So, You Wanna Be an Actor?
Written by Steve Muccini   


Getting your mug on the big screen, the little screen, and everything in between.

Local filmmakers- www.spotedge.com
Local filmmakers and actors on set

You've probably heard that Governor Perry signed into law a much more competitive film incentive carrot for production companies to shoot here in our backyard. What that means is that as soon as the bill gets some funding, more productions of movies, TV series, commercials, and even webisodes could very well be bound for the area. We're going to help you get on that gravy train, including how to get your actor reel ready for prime time.
 

For those of you who have always watched your favorite actors and said, "hey, I could do that," you're probably imagining that now might be the time to get yourself discovered. You're thinking, "I could just take a few snapshots of myself, march into one of our local casting directors for an audition, and proceed to book the lead role of the next big TV show. Then I could just walk down to my mailbox every week and pick up one of those big fat residual checks they give out like candy." Easy, right?

Not so fast Paris, it takes more than just a pretty face to be a good actor. To be at the top of your game in any profession, you have to invest in yourself and your tools. Being an actor is no different. There are certainly actors out there who just get it, right off the bat. They project a sense of comfort in front of the camera that is so natural it seems unnatural. But, just as a purebred race horse may come into this world with an innate potential to be faster than a Clydesdale, they still need to be trained to run on a track. Spend enough time and money on the right resources, and you might be sipping mint juleps at trackside. Skimp, and your purebred could end up plowing fields out in Taylor. Still wanna be an actor? Of course you do.

Over an upcoming series of stories, we will be looking at tips, tricks, and tools for being...talent.

 

Hey, that's my arm...right there...behind that guy in blue. No, the other guy in blue...aw you missed it.

Those are the words of an extra. The unsung hero of filmmaking. They fill the stands, the coffee shops, and the city sidewalks in the background of just about every TV show or movie you have ever seen. This is pretty much one of the surest ways to get yourself picked up for a show or movie, at least for one episode at a time. For the most part, you don't need a lot of formal training, an actor reel, a fancy-pants headshot, or even a good agent. Casting directors like On Location casting or Beth Sepko often have casting calls to bring lots of people onto set. If you have the look that they need for a scene, you could easily find yourself slated as a banner waving Panther fan in the stands of the latest "Friday Night Lights." Or maybe even Guy #2 in the next Robert Rodriguez film. Of course, that would mean that you got upgraded to being a "featured extra." Don't worry, we'll cover production vernacular in another story. So, if being an extra satisfies your insatiable appetite for stardom, stop reading right here and just hit the On Location site  to fill out a profile to be considered for FNL as an extra.

 

I act, therefore I am an actor.

Friday Night Lights
There is certainly no right way to go about becoming a full fledged actor. Point a video camera at yourself, do something funny, edit your masterpiece and post it to YouTube, and technically you could call yourself an actor. Throw "professional" in front of the word, and now it means that you have to have gotten paid to act. Therein lies the challenge. Here in Austin, gaining the experience you need to land the paying gigs probably means that you will have to log your hours on camera...not getting paid. It is a tough paradigm in the acting space here in Austin. If a director is going to cast (and pay you) to be on set of an expensive movie or commercial, they are going to expect that you are 100% professional and know exactly what you are doing. There's the rub.

How exactly does one learn the right thing to do before one is being paid to do it? Well, there are two ways and they should both be practiced. One, take an acting class (more on that topic in another story) and two, act in as many cool projects as you can. Yes, even the ones that don't pay you. That's right, whether you are just starting out or whether you are a practiced actor and have some down time, find cool projects, and act in them. You will never get a better chance to explore such a diversity of characters to play. A great exercise that helps to keep up the 'ole acting chops.

Take for example, this actor. Some of the coolest roles I ever got to play, from a fingernail polish-wearing, aging rock star to a hell bent commando, were all pro bono gigs. If nothing else, it makes for an interesting actor reel , which, in turn, helps you to nab those elusive paying roles. Have a look at my official actor reel , for an idea on how to stretch your zero budget short film footage into lots more. Technically, you are not really working for free either. In today's world of high speed internet new media, gaining a film credit in IMDB and footage for your actor reel should both be valuable assets in your new "get discovered" strategy. Oh yeah, note to directors, if you promise an actor their acting footage as their pay; get them the damn footage!
Commando actor
Local actor on short film set


OK, we'll stop it here for now. Your homework is to subscribe to the Austin film casting list  and audition and book a few roles of your choice. Then select and attend a couple of acting workshops. For extra credit, check out The Alliance web site for everything about everything when it comes to acting in Austin. Once again, more on that, and a bunch more later.

Steve Muccini is a producer, writer, and actor living in Austin, Texas. He is President of SpotEdge Media and HomeSaleVideo.com and affiliated with Melton Media. You may contact Steve here.  

 

 

 

 
 

Austin Area Directory - add your business

Business 2 Business (22)
List your Business for FREE! (712)