Becoming an actor is very, very easy. Almost anyone can do it!

The hard part is becoming a good actor and a professional actor. There are thousands of pretend actors out there, but if you want to do this properly, here's a simple guide for complete beginners.

Get On-Camera Experience First #

Nothing beats experience. Absolutely nothing.

You need to start acting for the camera right now, however and wherever you can. Here are some practical ways to start:

• Take an on-camera acting class in your area (not theater classes - those are different)
• Check casting websites like Backstage and Actors Access (in the US) and enCAST.pro (in Europe) for student films and unpaid projects
• Join local Facebook groups that post casting calls and apply to everything you're suitable for
• Sign up with a background acting agency just to get comfortable on real film sets
• Make your own short films with friends using your phone

That last one is huge. Making your own films teaches you more than almost anything else. You'll learn how cameras work, how to hit marks, and how to watch your own performances. Plus it's actually fun.

Create Your Essential Materials #

Once you have a bit of experience, you need three things to be taken seriously:

• Professional headshots
• An acting resume
• A demo reel

Yes, it's a Catch-22 situation. You can't get work without these materials, and you can't get these materials without work. But here's how you solve it:

Use those student films and self-made projects to build your first reel. Get a friend with a decent camera to take headshots in natural outdoor light. Write down every single thing you've done, even if it's just a class or an unpaid student film.

Start somewhere. Even professionals had to start with bad headshots and thin resumes.

Build Your Online Presence #

Set up complete profiles on casting websites. Upload your headshot, resume, and reel to every platform.

Check these sites every single day. New auditions get posted constantly. Apply to everything that matches your age and type, even if it seems like a long shot.

And make connections. Finding work is often about networking, so talk to people, make comments, make friends. When you find a director online, don't simply write to them and ask them for work as that will put them off you forever. Instead, be natural. Maybe like a comment or two. If they post something, react to it naturally. Build up a relationship.

Films are often cast amongst friends, remember that.

Find Paid Work #

Keep making films with your friends if you want, but eventually you need to transition to paid work. Professional actors get paid.

This doesn't mean you'll make big money right away. Your first paid job might be $100 for a day's work. That's fine. It's still professional experience.

Stop doing free work once you have a solid reel and some experience. Your time and talent have value.

What Makes a Good Actor? #

Anyone can become an actor, but only a few become good actors. Here's the difference:

• Good actors treat acting like a job, not a hobby
• They are professional on set at all times
• They keep learning and improving constantly
• They show up on time with lines memorized
• They have quality headshots and updated materials
• They take rejection professionally and keep auditioning

Bad actors show up with terrible headshots, unprepared, and expect to get hired. They treat it casually. They give up after a few rejections.

Don't be a bad actor.

The Bottom Line #

The path is simple, but not easy. Get experience any way you can. Build your materials. Apply to everything. Stay professional. Never stop learning.

Most people quit after a few months. The ones who succeed are the ones who keep going for years, even when it's hard.

That's really all there is to it. Start today.