Here are my best thoughts on crying. If you are having a difficult time crying in a performance, then the problem is with your acting technique, not your crying technique. Which is why you are having such a hard time fixing it. You are trying to correct the wrong thing. 

Don't try to develop some mechanical technique to make yourself cry. Your character, in the context of the play, isn't using some technique to make himself cry. The conflict or release of conflict within the character, intentions, etc. is making the character cry. If you focus your attention on a mechanical technique, or focus on some imagined, out-of-script sad event, then you are no longer focused on your character. Your mind is not on the character and the circumstances. Your mind is now on the actor trying to cry. Not the character, thinking, remembering, desiring, reacting, feeling the urge to cry, resisting the urge to cry. 

Focus on your character and in playing the moment believably. Focus on the through-line, subtext, intentions, timing and all that other acting stuff (see the FREE Acting Lessons on the AWOL homepage .) If you did your job well, the tears will be there when they are supposed to be there. Why? Because if it is believable that the character should cry, and if you are fully absorbed in playing the character, then you will cry. 

What if you are not fully absorbed in playing the character? The stage is not so predictable performance after performance. For camera work, take after take. What if the tears don't come? If you are doing your acting job well, then don't sweat the tears. Heck, most members of the audience will swear you actually cried even though you did not. Why? because your belief in the character becomes their reality. That's the magic of acting. 

For camera work, if all acting efforts fail, the closeness of a shot and the level of"realism"required might indicate other measures be taken. The director simply shoots the scene without your tears, cuts, places some fake tears on your face and shoots the scene again but from another perspective, then edits the two shots together melding the moment just before you were supposed to cry with the moment you began"crying"with the fake tears in place - to make it appear as if you cried real tears. The different perspectives cover for the fakery - just like it does with the other thousands of edits which make up a film. You can cheat a lot in camera work.

You start by studying the FREE Lessons on the AWOL homepage particularly the lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW.

You start by studying the FREE Lessons on the AWOL homepage particularly the lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW.

Acting originated on Pelican island, which is an island in the middle of the Missouri river, north of St. Louis. It began there in the year 5003 BC. 

Of course there was no written record of what play these first thespians produced, but the recent discovery of ancient drawings on the basement walls of Rudolph J. Penderbottom's quaint little Victorian home in Cahokia seems to indicate the first play (a musical) was a clever cross between Gilligans island and Promethius Bound. Odd as it may seem, this combination proved highly successful and toured up and down the Missouri river, playing to appreciative Native-American audiences. Eventually, the little troup hit the big-time, playing all the villages along the shores of the mighty Mississippi. 

The theatre was built upon several, tethered rafts made of bulrushes and river mud. Torches were used for lighting the acting area. Lights were dimmed by various stage hands (raft hands as they were known back then) standing in front of the torches, thus blocking the full intensity of the lights at the appropriate moment. There is no record of what the raft hands were paid, but it is a good bet that union rules would have required extra allowance be paid for working with fire. 

The play lasted three and one half days without intermissions. Audiences back then apparently had a lot more stamina then today's pampered play goers. Unfortunately, a mishap initiated by a disgruntled raft hand resulted in the entire production going up in flames somewhere between Hannible and the Lock and Dam near Saverton. The troup was devastated by the financial loss as insurance had not yet been conceived. 

Times being as they were, it was impossible to find a financial backer willing to assume the risk. After several unsuccessful attempts to mount lesser productions on neighboring Cora island, the group disbanded. Acting fell into a deep, deep slumber. Upon the charred remains of the bulrush rafts, acting drifted down the Mississippi and out into the uncharted Gulf. 

When acting awoke, it found itself in ancient Greece. But that's another chapter in AWOL's Condensed History of Acting. 

There's no business like show business. 

We do not do school projects. However, you should be able to gleen a fair quantity of information from the FREE Lessons on the AWOL homepage.

It is never too late to start acting. However, your chances of earning a living as a professional actor are extremely small. Of course this is the same for just about anyone who wants to become a professional actor. Take a look at the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE... on the AWOL homepage.

If acting is something you feel driven to do, I suggest you take some classes and get involved in community theatre and whatever local film, TV and industrial productions you can find. This will help satisfy your creative desires and earn you a few dollars once in a while. Who knows, after awhile, things might lead you in a professional direction after all. Just don't quit the day job yet.

Considering how competitive the business is and how many actors have a big training and experience jump on you, you will have to be quite focused and work hard to get trained, develop experience and learn about the business. You should not wait any longer to prepare yourself to compete. This means lots of workshops, classes, auditions and reading every acting book you can find. It means classes in singing, dance, literature (even poetry), music, improvisation, etc. It means a lot of hard, focused work.

See the FREE Lessons on the AWOL homepage.

See the AWOL lessons, "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !" and WHAT ABOUT SCAMS? on the AWOL homepage.

See the AWOL lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW on the AWOL homepage and implement the AWOL Search Machine. 

See the AWOL lessons, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW, "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !" and WHAT ABOUT SCAMS? on the AWOL homepage. Also, use the AWOL Search Machine to find theatre sites. Many theatre groups post audition notices on their web page.

It will be difficult to find timely audition notices on-line for film or commercial auditions. The actor trade papers are better suited for such purposes. See these sites, 

Back Stage/Back Stage West
Ross Reports (agent and casting info - mostly LA and NY)
PerformInk(Chicago area acting info.)

Here are a few negotiating strategies that can help:

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS remain calm, respectful and rational. You cannot expect your parents to change their attitudes overnight. Angry outbursts as a reaction to your disappointment will only set them more firmly against the whole idea. Building support from reluctant parents is complex and must be approached objectively and calmly.

Tantrums, shouting matches, defiance, anger and whining are not acceptable behaviors for a professional actor. Show your parents you are mature, responsible, trustworthy, and can handle disappointment gracefully, like a pro. These are important traits for an actor to possess.

Negotiations frequently involve setbacks. How you handle those setbacks is an important part of continued success. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal, your long-term goal, is to help your parents feel comfortable, be accepting and be supportive of your desire and efforts to study and do acting.

You need your parents on your side. This is new for them. Work on the idea slowly. Don't shove it at them all at once. It could take months or a year or more to make headway. Success take its own time. Those who are prepared and ready recognize it when it arrives. Don't rush blindly toward some imagined wisp of stardom. Prepare yourself for success.

In the mean time, demonstrate your interest in acting by:

• Attending local plays - not just movies.
• Find out about your local community theatres and subscribe to their newsletters.
• Read lots and lots of books about acting so you can learn something about acting and the business of acting, even if you cannot attend classes. You can find acting books in the library or you can purchase some through AWOL's Book Search.
• Read the FREE Acting Lessons on the AWOL homepage.
• Take any performance skill classes you can in and outside of school. This includes acting, dance, singing, voice, music, even such things as forensics, juggling, martial arts...These are very valuable skills for an actor to have. You never know what you will called upon to do for a role. The more skills you are competent in, the more employable you are - and better able to pay the monthly bills when you are on your own as a struggling actor in NY or LA.

They will still be making movies when you are prepared and ready - and when you have your parents on your side.

Use these basic acting techniques. The first technique is to remember that this kiss has nothing to do with you. You are not kissing your partner. Your character is kissing another character. Technique number two is to keep in mind that your character has reasons that lead him/her to want to kiss the other character in a certain way. Your job is to determine what those reasons are and in what way is your character going to kiss this other character. You should take a look at the AWOL lessons THE ESSENCE OF ACTING and HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT? on the AWOL homepage.

There are two kinds of kissing for the stage. A stage kiss and a real kiss.

A stage kiss is not really a kiss on the lips. You can "cover" the kiss - obscuring from view by a hand, a prop or at such an angle so that, from the audience's perspective, the kiss appears to be real. While covering, the actors actually touch cheeks without mouth-to-mouth contact.

Stage kisses are prefered to real kisses if possible (and it frequently is possible) because it is more hygienic.

If a stage kiss is impossible, or cannot be made possible, then a real kiss must be done. But it is simply a pressing of the lips, in as convincing a manner as possible. No tongue, licking, slurping or any other such stuff.

Sometimes, due to embarrasment, guys get all stupid over this kissing thing. Don't tolerate stupid remarks, comments, leering or sexual advances. If anything uncomfortable happens, set your limits right away. That will help keep the whole thing on a professional basis.

Becoming comfortable with kissing on stage is, like everything else, a matter of doing it enough times that you hardly think about it. Expect to be embarrassed at first. Eventually, after you rehearse the scene enough times, (especially if your partner is mature about it or stays within the defined limits) you will not be embarrassed.

Opening night will be important. Stay focused in your job, not on who is in the audience. Do the kiss and move on.

If actual kissing is required, I suggest you and your partner discuss the scene first, and make sure you both do a mouth rinse and have a breath mint before the scene - and no onions or garlic for lunch.

Don't be alarmed if emotions well-up inside of you. Emotions frequently arise. Simply admit that the close, intimate contact is causing emotions to surface. The emotions will subside if you accept them and rationally address them. Trying to ignore them will only make it all quite awkward and last longer than would otherwise be the case.

Model/talent searches are a terrible way to try to get into the modeling or acting business.

They are expensive and yield little of value. They are scams. They are a scams because *MOST* (almost all) of the people who attend such events receive little of any real value for their money. A few workshops, a quick walk on a runway and a "chance" to be seen by "agents" is hardly worth the many hundreds - even thousands - of dollars these ridiculous model searches charge.

All legitimate modeling agencies hold open calls at their offices - at NO CHARGE!!! Just call the agencies and ask.

The people who organize model/talent searches are fully aware that over 95% of those who attend will not be "chosen".

They are fully aware that of those who are "chosen", only a few will actually gain any significant work on any regular basis.

The people who organize these searches take in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees. Almost all the people who attend receive little of any value toward a professional modeling or acting career.

