I want to get my acting career started.. but I'm kind of having a block of what to do next. I tried looking for casting calls for extras.. but I think I need an agent first.. just don't have that kind of money right now.. is there anything I can do.. to help myself succeed and get farther in the industry without needed so much money.. or is such a thing possible?

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Originally Posted by drinadainae

i want to get my acting career started..but im kinda having a block of what to do next. i tried looking for casting calls for extras.. but i think i need an agent first.. just dont have that kind of money right now.. is there anything i can do.. to help myself succeed and get farther in the industry without needed so much money..? or is such a thing possible?

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You don't pay an agent in advance - at least not any agent I ever knew. Of course, you do need a book and head shots - and that's not inexpensive!

You make yourself visible - local theatre, your college productions, local ad agencies which are casting. You are eventually seen by a bigger agent and, hopefully, signed.

Visibility is the answer - the extra route sometimes works out but you need to be in front of the extras.

What is your interest? Live theatre, movies - ?

I would agree with JKT.

Exposure is everything. I've found (from personal experience), its as much about who you know as how talented you are.

Do as many community theatre gigs as you can. You get your name out there and you'll find that the connections are unbelieveable.

Best of luck!

Hi again, Drina!

Around where I live, we have a dinner theater and at least two other theaters where the actors and actresses are paid. Many if not most of them don't have agents. But, at least being able to act in those kind of places is giving them a start while getting paid to do it.

Perhaps you might have some professional theaters like that around where you live where it would be fairly easy to get started?

Thanks!

Here's what I did;

I immersed myself in my community theatre, and sought any opportunity to jump into a production. You'd be amazed how much you pick up from simply watching other people act, and you learn a lot from just people-watching in general.

Above all, you have to LOVE your art. Mimicry is the base of acting, and your passion for the craft must burn through any boundaries you overcome. You have to have fun, because that's what motivates great actors.

That's all I can think of. Sorry if I wasted your time. :-)