The Acting Class: Breaking Into Films

We see them on the Red Carpet every year and we wonder why "they" can't be us. After all, not every movie star is drop dead gorgeous; some are even over 30 and many of them seem a lot like regular people when you strip them of the glamour, expensive jewelry and their publicists. And didn't all your high school buddies always tell you, you should be on the stage? In films? You were pretty funny in that improv class you took in college, right? And there is something about you that causes people to turn their heads and take notice. You don't like to brag but you're pretty sure you have that elusive charisma. So why are you working at a Starbucks or teaching third graders or selling cars? Why aren't you in fact doing those same things on TV as a regular on a new TV sitcom?

This Capsule is here to show you what happens when you get serious about acting. It's here to take you on a journey of discovery to find out from a group of 12 people who are aspiring actors what it really takes to earn a living as an actor on the West Coast.

You ready?

A lot of us spend a long time coming to terms with the fact we like to stand in front of strangers and spill our guts. There is a certain amount of exhibitionism in people who perform and the shame and fear of that rather unattractive aspect of ourselves holds a lot of us back from claiming the mantle of "actor". So the first bit of advice is "get over it". Maybe you're really a shy and sensitive type? Maybe your siblings made fun of you when you were 6 because your teeth weren't straight or your legs were bowed or you had zits? All the more reason to flaunt yourself in front of a group of strangers. Which leads to the second bit of advice....you can't act in a vacuum. You need other people. You may see yourself as a solo performer but few people ever really make a decent living with a one woman or man show unless they are exceptionally brilliant or the story they have to tell is historically significant and compelling. Most of us are just schmucks with feelings they need to share. So join an acting class. If you are in Los Angeles there are hundreds of schools to choose from. If you are in Northern California there are dozens. And there are as many styles and methods as there are ass...excuse me teachers. Some of course are a little better than others. Some schools are run by self styled gurus who themselves are frustrated actors. The real ticket, however, which will go a long way to putting you in front of the pack as soon as you leave the gate is simply: find a Brit. British acting teachers more often than not know what they are doing and don't waste your time and money. That's right folks. The best acting teachers are imho from the land of Queen Elizabeth. Why? They teach you to pay attention to your thinking, rather than your feeling. And thinking leads to feeling that is honest, spontaneous and in the moment. And they love language and its meaning. They appreciate the subtleties and nuances that are important in film acting and they will let you know if you are wasting your and their time. Think Simon Cowell. Harsh but he sure as hell tells the truth. So find yourself a British acting teacher, join the class and work your ass off. So admit to yourself you're not evil because you want to be an actor. It's okay to display your feelings, thoughts, ideas and self for the world to see. In fact, it takes a lot of courage to take that much risk.