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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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