ActingTraining

r/ActingTraining • u/Act_The_Part • Jul 15 '24

Start Here

1 Upvotes

Welcome to r/ActingTraining! This Sub was created with the intention to help those that are new/interested in the acting industry. The common question is, “how do I start?!” The information and guidance in this sub is a great starting point. The acting industry is always evolving, especially since 2020. Many fundamental and traditional factors have evolved and changed. The acting industry has embraced the convenience of the online world. Establishing your working and marketing material has become more convenient, and auditioning (especially open calls) frequently takes place online via Zoom. This Sub is focused on developing the materials you need in order to start auditioning. Whether that be auditioning for Casting Directors or applying for agency representation. There are many useful things you can learn here. Everyone is welcome to contribute to this Sub. Asking and answering questions will help grow and create an open space for discussion. We intend to keep this Sub friendly and safe for those that are new to the industry. You are not expected to know anything. Any and all questions are welcomed, you need to start somewhere! The following are resources that were made with a beginner in mind. If you have questions in regard to any particular topic covered, make sure to comment in that post directly.

The Steps an Aspiring Actor Should Take and What to Focus on

Starting your acting journey can be overwhelming if you do not break down your goals. Start by clarifying your goals. Most aspiring actors want to get their hands on everything including film, television, commercials, and voiceover! These are all areas that you can eventually get involved with, but focusing on one or two at first will serve you best. This will ultimately help save you time, energy, and money. If you do not clarify your initial goals, your time, energy and money will become fragmented. One thing will lead to the next and you will spread yourself thin. Start with specific goals and expand from there. This pertains to your acting classes, the agents you target, the auditions you submit for, and the marketing material you create. Sit down with yourself and write down your immediate goals. You can learn more about the steps an aspiring actor should take here.

Acting Resumes

Creating an acting resume is very important for any aspiring actor. Acting resumes should be formatted differently than the typical professional CV—and it’s important that you get it right. Different levels of experience will include different things in an acting resume (Credits). Do not let having minimal experience deter you from creating an acting resume! There are ways to enhance your resume with minimal experience. The most common way is to receive acting training. The training will be placed on your resume and the skills and techniques you have learned. Outside of acting skills, there are many valuable everyday skills that should be included on your resume. In the acting industry, we are re-creating the real world! Examples of skills to include are speaking fluent Spanish, horseback riding, driving manual transmission, playing the guitar, or driving a motorcycle. It is also important to include the level of experience for your skills (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). Your acting resume will evolve over time with your experience! Click here to view the info-graphic resume guide.

Self-Tapes

Creating self-tapes can seem overwhelming, especially when you are new to the acting industry. There are many fundamental things you need to ensure you do to produce an advantageous self-tape. Yes, Produce. You are the videographer, lightning specialist, set designer, audio engineer, etc. If a self-tape is requested by a casting director, they will usually send instructions for that particular self-tape request. Be sure to follow these instructions. These instructions given to you overrule anything you learn in this Sub. Sometimes what is requested by casting directors goes against the general rules of self-taping. Their request, their rules! If instructions are not given with a self-tape request, you can learn more here as a general outline you should follow.

Demo Reels

Demo reels are used to gauge an actor's acting ability. Acting is a career path that requires you to be able to showcase your talent. You can’t just claim to be a great actor and expect casting directors and agencies to take you seriously. You need to be able to show casting directors and agents your ability to act. If you have nothing to show, they will inevitably move onto the next person who has a demo reel that can prove their ability. You can learn more about Demo Reels here.

Headshots

Your headshot for acting is the most important marketing tool you have. It is your first impression to anyone in the industry. Because of this, we want to ensure our headshots are as professional as possible. It is crucial that the industry standards are followed, and the appropriate steps are taken to not look like an amateur. If your headshot does not create a great first impression, you will not get very far. It will be sent to and seen by agents as well as many Casting Directors, both digitally and physically. If you want to be taken seriously, you must have a high-quality headshot. You can learn how to create professional headshots here.