“I have little to no experience,” the talent complains. “How can I get work if I don’t have a resume with credits?”
It’s a quandary faced in both the talent realm and the corporate world. Building your resume can be a daunting task. Directors don’t want to work with green talent, who make their days long and pay off minimal – it’s a fact. So what’s a dreamer to do?
Build a resume! Yup, it sounds like I didn’t answer your question, but despite what the nay-sayers are telling you, talent CAN build a resume with little to no experience. Here’s what you can do:
(a) Get involved in an acting class. Coaches and other working talent can give you insight on where to get extra work.
(b) Check internet databases. Be wary of anything found on craigslist, but don’t nix it altogether. Sign up for extra databases in your area. Look into non-paying work when the opportunity presents itself. Hey, that’s what college interns do to get experience!
(c) Contact an industry professional and ask if you can intern. Building relationships with people who desperately need good help is invaluable. Send your business resume to agents, casting directors, coaches, etc., and offer your services free of charge. (Expect to sign confidentiality agreements and non-competes.)
(d) Find local film communities. Check out film schools in your state. Get on mailing lists to keep up with what’s going on and ask how to get in front of the people who are looking for talent. Most of them are desperate to find a quality actor willing to work for free!
(e) Get involved in local theatre. You don’t have to land the lead - and sure, theatre isn’t the same as on-camera work. But the point is that it’s a credit. Agents would much prefer to see theatre experience to nothing at all. Theatre settings are great for learning to develop character, follow direction, and get through all the initial stage fright & nerves.
One or more of those suggestions will work anywhere in the world. Find something you have questions about, leave a note and I’ll help you sort through the confusion!
What outlets do you have locally?
Comments