That is the scam.

The information you provide to the "professional scout" (usually someone who knows little if anything about the modeling business) at the model/talent search "open call" was likely sold to modeling and acting schools, photographers or anyone else interested in selling services to naive but eager model/actor wannabees..

The "scouts" are trained to get as many people to pay to attend the search as possible - whether the attendees shows any merit or not. The scouts use a lot of flattery and misleading statements to accomplish this goal.

The agents who are at the search are paid a sizable fee to attend. Many of the "agents" are not really agents. They are agent assistants or other people who have no decision making authority and lack the ability to actually sign an attendee.

Often times, the staff of these searches and even the "agents" use the open calls and the search convention to find cute women and men to "date" (have sex with). This will not advance anyone's chances of launching a modeling career. It just makes fools out of the attendees.

The organizers usually require agents to "callback" a certain number of candidates, whether they are interested in all the candidates or not.

A callback does not mean you have been "choosen" or are on your way to a career. It simply means that the "agent" wants to talk to you again. Most attendees who are called back do not ultimately receive any representation.

There are far-far better, less costly and more productive ways to get into the modeling and acting business.

I suggest you head to the library or spend $20 or $30 at your local bookstore and get a book or two about the modeling and acting business so you can learn something about how things really work. It is far, far cheaper than wasting money on silly model/talent searches.

You do not have to legally change you name. However, if you choose a stage name that a professional actor already has, you would not be able to use it if you ever hoped to join an actor union and get paid for your acting work. So choose carefully.

You do not have to mention that you are using a stage name. However, if you get paid, you will have to make sure your checks are made out to whatever name you use for your bank accounts and that you don't run into mix-ups with social security and taxes. Talk to your bank about setting up your accounts to make that possible.

I suggest you find a competent, qualified voice coach who can evaluate how you use your voice and then give you useful exercises that will allow you to speak for the stage without ruining your voice or causing physical problems.

How can you find a voice coach? If you are in school, ask your drama or english teachers if they know of any competent professionals in the field.

Try contacting your local universities or colleges that have theatre or music (singing) programs. Ask if there is anyone on the faculty who does private coaching or if they can recommend a coach.

You might also contact your local professional theatre groups and ask them the same questions.

You can also contact a professional speech therapist or pathologist. This might seem a bit drastic, but problems with the human voice is their business. Try looking in the yellow pages under "Speech" or contact your local hospital.

Thanks for your input. The theory to which you refer is discussed at length in the third edition of Oxford's Companion, a Guide to Theatre Stuff: Oxford Universality Press, 1951; edited by Walter Plinge and George Spelvin.

This definitive work discusses and annotatively footnotes and ibids the true origins of theatre along with honorable mentions to post-origin theatrical productions such as The Emperor Jones, All God's Chillun Got wings and Aunt Mahaly's Cabin.

Misspeled wurds? Imposibel. We mitrculousily cheek evry words. We evan uze spel-chek.

There are literally thousands of well-trained, experienced and well connected American-born actors in LA, NY and elsewhere in the US. They understand the system. They live in it day after day. They are knowledgeable about the industry and, believe me, they have spent many years studying, struggling and "paying their dues". They do not have any visa problems or restrictions and they have great personalities and talent - innate and practiced.

These people are your competition. What are your chances? Very slim. I suggest you spend a few years where you live; auditioning, taking classes, building a solid body of good acting work and developing knowledge of the industry and some industry connections before you make the leap across the pond.

To find out the visas you need to study acting or to work as a paid actor in the States, contact the United States Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service re: student visa and visas for working as a performer in the U.S.

You will need to find an agent who works with children. However, there is much more to it than just calling agents. I suggest you get a book or two on the subject of kids and the acting business. You can find books in your local library system (ask the librarian for assistance - possibly through the library loan system.) You can also find books at your local bookstores or on-line. See AWOL's Book Search.

A course of education would be that which helps you learn to become competent in acting, singing, dance, voice, music and other perfomance skills. Early in a career, being competent in all performing skills will make the difference between getting the month's rent paid and eating or living at the Y and skipping a few meals.

Your training will likely be a combination of college and/or conservatory training, workshops and private coaching. You also need as much acting experience as possible. This means live stage work along with whatever films, commercials, interactive, radio, etc. that you can get - as part of a formal training program as-well-as summer-stock and other summer work and whatever local opportunities you can manage.

Of course, along the way you will also make many friends and acquaintances, some of whom might one day be in a position to help you advance your professional goals - or you to help them.

Most formal acting programs focus on stage acting. This is not a bad thing. Stage acting will give you far, far more opportunities to actually act than screen or TV acting. This means you will have many more opportunities to develop your skills. Screen actors can go for a long, long time between roles. Stage work is where actors really learn to act.

It is not too difficult to adjust from stage technique to screen or TV technique. It is more difficult to go from screen and TV technique to stage technique.

Also, stage acting in front of a live audience is a lot more fun. The applause is great!!!

Which college or conservatory program is best for you? Get one of these books, or see if your local library has a fairly current copy.

• Guide to Performing Arts Programs : Profiles of over 600 Colleges, High Schools, and Summer Programs
• Directory of Theatre Training Programs: Profiles of College and Conservatory Programs Throughout the United States

These are extremely useful resources. They are loaded with information about schools, what is required and what you need to do to apply. They are also full of excellent information about evaluating schools and programs to suit your needs, audition techniques and much more. Well worth the investment. Will save you a lot of time and guess work when planning for your higher education. You might also save yourself from making a costly mistake about the program you choose.

Also, you can use the AWOL Search Machine to locate training programs.

Head for the library to find tapes, records or CDs about speaking with whatever accent you need. You can also use the AWOL book search site to find books, tapes and CDs on: Accents, Voice and Voice-Over Work.

Focus a lot on vowel formation and diction. To perfect your accent, there is only one solution - practice, practice, practice, practice...

Your accent can be an asset. It sets you apart from other actors and might actually put you in an advantageous position.

To you, someone from Europe, Americans speak with an accent. If an American actor can learn to speak in a near-perfect foreign accent, you can learn to speak in a near-perfect American accent (for those times when sounding very American is what you need to do.)

Change your name? I don't see why. It is at least as good as, say, Tallulah. But if you really want to change your name, perhaps you could change it to - - - - - - - Tallulah!!! Worked quite well for many years for Mz. Bankhead.


If you have decided that you need a stage name, then change it early on as you develop your professional work and image. And don't change it very often. As you seek out professional contacts and recognition, you will confuse people very quickly if you suddenly change your name.

You do not have to legally change you name. However, if you choose a stage name that a professional actor already has, you would not be able to use it if you ever hoped to join an actor union and get paid for your acting work. So choose carefully.



Tallulah Bankhead - famous actress [1902-1968]

Hi Shannon. Getting a rife to auditions, interviews or performance is something you will have to figure out on your own. However, for the rest of it, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Keladry. Thank you for the kind words. Glad we can help. Go ahead and play the Chopin piece. In case they ask, be prepared with a couple of others to play as well. Demonstrating to the auditors that you can play the piece is different than performing with a song from a play. They will likely be happy to know you indeed have the ability to satisfactorily play Chopin and will be in your favor.

BTW, unless specified in the audition notice, it is OK to perform a song from the play for which you audition. If the auditors happen to like your rendition, it will build interest in you for the part (or another part.) If they don't like it (they might have a rather specific, preconceived notion of what the song is supposed to sound like) it might cast a bit of a shadow. If you are unsure, ask. You should always be prepared to sing an appropriate, alternate song.

What is most important is that you do not simply "sing" the song. The song is designed (usually) to propell the character development and plot along. So the song is "acted" (like dialog) - the actor must convey motivation, subplot and all those other good actorly things. Break a leg.

Hi. Yes it is possible to start acting or modeling without spending a lot of money. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Tamara. Start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi mbenlili. Sounds like you need to explore your local community theatre. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW.

Hi Jackie. Sorry, if you want to run a commercial on this site, you will have to pay for the advertising.

Is the program worth the $25,000 and a year of your life? Don't know. Do you have an extra $25,000 + living expense money to spend? Will you learn a lot? Yes. Will this program launch you into a career in acting? Not likely - but you will learn a lot and it will be up to you to make the most of what you learn. Price is comparable to other private programs.

Hi Stacy. There are no "industry requirement". Just what is in vogue at any particular time. Vertical and horizontal are fine, full color definitely if the shot is for anything other than legit theatre, B&W is OK for legit theatre. Don't crop too tight, could include head and some upper torso. In all case should be a natural looking photo, no heavy makeup or costuming (unless specifically for a character model). Touchups should be limited to glare spots, unruly bits of hair, temporary blemishes, that sort of thing. If you have a crooked nose, don't straighten it - choose a shot with a better angle.

Hi Niatse. Study the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Brittany. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Kaitlin. I would not waste my money with places that want you to spend a lot of money on classes, or products, or "talent" conventions. Those places are a total waste of your time and money and they will lie to you about all the successful actors they helped. Avoid them and anyone else who makes promises that they will make you successful in the talent and modelling world. Those kind of places and people are out to get your money. You would be far better off auditioning for roles in local theatres, whatever independent films you find being made in your area and sending your photo and resume to the local franchised agency. Your local agency likely also handles non-union talent, and is always looking for new talent, so don't hesitate. - And remember to stay away from the ones that ask for money for something.

Hi Tonya. Unions will not help you do any of those thing directly. Unions negotiate standard, basic contract terms for all of their members. It is up to each individual actor or their agent to negotiate more than the basic contract requires. They are looking out for all their members' interests by negotiating these basic contract terms so their members have some negotiating power and are not taken advantage of willy-nilly by producers and directors. See the AWOL page, http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/aftrasag.html.

