Every day, we watch people “act,” whether we realize it or not. From the actor in the movie you just watched to the guy selling you the latest cereal in that commercial, it’s all acting. Because we ingest so much media as a society, the career of an actor is one of the first we are exposed to as a child, and many of us grow up with dreams of making it big in the industry. If you want to pursue your passion and become the next big thing in Hollywood, think long and hard about it – because acting isn’t for everyone.
It’s not easy.
If you’ve ever told a lie – and we all have – you might think acting is just as simple as that. You’re convincing someone to believe that you are truthful, that you are authentically the character you’re trying to portray. Now think about the last time someone told a lie to you. It was pretty easy to see right through them, right? There’s a certain sense of hesitation when you’re trying to convince someone of something that isn’t true. You need to be extremely compelling, really make them believe you’re in the role that you’re playing. And, different from telling a lie, the entire audience knows the truth. They know you aren’t Romeo or Dorothy or the Phantom of the Opera – you’re just acting. It takes a lot of work to say your lines with confidence, use your body language, and really become the person you’re portraying and truly make the audience suspend their disbelief.
It takes practice.
Many people assume any craft is something you’re born with, something you’re inherently good at, and something that’s difficult for those who aren’t born with this skill to master. While it’s true that certain people are born with different talents than others, it’s still possible, with hard work, for you to become a successful painter, musician, or, in this case, actor. That means a lot of practice and dedication.
It takes time.
Often, TV and movies portray individuals who make it big in acting, modeling, or music as “being discovered.” As a kid, you assume you’ll be walking through the mall one day, and a talent scout will approach you to star in the next big TV show. While this happens from time to time, it is the exception, not the rule. Realistically, becoming an actor, and a good one at that, takes an incredible amount of time. If you have the passion, you’ll need to put in the time. That means acting in local plays, looking for others in your local scene to network with, and studying technique. You may even want to search for “how to hire actors near me” to see what types of gigs are available in your area.
While acting “isn’t for everyone,” acting is for ANYONE who is willing to put in the time, energy, and will practice hard to pursue their dreams. Even if you’re not looking to “make it big,” acting can be extremely rewarding on a personal level. If it’s something you love, then you should pursue it. Who knows? You could find yourself in the next big blockbuster flick if you put your mind to it.
