Important Things to Know Before You Commit to an Acting Career!

Just because you’re a great performer doesn’t mean that you’re cut out for an acting career. It’s a brutal playground and if you don’t have what it takes, you’ll be swallowed up or lost on the wayside. That’s why I’m writing today. Because if you’re going to make such a grand commitment, I want you to do it from a place of preparedness and knowing what you’re getting into. So when the going gets tough - you’re ready to stick it out. Sound good? Read on. Whether stage or film, these tips will help you understand the basic building blocks of a career in acting.

I know it’s not a make-or-break aspect but because I don’t want it to go unmentioned, one absolute necessity is knowledge of the of acting vernacular - so you know what to do when you’re given on-set commands. You have to know Stage Right, Down Stage, ad lib, upstage left, close-up, hit the mark, and...Action!

Another "must" for an adult newcomer is to start working on material immediately. The most basic acting requirement is the ability to say a line and sound real. It's hard to imagine an audition or a scene without having to speak. And his potential to sound real when he says a line is precisely what all beginning actors must discover. This is basic.

If you can't learn to sound real and authentic, then acting is not for you. It's best to discover your level of sounding real before spending too much money and building up great expectations. You must find out if you can say a line believably. That is the basic of basics.

Lastly, you have to handle rejection with confidence and unwavering determination. You’ll get no’s often. You’ll be criticized for your looks, voice, talent and everything imaginable. Sometimes it will be personal and other times, just part of the process of finding the right person for the part. At the end of the day, you can’t get sucked into taking it personally.

To summarize, if you are an adult who has always wanted to act, make sure you start with community theatre or with coaching sessions. Get a feel for the different fields, and start taking lessons. After several lessons you can then decide, based on an intelligent assessment of your potential and an honest evaluation by your coach, if you want to spend the next several years following the delayed dream. For more information, please get in touch with us at the New York Acting School for Film and Television today and never give up!!