Hi Mily Sanchez. Sure, there is a lot of professional opportunities in the Maryland/DC area. To get started (and learn how to avoid the scams) see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi. Yes you can. You can read books from the library to learn about the basics of acting, audition for local community and professional theatre productions so you can get roles and get experience (you will probably start by getting non-speaking or very small parts) and lots of young people do acting while in high school - but make sure you finish high school because it will be much, much easier for you to become a professional actress if you fininsh high school.

Hi Zela. Focus your time and attention on developing performance skills through reading books about acting, take any classes you can afford (avoid places that want lots of money or talk about attending "talent" conventions - these are scam places), and auditioning for local theatres. Don't even think about a movie career in NY or LA for a few years. You need to prepare yourself, learn and get good at the basics of acting and other performance skills (singing, dancing) before you tackle professional positions in NY or LA or elsewhere. Better get stated. Head for the library and also see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Allison. Probably not in the foreseeable future. However, there are books of scenes you might be able to get at your local library. There are also books that list scenes from plays and what act and scene of the play you can find them in. You can then search your library to find the plays. You might also find websites that have two person scenes. I would look for scenes from published plays, not scenes that were written specifically as scenes for auditions. Of course you can also purchase books of scenes on-line or at the larger bookstores.

Keep up with the school work. It is important for actresses to be educated in as many areas as possible. It tremendously broadens their ability to perform a wide range of roles. It will also be helpful if you audition to get into college level acting programs. Most of the actresses you see on stage, TV or in the movies studied acting in college programs as-well-as in high school and in conservatory programs and workshops after their college studies.

Glad you found something that ignites a flame in you.

Hi maggie. See the AWOL lesson, THE NERVES (Stage Fright).

Hi Julie. Thanks for the tip. We'll add it to the AWOL lesson LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi Mom. In markets like Philadelphia, franchised agents can handle both union and non-union talent. When your daughter becomes a union member, then she can only accept union work. However, there are special union contracts that allow union actors to perform in productions that also use nonunion actors. Most nonunion work does not pay as well as union work, if it pays at all. There is a lot more union work going on in Philadelphia than you know about. Your daughter will benefit far more by joining the unions when she is eligible than not. I suggest you see the SAG and AFTRA - Philadelphia websites. There is a lot of good info there. http://www.sag.org/content/young-performers - http://aftra.org/philadelphia.htm

Also keep in mind that your daughter does not have to join a union until she gets offered a union contract. But she can audition for union roles even though she is not yet a union member.

Hi Saddie. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Arion. First you have to develop some acting skills which usually means taking some classes and getting roles in local productions so you can practise you skills. To find out how to start, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Erin. Sorry. We are not accepting new members.

Hi Karume. The professional acting business, especially in the States, is hugely competative. Almost beyond reach for foreigners and especially from places like Tanzania. All actors must use creativity and initiative to accomplish their goals.

As I see it, the best way to realize your dream given your circumstances is to get yourself a video camera, a computer and some video editing software and start producing films yourself. Start with short-short films. You can even have a starring role if you want. Then submit your films to film festivals, various contests and upload segments to internet sites like YouTube. Who knows, you might become famous in ways you never imagined.

Hi Adrie. Dress casual but nice, bring a few of your pics and your résumé. Talk about your work and ambitions. Also see the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?

Hi CJ. Thanks for the tip. We'll post it to the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi xbutterfly55. Thanks for your inspiring words.

Hi joseph. Actors do not chose the characters they portray. The director and producers decide that.

Hi Hannah. Same as any other acting, see the AWOL lessons,
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING and ACTING AS CONVERSATION

Hi Jenna. You can always start your own group. Start your own acting group??? Sure. It is relatively easy to do. If you can't find anyone interested in creating a local theatre group with you, go solo. Develop one-person-shows to perform at public venues. Lots of people do this. Go here to start exploring One-person-shows, then use Google and YouTube to exlore the topic and people deeper.

Hi Avery. WE have info re: finding auditions in our free on-line guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. Also regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Adrie. Generally speaking, for movies - LA; for theatre - NY.

Hi Alison. Good luck. Until you land a role on a Disney channel show, I suggest you keep developing your singing, dancing and acting skills. Also see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi kmj. You develop your singing, dancing and acting skills however you can in Zambia; find auditions for whatever is available in Zambia (both for local and for international productions) and become an accomplished actress in Zambia. If there are agents in Zambia, try to work with one who has proven and verifiable connections to American, LA or NY based agents.

Hi amber. You can find lots of agent info in our free, on-line guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Adrie. There is frequently a script, or parts of a script, that are used in the audition. Most auditions consist of performing a monolog and/or reading from "sides" (that's a brief section from the script); perhaps some improvisation is requested. Sometimes the auditors will chat a bit with the actor. Then that's it. You may or may not get a call if you do not get a part - usually not.

Hi Adrie. Passing grades are helpful if you want to get into good acting schools. However there is more to it than that. It would be good for you to read through the info re: acting education in AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

Hi amber. Getting roles, especially for TV, almost always requires an actor to have training and experience. To find out how to get started see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Adrie. You can work on as many productions as you can find the time to do unless you are under some sort of exclusivity or no-compete contract or a hold agreement or some such thing.

Hi Laura. More experience will help. Also see the AWOL lesson, GETTING PHYSICAL. A few sessions with a voice coach would be helpful as well. Most actors use a voice coach from time to time.

Hi cassie. They are sincere. They are sincerely interested in getting as much money out of you as they possibly can. Yes, I know they sound legit. They are not. They are scammers. You will pay lots of money and you will derive little of any significant value from them. Stay away from these kinds of places. They are scammers. I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Charlie. We don't make school recommendations. Schools should be looked at within the cotext of who you are, what you hope to accomplish, your current abilities, your personal circumstances, the teaching staff, the resources available to students, post-training support and other things. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business for info re: actor training programs.

Hi Kayla. There are several things you can do until you head for college and can take acting classes. First, start researching which college programs would work for you given your circumstances. That way, you can spend the next three or four years preparing yourself - academically and artistically - to get into one of the colleges you think would be best for you.

Second, study and become competent in other performing arts. Music, dance and singing. These are all valuable skills for an actor to have.

I know you want to be on TV, but theatre and other live performance venues by far are where most young actors start out. There are far, far more live performance opportunites available than TV or film opportunities. Theatre and other live performance venues are the places where young actors practice their acting and performance skills and build a solid body of work that gives them the experience they need to develop a professional career. By becoming competent at acting, singing and dancing you become a "triple threat". This means you are much more desireable and more highly employable than someone who is only acting trained. So take as many dance, music and singing classes as you can find in your community and you will greatly increase you ability to find professional work.

If you cannot find any acting classes in the next three or four years, do not fret. You can always start your own group. Start your own acting group??? Sure. It is relatively easy to do. If you can't find anyone interested in creating a local theatre group with you, go solo. Develop one-person-shows to perform at public venues. Lots of people do this. Go here to start exploring One-person-shows, then use Google and YouTube to exlore the topic and people deeper.

If they can do it - so can you!

Hi Jo. Sort of. Many years ago, stages were 'raked'. That means they were actually tilted, higher in the back than in the front. When an actor moved toward the back of the stage they literally walked up hill. When they moved toward the front of the stage they literally walked downhill.

'Above' is to move 'up' toward the back of the stage. 'Below' is to move 'down' toward the front of the stage. 'Up' and 'down' are used interchangebly with 'above' and 'below'. The position is not specific like 'stage left' or 'stage center-right'. It is relative to the position of someone or something else. For instance, if a director says, "I want you to be above Ellen." you are to take a position closer to the back of the stage than Ellen is. This may or may not be directly behind Ellen. Further clarification might be in order to establish how far above Ellen and whether to the left or right as well. As you get more familiar with blocking and stage movement, you will develop a sense re: how far and which direction one is to move.

Hi jesse. Although this site deals primarily with USA-based acting info, a lot will apply to New Zealand. So start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Adrie. Someone has to be a famous actress, might as well be you. Of course fame is not guaranteed; earning a good living is much more likely - and not earning a good living is even more likely. Do you watch Dancing With the Stars? Have you noticed how hard the celebreties work? The professional dancers who accompany the singers and do group dances on the show are not celebrities. They work just as hard, every day, and do so every day of their lives. Not stars, but they are doing pretty good. Actors work hard to develop their performance skills and talents too. If you are ready to work as hard and consistantly as those professional dancers, then you can start your journey by reading the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, studying AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly checking AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Cost??? Check the guide. MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE SCAM SECTION!!!

Hi Anonymous. Theatre conventions are a set of circumstances about the staging of a play, that the audience accepts, even though those circumstances are artificial, illogical and unrealistic. For example:

• Use of a Narrator or a Chorus to reveal exposition
• Songs and music
• Symbolic scenery or costumes
• Stage sets constructed to appear to be real places, though obviously are not (interior of a barn, a jungle, a living room in a mansion, etc.)
• Stylized movement
• The "4th wall" (opening of the proscenium stage)
• The use of asides (commenting directly to the audience)
• Costume or set changes in view of the audience

Hi Allaishyia. Free classes in Manhatten??? Maybe, but not too likely. Few people will donate their time and expertise to teach classes for free. It is possible I suppose, but the classes will likely be pretty basic.

Perhaps a better plan for getting free training and experience is to audition for local community theatre and off-off-broadway productions, student films and the like. You can find listing for such things on Playbill.com and Actors Access. Also see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi miley. Sure you can send a tape. But don't expect a response right away. They might not be casting for anything at the time your tape arrives. You might have to send an updated tape every 4-6 months to keep your name in front of them.

Don't bother inviting them to your play. The tape is sufficient at this time.

