What are you going to be when you grow up? (Or, job help)

[Twinkle]

Being part of a drama group and finding an agent so you can be a "movie star" are two very, very different things.

Where did I say anything about getting an agent? However, it is a very good idea. You must remember though, that not everyone will be becoming "movie stars". Most agents just look out for theatre auditions that you may be interested in. My friend is a fantastic singer in a rock group and she's had an agent since she was 13. She's now got a record contract lined up for as soon as she hits 18 as she said she didn't want anything serious that could mess with her education. Blah, agents get really bad press.

Last edited by Twinkle on Tue Jul 19, 2005 7:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Igg]

Where did Twinkle say get an agent?

[shapu]

Being part of a drama group and finding an agent so you can be a "movie star" are two very, very different things.

Where did I say anything about getting an agent? However, it is a very good idea. You must remember though, that not everyone will be becoming "movie stars". Most agents just look out for theatre auditions that you may be interested in. My friend is a fantastic singer in a rock group and she's had an agent since she was 13. She's now got a record contract lined up for as soon as she hits 18 as she said she didn't want anything serious that could mess with her education. Blah, agents get really bad press.

Agents also help keep an eye out for you to do work on technical films, commercials, voice-over/radio spots, you name it.

If you want to do paid work, you'll almost certainly need an agent, and you'll almost certainly want to join a union (actors equity, SAG, AFTRA). If you want to do small community theatre, you won't need either, although joining Equity couldn't hurt. It'll cost you, though; just like with any other union, there's an initiation fee and dues.

More info:
http://www.actorsequity.org/

[Ammer]

Being part of a drama group and finding an agent so you can be a "movie star" are two very, very different things.

Where did I say anything about getting an agent? However, it is a very good idea. You must remember though, that not everyone will be becoming "movie stars". Most agents just look out for theatre auditions that you may be interested in. My friend is a fantastic singer in a rock group and she's had an agent since she was 13. She's now got a record contract lined up for as soon as she hits 18 as she said she didn't want anything serious that could mess with her education. Blah, agents get really bad press.

My friend has an agent and she is getting some very good roles in various shows. She is also in an upcoming movie (As an extra) but I mean, she loves it. She models as well.

If kids like to go through auditions, and what not, I believe it's their choice. It won't take anything from their childhood.

[jellyoflight]

I'm thinking about being a teacher - preferably for younger children


Eo, I'd agree with going to Youth Drama groups You never know who'll have contacts. For example, my school is going to hold Drama Workshop things, and one of the women who runs it also runs a Drama school somewhere. 2 of the students from there are going to be extras in a new JOHNNY DEPP film.

*stumbles off whilst daydreaming about Capt. Jack Sparrow...arrrr!*

[sir_michael]

Either a...

-Writer
-Teacher
or Video Game Designer.

Thats it.

[Paulisacretin]

Where did Twinkle say get an agent?

I'm her agent tbh. She does what I say.

[Twinkle]

Where did Twinkle say get an agent?

I'm her agent tbh. She does what I say.

Sod off Nick.

[Asthaloth]

Acting is possibly the most difficult proffesion to get into. I disagree with those who say to leave it until you are older. I think you have to start young. You have to have something different that separates you from all the other millions of wannabe actors and you have to ask yourself what this is and what you are willing to give up for it. Ruthlessness is a must. You also have to have a certain amount of luck and be in the right place at the right time. I'd suggest audition after audition after audition. Get involved with youth theatre groups in your area and read newspapers for upcoming show in your area.

So basically you want her to throw away her childhood? There are thousands of negative effects to that- just look at Michael Jackson. I doubt what happened to him happens to everyone in the situation, but I personally think that growing up too fast and getting a career when you should be enjoying not having one is going to seriously mess you up.

How is getting involved in youth theatre groups and auditioning for plays throwing away childhood? You do have to start young if you're serious about acting but it doesn't mean it can't be fun. Acting is a career which you have to be 100% dedicated to, even when young. Casting directors often look for experience as well as natural talent, they like to know you can cope with pressure.

Quite- getting into what you want to do isn't throwing away your childhood- I am part of a youth drama group and er, my childhood is still intact.

ive wanted to be a Paeleontologist since before i could talk (didnt know the word obviously)
and while my childhood was rather badly messed up, it had nothing to do with my fascination for one of the greatest genus' to ever roam the earth.

[Matterbug]

I want to be journalist, a social studies teacher, or a lawyer.

Which is why I'll be taking as many social studies/history classes I can...

[Maryann]

I really want to be a marine biologist.

If not, then I'd like to be either a writer (I have a fantasy novel in the works) or an English teacher.

[br00ster]

I'd love to be a mucisian, but I have no musical talent.

Soo....
I dunno.

[Taco]

My dad teaches movement for actors at a university here, and is on the board for a nationally known theater company. On the 30th he's about to leave to be in a show in dublin.

My mother is a freelance opera singer, so I've been around the aspiring actors before.



Just take it easy, you do it because you like it, do your playhouse things, go to school for it. If you go to school, and work hard, and move to LA or New york (chicago is starting to boom for theater), you'll have a higher chance of getting an agent.

It's hard work, but my dad has known a lot of people in a lot of movies (we most recently watched "hendrix", he taught the guy that played jimi hendrix, haha).

Dont go crazy, and if you really try, you may get your break.




As for me...
I'm a musician, but that's not what I want to do (strictly). So I'm thinking about going into law, and becoming an entertainment lawyer, look over the contracts and such.

But I'm also very interested in producing music.

[ria]

I've always wanted to be an artist of some sort. Like a Graphics Designer, Video Game Designer (especially character design), Animator... anything like that. I take Visual Arts and Visual Design at my school, they make up about 1/5 of my classes during the week.

Its really cool hearing about what everyone wants to be when they're older.

[Sock]

Being part of a drama group and finding an agent so you can be a "movie star" are two very, very different things.

If you find an agent when you're younger, it's often a lot easier to get jobs. Sixteen year olds who go out for agents sometimes find it harder to get one if they have no professional credits because it's obviously harder for person A, who has no credits, to get the job over person B, who was in three commercials before they hit high school. But, of course, plenty of famous adult actors weren't child stars.

It depends how far you go. You look at people like the Olsen twins, whose lives were obviously pretty consumed with their work from before they could talk. On the other hand, I know of a lot of kids younger than I am (through my teacher) who act professionally - commercials, small roles in movies, etc - but it far from takes away their childhood, or anything silly like that. They go to school, they hang out with their friends, and they take acting classes and occasionally shoot something or go out for an audition a couple of times a month.

Acting is the only thing that keeps me sane occasionally (ok, stage acting at least, but camera is fine ), and if I can save up money for college in the process I'm completely happy =)

Oh, and Eo, I just reread your post - stage acting is so much fun. My favorite thing in the world. Definetly get into it. Depending on the size of your town there's probably productions that you can audition for, or see what goes on at your school and such. I'm a complete musical theatre freak ^_^