8 RULES EVERY ACTOR SHOULD KNOW- By Phil Breman
1. Learn Your Craft
So many people think that acting is easy. Just like any art form, acting is a craft and it must be mastered. Take acting classes, watch other actors from your favourite movies or tv shows and take the time to hone in on your craft. There are so many amazing actors who make a point of working with acting coaches to make sure that they always stay at the top of their game. There is never such a thing as knowing too much.
2. Never Be Late
This may seem obvious to you but there are hundreds if not thousands of actors out there who simply don’t have a concept of time. Casting sessions usually go for just a few minutes and are scheduled at very odd times. Be early or don’t bother showing up. Patience weighs thin at a casting session and few things will hurt your chances more than being late.
3. Know Your Lines
Once again, this may seem obvious, but there are too many actors who will only commit to learning a few lines and then try to “wing it” which leads to them failing miserably. So spend time preparing your lines. Prepare not only what you are going to say, but how you’re actually going to say it.
4. Don’t Rewrite Your Lines
Don’t ever say something other than what’s in the actual script. There is no better way to offend a writer than to come up with your own lines. If you want to write your own dialogue, then become a writer.
5. Listen, Listen, Listen
Always make sure to listen to what you are being told. Usually the casting director or the writer will give you a bit of direction and insight before the audition or during the audition on a particular line. Listen to what they’re saying and take the time you need to process it. If it’s during an audition (which is tends to be) they will be happy to give you a few minutes to incorporate the new direction into the lines. Always ask for it if you need it.
6. Make Sure Your Headshot is Accurate
There are a few things more annoying than getting a headshot that looks nothing like the actual actor who shows up. Make sure your headshot accurately portrays who you are now. If you’ve gained weight, cut your hair, ages a few years older, then make sure that your headshot shows this. Your headshot won’t be the one getting the job and you certainly won’t either if you look nothing like what people were expecting to see.
7. Commit!
An actor who will genuinely commit to a reading is more fun to watch. They will literally tranform themselves into a character. By committing fully to the reading, you will not only get rid of any nerves, you’ll show to decision makers that you should be considered because you can play the part with a genuine passion.
8. No Excuses!
You couldn’t learn your lines because you lost your power? Too bad. You were an hour late because you were stuck in traffic? Better luck next time. The fact is that no one cares that you had any of these incidents happen to you. Life happens and sometimes things go wrong and in a normal world, this might be taken into consideration. But know that no matter what excuse you think you have to get you out of a particular situation, there are dozens of other people that would be very happy to take your place.
Being an actor is not just an easy and fun life that it may seem. There can be long periods of financial insecurity, massive amounts of competition along with multiple forms of rejection that make the whole process that much more difficult. However, many actors will never succeed simply because they ignore some of the most basic elements and can’t get out of their own way. Make sure to give yourself the best chance at success by following this advice, and from this you’ll find that you’re already ahead of the game.