Hi Anonymous. Hand gestures, like any action, must be thought out and be consistant with the character and the circumstances. So there are no "techniques" for using your hands; just the hard work of plain old acting. See the AWOL lessons:
HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT?
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION

Hi Mirza. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi mindy. This is a scam. They are sincere. They are sincerely interested in your $19.95/mo. and any other money they can talk you out of. They have little to no interest in anything else - no matter what they say or how long they claim to have been in business. The audition info they send will be next to useless to you. This is simply NOT the way to do things in the acting or modeling business. It is, however, one of the many ways scammers operate in the acting and modeling business. Stay away from them.
To find out how to really get started in the business, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi rosa. $2000 would have paid for a lot of legitimate acting classes and workshops. To discover low-cost (and no-cost) ways to learn acting and get statred in the business, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Lisa. Your agent will probably stay in NY. She has other actresses to work with in NY.

Hi lisa. We do not have in-person classes. Yes, I could be a famous person - or not.

Hi lisa. OK by me. Better check to see if anyone already is using that name. Do an internet search.

Hi Kirsten. No. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business for info about pictures.

Hi mani. Yes. All she has to do is learn how the agenting business works and get registered with her local state government.

Hi lisa. We do not endorse any particular school or camp, but the place has been around for awhile and I suspect it is as least as good as other performing arts camps.

Hi lisa. Here is a little bio info re: Miley and Selena: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miley_CyrusActing career
Miley Cyrus

Cyrus became interested in acting at the age of nine, taking classes at the Armstrong Acting Studio in Toronto, Canada, when she and her family lived there for four years.[19] Her first acting role was as a guest star on her father's television series Doc, in which she played a girl named Kylie.[3][20] In 2003, she played "Young Ruthie" in Tim Burton's Big Fish and was credited as Destiny Cyrus. In June 2009, Cyrus changed her TV and movie career representation from United Talent Agency to Creative Artists Agency, which had already represented her for music.[21]

Disney career

Cyrus was 12 years old when she originally auditioned for Disney for the lead role of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, as well as the show's "best friend" roles,[22] but Disney Channel executives judged her to be too small. However, Cyrus was persistent in her desire to be part of Hannah Montana, so Disney called her back for further auditions. According to Disney Channel Executive Vice President Gary Marsh, Cyrus was chosen for the show because of her energetic and lively performance and was seen as a person who "loves every minute of life",[23] with the "everyday relatability of Hilary Duff and the stage presence of Shania Twain".[17]

---------------------------------------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena_Gomez
Selina Gomez

Gomez began her acting career at age seven, playing Gianna on Barney & Friends. She said that she learned "everything" about how to act while on the show.[8] She later had minor roles in Game Over and the TV film Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire.

In 2004, Gomez was discovered by the Disney Channel in a nation wide scouting.[9] She appeared as a guest star on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Hannah Montana before being cast in Wizards of Waverly Place as one of the main characters, Alex Russo. She also appears in the 2009 Disney Channel movie based on the show.[10]
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As you see, it was not a straight shot to fame. They had to work a bit at it and it was no sure thing. A bit of luck, lots of persistance, talent and working at developing their skills helped them take best advantage of opportunities.

Hi lisa. We discuss these topics in AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Deirdre. There is no best or fast way to become famous. Most people who desperately want to become famous never achieve fame. I suggest you focus on becoming really good at something you love. Study that thing you love, learn all about it and learn what it takes to achieve professional success in that thing you love to do.

Hi Deirdre. Sure. If Disney is looking for actresses in Ireland, they might contact you for a follow-up interview.

Hi katie. So there are a lot of made-for-tv movie auditions in Colorado? Not likely. In fact, there are very few movie auditions available to you in Colorado. So I suggest you start out in acting in the area where you have the most chances of finding auditions and landing a role - Local theatre. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Mani. See the AWOL lesson, HELP! I GOTTA GET A MONOLOG!!!

Hi Cherokee. Get involved in whatever is available at your school during your final year. This will involve theatre, but theatre is where most everyone starts and it is a good place to learn and practise - which every actor needs to do. Also see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Sienna. Are you suppose to be a little drunk? A lot drunk? In between drunk? Who is your character? What might your character by like when affected by too much alcohol - as opposed to a different character who might act totally differently when under the influence. What are the circumstances of the scene and how might that affect your character's behavior while under the influence.

Basically, the problem is you are trying to play "drunk" instead of playing your character living within a particular set of circumstances - being under the influence of alcohol is one of those circumstances.

In other words, you need to learn more about acting. I suggest you explore the AWOL lessons,
HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT?
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION

Also, "drunk" is not what you want to play. People do not act "drunk". They do normal actions but those actions are influenced by the effects of alcohol. For instance. Imagine your character is introduced to a stranger. Normally, the character would grasp the stranger's hand in a friendly, personable handshake. Your character under the influence might reach out for the stranger's hand, and miss grasping it. Or perhaps grasp their hand but shake it all-together too vigorously (How vigorous? Well, how much is the alcohol affecting your character's judgement and motion? Is this moment in the scene supposed to be comic? Serious?). Or perhaps, grasp their hand but also wrap their other arm around the stranger's waist, pull the stranger close and greet them in an overly-familiar fashion.

All your actions should be thought out keeping in mind your character and the circumstances.

Hi Allisyn. The acting studio commercial should not go on your resume. You can include the McDonald's commercial even though it did not air. You did the work (you got paid I hope.) You have no control whether the commercial aired or not.

A TV credit for the play is a bit thin, but put it on there until you get more solid TV credits, then take it off.

Hi Anonymous. No. You should only include training you participated in at a physical location.

Hi susie. Yes, this is a scam. Their primary interest is to get you to pay for the classes. The "FREE" evaluation was to get you to show up so they could "evaluate" your child before the pitch. Your showing up and spending the time for the "evaluation" hooks you more and more into the scam process and the rest of their pitch. The pictures are window dressing. The SAG rep was likely paid or they lied.

To find out how to get your child involved in the business, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Shania. Your name and a bit about yourself is standard. After that, anything.

Hi . You study the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage so you can learn the basics of acting - and improvisation.

Hi xoxo. Actually, no it is not true. Way more actresses, attractive or otherwise, get acting work than models get acting work.

Hi xoxo. I think you should role with it unless they start asking your dad to pay them money for something or another. Then stop because they are scam artists.

Hi Isaiah. Hmmmmmm. I think you need to see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage so you get a beter understanding of what acting as about.

Hi Anthony. Thanks for the info. I had to exclude names from your post because of possible liability issues (I cannot verify everything you say) but the scam is the same as with all these types of operations. They are a waste of time and money and essentially worthless for the participants. They make a lot of money for the scammers, though. These ridiculous scams pop up all the time. The big tipoffs are the pitch for money and how they try to make you feel so "special" and one of few "chosen" for the "opportunity" to be seen by big Hollywood types. Smells of scam right from the start.

Too bad you already lost a few grand, but perhaps the experience will help you spot scammers in the future.

Hi Anonymous. People who believe Santa is not real are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except what they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Anonymous, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Anonymous, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Anonymous. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Anonymous, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Anonymous, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

(adapted from an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church; printed in the New York Sun, Sept. 21, 1897; in response to a letter received from Virginia O'Hanlon:

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
"Virginia O'Hanlon.
"115 West Ninety-Fifth Street."

http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia)

Hi Bobby. See the AWOL lesson,
AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi Anil. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi KAt. If your child is actually a child, don't waste the money. If your child is actually an adult or nearly an adult then read on.

Having competent performance skills (acting, singing, dancing) will get an actor hired - eventually. $30,000/yr? Such a deal. Juilliard is closer to $50,000 once you add up all the fees and whatnot (http://www.juilliard.edu/admissions/tuition.html). Of course attending a private college is just as or more expensive. If one works hard, is talented and can manage the intensity of the training, completing a course of study from a top conservatory will help in several ways:

• Students will develop peer and professional contacts and friendships that will help them from time-to-time as they try to build a career. An important thing in the acting business.
• Professional casting people are interested in students from such programs.
• Students will develop their talents and build their skill level so they can compete with experienced professionals.

Is all that a guarantee of work or a career as a professional actor? No.

Does it improve their chances early on? Yes.

Is it worth all the money? Time? Energy? Impossible to say. A few actors become wealthy, sought-after stars. Many actors earn a good living. Most actors need other sources of income to make ends meet and pay off those loans.

Many people feel it is better to attend intensive workshops, hire private coaches and audition, audition, audition instead of spending several years in a conservatory program. All that costs time, money and energy too. It adds up to quite a bit. But it is spread out over a longer period of time and every job they get during that time adds to their training and experience and builds their reservoir of peer and professional contacts.

I wish there was a more definitive answer. There isn't. Although there are two critical things your child needs to do one way or the other: Get involved. Stay involved.

Hi . Here are two techniques:

1. For stage acting, talk as if the audience is sitting in the hallway outside the back of the house. That way you will probably actually be heard by someone in the back row.
2. For film acting. When being filmed talking to another actor, especially in close-up work, look at only one of the other actor's eyes and always the same eye. If you look back and forth from eye to eye, you will look jumpy. It is very distracting and the audience will feel ill-at-ease.

Hi. Read the lessons.
FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Cassidy. This information comes directly from the Disney FAQ page re: how to audition for Disney productions.
http://home.disney.go.com/guestservices/faqs

I would like to be an actor in a Disney film or television series. How do I get started?

As with any career, education and practice are important. A good first step would be to discuss your interests with a school counselor or drama teacher.

If you are not currently enrolled in school, we recommend taking some drama courses at your local college. We suggest you familiarize yourself with a local theater group in your area, and read the entertainment industry trade papers, which are available at most libraries. In these you will find advertisements for upcoming auditions.

Also, The Walt Disney Company employs thousands of performers for the various Theme Parks and Resorts. Auditions are held regularly to cast singers, dancers, actors, DJs and VJs, musicians, and bands.

For information on these exciting opportunities, please visit our Disney Audition site.

