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What Casting Directors are Looking For
You may encounter this phrase from casting directors more than once in your career: "I'll know what I want when I see it." One thing is for sure: They're not looking for a scene-stealer. They're not looking for a prima dona. Chances are, they want chemistry within their cast. They need to see that you're a team player, someone who listens, is respectful of others, and ultimately brings more to the team. Showing casting directors and fellow actors that you can work with them is far more valuable than showing them up.
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Becoming a Film Actor
Many young performers dream of becoming movie stars. (Not many seem to dream of a career on the stage, unless it's in Broadway musicals.) It makes logical sense, then that they should study acting, and film schools seem the perfect place to get that necessary education.
A film acting school is a great place to get started, especially since the education you will receive here is geared specifically toward performing in front of a camera, and not on a large stage. (They are very different disciplines!) You wll learn techniques like how to "hit your mark," vocal adjustments, and makeup for the screen.
You can find film acting schools by searching the Internet, or by reading the trades (like Backstage ) to find out which schools are in your area and when the next round of auditions will take place.
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The Basic Acting Classes
Everybody has to start with the basics in acting class. Your first classes should teach you the basics of movement and voice. Learn how to hold your body for maximum breath control and healthy posture. Improv classes are also a wonderful way to learn to use your body effectively. When studying voice, practice projection, annunciation, and breathing. Basic classes will cover these skills. Once you have your instrument tuned, you should move onto scene study courses.
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Choosing a Drama School
When you're in the market for drama schools, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of places to choose from. Overall, you're going to have to weed out the schools that are not perfect for you and find ones that will work with you to help you become the best actor you can be.
Here are a few things to consider when searching for a drama school:
Location. How far are you willing to travel to go to school? If you need to relocate, where will you live?
Budget. Can you afford tuition at the drama school? If not, are there alternate ways to pay for your education such as financial aid, student loans, or work study programs?
Coursework. What types of classes are offered? Do they suit the kind of acting you want to be doing in the future? Is there decent variety?
Faculty. Who will be your teachers? Do you recognize any of them as established actors? If not, what are their credentials?
Current and Past Students. What have the graduates of this school done with their careers? Can you speak to current students to find out why they like the school?
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Succeeding at a Casting Call
You're the only one who can make yourself look good in a casting call, so be proactive. Take note of the following advice: Show up on time. Be prepared for any readings that you have to do. Bring two copies of your resume/headshot package. Be very respectful to all of the people that you interact with, even other actors. Show that you can work professionally with the casting director and anyone else attached to the production. Follow up with a postcard or another small mailing the next day.
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The Alexander Technique
Movement techniques of all kinds should form part of your actor training. Dance teaches you to move fluidly. Pantomime teaches non-verbal communication. But perhaps the most valuable lessons are to be had through the Alexander Technique.
Through the Alexander Technique, an actor learns to connect — in every possible sense of the word. Different parts of the body begin to work together. Breath connects to speech. Intention connects to gesture. Gestures flow from one to the other. Automatic habits are replaced by free choice. The result is the kind of poise and grace that radiates from being truly centered.
Many actors swear by the Alexander Technique. Since its creation over 100 years ago by F.M. Alexander, an actor himself, the Technique has been embraced in drama schools throughout the world. Some of the Technique's most famous students include Judi Dench, Hilary Swank, and Kevin Kline.
So if you're ready to pull your body, mind, and soul together, take some Alexander Technique lessons. Contact the American Society of Alexander Technique Teachers (http://www.alexandertech.org) to find a certified teacher near you.
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Acting Jobs and Industry Connections
Keep in touch with the industry community. They will be your peers, your support group, and hopefully your connections to better acting gigs. Go to the plays of your friends and get to know the cast, crew, and any management. Watch new movies and television shows to see which way the industry is headed. If you like a show, find out who casts it. There are several seminars in larger cities you can attend and meet agents, casting directors and managers. Go to as many as you can to network and learn the names of important players in the film and/or theater community.
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Why Acting Classes?
You may have heard about the rare few actors who make it big in film or theater without ever having taken any acting classes in an acting school program or some other type of training program. This situation is not the norm, and in many cases the previously unschooled actors do attend classes after their big hit, or in order to prepare for a newer role.
Why are acting classes essential? The first and most important reason is practice. Classes give you a sustained period of time to work on your craft. Besides this basic fact, a good class teaches you to hone your strengths and train away from your weaknesses. In the same way you wouldn't expect a professional athlete to make his career without ever working out, the actor, too must keep himself or herself in constant "shape" by attending acting classes.
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The Screen Actors Guild and Your Acting Career
If you want to be a film actor, membership to the Screen Actors Guild is critical to your career. Membership insures that you will receive the optimal wages, as well as payments from producers to your pension and health insurance accounts. As a member of the SAG, you will also be able to collect residual payments from your work. There are several ways to get into the union. Visit their website at www.sag.org for membership information.
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