1. Learn the Craft to be an actor
Regardless where in the world you are, you can easily get started in acting. Go around town and find a theater, see if you can actively get involved in a play. Even if this means you will have a 2 minute performance on stage.
Acting seems like a given to many people but I can't tell you the number of people that come out to Hollywood thinking that all they need to do is get a job as a waiter at some popular restaurant, meet an agent, get "discovered" and then it's nothing but champagne and caviar from there. Well... not really.
Acting is first and foremost a craft. The best of the Hollywood actors understand this and no matter how far they have come in their careers, they are constantly looking to improve upon their craft. They take classes, work with acting and dialogue coaches, they study life experiences, etc. They know full well that even after a lifetime of work and study, they may never reach absolute perfection.
So, for you, it's imperative that you take a wide variety of acting classes. Work in a wide variety of styles with a as many different groups of people that you can find. Try it all. From Shakespeare to comedy, from improv to cinema verite -- the more you know, the more well rounded you'll be and ultimately, the better prepared you'll be for whatever roles come your way.
2. Get involved in film and entertainment - mingle, network
Hollywood/Los Angeles, New York and any other city that offers entertainment productions basis its success on one thing and one thing only: NETWORKING.
Eventually you will have to move to an entertainment metropolis if you are serious about acting. Some auditions are last minute, some are simply interviews where people would like to meet you in person, and most will have callbacks, meaning you will have to come audition 2 or 3 times before a producer, director or casting director may call and hire you.
If you don't live in Los Angeles or New York, that does NOT mean that you cannot get involved in entertainment. You can still network with other actors, mingle with producers, directors and casting professionals. The internet offers various casting services, most of them ask you to pay a monthly fee which you should not.
Acting will already cost you money for acting classes, headshot printings, photographers and you will have various other expenses. Now you really don't need to spend another $ 10 - $ 30 a month just be involved on a casting site.
Join CastingDNA.com, which is the only 100 % free casting and entertainment network. It will allow you to network with other talents and entertainment industry professionals, let's you market yourself by uploading your experience profile/resume and your pictures. Casting DNA is also the elite provider of the latest casting notices in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and other locations.
Find Representation, even if you are not in an entertainment metropolis. Various agents and managers are still accepting people that may not live in LA or NY based on their looks, experience or track record. CastingDNA.com has entire lists of agents and managers currently looking for more clients. On Casting DNA you can directly contact many agents, managers or casting directors.
3. Commit Yourself
There are no bad actors, just actors who aren't willing to "fully commit" themselves to their craft. If you're about looking cool, or trying to maintain a certain image, then acting might not be for you.The best actors are those who are willing to let themselves be 100% consumed by the role they are playing. They physically become the person they portray.
If you're in the middle of delivering your lines and suddenly you let yourself drift back into your own life, you are not fully committed to the role and your performance will show it. You have to literally "forget yourself" to help ensure the quality of your performance.
4. Take Some Improv
Regardless of what you may think of improvisation theater, it is one skill that most actors count on in a time of need. Especially for you theater actors who might be stuck with someone who freezes midway through their lines.
Beyond a crisis situation, improv is one of the few styles of acting where you have absolute freedom to discover what things you're good at, and which things could use some work. Improv is a way to discover your range as an actor while at the same time, it forces you to explore new territory while having to commit wholeheartedly to the situation at hand.
"So, where you can find an improv class, consider adding it to your repertoire.
5. Persistence is a virtue
There is one general rule in Hollywood: talent won't get you there, but persistence just might. If you are a dog with a bone, then Hollywood is the town for you. Those who are gritty and willing to give it their all day in and day out will have a much greater chance of success than the Juliard trained actor who waits around in his apartment for opportunity to come knocking. The trick is, you have to get out there. Meet people and let them know what you are doing. It's absolutely essential to your success.
6. Have a lot of patience
The reality is that there were years of hard work and preparation that led them to that "sudden discovery. "Hollywood is a strange town. There are actors who have literally been working for decades when all the sudden, they're in a role that gets a bit of attention and suddenly, they're famous.
Patience is not only a virtue in Hollywood, it's an absolute must to keep from going insane. So develop your patience and you will enjoy the process of rising to stardom that much more even if you never end up getting there.