When you feel ready to do so, you might consider finding an agent. Their job is to locate work suitable for you. As most film and television organizations require agency representation, having an agent is almost essential for getting paid work. Please understand that we cannot recommend a particular agent or talent agency.

For information on how to find an agent in your area, please consult your local entertainment trade papers or the career and entertainment sections of your local library.

http://corporate.disney.go.com/auditions/index.html

Also see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi julia. You learn to act. Once you understand what acting is all about, how you do it and involve yourself in the process, you won't be scared anymore. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Sheihan. A supporting actor performs roles in a play or movie other than that of protagonist. A female who performs these roles is usually referred to as a supporting actress. These roles range from bit parts to secondary leads. They are sometimes but not necessarily character roles. A supporting actor must also use restraint not to upstage the main actor/actress in the play/movie. In earlier times these were often ethnic stereotypes. The title is usually specific to the performance, that is, a person may be a supporting actor in one film and the leading actor in the next. An individual who typically plays supporting roles is considered a character actor. In television, a day player refers to most performers with supporting speaking roles hired on a daily basis without long-term contracts. Supporting roles may be pivotal or vital to the story. In recognition of important nature of this work, the theater and film industries give separate awards to the Best Supporting Actor and actress.
(from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supporting_actor)

How does one become a supporting actor? See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi elisabeth. Sure. Not for every role. But there are opportunities for you. You have study and prepare yourself - then get out there and make things happen.

Hi L Lee. Sorry. I can't understand your question.

Hi teather. Until the beginning classes seem all too simple.

Hi Corey. Yes, tell her you will not perfrom a role if it requires you to use swear words. She'll be happy. and when she is happy, you are happy.

Hi shameem. See these AWOL lessons:
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION
GETTING PHYSICAL

Hi nicole. See the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

Hi Gohar. Yes. Actually, what you learn, how competent an actor/screenwriter you become and the friendships/contact you develop is what will help you the most. The degree part will at least pique a producer's interest.

Hi diana. Acting, for most who try, is a lousy way to make a living.

Hi Erick. With maturity and respect.

Hi Dave. Here is a good example: Juilliard I would recommend that one.

Hi JoSiE J ! :D (JJ). A big butt is not a problem. There are so many opportunities in theatre, film, TV that there are roles even for big butt people. Go for it!

Hi Rebecca. Many of the actors on Disney channel shows are actually in their late teens and early twenties. However, many of them started their careers in the theatre because there are far, far more opportunities for inexperienced actors to get roles, practise acting and build a solid body of work. Film and TV roles are far and few between. Many actors go for several years before they get even a small part in a TV show or movie. You don't have to love theatre, it is just good actor-sense to pursue theatre roles and become competent at performing on stage in front of a live audience.

Developing a "natural" sounding voice is a good idea for TV and film - in general.

Hi amanda. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

If you get a part, they will let you know. Otherwise you will not hear anything.

Hi Cassie. Usually from a day or two to a few weeks. Actors also take a copy of their resume and picture with them to auditions.

Hi Gary. So how many people do you know in Canton who want to pay $2000 to go to acting camp? Ask 'em all. G'luck!

Hi Bubblegum. Hmmmmmm. Yes, sounds like a big scam to me too. To find out how to get started, avoid scams and to get info re: Disney auditions, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions and see our page: I WANNA BE A STAR ON A DISNEY SHOW!!!

Hi Dave. There is no such thing as "the best" performing arts college. They all have pros and cons; all of them change over time. The question to ask is which one will be right for you. See Chapter 6 of AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Raven. We have quite a bit of info re: your questions on our page: I WANNA BE A STAR ON A DISNEY SHOW!!!.

Hi Addy. Less than a month.

You have to be accepted to go.

Most of the time you need an appointment, although once-in-a-while there are open auditions where anyone can just show up at a specified time and place.

Hi nathan.

Hi Gaby. Yes. Training in those areas would put you in the running with the rest of the competition for roles in Disney musical movies. The singing and dancing is not necessary if the movie is not a musical.

Hi mary. Yes, your mom can be your agent.

Hi Corey. It takes knowing how to act and knowing about the voice-over business. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Re: where to audition, you can find info about how to find auditions in your area (Dallas/Fort Worth is your best bet) within the FREE AWOL Acting guide linked above.

Hi Chassidy. Yes.

Hi amy. Start with the SAG list of franchised agents, http://www.sag.org/branches/nevada/local-resources. Also see AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Gary. Contact each of the camps. There is a good chance they can connect you with funding resources.

Hi Ally, 17. It is OK to contact them and ask. If they work things similar to the USA, they might have periodic open auditions. You better be a really good actor; really know what you are doing because acting in a soap is a tough job. Another option is to inquire re: what agency does the casting of extras. It is relatively easy to be an extra and it will get you on the set to see how soaps are filmed and what is expected of soap actors.

Do not fret about your height. There are lots of tall actresses. You should do some modeling if the opportunity is there. Lots of actors also do modeling. And the experience and exposure is good for an actor.

There is no point in going to agents to ask them if they think you might have a chance. First, they are not career counselors. Second, it is a naive question and cannot be legitimately answered. Only scammers will give you an answer and it is always yes and they will always want you to give them money for classes, or photos or some other such thing. Third, if you go to an agent's open audition (or if you can make an appointment) go there prepared to audition. It is what they do.

See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. Have fun in NY. See a show. Wicked is great. Get tickets well in advance.

Hi Fenn. Yes you can.

Hi Helen. See our I WANNA BE A STAR ON A DISNEY SHOW!!! page.

Hi adri. There is no minimum age requirement. If you find an auditon for an actor who looks 14, go to it.

Hi andy. Yes. But you will have to leave Puerto Rico to do so unless a Disney movie is being filmed in Puerto Rico in which case they might hire local actors for small parts and as extras. You would find out about any such opportunities through an agent. It is not too likely you will find out about them in the local papers or on your own.

Hi Raven. Forget the movies. Disney theme parks, stage productions and Disney cruise ships would be your best bet for dance opportunities. See our I WANNA BE A STAR IN A DISNEY SHOW!!! page.

Hi Paul. They actually look for both. Dance too.

Hi sarah. Yes. Until they are done filming your parts. Then you can go back home - except to accept your Oscar. You will have to go to California to accept that.

Hi andrea. Yes.

Hi joise J. Christians can't be scammers??? Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

That's a good one. Anyone, even scammers, can call themselves christians and take advantage of those who are naive about how the talent business really works. These guys impress me as one of the usual talent scams to be avoided. Seems to me they add the christian angle to appear sincere and legitimate. I would consider that lower than most scammers. I would avoid them.

To find out the right way to get started in the acting business, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi anynomous. I don't know how to make you spouse understand your desire to be a professional actor. For actors, there is no clearly defined career path; no guarantees of income; no guarantees of anything that will carry you into the future. In other words, acting is a lousy career choice.

If you have developed exceptional (or at least competent) performance skills; including acting, dancing and singing (triple threat;) have good audition skills, live in an area where there is a lot of and varied types of job opportunities, can travel to pursue job offers; if you audition, audition, audition including for theatre, summerstock, Shakespeare Festivals, touring shows, commercials, TV, films, cruise ships, print, voice-overs, etc. - then you have a chance of earning an income on a somewhat regular basis.

If you are limiting yourself by not aggressively pursuing most of the above, then perhaps a different career is the best way to go; with acting becoming a lovingly pursued avocation.

You and your wife are a team.

Hi anynomous. The best way to prepare is to study acting, audition for plays with local theatres, take workshops and practice, practice, practice. See our FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions to get started.

Hi eddie. See Chapter 6 of AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Jacob. Acting originated on Pelican island, which is an island in the middle of the Missouri river, north of St. Louis. It began there in the year 5003 BC.

Of course there was no written record of what play these first thespians produced, but the recent discovery of ancient drawings on the basement walls of Rudolph J. Penderbottom's quaint little Victorian home in Cahokia seems to indicate the first play (a musical) was a clever cross between Gilligans island and Promethius Bound. Odd as it may seem, this combination proved highly successful and toured up and down the Missouri river, playing to appreciative Native-American audiences. Eventually, the little troup hit the big-time, playing all the villages along the shores of the mighty Mississippi.

The theatre was built upon several, tethered rafts made of bulrushes and river mud. Torches were used for lighting the acting area. Lights were dimmed by various stage hands (raft hands as they were known back then) standing in front of the torches, thus blocking the full intensity of the lights at the appropriate moment. There is no record of what the raft hands were paid, but it is a good bet that union rules would have required extra allowance be paid for working with fire.

The play lasted three and one half days without intermissions. Audiences back then apparently had a lot more stamina then today's pampered play goers. Unfortunately, a mishap initiated by a disgruntled raft hand resulted in the entire production going up in flames somewhere between Hannible and the Lock and Dam near Saverton. The troup was devastated by the financial loss as insurance had not yet been conceived.

Times being as they were, it was impossible to find a financial backer willing to assume the risk. After several unsuccessful attempts to mount lesser productions on neighboring Cora island, the group disbanded. Acting fell into a deep, deep slumber. Upon the charred remains of the bulrush rafts, acting drifted down the Mississippi and out into the uncharted Gulf.

When acting awoke, it found itself in ancient Greece. But that's another chapter in AWOL's Condensed History of Acting.

There's no business like show business.

Hi Josh. Actually, many TV and film actors do commercials. Many also do theatre. It all helps pay the bills, build experience and keeps them working between film and TV jobs - which can be a long time between. If the agency is legit, promptly and enthusiastically pursue the opportunity to work - despite the hassel.

Hi Diana. If there is no singing involved in a role, you will not have to sing in the audition.

Hi yousaf. See the AWOL lesson,
LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi macie. No, but it helps to know what you are doing. I suggest you at least see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi lady bug. Sorry, we do not make recommendations. However, you can find out how to locate appropriate agencies in GA - and how to avoid scams - by reading the AWOL lesson, "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !".

