Everyone hoping to land their big break must first gain valuable experience to establish foundational skill sets, as well as gain knowledge and feel comfortable working within the industry.
The experience allows emerging actors and models to communicate and promote themselves more efficiently, as well as gain very important insights and learning from established actors and actresses.
Below you will find various positions and possibilities to gain useful experience:
Extras (sometimes referred to as “background” or “atmosphere” actors) are used in nearly every film, as well as certain stage productions and photo shoots. They can be just one face in a crowd of thousands or someone who fully interacts with the other actors but has no lines. In any case, you don’t have to live in New York or Los Angeles to get this type of job. Watch for ads in the newspaper or contact your local film commission if you know a production is coming to your area. You may be able to get a few extra days of work by being active and alert to the opportunities around you.
Independent and/or student films are a great way to gain acting experience. Many student projects and low-budget films cannot afford or choose not to cast experienced actors and will hold open casting calls for most of their roles. You can find auditions for these types of productions in trade publications like Backstage or even in local newspapers. If you live in a college town, check college publications and websites to see if auditions are taking place. Remember that it is a good idea to be cautious when responding to these ads. Take a friend with you to the audition and make sure what you’re getting into.
At least one local theater can be found in most towns and cities. Small acting groups and large productions often require extras to perform small parts on stage. Smaller theater companies especially like to broadcast locally and present great opportunities to work in a professional environment. Take advantage of these opportunities, even if your main interests are film and television. You’ll gain insights that will better prepare you to work in other media, since acting doesn’t change much between stage and screen.