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To Tony,
I have to say this is the best acting site i have EVER been to. I'm sure you have helped many people begin their dream! I've helped in advertising your site to over 38 of my aspiring actor friends. You are doing an amazing thing by helping these people. I wish you the best in your acting career so that you may be a role model for all those who look up to your sucess.

-Rachael W., actress, Canada

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Anthony,
Happy New year to you. I really enjoy your e-mails and your website. As someone who has just started the journey of becoming an actor I enjoy your site which is full of wonderful insights and answers to questions I have had, and it's funny but it seems as though every time you update your site, it answers a question I have been struggling with at that point.

Thank you for your website, you have helped me a lot as I know you have helped numerous others.

Have a wonderful 2008 and may you break a leg in everything you do this year as an actor.

Sam T Kelly, actor, Los Angeles, CA

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Tony,
I did what you said and…I got two interviews with two agents! Thank you! Sorry but can I ask you…how do I prepare to go meet the agent? What do I have to do?
Marsha P., New York, NY, USA

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Tony,
I just wanted to let you know that I copied a quote of your's and I'm putting it on my refrigerator when I move to L.A. this next week. Thanks for the continued encouragement to all of us trying to achieve our goals. Keep up the good work.

Best,
Kyle S., actor

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This site has taught me a lot that I needed to know without dragging me all over the place.
Lauren, actress, Atlanta, GA

Students

How To Become An Actor:
17 Things You Can Do Today

One question I’m often asked is about how to become an actor. My own personal experience coupled with the information I received in a recent conversation with best-selling author Brian O’Neil (Acting As A Business), allowed me to produce this list of things you can do to facilitate your acting career start. Some of the questions come from young people who are frustrated by the fact that they live in a small town and can’t seem to find any opportunities to act in their area. Whether that is your case or not, if you are looking to start an acting career and you have already begun your classroom training, you should find the following list helpful.

How To Become An Actor: 17 Things To Do

1. Look up casting offices in your area.

2. Look up talent agencies in your area.

3. Check your Regional Theatre Directory for their policy on auditioning and for information about local and upcoming projects.

4. Universities with film departments: Film students are required to produce a certain number of film projects each year and for those projects they are always looking for actors!

5. Find advertising agencies that have clients who shoot on-camera commercials and commercial print ads.

6. See if there is a SAG, AFTRA or Equity office in your area and see if they have a list of reputable talent agents in the area.

7. Check the arts section of your local newspaper for theatres, shows, plays and events in your area. Take note of the venues where they take place and contact them for the information you desire.

8. Contact local photographers to see if they have contacts for ad agencies, other actors, casting directors, agencies. Agencies and Casting directors often refer actors to certain headshot photographers.

9. Look up you state’s film commission. Usually state film commissions have a list of upcoming film projects to be shot in that state.

10. See if there are any special editions of magazines and/or newspapers that have to do with theatre, film or acting in your area.

11. Pick up a copy of the Hollywood Reporter. Sometimes you will find a list of film projects that will be shot in different areas of the country.

12. Try to find a list of Equity and Non-Equity theatres in your area. Go there and they should be able to give you a wealth of information about where you can go to get started, teachers, schools, etc.

13. Look up acting schools, acting teachers and acting coaches in your area.

14. Look up casting offices that cast for extras, even if they are in a big city like New York or L.A. and sign up with them. Make sure they have your headshot and résumé and cover letter. But tell them where you are and where you live. If you are not in the big cities where lots of film and extra work is being shot, you’ll want to tell them to call you when there is work to be had in an area you can easily get to.

15. Remember that when building your résumé, the more theatre work you have on your résumé from reputable theatres, the more attention you will get from casting directors and agents.

16. You could also go and take classes with casting directors or agents if you can find them. That is a great opportunity not only to meet casting directors and agents, but also to spend time them and for them to get to know you and see you work.

17. Just don’t forget that once you do start to gather some information and take some classes, that the person who will have to execute your acting career is YOU. To do that effectively and ensure that you position yourself for success, you will need to develop certain skills. Although there are many different roads to choose, you will certainly be helped with regard to how to become an actor by following the steps you will find on this website as well as reading the many articles you'll find here by experts..

If you are really interested in how to become an actor in the shortest time possible, then you will certainly benefit from being dilligent at doing the things mentioned above.

Good luck!

Best-Selling Author Brian O'Neil

Brian O'Neil is the author of the best-selling book for actors Acting As A Business: Strategies For Success, a must read for anyone who is serious about pursuing an acting career. Brian has more than twenty years experience in the industry as an actor, manager and agent. It is possible to contact Brian directly at www.actingasabusiness.com for personal consutations as well as for his speaking and seminar schedule.








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