Hi Bailey. Sure. We have all sorts of information to help you. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi anastasia. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi xoxo-...gossip girl. They were probably looking for other talented actors in case someone turned up who was a better fit than the ppl they had in mind. Happens all the time. Part of the business.

Hi raycina. This is a big scam. BIG SCAM!!! BIG SCAM!!!. So forget about it and move on.

Hi Sunni. Actors don't always audition. Mant times they are offered a role based upon past work and previous relationships with a producer/director. But open auditions are a good thing too and might result in discovering a better actor for a role than a director might have originally thought of.

Hi Anonymous. It is always OK to make friends.

Hi andy. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi xoxo-u.... She wanted to see IF you could tone it down a bit. Ultimately, higher energy might be what they decide the character needs. But if not, they want to see if you are able to tone it down a bit so you could play the part with less energy too.

After seeing your audition, she might also be considering you for a role other than the one you were auditioning for.

It could be months before you hear if you will get another callback or an offer. Or you might not hear anything at all.

Do not fret if you do not hear anything. You made a good impression. Casting people keep actors in mind when casting for other projects. Two months from now you could get a call to audition for a role in another project - based upon a good audition for this Disney project. Happens all the time. Part of the job.

Just send your regular picture to start.

Hi Ultimate disney Fan. Start here: http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/disney.html.

Hi Janet, You do it like so many others who are not rich or upperclass, you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi arumugam. First, you have to get to America with a visa that will allow you to work. Consult the US Consulate nearest to you, http://www.usembassy.gov.

Hi samuel. We discuss crying in the FAQ section above.

Hi SAMUEL. Hope it happens for you.

Hi Anonymous. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, and study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi princess. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage

Hi Sam. I suggest you follow the advice I gave you the first time.

Hi deina p. es, an actor can refuse a role for any reason. But once you accept it, you should follow-through and complete the project. If there is nudity, sex or any such things required of the actor, the actor should be informed before the audition. It is not proper for a director or producer to spring such things on a actor or pressure them to do such behavior if the actor has not been informed before accepting the job.

Hi Sam. A Disney theme park? Which one? Disney Broadway? Which shows? Disney Cruises? Disney TV? Which show(s)? Disney films? They all have different casting requirements, different casting people, times, places. In other words, you will have to do more research. I suggest you start at the Disney web site: http://home.disney.go.com/guestservices/faqs.

Hi breneesha. You will never know. They could just be looking for a particular "look", or talent, or personality, chemistry, sparkle, energy, voice...whatever. They won't tell you. Aren't even all that sure themselves a lot of the time.

Hi theresa. You start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi portia. That's nice.

Hi SOLOMON. Three techniques:
1. Show up on time.
2. Be where you are supposed to be.
3. Follow directions.

Hi Solomon. See our entry re: crying in the FAQ section above. How many types of facial expressions??? Sounds like you need some basic acting lessons. Start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage

Hi Gary. The Jonas Brothers are making a movie??? WOW!!! Where can I audition???

Hi Amelia. Sure. Ask your brother. He will be flattered.

The J.O.N.A.S brothers and agent questions: Your best course of action is to first consult AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions. Then do the things the Guide tells you to do.

Hi Brian. The manager went to the Board of Directors for approval??? Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! That's a new one. Same 'ol picture scam though. My suggestion is to stay away from such scammy places. Besides the pictures, they will cost you a lot of money and waste a lot of your time. DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT WITH TSEN!!!!

They call themselves consultants - that means they do not have to conform to any industry regulations (consultants are not regulated) which means it is very difficult to seek legal remedies to get your money back. Whatever they might promise - they will not give you your money back.

Hi daniel. The only manager you would be getting at this point would be a waste of your money. I suggest you consult AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi queshonyajoseph. This is pretty much a traditional photo scam. Avoid this agency - and DON'T give them ANY social security number or bank account info. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS? for more scam info.

Hi Leanne. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi rose. Start with AWOL's Search Machine.

Hi Amelia. Your friend said you could use one of her spare frames??? Probably not.

Hi Denise. Try the library.

Hi somit. Start with the AWOL lesson GETTING PHYSICAL.

Hi Bexka. Can't hurt to try. The worst that happens is that they don't call you. Which means nothing changes and you can move on with your life.

Hi Amelia. That would by the wrong thing to do and would project a most unprofessional image. It is best to do it right. See the section about photos in Chapter 7 of ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Josie. See my response to "Brittany" below.

Hi Josie. Again, see my response to "Brittany" below and also see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Rose, 17. I suppose there are, but this is USA-based site and we don't keep up with England acting things. Look for UK based sites.

Hi Lisa. First, you need to sketch in a character yourself. Be creative but appropriate to the product type.

There are many books on how to improve your memory so you can do a better job quickly memorizing. It will take practice. It isn't like a "trick" you learn and you have it. Memory isn't like that. Generally speaking, you are trying to capture the gist of what is going on and as many lines as you can. Improvise the rest. For memorization tips, see the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

Hi sombal. I have no idea what you might do in Pakistan. Perhaps you will have to start your own theatre group or filmmaking group to gain experience and practice your skills. Perhaps you can post your efforts to Youtube or some such internet-based site and be seen by talent agents or producers who film in Pakistan. Maybe the TV will pick up on your performances. Who knows. Try.

Hi Brittany. If you do not live in the USA or Canada, it is unlikely you will be considered. Unlesss-s-s-s-s-s-s-s--s you are an extraordinarily talented singer, dancer, actress. Then it is possible a demo CD or video could pique their interest enough to seek an audition or interview. So-o-o-o-o-o-o-o. If you are extraordinarily talented, then put together a convincing demo CD or video and send it in.

Hi G. See the AWOL lesson,
WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?

Hi michelle. Take writing classes.

Hi . See the AWOL lesson,
"I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !"

Hi ALI. We have a few vocal exercises here: GETTING PHYSICAL, but there is little else we can do through this Q&A. I suggest you seek out a local voice coach and take a few private lessons. You should not need more than a session or two to get you started in the right direction.

Hi ajin thampi. A clear understanding of the development of the character and action.

Hi Jade **. We discuss the crying thing in the FAQ section toward the top of this page. We discuss colleges in our guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

Hi Natalie. Become fluent in German.

Hi Rose. You go to acting sites that are based in the London area, there are lots of them.

Hi Rose. Go to acting sites that are based in the London area, there are lots of them.

Hi Charlie, 15. See our guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

Hi shae. Gut feeling??? Pish-posh. You need to deveolp skills and experience. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi . Look for UK audition sites.

Hi Demi. Sorry, this is not the Camp Rock audition info page. However, if you want to actually learn about the art, business and hard work of becoming an actress, then see our FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Corey. See the "Find an Agent" link at the top of this page.

Hi KJ. I do not know what "working on" means. At this pont, I would skip the talent manager idea. It is not the best road to go down at this point. A managment company will lock you into a contract that will mostly be to their advantage, will cost you plenty, be difficult and expensive to get out of and suck up your time, energy and resources. Forget the talent management idea - especially at the level you are currently at. They will present a great pitch and make all sorts of claims. It is a lot of pish-posh.

See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Take a look at commercial modeling along with acting. Start here: http://www.howtomodel.com/.

Hi gerry. Do live theatre. There are many opportunities to audition. Every audition is an opportunity to perform. When you get a role, every rehearsal is an opportunity to practice. Every performance is an opportunity to test your skills in front of an audience. See AWOL's Instant Auditions. and your local community theatre web sites.

Hi Nichole. See the AWOL lesson, HELP! I GOTTA GET A MONOLOG!!!.

Hi Courtney. See this web page: "http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/disney.html. And here: http://hannahmontanacasting.blogspot.com/2008/05/camp-rock-2-casting-information.html.

Hi Kiara. Easy. Just follow the directions in ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Mary. Try telling them they need to speak so someone beyond the back wall of the house can hear (the hallway, outside, wherever that place beyond the back wall of the house is.)

You want them to imagine speaking beyond the house so their voice will actually carry at least past the center of the house - but don't tell them that part. Most will speak louder. If someone gets too loud (you should be so lucky) you can back them off a bit.

Make sure you do plenty of vocal warm-ups and exercises so voices don't get burned out. Also provide plenty of soothing herbal tea (not coffee, no caffeine) and honey in warm water or in warm lemonade.

Hi mercy. Probably not unless there were very few lines and you had a good language coach to help you with the proper pronunciations and inflections.

Hi Selena. Try this site: http://hannahmontanacasting.blogspot.com/2008/05/camp-rock-2-casting-information.html. You will probably need to be a reasonably good singer, have experience and live in the USA or Canada (this last one might not be necessary if you were absolutely incredible.) Age range for Camp Rock??? Look at the Disney Camp Rock website (http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/originalmovies/camprock/cds/index.html.) What age range do you see?. Figure many of the actors are actually older than they appear to be. Mostly mid-late teens and early twenties.

Hi Dan. Seems one has to pay for the scenes. Hmmmmmmmmm. Seems like an attempt to get some free advertising on AWOL. Send us a check for $1,500.00 and we'll post the website info. for a few months.

BTW. There is some missing copy within the free method e-book text. I'll wave my ususal proofreading fee. But from now on there is a $100.00 minimum.

Hi Andrea Lyn. So, you seem determined to waste $1,000. Have fun. Let us know what happens.

Hi Jade. See the AWOL lessons,
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING and ACTING AS CONVERSATION

Hi katie. See the AWOL search engine at: http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/AWOLSearchForm.html. Also regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Andrea Lyn. In my opinion, such organizations are one of the WORST ways to try to get into the acting business. Expensive, and pretty much useless - despite all their claims. I would avoid spending any money with them at all and instead go about it the usual way - as we discuss in our FREE guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Trusted radio station??? I wouldn't trust a radio station. And being a member of the BBB is not much for credibility either.

