Acting Skills
The bedrock of an acting career is consistent and rigorous training. Raw talent is a starting point, but sustained practice transforms potential into proficiency. Ongoing acting classes provide a space to explore and refine your craft through scene study or technique-focused training, such as Meisner or the Stella Adler method. The Meisner technique emphasizes reacting truthfully to your surroundings, while the Stella Adler technique encourages actors to use their imagination to create a character.
Beyond foundational classes, specialized workshops offer targeted skill development. On-camera technique classes are indispensable for understanding the nuances of screen acting. Improvisation workshops are valuable for teaching spontaneity and quick thinking. Private coaching can also be beneficial, providing one-on-one attention to prepare for specific auditions. This continuous education is not just for beginners; established actors regularly return to class to keep their skills sharp.
Assemble Your Actor’s Toolkit
Before seeking roles, an actor must prepare a set of professional marketing materials. This toolkit is your introduction to the industry, and its quality can determine whether you are considered for an opportunity. These materials must be professional, current, and accurately reflect who you are as a performer.
Professional Headshots
Your headshot is your primary calling card. It must be a high-quality photograph taken by a professional who specializes in actor headshots. There are two main types: commercial and theatrical. A commercial headshot is bright and friendly, designed to show you are relatable, while theatrical headshots are more nuanced to convey a personality type or emotional depth. It is important that your headshot looks like you on a typical day, ensuring casting directors recognize you when you walk into the audition room.
Acting Resume
An acting resume follows a specific format that differs from a standard business resume. It must be a single page, attached to the back of your 8×10 inch headshot. The resume should be clean, easy to read, and include your name, contact information, physical stats, and union affiliations.
Credits are divided into categories such as Film, Television, and Theater, and are listed with the project title, your role, and the production company. A dedicated section for training is also included, where you list your classes and coaches. A “Special Skills” section lists abilities like languages, accents, or sports that might make you uniquely suited for a role.
Demo Reel
A demo reel is a short video compilation of your best on-camera performances. A reel is proof of your acting ability and on-screen presence for agents and casting directors. A strong reel is one to two minutes long and starts with your most compelling work, using short clips that primarily feature you. For actors without professional credits, footage can be sourced from student films, acting class scenes, or by filming monologues. When creating a reel from scratch, work with a videographer to ensure the final product has good lighting, sound, and editing.
Find Casting Opportunities
With your toolkit assembled, the next step is to actively seek out auditions. For actors without an agent, this process is driven by self-submissions through various platforms and networks. The digital age has made it more feasible to find opportunities independently. Consistent effort and strategic searching are necessary to build experience.
A primary resource for unrepresented actors is online casting websites. Platforms like Actors Access, Backstage, and Casting Networks are industry standards where casting directors post breakdowns for projects ranging from student films to major network television shows. These sites allow you to create a profile with your toolkit and submit directly for roles that fit your type. Some services are subscription-based but provide access to a high volume of legitimate casting calls.
Gaining practical experience is a significant goal when starting out, and local theater, student films, and independent projects are excellent venues for this. Participating in local plays hones your craft and provides performance credits for your resume. Student films offer valuable on-set experience and provide footage for your demo reel. Networking within these circles can also lead to future opportunities, as the students you work with may become industry professionals.
Nail the Audition Process
The audition is where preparation converges with opportunity. This is your chance to demonstrate your interpretation of the character and your unique abilities as a performer. A successful audition is not necessarily about booking the role, but about delivering a professional, well-prepared performance that leaves a lasting positive impression. The process begins long before you step into the room.
Thorough preparation begins with breaking down the audition material, or “sides.” This involves reading the text multiple times to understand the given circumstances: who your character is, what they want, and where the scene takes place. Analyzing the script for clues about relationships and objectives allows you to make specific, informed character choices. This work forms the foundation of your performance. Memorization should be secure enough that you can focus on listening and reacting within the scene.
Auditions today primarily take two forms: self-tapes and in-person calls. For self-tapes, technical quality is important. Your video should be well-lit, with clear sound and a neutral, non-distracting background. Use a steady camera positioned at eye level and framed in a medium close-up. Your eyeline should be directed slightly off-camera to simulate speaking to a scene partner.
In-person auditions require a specific etiquette. Arrive early, bring a physical copy of your headshot and resume, and be professional and courteous to everyone you meet. When you enter the room, you will “slate,” stating your name for the camera before beginning the scene. Be confident, focused, and adaptable to any direction you may be given.
Secure an Agent or Manager
As you gain experience and build your professional materials, seeking representation becomes the next logical step. An agent or manager can open doors to higher-level auditions that are not accessible to unrepresented actors. It is understood that an actor needs a solid toolkit and some credits before pursuing representation.
An agent’s primary role is to find and submit you for auditions and to negotiate contracts on your behalf. They are licensed and earn a commission of 10% from the jobs they procure for you. A manager focuses on career guidance and long-term strategy, helping with branding or advising on which projects to pursue. An actor might start with an agent and later add a manager to help shape their career path.
There are several methods for securing representation. Cold submissions involve sending your headshot, resume, demo reel, and a concise cover letter to agencies that are accepting new talent. Another avenue is through industry showcases, where actors perform for agents and casting directors. A referral from a respected acting coach, casting director, or fellow actor can be a powerful endorsement and often the most effective way to get a meeting.
Join Professional Unions
For actors pursuing a long-term career in film and television, joining a professional union is a significant milestone. The most prominent union in the United States for screen actors is SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Joining the union provides numerous protections and benefits.
Membership in SAG-AFTRA grants access to union-only auditions and ensures that you work under contracts that stipulate minimum pay rates, safe working conditions, and contributions to health and pension plans.
To become eligible to join, an actor must work on a SAG-AFTRA production. This can be achieved by being hired as a principal performer in a union project or by working for three days as a background actor on a union set. Once eligible, an actor can join the union by paying an initiation fee and annual dues.