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Want to be an Actor ? Then Don ’ t Go to Acting School !
Time and time again I have young students ask me advice regarding the next step in their acting career : picking a college . They tell me the schools they are thinking of applying to and then ask my opinion and I let them know , in my humble opinion , that I think they should avoid going into an acting program . Now , granted , there are some elite schools that are very prestigious , expensive , and look amazing on a resume . If you have the four years and the money ( and let ’ s face it , the talent to be chosen among a select few for a program that thousands apply to ) then go for it . But if you have the burning desire to start acting now , then I say “ Act now !”
A big part of most school curriculums is to actually prevent their students from auditioning and working in the field until they graduate . That means you could be out of the business for up to four years !
Consider the following options :
1 . If you are determined to go to film school , perhaps you might enroll in a program other than acting . An actor who takes videography , editing , and sound courses , are the kind of actors who can create their own content . They can not only make projects ( and star in them ) they also tend to set themselves up for a job straight out of college . Someone trained in sound , who owns their own equipment , will be hired on a regular basis … no auditioning required !
2 . Look for specialty workshops taught by top acting coaches and directors . SAG and EQUITY union theatre sites have workshops available for union and non-union actors with some top acting coaches . Sometimes , directors come in for a weekend workshop . I have jumped at the chance to work with people I admire and who are in town just to teach a workshop . Bend the ear of some successful actors you meet on film shoots and ask who they endorse as a good acting coach in your city . There are acting studios in most major cities who can boast having trained some of the talent you see on TV and in film . Check them out and start your night and weekend classes with them , leaving the rest of the week for auditions and jobs .
3 . If you go to film school as an actor , treat it as a networking opportunity . I suggest , if you want to be working with talented directors , writers , and producers , remind yourself that they are all there in the school with you , just in another department . Make an effort to connect with those people . Why just hang with a bunch of actors looking for a chance to get in front of the camera when you can go to seminars and social gatherings with up-and-coming directors and producers ? Writers need to hear their material , find out if there are script readings in your school , community and town . You volunteer , get a script in your hand , and the writer / director just might offer you a part . Maybe not in this project but if your circle of friends include the people who choose the actors , then you ’ ll be fresh in mind . You
may even get work written with you in mind .
4 . If you don ’ t go to film school , you can still work on school film sets to build your reel . You can still connect with the up-and-coming directors and producers while getting screen time and , if they have budgeted properly , may also get a honorarium as well as footage for your demo reel . You can join the social media pages of all the local college film programs and keep abreast of upcoming auditions for their film projects . You will learn so much more on a set than in a class room !
5 . Make sure to add all the classes you take to your resume , that includes singing and dance as well . Be careful about listing classes taught by casting directors . Their workshops are a great opportunity to get in front of them and learn what they personally like to see when you walk into their audition rooms , but as one casting director once said , “ We all know each other , but that doesn ’ t mean we all like each other .” Sometimes listing a casting director as a workshop instructor can backfire , so keep those off of your resume .
6 . Never stop learning ! The skills on your resume should always be growing . This past summer I went out and got a motorcycle license and my restricted and non-restricted firearms licenses . Keep learning new things that make you more marketable . Ever want to learn another language ? A musical instrument ? Do it now and get it on your resume . I often have directors and writers take my classes so they can gain a better understanding of what goes on in front of the camera . They know that by understanding what it takes to be an actor will also inevitably make them a more wellrounded artist . Wouldn ’ t sets be an even better world if all actors worked on the crew for a period of time ? Understanding and learning about all areas of this art form will set you above the rest . Be the eternal student . All of the top Hollywood actors have coaches , there is always room to learn and grow as an artist and it doesn ’ t stop when you have an institutional piece of paper in your hand .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Stephanie Herrera is a writer , actor , comedian , director , film maker , theatre producer , voice over talent , singer , and founder of Durham Improv & Acting Studio ( in Durham Region , Ontario ). She is the recipient of several grants as well as multiple nominations and awards and has shared the stage with some comedy greats including Colin Mochrie , Linda Kash , and Patrick McKenna . She regularly teaches and performs across North America in both genres of drama and comedy . Photos courtesy of Stephanie Herrera .
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