Have you done a Google search?? Maybe you could look at this site: http://forums.models.com/printthread.cfm?Forum=1&Topic=69607.

Hi VDO. See Chapter 6 of AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi vanessa. We answer that in the FAQ section above. Look for "My parents won't support my decision to become an actor. What can I do?".

Hi coco. Sounds like a school project question. We don't answer school project questions. However, you can find out all about actors' "main duties" by reading through the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Jess. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi kasey. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Deja Warren. You get on the Disney Channel by convincing the producer and director of a Disney Channel show that you are the right actor for the role.

Are there auditons to be a star? I suggest you first see AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. Then Google 'disney channel auditions'. One of those 244,000 websites will give you the info you seek.

Hi Britt :). I suggest you see AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. Then Google 'disney channel auditions'. One of those 244,000 websites will give you the info you seek.

Hi Brittany. See chapter 2 of AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Dakota. I suggest you see AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. You will find info re: finding local opportunities for professional work - even in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Hi tia. I suggest you see AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Anon. Under fives are parts that have 5 or fewer lines. For the rest of your inquiry, you will have to see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. you will have to work a bit to find out how the business works and how you can become involved in it. We have written a lot about the subject. You have to spend the time studying it.

hi ?. To find out what a resume is study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Probably for larger roles. Extras and under-fivers will likely be cast at the local level.

CAA is legit. If you signed with a London agency with connections in the USA, you could have a shot at disney roles. Good luck. I suggest you definitely study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

hi Anon. It is probably for big parts. They will want to see a video first, then if they really like you, they might come your way or fly you to the USA.

Hi Kristyn. Don't look at the camers or the audition people unless they tell you to. Make believe you are in a scene with set pieces and other characters. Look wherever you would look if there was no camera or director.

Hi Gary. Sure. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Keith D. Continue with the community theatre. Focus your effort on getting involved with the better, semi-pro local theatres - which will still be on a volunteer or low pay, non-equity basis. Take classes. Natural talent is god, but you will need to develop that talent and develop techniques that you can use. Local agents can help you get commercials, maybe roles in indie films, and print work, commercial modeling. You cannot depend on agents to keep you busy with paid work. A lot of what you do you will find on your own - and still include your agent.

I suggest you read through AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Laura. Two weeks is not impossible, if rehearsals are not cancelled a lot. You can do only so much on your own. Blocking needs to be worked on within the context of each scene and with the interaction and collaboration of the other actors and the director. It needs to be rehearsed. Blocking is more than just - stand here while saying these lines, move over there for that action, stand over here while this actor speaks.

Hi Jill. Do not become discouraged. There is still plenty of time. Are you aware that almost all the actors in most Disney shows are NOT teens? They are mostly in their 20's.

What they have that you don't have is training. And I don't mean acting training. Acting training is a good thing to have of course, but if that is not possible for a few years, then start your training with something other than acting. I think you should take performance related classes in and outside of school: music, singing, dance (tap, ballroom, ballet, jazz) for starters. Become competent in these artistic skills. Take voice lessons. These are all important skills that actors use in their careers - especially starting out.

They are also good for becoming a well-rounded person who has cultivated an appreciation for fine arts culture and the arts - a person whose parents thinks she should be a lawyer.

Hi erin. You are not expected to hold your breath. Practice breathing slowly and a bit shallowly so your chest does not rise and fall too noticably. It will take some practice. You can also take deeper breaths when the audience's attention is not focused on you - which will probably be most of the time you are dead.

Hi Nimantha. Yes.

Hi Gary. I would avoid IMTA and other such talent searches/conventions. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?.

Hi hailey. Try submitting to: Carol Goldwasser
Goldwasser/Meltzer Casting
5800 West Sunset Blvd
Building 11 Suite 201
Hollywood, CA 90028.

It would also be a good idea to see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Alan. It is fine to do that as long as you do not charge for your newsletter and you include in your acknowledgement our website address. If you charge for your newsletter than you will have to pay a fee to use any of our lessons as content for your newsletter. Also, let me know the website of you organization so I can check it out.

Hi Blaylock. I suggest you see the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?. Also, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Cecilia.
One: Yes, you should act out the song. This should be true acting, not just gesturing about. It will involve imparting character through your facial expressions, voice (quality, inflection etc.) and some body movement (generally not a lot of movement.)

Two: Since Leisl is the oldest, she will probably have to be taller than the other children. So precise height is not relevant. She would have to be taller relative to the other children.

Three: See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Christie. It is not usually required in volunteer, community theatre. Otherwise, just about everywhere else. See the r sum info in AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Britt :). Acting camps are fun, you can learn a lot and make some long-term friends. I recommend them. How to find classes? See the AWOL lesson,
WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW.

Hi Tez S. See this website: http://filmplus.org/biomx/space.html

Hi Anonymous. See this webpage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_acting

Hi Joe. See the AWOL lessons, HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT?
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION.

Hi jonny. This link will get you started: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Improvisational_Acting/Rules

Hi Katie. You are having trouble because you are focused on your problem, not on the acting task at hand. I think you need to get back to (or start) the basics. See the AWOL lessons: HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT?
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION.

Hi Riley. Send your info here:
"Hannah Montana: The Movie" Auditions

Filming tentatively set to begin April, 2008.

**Please submit by mail only. No personal drop-offs**

Carol Goldwasser
Goldwasser/Meltzer Casting
5800 West Sunset Blvd
Building 11 Suite 201
Hollywood, CA 90028.

Extras Casting (Tennessee or Louisiana): TBA

Filming Location: TBA

Possible locations are Tennessee or Louisiana. The Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission is still waiting for details from Disney about what Louisiana is offering. Louisiana has had an aggressive program in recent years to bring film business to that state. The Tennessee program offers rebates and sales-tax breaks to filmmakers based on a percentage of their in-state spending.

Re: needing an agent, see AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Spain? Have no idea.

Hi Stuart. Thanks for the detailed info. Will post your contribution to the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

Hi Loni. Not if you act in something in Memphis, which is a good place to start. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Hannah. Pioneer Drama is not a scam. Re: getting single copies to read to decide if you want to produce a particular plat: This is from their FAQ section of their website:

Do I have to pay to look at plays I'm considering?

If you want to preview musicals, we have an extremely helpful Musical Perusal Program that allows you to borrow a script and a piano score or a script and a CD Sampler for up to three different shows for 30 days while you choose which musical will be best for your group.

To obtain a preview copy of any non-musical play or text, you will need to purchase a single reading copy. This copy is then yours, as we do not send scripts or texts on approval. Most of our customers find that developing a personal library of playbooks and texts is quite advantageous. Material that doesn't work for you one year may be ideal another year with a different group of actors.

Hi ronnie. Yes. But it is unlikely, at least now-a-days, that the star filmed all the films in a single year. Often times a movie will be filmed in one year, but not be release for a year or two after the end of the filming.

Hi chris. Yes, acting skill. The FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage will get you started.

Hi Christina. They want your info before they tell you anything about what they are offering???? Yes, it is a scam.

Hi ronald. Most actors never become famous. Think about it. Of all the actors you see (not just the stars, but every, single person who appears on the screen) in the movies and on TV, how many of all those thousands of people are actually famous. Very, very very few. All those other actors are not famous - and most of them never will be famous. This is a good thing. Why? Because if they all were famous actors, People magazine would have to be as thick as the New York telephone directory, all those E-entertainment TV shows would have to be broadcast 24/7 and Jay Leno's celebrity couch would have to be 25 miles long to seat all those famous guests!

Trust me. The world if a far, far better place with only a few famous actors in it.

Hi Victoria. You have as good a chance as anyone starting out. Of course there is a lot of work and training and stuff you will need to do. I suggest you start by reading the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage and study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. Along with many other things, you will learn how to find legitimate agents and other casting people in Atlanta.

Regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions. We frequently post Atlanta audition opportunities. And regularly check this site too: AtlantaPerforms.biz

Hi Raghav. This is pretty much a standard scam. Let me repeat that in case you still think signing with them would be a wise business decision: This is pretty much a standard scam.

It is highly unlikely they will help you find any work of any significance; the pictures will be sub-par for the industry; the contract they will want you to sign will look good and they will tell you it is standard in the industry, but it will actually lock you into undesireable terms and will cost you a lot of money to try and get out of.

The reason you will never have to pay again is because you will likely not actually earn much or any money due to their efforts. There are actually legitimate agents near you. To find out how to find them - and avoid the scammers - see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi . There is no simple answer to this question. Read through ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business to find out the complexity of becoming involved in the "acting process."

Hi Alexander. Thank you for your kind words.

Hi Anonymous. Focus on theatre games and improvisation. This website might prove useful: http://improvencyclopedia.org/games//index.html.

Hi Esmerelda. Here are some for starters: SUNY - Purchase, Juilliard, Rutger's Mason Gross School of the Arts, Carnegie Mellon University, New York University - The Tisch School of Drama, North Carolina School of the Arts, Northwestern, California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), Yale, UC San Diego, University of Miami, University of Indiana at Evansville, University of Minnesota, UTexas - Austin, Hofstra University, UC Irvine, Boston University, DePaul University, and Emerson College.

Hi :P. We would be unable to explain method acting within this humble Q&A. However, there are numerous web sites devoted to the method. Here is a good place to start: http://www.theatrgroup.com/Method. They also list books to read.

