If you have been to the voice acting page, you will notice they have a great many things in common. They are, after all, both acting.
First
Take an improv acting workshop
until you are comfortable and confident. If there isn’t one available where you are or for any reason you can’t, practice with friends.
Second
Join My Casting File and
Start submitting for parts.
This will give you a feel for being on set, and all of the opportunities there. You will also discover if it is right for you.
Why My Casting File? It is free and has a ton of indie projects and extra parts with newer talent so you can learn and grow without feeling overcome and gain beginner experience.
Third
Make a professional looking Facebook page and join acting and casting groups.
Why? These are great places to keep up with other actors, casting directors, and upcoming projects.
Fourth
Check other local casting channels.
Actors Access and Backstage get great paid gigs. (If you decide to join Backstage, fill in all your info up to payment then leave the page. It will email you a coupon to join at a discount.)
Why? By now you should feel very comfortable and confident in your reads. You can now share them in the Facebook groups for constructive criticism and amazing tips (as long as doing so does not break your NDA).
Fifth
Get a demo reel made.
Demo reels are fairly important for furthering your acting journey and now you are ready to showcase everything you have learned. They are not as vital as they are to voice acting, but they can accelerate your advancement. Make sure to include your strongest emotions and most versatile characters from each other. Yes, you want to be versatile, but remember the acting is the most important part so don’t push yourself with characters you are not comfortable with or confident being. Most of the time the mannerisms will come naturally when you fully delve into the backstory and emotions. If you also sing/dance, you will want a reel for that as well. Over time you will improve and it will become obsolete, but you will ideally replace it with footage from projects you have done.
Live Reel Studio I Have Heard Good Things About: Extra Terrible Studios
Sixth
Get professional headshots.
Tips: Make sure your full face is visible and wear a complimentary colored, nice shirt. You will want a commercial and a film headshot. For the commercial headshot, you want a welcoming smile, generally showing your teeth. For the film headshot, you want it to scream you whether that be fierce, relaxed, comedic, etc. Make a clear choice but not too extreme. You still want to look like someone they would want to work with and be around. Solid white backgrounds are preferred when in studio, but natural light can also be great. Make sure the background is not cluttered or dark and, if it is busy, be sure to blur it so that it does not distract from you.
Seventh
Make a website
for yourself that you can link in the signature line of your emails, share when networking, and include on business cards and project submissions. This is where you put your head shot, demo, portfolio (experience), and bio for easy access and marketing yourself.
Do it! This is a very important asset in today’s online world. When submitting to studios and agencies that require a link to your demo, this is that link and, if done right, looks MUCH more professional than a YouTube link.
Eighth
Start submitting to agencies for representation.
Not everyone wants an agent. That is your choice, but they can help you to have a regular flow of work and auditions coming in while you are too busy doing other projects or working to find the auditions yourself. Most actors still work other jobs their first 5 years in the industry. Versatility will help as well. Being willing to do commercial, TV, film, and stage, for example, will land you more opportunities than focusing on one.
How? Most agencies have a place on their website for talent submissions, but some require a referral. For a referral, it again comes down to networking. I cannot stress enough how important networking is in the entertainment industry. Along the way, you have likely met someone who is with the agency you choose or has hired talent from that agency. Ask them if they would be so kind as to refer you. If not, keep networking and you’ll get there. When you submit, here is your check list:
-Headshots
-Resume with at least 15 projects on it
-Demo reel
-A monologue prepared to perform
Agencies will require a demo reel if you have not played a lead or had a line in a major project they have access to view.
Recommended Agencies:
DFW, TX:
Mary Collins Agency
Linda McAlister Talent
Kim Dawson Agency
The Campbell Agency
The Horne Agency
Ninth
Never stop warming up, studying, and practicing. To stay sharp, you must
Always be learning
and growing. In an industry constantly progressing and changing, you must stay ready for every new opportunity by progressing with it. Even the best of the best agree:
You can always do better because no take is perfect, but you can certainly get close enough to capture your audience!
Erica Muse - Actress 