10 Easy Steps to becoming a Successful Actor

1. Understand the Industry
Before you enter it, become an expert on the acting and entertainment industry. Read
twenty books on the business of acting, talk to dozens of actors and meet with as many
people in the industry as possible (directors, producers, agents, editors, grips, stage managers, etc.). Pick their brains. Take notes. Send thank you cards. Interview a working actor with a career you’d like to one day have. Ask them to share
their roadmap with you. Study it. With this knowledge you'll have fewer surprises and disappointments down the road.

2. Manage Your Expectations
Remember that your chances of becoming a star are extremely small. You may be able to
make a living after years of training and hard work, but 99.99% of all actors are unknown
and unburdened with paparazzi and plenitude. If your goal is to win an Oscar, you will
most likely find disappointment.

However, if your goal is simply to act, fascinating audiences with your ability to bring
characters to life, working among a community of fellow artists, then there is little to stop
you. All you need is a bit of talent, and a huge helping of persistence, flexibility, and hard
work.

3. Get Training
Study at a university with a good drama program. In addition to acting, take courses in
literature, psychology, history and philosophy. A broad liberal arts background will
provide you with more tools and a broader palette from which to paint your portraits.

Never stop training. Take a few classes every year to address your weaknesses
(auditioning, camera work, stage combat) or to improve skills that will increase your
stamina, awareness, or psychological well-being (yoga, aikido, dance are all good bets).

4. Get Awesome Headshots
Headshots are your primary means of getting
work – don’t rush or skimp on them. That doesn’t
mean you have to spend a fortune; it’s more
important to find a photographer who can bring
out your best qualities.

Great headshot photographers will take time to
get to know you, identify your type, and give you
lots of options. Job-winning headshots are
bursting with personality.

5. Get Practice
Don’t wait for the perfect role or the big gig: get
out and act. The most successful actors I know are continuously searching for and
working on various projects.

In addition to improving your abilities, working consistently keeps you on directors’ and
agents’ radar and increases the number of people you’ll meet. And work leads to more
work.

Finally, don’t be afraid to take on projects that aren’t perfectly interesting or which don’t
pay well (or at all). Especially in the beginning of your career, you’re better off acting
than not. Remember that you can learn something from every acting experience, no
matter how dismal.

6. Network
As in all industries, personal connections play an important role in progress. Agents and
directors work with those actors that they know, like, and trust. So make sure people
know you, and earn their respect. You can accomplish this by always being professional
and positive. Many people don’t like the idea of “networking” because it feels impersonal and false.
Think of it as building a community of people who can support you in your aspirations.
And you support them in return. The more advocates you have out there, they more work
you’ll be offered.

7. Be Positive
People like to be around those with a positive outlook. So
don’t be grumpy, especially on set or backstage. Don’t
bring personal problems to your job. Not only will the
project be more enjoyable and rewarding for everyone
involved, but you’ll almost certainly do better work.

And nothing helps get recommendations down the road
than being remembered as a person who was a joy to work
with.

8. Never Stop Learning
Great actors are insatiably curious. They are full of
wonder at the world and the people who inhabit it. They
ask questions, they listen, they read, they watch plays and
films and great television. And even more important, they
watch themselves.

In all these activities, they take notes and reflect, constantly honing their craft.

9. Know Your Type
It’s natural to want to try new characters and normal to fear being typecast. However,
especially in the beginning of your career, it is important to know your type. It will
determine the feel of your headshot and the roles you initially aim for.

It’s best to get advice from an experienced actor or casting agent as to what your type
could be. I’ve heard of actors who asked strangers on the street: “What job do you think I
do?” That can give you an objective idea of what your look is (heartthrob, funny guy,
young dad).

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t break free from your type, just that you
understand your place in the market. You should also realize that while most stars are
quite attractive, there are actually many more acting jobs for average or even quirky
looking people.

10. Know Success When You Have It
If you work for five years at becoming an actor, one day you may wake up to find that
you’re consistently acting. A student film here, a “downtown” play there. A commercial
every now and then (you were called in at the last moment because someone remembered
you from that student film), and maybe a one-woman show at your corner club.

You’re doing work that you love, you’re doing what you do best, and you’re part of a
community. You’re a successful actor.

Don’t fall into the trap of feeling like a failure because you don’t make millions or aren’t
in constant demand for big city tours. Appreciate the fact that you are doing what you
love. Very few people can claim that.