¶ … Career The first thought that comes to mind when I think about a possible career in acting is that everything I have heard about acting includes the fact that it requires more than talent and ambition. It really helps if you are at the right place at the right time, and that you cannot give up just because you didn't get the part you want. Or in my case, if I don't get the comic gig I sought, or I am culled out of a group of 18 candidates for a bit part in a television sitcom, I cannot simply figure I'm done. I know it is a matter of hard work and persistence, but on the other hand a little luck and knowing the right people certainly can contribute to success. This essay is my response to what I have learned, what I still perceive is the route I must take, and also I will wrap my thoughts around the sources I have researched which provide guidelines for would-be actors. My aspirations have not changed over the past months, I still feel that I have the talent to be considered for parts but I am of course still in the rudimentary stages of that effort.

Hollywood is Weird, Making it Tough to Break in to Acting

Being away of the challenges and successes of present day actors is part of the job of educating myself about the entertainment industry. On that topic, I was watching "Sunday Morning" on CBS this weekend, always a great piece of television journalism, and every week they have an in-depth feature on an actor; how that person broke in, what are the pitfalls of the business, what to do to break in, etc.

On Sunday December 6, they had a feature on Brie Larson, who has had some very important roles, most recently in the movie "House," "Trainwreck," and "The Gambler." She is a woman who started acting in grammar school -- she had bit parts in television shows like "Touched by an Angel" while she was still in elementary school -- and continued on through high school. Her dad and mom divorced but her mom believed in Brie's talent and moved to Los Angeles to better position her daughter for an acting career. It certainly helps to live in Los Angeles or Hollywood, where many actors got their starts after waiting tables or other menial work in that area. And it helps to have parents or mentors that can provide resources for a person interested in acting; I am one of those seekers of an opportunity to act!

In the CBS interview Brie was asked by the Sunday Morning reporter, since she's been called the "It Girl," what does she think of the phrase? "What is 'it'"? she asked. The reporter said "I guess it means the girl of the moment."

Brie replied: "But what is 'it'? There is no 'it'! And who was 'it' before 'it'? And when does 'it' go away? When did I get 'it'? Who's gonna take 'it'? After that response, Brie said, "It's so weird. I'm just a person. I'm not anything!"

That is an example of how silly and even juvenile Hollywood can be. Labels are quickly applied by media and the movie industry. Brie went on to explain that she had been turned down by casting directors because her eyes were brown instead of blue, that she was too tall, and that her figure wasn't ideal for a certain part. But for the film "Room" she said she stayed out of the sun for three months and worked hard with a trainer to muscle up her body.

How I Will Continue to Learn

When Al Septien spoke to us about his career, I was impressed with the fact that he wrote a play that was accepted and landed him a Ford Foundation grant to study. Getting in the door by writing a play is an excellent idea. I am cooking up some comedy ideas for a play that I may require some help completing but I fully believe I can do that. Septien said in an interview I researched that he and his writing partner Turi Meyer -- whom he met while catering for a movie set -- wrote a story about a family held hostage. "It got optioned a few times" and it was never made into a film, "but it got us an agent," he wrote. That's called getting a foot in the door.

In Septien's career, which was laid out in the interview on www.lukeford.net, he fell into "horror" because he and Meyer had written "Homefront"; and he...

It goes on and on like that. The point is, one success leads to the next opportunity, even if the movies are cheap horror movies the idea is to earn a living and keep striving and working and making contacts. Septien says he watches " ... many Disney movies with my son. I've learned what good simple storytelling is about."
If I ever have a chance to be cast in television show, I will certainly put on the best presentation I possibly can. I will also keep in mind that writing episodes for television is a very smart way to break into the business. Septien explains in the interview that writing television episodes is smart because " ... the turnaround [is] quick and the money [is] good." He adds that the opportunity in films " ... seems to be diminishing," so that is another clue that I need to take seriously.

Comedian

I believe I would do well in a comic role, but I need experience in front of an audience first. The rules of the road for getting a chance don't necessarily ring true for a guy wishing to perform in a comedy setting. Open mic nights are the logical way to go for a beginner, so working up some comedy is on my "to-do" list. Trying my jokes out on friends may not be the best way to learn because they may give me a free ride. So I need to perform in front of others who don't know me. I am working on that.

My neighbor is also interested in a possible career in acting, so I plan to set up situations that will help both of us. He has a gift of a great voice and charm, more so than I probably do, but working together to iron out patterns and jokes should help me.

Theatre Productions and Movie Opportunities

When a casting director gives an audition to a person hoping to land a part, there are a number of important steps to take, I have learned. First and foremost, the actor being given the audition must know what the production, television show, or movie is being developed. Digging into the characters that are part of the show or production is also absolutely necessary. In fact if the actor knows the depths of the personalities in the production or show, that is all the better. After doing the required research, I know to show up early for the audition. I have friends with jobs who show up just at the right time, never early, and that is not how you get an opportunity in the world of entertainment.

You show up early, take direction well, and perform your best. You also send thank you notes (not emails, but snail mail notes on classy letterhead), according to Breaking into Acting for Dummies. "By just treating each audition professionally, you automatically separate yourself from the vast majority of actors" (Garrison, et al., 2011). Moreover, Garrison explains that a casting director may " ... absolutely love the way you look and the way your act -- yet still choose someone else for a particular role," Garrison writes.

"You can lost an acting job about a million different ways, but you can get one only by acting professionally ... [being] courteous and polite to everyone, whether you like them or not" (Garrison). I was raised by parents who fully understood the value of treating everyone with respect and grace. The last thing I would do at a casting call would be to act less than dignified or gracious; as Garrison points out, the lowly assistant on the set may one day turn out to be a "high-powered director." Hence, good manners are simply good business tools, and I'm fully aware of that.

I also understand after doing the research on acting gigs that directors and producers don't always hire " ... the best actor for the role." Rather, they often hire the person they simply like the best. In other words, if they like you, they may not necessarily hire you for that particular part you're trying out for, but they will remember you in future situations.

Ruth T. Paul

I was impressed and thoroughly paying close attention when Ruth T. Paul made a presentation. How she got to be involved in the Screen Actors Guild and…