what does it take to be a professional actor?

im 14 years old, and i have always dreamed of being a professional actress in tv or film.
i plan on moving out to LA when im 18 for college (law), but what i really want to do is act. i guess being a lawyer is my back-up plan.
im in theater arts class in school and i absolutely love acting.
i have the looks and the talent and im willing to do anything to make it big.
im from a VERY small town in NC, so i dont really have any community theater or anything.
where do i go from when im in los angeles, while in college at the same time?
by the way, im not like a lot of other people. i am willing to give absolutely anything to be an actress. this is something that im very serious about.
how do i have a big ego? im just looking for advice here.
i was looking for positive tips, not negative.

EDUCATE YOURSELF FIRST! (READ those books listed below)

Here’s a Cliffsnotes version of what you need to do:
1.GET TRAINING!
Definitely take classes in:
-Cold Reading/Auditioning
-Improv
-Scene study
-Commercials

List of the best classes in LA here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AipoAi86mqLUy76e6Lm8np_ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091024102446AAYhxqm&show=7#profile-info-g7px8S9raa

2. Get GREAT headshots

Here’s is a good place to start:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8011031/m/110106342

3. Build Your Resume and Reel Doing Student films and Indie Films

In LA, you can find jobs on your own through:
-ActorsAccess.com (Best for film/tv)
-LACasting.com (Best for commercials)
-Nowcasting.com (Best for student/indie films)

4. Get an Agent

Start by reading this:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AipoAi86mqLUy76e6Lm8np_ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091024102446AAYhxqm&show=7#profile-info-g7px8S9raa

These books will help you learn the business side and guide you to the training that works best for you.

READ (check your libraries and bookstores):

Acting business:
-Acting is Everything: Gold Edition-Judy Kerr
-How to Be a Working Actor-Mari Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers
-Self Management for Actors-Bonnie Gillespie
-How to Get Arrested-J. Wallach Michael and Paul Thurwachter
-An Agent Tells All-Tony Martinez
-One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor’s Survival Guide-Markus Flanagan
-So You Want to Be in Showbusiness?- Steve R. Stevens
-Acting Truths and Lies (purchased at www.info4actors.com)

Acting:
-Book the Job-Doug Warhit
-Intent to Live-Larry Moss
-Acting for the Camera-Tony Barr
-Acting in Film-Michael Caine
-Acting Class: Take a Seat-Milton Katselas

Method Acting:
-Art of Acting-Stella Adler
-Sanford Meisner on Acting-Sanford Meisner
-A Dream of Passion-Lee Strasberg
-Actor’s Art and Craft-William Esper
-The Power of the Actor-Ivanna Chubbuck
-No Acting Please-Eric Morris
-Respect for Acting-Uta Hagen
-Challenge to the Actor-Uta Hagen
-You Can Act!-D.W. Brown
-Strasberg’s Method-Lorrie Hull

Comedy
-8 Characters of Comedy-Scott Sedita
-The Sitcom Career Book-Mary Lou Belli

Improv
-Anything by Viola Spolin
-Steve Book on Acting: Improv

Auditioning/Cold Reading:
-How to Get the Part Without Falling Apart-Margie Haber
-Audition-Michael Shurtleff
-Secrets to Successful Cold Readings-Glenn Alterman

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5 Responses to what does it take to be a professional actor?

  1. Matthew says:

    Go to Hollywood. and work from the ground up. Most people don’t start out as million dollar salary star actors or actresses.
    References :

  2. Egypt says:

    apply for drama schools!

    i know this is far fetched, but you have a better chance of making it in th U.K., so maybe apply for a school called RADA

    it is the most elite school in britain and has a very high reputation and if you can get a qualification from there, you’re on good path

    research schools near you as well and have a look at the alumni to see what famous people graduated from there :)
    References :

  3. Theatre Doc says:

    1. You have to be born with the talent and other abilities needed to be an actor.
    2, Moving to LA is not a good idea, nothing but unemployed wannabe actors there.
    3. Having a back up is tantamount to failing to be an actor.
    4. do all the plays in school
    5.lose the ego, directors hate egotistic actors, and I certainly hope you are not willing to do anything, because if your are, you will fail. You must have values and uphold them.
    6.You don’t go to LA or to college, necessarily. Depends on your maturity and experience acting.
    7 You are JUST like a lot of other people who think they will do anything and are very serious about it.
    References :
    I have taught acting for over 50 years. See my profile.

  4. TruthTeller59 says:

    EDUCATE YOURSELF FIRST! (READ those books listed below)

    Here’s a Cliffsnotes version of what you need to do:
    1.GET TRAINING!
    Definitely take classes in:
    -Cold Reading/Auditioning
    -Improv
    -Scene study
    -Commercials

    List of the best classes in LA here:
    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AipoAi86mqLUy76e6Lm8np_ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091024102446AAYhxqm&show=7#profile-info-g7px8S9raa

    2. Get GREAT headshots

    Here’s is a good place to start:
    http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8011031/m/110106342

    3. Build Your Resume and Reel Doing Student films and Indie Films

    In LA, you can find jobs on your own through:
    -ActorsAccess.com (Best for film/tv)
    -LACasting.com (Best for commercials)
    -Nowcasting.com (Best for student/indie films)

    4. Get an Agent

    Start by reading this:
    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AipoAi86mqLUy76e6Lm8np_ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20091024102446AAYhxqm&show=7#profile-info-g7px8S9raa

    These books will help you learn the business side and guide you to the training that works best for you.

    READ (check your libraries and bookstores):

    Acting business:
    -Acting is Everything: Gold Edition-Judy Kerr
    -How to Be a Working Actor-Mari Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers
    -Self Management for Actors-Bonnie Gillespie
    -How to Get Arrested-J. Wallach Michael and Paul Thurwachter
    -An Agent Tells All-Tony Martinez
    -One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor’s Survival Guide-Markus Flanagan
    -So You Want to Be in Showbusiness?- Steve R. Stevens
    -Acting Truths and Lies (purchased at http://www.info4actors.com)

    Acting:
    -Book the Job-Doug Warhit
    -Intent to Live-Larry Moss
    -Acting for the Camera-Tony Barr
    -Acting in Film-Michael Caine
    -Acting Class: Take a Seat-Milton Katselas

    Method Acting:
    -Art of Acting-Stella Adler
    -Sanford Meisner on Acting-Sanford Meisner
    -A Dream of Passion-Lee Strasberg
    -Actor’s Art and Craft-William Esper
    -The Power of the Actor-Ivanna Chubbuck
    -No Acting Please-Eric Morris
    -Respect for Acting-Uta Hagen
    -Challenge to the Actor-Uta Hagen
    -You Can Act!-D.W. Brown
    -Strasberg’s Method-Lorrie Hull

    Comedy
    -8 Characters of Comedy-Scott Sedita
    -The Sitcom Career Book-Mary Lou Belli

    Improv
    -Anything by Viola Spolin
    -Steve Book on Acting: Improv

    Auditioning/Cold Reading:
    -How to Get the Part Without Falling Apart-Margie Haber
    -Audition-Michael Shurtleff
    -Secrets to Successful Cold Readings-Glenn Alterman
    References :
    LA Actor

  5. jmacto says:

    If you install a backup plan that is exactly what you will end up doing.

    Get to know the business

    This is a nice blog about how to break into the industry if you are not connected by friends or family. All the right people to go to that will treat you fairly.

    http://www.actorsguidetohollywood.com/

    good luck
    References :