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Are there any actors here on Dakka Dakka? Just curious, as I am really interested in getting in to the whole acting thing, adn would like to get some tips from people who have been in/are in the acting business.

_Tim?

I'm not an actor, but I play one on TV.

I'm not an actor, but everyone I've known who've done it have day jobs, temp jobs,
and they donate their bodies to scientific studies.

Are you thinking theater or film? I used to be part of an indie film company and did some casting so here's some things I can think of..

First off, take acting lessons if you haven't already. If you think you're a good actor and don't need them, you're wrong.

Act for free. You will have to, to build up a worthwhile resume. Do local community theater and/or small no budget indie films that no one but the creator and his friends and family will ever see. Be thankful if they feed you, don't expect anything more than that for your services. Sorry if that sounds a little harsh, but that's how it is and how it has to be because no one has any money at first. All of this will turn into experience, networking and getting your name out there. Make friends and be happy to be there, even when it sucks and you're driving 3 hours to be in a 2 minute scene that takes 4 hours for the crew (which is just the director and his brother) to set up.

Build up a GOOD resume. I don't know what acting teachers say about building a resume, but coming from me who had to weed out 100's of resumes & headshots..... If you were in the audience for the tonight show or an infomercial, don't put that on your resume. If you were in X-Men 4 for as "Guy standing on the steps", don't put that on your resume unless you want to be an extra forever. Or if you do want to really, really, really include that, don't group it up with your acting work because you weren't acting, you were just standing there. I liked it better when actors had a section on their resume for extra work and just listed the films, and they listed the films they actually acted in separately. Lastly, if you've never been in anything before and don't even have a resume, be 100% honest and tell the filmmakers that, let them know that you're just starting out and would appreciate an audition, etc. Just be honest and nice, but not a kiss-arse

Get good headshots. A headshot isn't a picture of you that your mom, buddy or girlfriend took with their iPhone. Go to a professional photographer who does headshots. Get both black & white and in color too.

Build a website for yourself. NOT a facebook page or myspace page or any other fad social networks. Social networks are for kids. and ESPECIALLY don't set up a facebook fan page for yourself when your nobody, it makes you look like you're just full of yourself and you want the world to revolve around you. Some day when you actually do have REAL fans, then it's ok. Just set up www.yourname.com. Put your resume, headshots, short bio and contact info on there. Don't put anything more personal like hobbies or photos of your kid's birthday. Since it's a website you can say that you don't want your phone number online and just have an email link, and say something like email me for a phone #.

Basically... Be professional, friendly and do a lot of "real" networking. Get to know filmmakers and other actors in your area and go to local film festivals.

I think that's all I can think of for now

contact local theatre or am-dram groups, get as much experience as possible.

Contact indie film makers

Get acting lessons

pretty much all Necros has said above me (damn).

Study great actors, go to productions and films.

@ Necros: Film is what I am interested in, though if I have to start out in theater to get there, I am pretty happy with that.

How does being a 16 year old affect (effect?) my chances? I may end up waiting to start practicing and acting until I either get to college or move out of my parents' place, either way, I will be 18 or so when I do either of those.

Head shots shouldn't be a problem, I am fairly talented at photography, plus I have some very close family members who are relatively well-known for their photographs.

_Tim?

P.S. And I don't expect it to be the most fun profession, if I do end up acting professionally. It joust sounds very interesting, plus I like meeting people.

If you're 16 then now is a great time to get started.. sign up for every school play your high school is doing. Around here the high schools also do something called Summer Stage where they do plays throughout the summer too so that's something to look into if they do that in your area too.

Just be prepared to work very hard. To do it professionally you really will be working 2 full time jobs, the job that pays you and you acting career. Don't think your short film in a film festival will be seen by some scout and you'll be catapulted into stardom, chances of that happening are the same as winning millions in the lottery. Chances are if you get anywhere some day you will work very hard for 10+ years till you finally get that side character role on a cheapy sci fi channel show. Not trying to sound discouraging, it's just really tough out there and it just takes a lot of work and also luck to get anywhere.

Also, stay away from reality shows if you ever have the opportunity. Most people don't know it but a lot reality shows are staged, especially those home improvement shows on HGTV and stuff like that. And those actors doing them think it will start their career but it pretty much kills it. When someone is getting their house remodeled, chances are the husband or wife or both are trying to get into an acting career When you start looking for casting calls you'll see ads like "Looking for camera-friendly couples to have their home remodeled on national television!" .. Ever notice the normal people on those shows are usually good looking?

Oh, and don't pack up and move to hollywood till you actually have a real job lined up

Haha, I hate reality TV, and I am not at all surprised it is all staged.

I am home-educated, so finding plays to be in would be very hard, since I am not a member of any high schools. I really am not expecting it to be easy.

Thanks for the advice!

_Tim?

So look up theatrical groups in your area.
Acting is one of those jobs that you have to work at to remain employed, that is, finding acting jobs is a job in itself until you hit the big time.
But best of luck to you, acting is fun.

My eldest Daughter started acting when she was about six, mostly in local theatre productions. She kept at it all through High School and applied and auditioned for acceptance to and studied at NYU's Tisch School of the Performing Arts as well as spending a Semester in London in a related Theatre Program there.

I am a bit biased but would tell you that she is extremely talented as an Actor, Signer and Dancer but came to relaize that being a starving professional actor was not for her. All that having been said, she is now an Attorney although she still acts in local theatre productions and appears occassionally on the local PBS station. My other daughters have also acted although for them it was more of a hobby.

I tell you this not to discourage you, but to just caution you that while following your passion can be a worthwhile goal and I applaud and encourage anyone who does so, you should also have a back-up plan in place to keep the wolves away from your door. Through my daughters I have met some incredibly gifted and talented young people and yet very few of them have gotten that "lucky break" so often needed to succeed in that field.

I believe my eldest would tell you that if you are really passionate and interested in film or the theatre then pursue that dream, practice your craft, work hard, be prepared for disappointment - as the auditioning and call backs can be brutal and tough to take, but if you keep working at it and enjoy the work, then whether you ultimately make a profession of it or not will be secondary to the enjoyment you will get out of it and the many good and interesting friends you will make along the way.

I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit. Break a leg.

There are easier ways to lose weight than self inflicted starvation.