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For most new actors, getting acting experience feels like a Catch-22. How can you get experience if no one will hire actors without experience? If that thought is bugging you, you\u2019re not alone. But the truth is that there are plenty of ways for beginner actors to gain experience! You just have to know where to look.<\/p>\n
Beginners can get acting experience by starting small: taking acting classes,\u00a0 doing student films and community theatre, practicing with friends or at home, and filming simple self-tape clips! Professional headshots and a simple showreel will generate interest in your work, and staying active in casting sites and creative networks helps create audition opportunities. Additionally, most background or \u2018extras\u2019 work requires no experience and can help you learn what its like to be on a real film set. (Just don\u2019t expect extras work to book you more acting roles!)<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019ll dive in below with lots of different options for getting more experience, finding opportunities, and practical tips that will help you land auditions.<\/p>\n The first step to getting acting experience as a beginner is to start at that level that matches your skill. It\u2019s not realistic to expect you will get cast on a big Hollywood movie if you\u2019ve never picked up a script before! You may have heard stories of this happening, but it\u2019s super rare. You\u2019ll drive yourself crazy if that\u2019s what you\u2019re expecting as a beginner.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re brand new to acting, reframe your mindset around what \u2018experience\u2019 actually is. Any time that you\u2019re working on a script, practicing your script analysis<\/a> and honing a performance, you\u2019re gaining experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never taken an acting class, the best place to get that first bit of experience is going to be in the classroom. You can find an acting class<\/a> near you and get experience performing. It counts even if it\u2019s just in front of your classmates. Many classes will even offer you the footage to download after the class, which can be your first ever showreel!<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t get into class just yet, for financial or other reasons, you can also work on a whole range of acting skills at home. Here are a few ideas you can try:<\/p>\n This works because it builds a habit of consistency and develops your skills, which drive your confidence as an actor. Focusing on training before you go out and start applying for roles helps you land auditions and book jobs. Training also gives you your first ever credit that you can put on an acting resume.<\/strong> Yes, the \u2018training section\u2019 counts!<\/p>\n Many filmmakers (and even agents and managers) will take a chance on an actor who has no real credits if they have training listed on their CV. So get into class, and get practicing.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve done a bit of training, you can start to look further afield for acting opportunities. These might include student films, community theatre, or even making your own work! No matter what the opportunity is, your \u2018actor materials\u2019 will open doors to get the experience you want.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need:<\/p>\n Some people say you need a CV as well, however I would argue that as a beginner it\u2019s not necessary. If a particular job listing requires a CV for submission, you can make a simple document that lists your training.<\/p>\n As soon as you\u2019re serious about getting more acting experience you should get professional headshots taken. Headshots are the first filter for basically every acting opportunity out there.<\/strong> A professional headshot shows that you\u2019re serious about being an actor. It signals to casting that you\u2019ve invested in your acting, and that they should take you seriously. <\/span>We have a complete guide to a great headshot<\/a> that will help you if you don\u2019t know where to start! Without a great headshot, you may struggle to get auditions or meet the submission requirements for acting jobs.<\/p>\n To start getting more experience it\u2019s really helpful to be able to show casting what you\u2019re currently capable of as an actor. A showreel is the best way to do that!<\/p>\n When beginner actors hear the word \u2018showreel\u2019, they can freeze up. Sometimes they come up with excuses like, \u201cbut I don\u2019t have any professional footage,\u201d<\/em> or \u201cI\u2019ve never been cast in anything,\u201d<\/em> or sometimes even \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019m good enough!\u201d\u00a0<\/em>It\u2019s all nonsense, but we hear concerns like this every day. A \u2018showreel\u2019 doesn\u2019t have to be daunting. Focus on creating your first showreel by filming one or two short scenes or monologues that you can share with potential collaborators. Don\u2019t overcomplicate things!<\/strong> Filming on your phone is fine. Then, as you gain experience, you can add more to your reel and remove things that no longer represent your ability.<\/p>\n Even without professional credits or Oscar winning performances, actors can create great reels! Check out our ultimate showreel guide<\/a> for the full run down.<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve got your headshots and showreel sorted, you can start to go out and hunt for auditions! Wherever you are in the world, there will likely be some sort of online casting database that you can join to look for paid and unpaid opportunities. Casting databases are one of the places where actors find auditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Most up and coming filmmakers now post their casting notices online, which means that there are more opportunities than ever for beginner actors to gain experience. A few reputable casting sites to explore for student and no-low budget film opportunities are:<\/p>\nStart Where You Are: Training and At-Home Acting Practice<\/h2>\n
Get Your Actor Materials Ready Early<\/h2>\n
Prioritise Getting Great Headshots<\/h3>\n
Have Some Filmed Footage of Your Acting<\/h3>\n
Online Casting Platforms and Finding Auditions<\/h2>\n
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