Every actor’s journey looks different. Maybe you establish yourself right out of grade school like Jodie Foster; experience highs and lows en route to a triumphant comeback like Brendan Fraser; or pivoting to action stardom in your 50s like Liam Neeson. What does a career in acting really look like? There are a million different answers, so we broke it down in a way any aspiring performer should recognize: the three-act structure.
It’s natural to immediately start dreaming of lead roles and red carpets, but the very first thing you have to acquire is: acting skills! It’s not enough to want to be a professional performer. You have to ensure you have the proper foundation to get the job done. To that end, decide if a formal education is the right path for you. Getting a degree is beneficial, but not a requirement. Stars like Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Cate Blanchett went to acting college; Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lawrence, and Zendaya did not.
Actor Margot Bingham (“Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” “The Walking Dead”) has a different angle on the required education for an acting career. “I would say psychology! Though I'm being a little cheeky, it is pretty accurate,” she says. “You have to have thick skin, and you will be dealing with a multitude of personalities. I would also study business, arts, and management. Take a class on contracts; take a class on negotiations. One cannot forget the business in show business.”
If the time and financial commitment of a college track aren’t in the cards, consider signing up for acting classes and workshops in your area. Track down the best books and podcasts dedicated to acting. In your spare time, dive into some of the skill-sharpening exercises you can do on your own or with a partner.
Beyond the art form itself, there are several introductory ideas you’ll need to brush up on:
- What are the major acting techniques?
- What does the audition process look like?
- What happens in the casting room?
- What is a self-tape?
- What is your “type” as an actor?
Once you’ve built a foundation, it’s time to acquire headshots. Find a professional photographer who makes you feel comfortable and can showcase your unique presence. Your headshots will be a vital calling card as you move forward.
Much like the traditional three-act screenplay structure, your second act will be the longest and the most littered with obstacles and hurdles. There’ll be ups and downs, twists and turns. You’ll most likely need to work a survival job that allows you to juggle auditions and practice. Truthfully, a significant percentage of people never make a living through acting alone. It all depends on your individual goals—and remember, the pursuit of your dreams is noble in itself.
Unless you’re exceedingly lucky—or, let’s be honest, exceedingly well-connected—aiming small is the best way to break in. Leonardo DiCaprio started in commercials for Matchbox cars. Sylvester Stallone was an extra before he was in “Rocky.” Jason Segel’s first on-screen credit is “Watermelon Guy.”
To start building a résumé, use reputable casting resources like Backstage for jobs in:
Gaining experience will pay off in numerous ways. First, you can start putting together your all-important demo reel. Along with your headshots, this brief compilation of your best work will be essential to booking higher profile jobs, catching the attention of casting directors, and eventually landing representation.
Second, even a smaller role on a union project makes you eligible to join SAG-AFTRA (or the theater equivalent, Equity). Union status comes with several helpful perks, like access to casting notices and health insurance.
Third, the more work you do, the more people you’ll meet. Networking is the backbone of any successful career—Hollywood is a “who you know” type of town—and you’ll be surprised which connection pays off. “Meet anyone and everyone,” Bingham says. “Always keep in mind—that intern who once worked for you? They could be your director, producer, or [make a] casting decision one day, so be kind.” Most important, says Bingham: “Keep going.”
You’re a working actor—you pay your rent, your bills, and everything else through your thespian endeavors alone. This achievement is near impossible without landing representation. An agent and/or manager will ideally be your number one cheerleader; they’ll get you into rooms and put exciting projects in front of you.
With a rep on your side and a rock-solid demo reel and résumé, you’ll be comfortable auditioning as a lead, series regular, or guest star.
Of course, every person will have a different definition of “making it.” For some, it means you’re Margot Robbie, nominated for multiple Oscars and overseeing a production company. Others are perfectly content with a steady stream of bit parts and supporting roles that keep their schedule full. For many, meeting individual milestones is enough. Going to an audition is an achievement, as is booking a job or nailing a tough performance.
Always remember, in life as in the movies, a three-act structure is a guideline, not a law. Look at Ke Huy Quan, who started at just 12 years old with “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” quit acting for almost 20 years, and then returned to win an Oscar for 2022’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Or look to Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, two actors whose futures in frothier fare looked set in stone thanks to “Twilight” before both became regulars in challenging projects like “Love Lies Bleeding” and “The Lighthouse.”
It’s never too late to get started, keep going, or make a change. Set smart goals and define what an acting career looks like to you.