Q&A for How to Be a Good Actor or Actress

I recommend researching agents in your area and finding one with a smaller practice. Big agents may not be able to represent an unknown person from the start. A smaller agent can really work closely with you and help you hone in your gift. This extra care can help you go further in the long run.

If you can get in touch with someone that's in the industry currently, do it. Try to be nice and approachable on set. If you get a role as an extra on a show, for example, talk to people on set and consider handing out your card to those you meet.

Learn to not get distracted by the audience, the camera, or anybody else around you except the people you're performing the scene with. Audiences won't feel that a scene is truthful unless the actors are completely present and feeding off of each other's performances.

Ignore the audience and tell yourself no one is looking at or watching you. Stage fright is actually the belief that you're afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated in front of many people, so if you ignore them and act like they aren't there, you have nothing to worry about.

Don't let it distract you, just focus on yourself and doing your job. Drown everyone else out. The producer or director will notice your commitment.

Yes. Google 2 Minute Monologues, which are very helpful to practice when starting out!

Place yourself in the character's shoes. Say there is a rat in the room -- how would you react if that was the case? Imagine yourself in your head and then convert it into reality, allowing the feelings, emotions and actions to flow through the character.

There is no guarantee from mere instructions. The "good" part will have to come from you, from daily practice, from believing in your abilities sufficiently. Acting skills will improve with practice and in the actual doing, so get involved and be completely immersed in all things dramatically inclined.

Try being involved in more social events with your friends. For shy people, socializing is a skill just like any other and you will get better with practice. Another thing you can do is join a local acting club. There are professionals there who can help you develop further.

You can take acting classes or workshops outside of your school to further improve your acting skills. You can also join a community theater group.

Yes! Join the drama club, audition for school plays, and see if there are any community theater roles for younger actors in your area.

Try out for plays and musicals at your school or local community theater. Check out Firebird Theatre at firebirdtheatre.net. You can also search online for "acting classes" or "theater classes near me."

Yes. Staying in school can be vital for acting. It will give you the opportunity to meet many different kinds of people, which will be useful experience. It will also teach you language skills that will be important for your acting. Also, it's best to have some education and other skills to fall back on if the acting ultimately doesn't work out.

Practice with some friends. Try doing it a few times and even make up your own roles to play. Try doing improv in many fun and creative ways to see what you can do with your talent. If there are improv shows in your area, attend them. Also watch improv on YouTube for more ideas.

Start by looking up advertising companies and ask them for a trial. Get to know people while you are there. Ask them about their past experiences and how long they've been in the industry. Eventually, you will get recommendations, or you might be recommended to other agents.

Research as much as you can about the role and do whatever you need to so that you can get into character. You can even go so far as to immerse yourself in the life of someone similar to the character.

You have to have some the right mix of skill, confidence, and the kind of look and personality a director wants for a particular character.

Well, that will be your job then. You will act. The exact lifestyle that involves depends on what you act in (e.g., plays, movies, TV) and how busy or well-known you get, though you're always free to accept or reject any projects you want.

Not at all. Many famous actors and actresses started acting when they were older than 13.

You can get an agent or audition for production roles. Additionally you can take extra roles or even jobs in the crew.

As an actor or actress, you should do your best to memorize as much as possible. Memorizing your own lines is important, but memorizing the whole script helps you to identify cues to your lines and understand when and where to move.

No, it doesn't.

Yes, actors who work without scripts are called improvisational or "improv" actors.

There are many websites such as Backstage.com that advertise roles. You could also hire an agent to find roles for you. Make sure you take advantage of any connections you have in the industry.

Yes, although that's a very expensive way to get cash.

That's not a realistic goal. Both acting and medical school require an immense amount of time, dedication, and effort. You could be a doctor that dabbles in acting in your (very limited) free time, but it would be difficult and stressful. It would also prevent you from doing much else beyond those two things.

Take a deep breath and remember where you are in the story. If you can't remember the exact line, say something close to it, that will keep the story moving in the correct direction. Just don't panic.

This can come with practice. Practice things like tongue twisters. If you mess up, start slowly and gradually pick up speed.

Online classes are always good, but they can be expensive. You could also put together productions with family and friends.

Most of the time, yes. When your character is having a conversation with someone else, act like you would during a normal conversation (unless your role calls for something else).