How To Convince My Parents To Support
My Wanting To Become An Actress

" How can I convince my parents that… " That’s a question I frequently find myself answering. Not long ago, a young girl told me that she was having a difficult time convincing her parents to support her wanting to become an actress.

This was my answer to her:

What do you think would really take to convince your parents and to make your parents start to take you seriously and support you? Do they know what actors do? REALLY? Do they know what it's like being an actor? Do they know what you really have to go through to become an actor?

Do YOU know the answers to those two questions? Navigating yourself through the "How can I convince my parents dilemma will be easier if you can. Think about this.

Do you know what it's like and what the issues actors face, what it's like to work on set, what your chances are of just getting work, how hard you'll have to work, how much you will have to invest of your time and energy to study, to do mailings, to write cover letters, to submit yourself for auditions, to prepare for auditions, prepare your monologues, bone up on your cold reading skills, take specialization classes, travel, etc.

Do you know how much acting classes cost and where to find them?

Do you know the benefits of taking acting classes as opposed to just finding people to give you tips or getting a personal acting coach?

Do you know what the average earnings are of an actor these days?

Do you know how many days on the average an actor works.

Do you know why business skills are so important for the success of the average actor and do you have them?

Do you know how to get an agent?

Do you know what the main reason is that some actors get discovered? Are you aware of some of the scams that you need to watch out for?

Do you know what it takes to become an actor and do you have what it takes?

That's a lot of questions I know and I asked them on purpose.

Why So Many Questions? "I want to convince my parents!!"?

I know you do. Get past the "I want to convince my parents " and read on. It's about you being able to do just that! But if you can first start to answer all those questions, maybe you will be more convincing. I know you're young, but you have to get started sometime. Some teenagers have someone who is an adult and who supports them in their goals. If you don't, you can either keep butting heads with you’re your parents or being afraid to approach the subject, or you can start to find out for yourself about this career path you want to embark on and show them that you are really serious. In other words, the more information you have, the more informed you are about what you say you want, the more you can talk about it intelligently and demonstrate that you know what you are talking about, the greater your chances of being able to convince them to support you. If they have just as much information as you do, then you are on an equal playing field. They are your parents. They are bigger. They are older. They win! At least until you’re out of the house or until they no longer foots your bills! ?

Is that the way you want it? No? Then get a move on and start doing your homework! You will significantly increase your chances of convincing your parents.:-) ?

Does doing your homework mean that you will get what you want in the end? Does it mean that you will be one hundred percent guaranteed to get their support? Not necessarily. Your parents are certainly taking into consideration your best interests. But even if you don't get them to support you, you will know a lot more than you do now about the profession you say you want to pursue. ?

"Here's how I can get started to convince my parents."

1. Go to the upper right hand corner of this page and download the free ebook (36 pages) called What It Takes To Become An Actor. It will get you started to be able to answer some of those questions I asked above. It’s packed with information.

2. Check out this page for the benefits of taking acting classes. It will help you with the question of how to convince your parents to let you take classes.

3. Here is some information on how to get an agent and about how to get an audition for Disney Channel if you so desire.

4. The rest of this site and my book Acting Career Start-Up: Four Key Factors For Success were created to help you get started in your new career as an actress! Use them!

5. Watch my video on the home page of this website.

"NOW I have a much better shot to be able to convince my parents to support me!."

Good luck!

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The Top 10 Reasons Why
Most Aspiring Actors Never Make It!

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Hi Tony
I would like to thank you for helping me with the monologue question I asked in October 2007. I went to the auditions for a Drama course and I am happy to say that I have been accepted as a first-year student at the Tshwane University of Technology. Please keep on sending me those newsletters and let me know where I can find books that will help me in my acting career. Thank you once more. Have a blessed day.
Sincerely
Edward Thaba -South Africa

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Hi,
I was wondering if there is anything established like actingstartup.com in the U.K. because you are amazing and I have learned loads...
Thank You.
Nadine., Newcastle, UK

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Dear Anthony,
Just wanted to thank you for bringing me in to [audition for the video], meet you and chat this Saturday. I was really excited to hear about your working on actingcareerstartup.com and even took a look at it today - it's awesome! You are very well-spoken, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and it shows through the work that you do! I hope our paths in the industry will cross again and really enjoyed meeting you. Thanks, again and best wishes with your very important work!
Warmly,
Gretchen, NY, NY

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Hey Tony, thanks for the info, yours by far is the most useful, I am 30 years old, and I myself always (secretly) wanted to be an actress, but I never knew where to begin, so thank you. You have given me hope!
Ana C., Tampa, FL

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Hi, I’m John.
You answered a question for me about two weeks ago about how to write my cover letters…I want you to know your advice was helpful. I got called in for a part as an extra in my first movie! It’s not big, but it’s my first one! Thanks for your help!
John, San Diego, CA