If you’re asking yourself, how do I become an actor, you’re likely excited and a little bit scared all at the same time. It’s normal to feel that way. After all, it’s a big decision to make and there are a lot of things to think about before making the jump into this career.

In this roadmap series of articles, we’re breaking it all down for you and helping you map out your journey to becoming an actor.

The FIRST and most important step is to research. If you’re here, that means you’re reading this blog and already on the right track of researching. Let’s dive into this first step a little further to understand what exactly you need to research.

The Roadmap Series– Research Part 1

Which TYPE of acting do you want to do?

Your interest is already sparked, now, it’s important to ask yourself where your interests really lie on your journey of “how do I become an actor“?

Just because you’re not featured front and center on the billboards in the middle of Time Square, does NOT mean you are NOT an actor.

Unfortunately, I actually had to tell a grown adult this just last year. Have confidence and be prepared for the nonstop side comments from those who don’t believe in YOUR life decisions.

With that being said, there are working actors all over the world featured in commercials, local theater, voiceovers, independent films, and even actors who prefer to stick with classes and improv. These are ALL actors. This is important to mention because not everyone needs, wants, or is able to pursue a full-time acting career and that is a million % ok.

So, take a moment to decide what looks like the most fun. I would suggest being open and trying it all! You can do everything, but you should know that there are different styles and techniques to learn for each medium and I would NOT suggest doing it all at once.

What does it cost to be an actor?

The actor’s lifestyle is unlike any other lifestyle out there. On that account, you should take a moment to consider a few things before you begin your career as an actor. First up, let’s talk about how much it costs to be an actor. Yes, it does take quite a bit of investing to start an acting career. It’s pretty safe to say that being an actor has one of the lowest-paying careers outlooks, (unless you are at the top of the game) so you may not always get your money back, right away.

Having an acting career is NOT cheap. There are a lot of expenses involved so you need to analyze how much you are willing to invest, and if it is even something you are capable of. Please don’t get discouraged, but here are some things actors pay for on a regular basis.

• Headshots– These are typically updated on a yearly basis for various different reasons
• Classes– Scene study, audition technique, comedy, improv and the list goes on and on. You should always be in class
• Casting websites– The necessary evil. Please read this article on RED FLAGS IN HOLLYWOOD so you know what to pay for and what not to pay for.
• Wardrobe– Sometimes you are required to bring your own wardrobe to set, unfortunately, you may not be compensated or reimbursed for this.
• Beauty maintenance– Unless you have multiple headshots for different hairstyles, you must look like your headshots. Otherwise, gotta update those headshots again.

Deep breath, moving on…

Location Location Location

How do I become an actor if I don’t live in Hollywood? Is it even possible to have an acting career if I don’t live in a big film market? The importance of doing some research before you start an acting career is to determine where you are now and where you want to go.

Gone are the days when you could only have an acting career if you live in LA or NY. Hallelujah. Nowadays, thanks to the internet and social media, you can have an acting career anywhere. What exactly do I mean by that?

If you want to be an actor, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, move to a bigger market or quit your day job, you CAN! Get yourself an affordable DSLR (or even your cell phone to begin), some friends, and start making your OWN projects. YouTube and TikTok have significantly opened up the doors for actors everywhere to create their own content.

Here is a terrific article with some suggestions on what type of content you can create for YouTube.

Additionally, many cities all over the world have local film markets. Remember, all those local restaurants, car dealerships, and mattress stores need commercials! Don’t fret, here is an article where you can learn how to find auditions near you.

How do I become an actor? Commit!

Are you looking to become famous or are you looking to be an actor? This is incredibly important to ask yourself because this game is 100% a marathon, not a sprint. The probability of your very first audition being for the lead in a Marvel film, is very slim. If you’re really looking to be a working actor, it’s going to take some time.

If you’re looking to be a background actor, you can get into that right away! Maybe you only want to do commercials? One or two classes, a solid headshot/resume, possibly an agent, and can start auditioning for commercials right away.

One of the most difficult things about being an actor is that auditions can come out of nowhere and sometimes with a very tight deadline. What if you already have plans at grandmas house? Are you willing to rearrange your schedule to turn in your audition on time? OR what if you book a job and you have to film the same day as your big presentation at work. What are you going to do?

Research Part 1- Conclusion

Being an actor does not mean you need to change your entire life. However, there are a lot of things to consider before you embark on your journey of “how do I become an actor”?

As mentioned in this article, actors are everywhere. If you don’t want to quit your day job or move to a new location, it is 100% possible to still be an actor. If you DO want to pursue an acting career full time, then it’s important to consider other elements such as where you live, your income, and if you’re ok with a different everyday lifestyle.

***Let’s move on to PART 2 of “the research phase” where we continue to explore what YOU really like, and where you fit in, in the entertainment industry.

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