Juliette Charles first turned to acting as an emotional outlet. Now, she’s using her talent to engage audiences.
Dive straight into the acting world.
“If you’re new to film, student films are a great experience because you’re learning together. That way, when you book something with a bigger budget, you don’t feel like a fish out of water.”
Every part of your journey is worth it.
“[I’ve learned] to trust myself and my talents and to never compare where I am in my actor’s journey to anyone else’s. That includes being proud of myself every step of the way for just going for it consistently.”
Seek out the roles that fit you best.
“Knowing your ‘type’ and letting that guide you in the process of finding roles makes it more likely for you to get your foot in the door and get that audition. It’s also great to get involved with theater in any way, even projects like staged readings.”
Get real about your reel.
“Once I had enough footage from the films I was in, I wanted to make sure I could make my reel as successful at showcasing my skills as possible. Luckily, we live in a world where Google exists, and I could look up the answers to any questions and concerns I had. Of course, I wanted to put in a scene of me hysterically crying and shaking, but, ultimately, that’s not what most casting directors want to see. I chose to add segments from the scenes that I felt contained the most universal, honest, and subtle moments for my reel.”
Let your voice be heard.
“One day, my mom took me to see a musical theater production my younger cousin was in. It was the first time I had experienced a musical, and something changed in me and I knew I had to be a part of that world. When I joined, it allowed me to freely release these things I had been holding in in a nonjudgmental way, and it really ended up being a form of therapy for me at the time. Now, I don’t use acting as a release for my feelings, but as a way to encourage the audience to feel something of their own.”
This story originally appeared in the Aug. 17 issue of Backstage Magazine.
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