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Acting Schools Tips
To School or Not to School
A question nearly every up-and-coming actor must ask is whether or not to attend drama school or take classes. While it is certainly possible to learn the acting craft by watching and learning from other actors, nothing beats practicing your craft. The best way to learn is by experiencing. This can be accomplished by working with good directors as well as doing exercises on your own. One thing that schools and classes excel in is pointing students in the direction of the masters. Good teachers can introduce you to dramatic literature as well as physical and vocal warm-up exercises you never knew existed. In addition, the feedback from experienced teachers and peers alike can be invaluable. Not to mention that a degree from a reputable drama school will look good on your resume. In the end, it is recommended that you try to take at least a few classes, but ultimately, it is your performance at auditions and acting jobs that will launch (and float) your career.
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Acting Schools
School for Film and Television Tip: Building your show business support network begins in acting school. If you're in school now, look around you. Your friends and acquaintances might feel just as powerless as you do, but the minute one of them makes it, they'll be in a position to drop your name.
So get proactive and begin fostering a sense of community while in acting school. Start a study group with a few friends to run lines, practice scenes, or go to screenings. Gather your colleagues and put on a benefit for a worthy cause. Get involved with your fellow actors in any constructive way you can think of. Two words of caution, however:
·Partying is no substitute for hard work. Having the right connections can open doors, but only talent and ability will set you squarely inside.
·Choose your friends carefully. Avoid the complainers and the whiners. People who are this miserable usually want lots of company. They won't cheer you on to success and may even try to hold you back.
If your support network consists of talented people you truly like, keeping in touch once school is over will be a pleasure. Send them congratulatory notes when you hear about a success. Call them up when they hit a rough spot. They'd do the same for you.
Making it as an actor is an uphill battle. You have years of slogging it through to look forward to. Thank goodness for your friends!
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Finding Good Acting Teachers
Finding teachers at acting schools that challenge you and inspire your trust is a critical part of your training. A good teacher will help you to build consistency in your acting. Don't fear critical feedback; a good teacher will not shy away from pointing out your flaws. Use this criticism to instill discipline in to your training. Remember that everyone has weaknesses, and even the best actors have room to improve.
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Teaching Acting at the University Level
School for Film and Television Tip: While an M.F.A. in acting is hardly a requirement for success as a performer, it's crucial if you hope to teach acting at the university level some day. Unfortunately, landing a spot as an M.F.A. candidate at a reputable acting university is as difficult as landing the lead in a movie. The competition is fierce, and only a handful of applicants are accepted each year. Improve your chances of success by following these tips:
Research the programs. Each program has its own requirements. Some accept only working actors. Others specialize in a particular technique or style. Make sure you apply to programs that are right for you.
Cost. An M.F.A. is expensive. Money is to be had, however. The trick is finding it. Look into loans and scholarships. And keep looking. As they say, when there's a will there's a way.
Consider the program's location. If you have to uproot yourself anyway to go to school, maybe now's the time to make that move to L.A. or New York.
The application. You'll need a resume, headshots, and letters of recommendation and/or a personal mission statement. You'll also need enough money to cover application fees.
The audition. This is the most important part of your application. Choose a monologue that showcases your talents, and rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! Perform for a few actor friends to get their feedback ahead of time.
There is no higher degree in acting than an M.F.A., so if a university teaching post is what you're after, then an M.F.A. is a smart move.
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Acting School in New York
Many people think that they have to go to school in Los Angeles in order to get a foothold in the acting industry. The truth is that there are many fine acting schools in New York City that have strong ties to the industry. NYU has both a film school and drama school. Columbia University has its own film program. The School of Film and Television specializes in training actors for the industry. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fantastic school that even offers summer programs. In recent years, New York has become a hub for casting TV pilots. The city also has one of the oldest theater communities in the US, making it an ideal place for studying acting of any kind.
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Say Good-Bye to Acting Classes
School for Film and Television Tip: Experienced actors will tell you that the craft of acting demands life-long study. There's always more to learn and ways in which you can improve. So it's important to keep taking acting classes, right?
Not necessarily. Acting schools are an essential step if you're just starting out or if you want to learn a new technique or skill. The best classes will challenge you and force you to grow. But if after years of working at your craft you're still taking classes in lieu of auditioning and landing jobs, you may be sticking a little too closely to your comfort zone. Ask yourself honestly if you're learning anything new. Perhaps your class was once great for you, but now it's time to move on. Remember, the point is to become a professional actor, not a professional acting student. Yes, you have to keep learning. But maybe your most important lessons are waiting for you on the set, not in the classroom! So spread your wings and leave the nest. Say good-bye to acting class and hello to your career.
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Acting Schools and Training
Remember that you're not just going to acting school for the degree or the prestige but also because you're trying to improve your practical training. A good acting school shouldn't just teach you how to act, it should teach you how to handle the entire industry. You should be taught not only to perform, but to understand all that makes up being an actor. The skills you take from your acting school should be applicable as you start your career in the industry.
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Things to Watch Out For When Applying To Acting School
Beware of getting scammed when signing up for an acting school. No school that you apply to should ask for large payments upfront. A school with any kind of reputation will require you to audition for entrance rather than accepting you after just one interview. It is important to remember that a school should not ask you sign a binding contract with regards to your career before admission. Also, it's a good idea to check out school's backgrounds through friends and independent research.
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Visiting the Acting School's Campus
A critical part of researching acting schools is visiting the campuses. Yes, it is important to consider the school's statistics, but that is not where your consideration should end. It is also important to consider schools that meet your needs. One of the final arbiters when choosing a school should be the campus visit. Visiting campuses gives you a unique opportunity to question the students who attend the school. If the physical environment of the campus doesn't feel right, chances are you and your potential acting career won't be happy there.
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Selecting an Acting School
There are a few key elements that you need to consider when selecting an acting school: Make sure the school has modern facilities that meet professional standards. Examine the school's faculty, and make sure that they have plenty of experience in the industry. Look for a school that offers practical, hands-on training, preferably in smaller class settings. Investigate whether or not the school has working relationships with industry professionals. Remember that you'll most likely be supporting yourself as you go through school, so figure in the cost of your tuition.
