Top 5 Ways To Become The Best Darn Actor In The World

Getting started in acting can be a scary and confusing process. There is no ‘right’ way to become an actor, which leaves many people feeling lost and frustrated by the whole process.

Luckily, there are some basic things you should be doing and have in place to give yourself a fighting chance to start an acting career the right way.

1) Read

No matter what business, industry or hobby you want to pursue, you’ll need to learn all about its history and origin. You’ll need to know how it works and what’s involved. Acting is no different.

Read plays to familiarize yourself with some playrights and their writing style (afterall, you’ll be auditioning with their monologues). Try Neil Simon, David Mamet or John Patrick Shanley for starters.

Read books on acting technique. It helps to get different perspectives on acting techniques. You might not like, agree or feel comfortable with one instructor’s method. A few of the popular acting technique books are Sanford Meisner On Acting, Uta Hagen Respect for Acting and Stella Adler The Art of Acting.

Finally, read actor biographies. Find an actor whose journey to Hollywood you find inspiring and learn from it. Jack Nicholson, Humphrey Bogart and Paul Newman have a few great stories about their rise (and struggle) to fame.

2) Train, Study, Learn

In order to become the best darn actor in the world, you’ll need to know how to become the best darn actor in the world. Acting classes and training are a necessity. Working actors are continually polishing and enhancing their ability by going to class. It keeps you sharp, active and on the ball.

There are plenty of different classes to consider so you should audit a few of the ones you are interested in to see if it is a good fit for you. Consider classes like acting for the camera, scene study and monologue work.

3) Network

Network simply means to communicate with and within a group. You’ll want to network with other actors and when possible, at industry events where agents, managers and casting directors will be.

By networking, you will be keeping your face and name out in the public eye, while staying on top of industry news and events. The more you stay informed about the business around you, the better off you’ll be.

4) Watch Movies, See Plays

If you want to learn to fly a plane, you’ll be watching plenty of trained pilots in action to see how it’s done. (Get the analagy?) It is imperitive that you study movies and see plays. Expand your movie library and you will inheritly be improving your skills.

You’ll also be able to speak intelligently about the biz you so desire to be a part of. Watch current movies and watch the oldies. You can start with the IMBd top 250 movies of all time for ideas. (If you have some free time, you can also check out the bottom 100 movies of all time, too!)

5) Get A Good Great Headshot

This actually may be the most important on the list since it will instantly reveal how good (professional) you really are. An actor’s headshot is our business card. An agent can tell in a split second where you stand by your headshot.

A good headshot must be current, look like you and follow industry standards. If it doesn’t impress it will be difficult to make a lasting impression. If it turns heads, it will do you a world of good.

Sadly, there are no guarantees in this business. The journey will be long, emotional and sometimes difficult. It takes plenty of drive, termination, persistance and a bit of talent to become a working actor. Immerse yourself in every aspect of the biz and before you know it, you’ll be able to call yourself an actor and become the best darn actor in the world.

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