DO I NEED A DEGREE IN ACTING?

TODAY'S ACTOR QUESTION: SHOULD I GET A BFA in ACTING? 

HERE IS MY ANSWER: The younger you get into the business the easier it is. Kids ages 4-18 have the easiest time breaking through. As you get older it gets more difficult. Your training and being an EXCEPTIONAL actor is the leverage you need to beat out the competition and get the jobs. You have to be the best in your age category and type. Most actors needs exceptional training to become great actors. Some are natural born talent with no training. What is the TRUTH about your skill level? You must get honest with yourself.

Whether you get a degree in Acting, or not doesn't determine your skill level. Hard work and training with excellent teachers in -or outside- of a Degree Program is very necessary for most actors. Some actors train in degree programs and are technically good actors but have no understanding about how the business work so they never make it.  Others have strong Business and Networking skills and aren't the best of actors but they understand how the game is played and they are well liked. They often work.

An Alternative Degree idea is a Degree in Business as this is Show BUSINESS and understanding business is a MUST in this business for SURE. No one can tell you what path your life is going to take or where you are going to get your acting jobs from. You may produce and star in your own short films or webseries or feature and win awards of never get noticed. 

You can get a degree in Theater and still not work much. You can have no degree and work a lot. Nothing is set in STONE. There are exceptions to every rule. I have seen actors win or fail with and without degrees. This business is based on LUCK, Preparation, timing, talent, training, charisma, and the ability to take directions and give people what they need. Team work, perseverance and an unwillingness to quit are your best assets. 

There is a lot to learn at film school, things that will make you great at your craft and the technique of film making. I just suggest if you do go to film school keep auditioning for short films and try to meet casting directors and build relationships even while you are in school. Submit to projects through Backstage and Actors Access and Casting Networks. Don't wait until you graduate to start your acting career. This business is always easier to get into the younger you are, Also use the resources and students around you to collaborate on every single project you can and create your demo reel and a webseries with YOU in them. Get the degree if you want it, but don't wait until you have the degree to start building your resume and contacts. Do short films, go on auditions, network with filmmakers and casting directors. It's the journey. 

I interviewed Actress Tierra Peters who sharec her experience, "Everybody is different and they need to figure out what is right for them. After high school, I got my degree in Acting, and for me, it was the right thing. I wouldn't change it for the world. In those 4 years, I learned independence, commitment, drive, how to deal with rejection, work ethic and a hustler's mentality. I accredit all of those skills to my college days. I personally wasn't ready to make the jump from high school to L.A. College was a nice transitioning period for me. However, I know some people who were ready to tackle Los Angeles right out of high school. So it really is a personal choice that everyone has to make for themselves. But regardless of if you are in LA, college, or a small town, you should also be creating, and building your resume. Just because you are in a small town town doesn't mean you have to think small.

I agree with Tierra, You have to determine what is right for you. Pray and ask your higher power what His Plan is for YOU. The answers will come from within if you know how to be quiet in mediation and listen.  

Stay close to me!

Http://www.secretsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com/


Wendy Alane Wright
Talent Manager
WAW Entertainment

15 Ways To Book More Acting Jobs

Wendy Alane Wright is a Hollywood Talent Manager with WAW Entertainment. Her clients have appeared in numerous national commercials, movies, webisodes, short films, and on television networks such as ABC, NBC, Comedy Central, BIO, Lifetime, plus many more. Previous to being a Manager and a Talent Agent at Burn Down Entertainment, she assisted many high profile Managers, Agents and Publicists in the careers of Neil Patrick Harris, Johnny Galecki, Sarah Michelle Geller, The Four Tops, The Bee Gees, Meatloaf, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Guttenberg, The Cranberries Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, and Neil Diamond. Wendy is also a Recording Artist, Actress, Author and Music Producer all  giving her a 360-degree perspective of the industry.

Every Actor has TWO  jobs. 

1) Get well trained. Train. Train. Train. And when you are the best in your class, switch to a class where everyone is better than you  and train until you are the best there too!

2) Be PROACTIVE every day. Book as much work as you can ON YOUR OWN. With or without an Agent or Manager. Agents and Managers are not responsible for building your career...YOU are.

When an actor is proactive and trains intensely, they become very interesting to agents and managers and can often find great representation who can add to their own efforts. The # 1 question I am asked by actors is “How do I book more acting jobs?” The answer is to hustle to find your own work. Introduce yourself to filmmakers, writers, producers, directors. You must get good at selling yourself.  And when you hand industry people your marketing package it should be top notch.

DEMO REEL
Your demo reel should be high quality HD with great sound and lighting; even if it is only 1 scene.  Make sure it is a strong piece of acting; very funny, scary, or even creepy is interesting. The character you are playing should be layered. It may start out with the character seeming like a sweet innocent person, but turns out they are hiding a terrible secret. Have a character Arc. Make sure your demo reel should is no more than 2 minutes, otherwise people will turn it off. 

HEADSHOTS
Your headshots should be professional, well lit, hair and makeup done, and your eyes should be expressing real emotion. Your headshot should also reflect the types of character you are most likely to play.

RESUME
Your resume should be formatted neatly and correctly. Filled with acting and training credits. I like to see 10+ shorts, student films and webseries on an actors resume. That tells me they have been working.

NETWORK
Finally you want to become exceptional at keeping in touch with people, offering your services, and following up using Post Cards, One Sheets and Castability Sheets. Every time you meet someone in the business that you hit it off with or work with add them to your contact book. Then every 3-6 months send them a note telling them what you booked lately and use your postcards, once sheets or castability sheets. Those are more creative and interesting to look at than a letter or an email. Remember to make relationships about what you can GIVE to the relationship, not what you can take from it. Add value.

Here are 15 specific ways you can get MORE acting jobs.

1. Do many Student Films
2. Do many Short Films
3. Produce your own films, shorts, webseries. Don't wait for other to make your career.Submit your projects to festivals.
4. Produce a Play. Cast yourself in it. Rent a Theater. Invite your friend and industry contacts.
5. Network on Kickstarter and Indiegogo to find directors, actors and writers to work with.
6. Backstage; read it every day and submit there.
7. Do tons of Theatre
8. Read Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety. Look for projects and network.
9. Attend Film Festivals - Stay after films and meet the film makers. Give them your actor business cards and get theirs. Stay in touch, offer your help on their projects.
10. Volunteer with SAG Charity Programs
11. Join Film Making Groups
12. Create Your Own Film Making Group.
13. Attend Targeted CD Workshops
14. Do Stand Up, Join an Improv Troupe
15. Submit yourself every day to Actors Access and La Casting.

If you live outside of the Los Angeles you can benefit greatly from my newest e-book, "How To Become A Star Right Where You Are."

You can purchase it HERE for $10
You do not need to move to LA to become an actor or singer. Times have changed! I'll tell you how:)

Wendy Alane Wright

The Hollywood Talent Manager

www.secrestsofahollywoodtalentmanager.com

I have hundreds of Free You Tube Videos on breaking into show business. Subscribe to my channel and Watch them at: Secrets of a Hollywood Talent Manager