Hi Steve L.. Now read ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi :P. Here are some: Carroll Baker, James Baldwin, Anne Bancroft, Ellen Barkin, Marlon Brando, Ellen Burstyn, Lee J. Cobb, Montgomery Clift, Bruce Dern, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, James Dean, Jane Fonda, Anne Jackson, Harvey Keitel, Martin Landau, Diane Ladd, Brandon Bruce Lee, Karl Malden, Steve McQueen, Marilyn Monroe, Paul Newman, Al Pacino, Geraldine Page, Estelle Parsons, Sidney Poitier, Pat Hingle, Julia Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Maureen Stapleton, Rod Steiger, Susan Strasberg, Christopher Walken, Eli Wallach, Gene Wilder, Shelley Winters, Joanne Woodward [edit]

Hi Emma. First, you need to get involved with Women in Film - Seattle. Second you need to get involved with the Seattle International Film Festival so you get to know more of the people who make films in the Seattle area. Third, you need to keep abreast of things via the Mayor's Office of Film + Music. Becoming actively involved with these organizations and others you find out about will give you opportunities you would not otherwise find on your own. You will also learn which agents tend to be better for film in the Seattle area.

Have fun.

Hi josie. An acting "technique" is simply a way of doing something. The method and its various off-shoots incorporates a series of techniques to assist the actor develop character, achieve relaxation, emotional intensity, movement, etc.

There are improvisation techniques, relaxation techniques, voice techniques, movement techniques; techniques used in oriental theatre like Noh (Zeami.). There are Shakespearean techniques...and on and on.
Re: extra work in Australia. Find the agencies that handle extra work in your area (if any) and register with them. You should not pay to register.

Hi Laurence. Yes. Do fewer other things and spend the time necessary to learn your lines. For tips about learning lines see the AWOL lesson LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

Hi susie. The foxtrot and other ballroom dances. A lot of other dances use the basic ballroom steps.

Hi Christina. Yes. See the AWOL lesson WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?

Hi breasia. FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi josie. Good acting displays an actor's knowledge and skill and aptitude. Bad acting doesn't.

Hi . See the AWOL lesson AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi Jamie. Trust your research. These web postings will be of interest to you:
http://www.corporatenarc.com/john-robert-powers-scam.php
http://www.2nd-tier.com/showfax_bbs/index.cgi?noframes;read=4985.
Also see the AWOL lesson WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?.

To find out how to start your daughter in the acting business - and avoid costly scams - I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Here is one Pittsburgh casting agency to get you started: Donna Belajac Casting.

Hi paola. You can check out the agent lists and other important info on these industry sites:
AFTRA and SAG
The Movie, TV Actors' Unions

Hi Corey. See the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi David. The "seven steps to stardom"??? HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! What a laugh!

Rang a GONG???? HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! What a bunch of baloney. H-m-m-m-m-m, Did the gong-ringing girl really became a member, or was she a shill planted amongst the "marks" to build-up excitement and foster an "I don't want to miss out" attitude??? Scammers do such things.

You were absolutely right to walk out on this ridiculous dog and pony show. It is a big time scam. SCAM! SCAM! SCAM!

If your daughter is really interested in acting, find out how to start her off right - no charge: See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Anonymous. That would be a bit much to cover in this humble Q&A format. Perhaps you can start be reading through the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi paola. You can check out the agent lists and other important info on these industry sites:
AFTRA and SAG
The Movie, TV Actors' Unions

You can also check out the "Find an Agent" link at the top of this page.

Hi liz. A general, liberal arts education is a great benefit to actors. Why? Because educated, intelligent actors, actors with knowledge of math, english, geography, science, foreign language and other such subjects are creative, innovative, energetic and interesting people. Actors need to be creative, innovative, energetic and interesting if they hope to compete professionally.
So, aside from the acting, singing, dancing, voice, music, stage and performance skills you need to develop; pursue general liberal arts studies.

Hi Mary. You should go here: http://soapnet.go.com/shows/soapstar4/rules.html so you are ready for the next round of auditions.

Hi Debbie. Background work is not exactly considered a "career field", though some people do a lot of it. Start here: http://www.centralcasting.org/NY/actors/index.html. Also, go here: THE EASY WAY TO GET INTO A MOVIE OR TV SHOW.

Hi Corey. YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam! YES it is a scam!

Hi David. Major in acting. Then work as an actor for awhile. Get an entry level job in a casting office. See how things develop.

Hi Jesska. We don't follow what happens in England. However, you can start your search for training places here: http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/AWOLSearchForm.html.

Hi liz. See the AWOL audition tips in our lesson, AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD FOR...(a few helpful tips). You do not need a résumé or photo for most local theatre.

Subjects to learn? See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE....

Hi cristal. If this place is a talent agency or management company, I would consider it a scam. See info on these websites: http://www.bbb.org/ALERTS/article.asp?ID=477 http://www.azcentral.com/12news/consumer/articles/0823action-talentagencies-CR.html .

Hi Helen. The unions prefer their members have 'unique' names. Avoids administrative and professional confusion. So pick a good one you will want to keep for a long time. It is very confusing if you use different stage names at different times during your long, successful career.

Hmmm. Yes, speaking of that career thing. By the absense of any mention of experience in your question, I assume you have none. Perhaps, before you fret about whether or not your travel expenses will be paid by a producer (not too likely) you should perform in a few plays and things locally. To get started, I suggest you sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Gary. It would not be appropriate to include our lessons on your résumé. We are only on-line lessons, not an actual class.

It will cost you a lot more to live in LA or NY than where you are now. Two to four times as much depending upon where you are now.

Auditions? See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi mitzi. Yes, learn to act better. I suggest you start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Christina. I suggest your see the AWOL lesson,
WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?

Hi Henry. Sure, if you can work it out.

Hi alyssa milano fan. Seems you are fixated LHOP. Maybe you should join this group, Little House Fan Forum. They can answer all your obscure LHOP questions.

Hi Marlissa. See the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi ali. There is no education requirement to get into acting. However, some basic training and experience would be helpful. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi fatima. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Evita the Akita RENThead. There are a lot of books we have not read. This is one of them. However, I suspect it is good enough for starters. You might also try this one, Audition - by Michael Shurtleff

Hi Elizabeth. Regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi anne. There are a lot of books we have not read. This is one of them. However, I suspect it is good enough for starters. An hour and a half of drama class one day each week is good. At least one teacher is good, but more is good too. CAA? You are out of luck. You will not get a look from a CAA agent until you are are well on your way in the field.

Hi :) :(. Since we do not live any where near Australia, we must defer to your drama teacher's judgement. Also, see the AWOL lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW.

Hi Henry. Start with your local theatre groups. Volunteer to work behind the scenes. Watch how the producers do their jobs. After a while, volunteer to be an assistant producer. See how that goes. If you are still interested in producing as a career, you will have a bit of experience to start yourself off with.

Hi IShouldJustTakeADeskJob. I suppose you should check out their web page: http://www.acmetalentandliterary.com

Hi jalleelawllms. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Max. Thanks for the tip. We'll include your thoughts in our lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi Lindsay. How would the Disney audition people know what part you want? Lindsay, are you expecting to be offered a part in a Disney show more than once in your lifetime? If you are offered a part in a Disney show, you take whatever part is offered whether or not you wanted that particular part or another part or whatever. Just take it. Sheesh!

Convince your mom you should get an agent? Easy, do whatever local acting you can, (school plays, community theatre, whatever,) take all the acting, singing, dance and other performance related classes you can, read books about the business side of acting, read the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions, and get good at acting and other performance skills. Do these things regularly for a few years.

In other words, demonstrate your commitment to the business of acting by studying and practising the skills you need to become successful in the business.

Hi kayla. You need training and experience. Singing throughout the day is not the same thing as singing on a stage infront of few hundred strangers. It is hard to do well, to do consistently and not blow out your voice.

The church plays are OK for starters, but it is not much to go on. You need to get yourself into audtitions, land some roles and get in front of a paying audience on a regular basis.

To find out more about how to do that in your area, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi brittany. sure. See our FREE site, AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Bob Parsley. See our info re: kissing, "I have a part where I have to do a romantic kiss. I feel awkward. I'm not sure how to do this. Can you help?" on this page somewhere above.

Hi Anne. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a plan for what to learn first, then second and so on. There isn't. So i suggest you get a solid foundation in basic acting for the stage. First, there is way more stage work available than film work and you are likely to do a lot of stage work to get experience and earn income while trying to land a film role no and again.

Second, much of what you would learn in basic theatre acting (character development, making choices, goals, motivations, use of the voice, movement, etc. ) is the same for all acting, even commercials.

It is not all that difficult to adapt stage acting techniques to film acting. There are differences, mostly having to do with how you handle your voice and body for the camera instead of for a large stage.

Along with the basic acting for the stage classes, I suggest you take a number of improvisation classes. Also some voice classes, dance classes, singing classes and other performance related classes. These classes will greatly improve your ability to earn a living or at least land enough professional, paid work to keep you going.

Hi jan. Although our humble writings can provide a good start, our simple lesson is not able to go into the type of detail you seek. Perhaps you should take a class or find a book that deals primarily with script analysis. Try these:
Script Analysis for Actors, Directors, and Designers, Third Edition by James Thomas
The Actor's Script: Script Analysis for Performers by Charles Waxberg
The Film Director's Intuition: Script Analysis and Rehearsal Techniques by Judith Weston

Hi alyssa and mary fan . you want to know about the technicalities of the production side of films and TV. Sorry, wrong page.

Hi PullingHerHairOut. If you look more like this:


than this:


Then you have a problem there in Oklahoma.

Take a look at this website: Drysdale's

If that's the look that gets most of the work in your part of the world, then you have several choices:

1: Leave. Go to a larger, more varied market. Somewhere where your look and height will not greatly curb your opportunities to get work. Where might that be? Well, NY or LA are the obvious first choices. Chicago, Seattle and other large metro areas that support more than 2 franchised agents might work as well for you in the beginning.

2: Stay - but change your look to be more akin to those on the above site. You are an actress. Actresses re-invent themselves all the time. They have to if they want to keep working. Get several photos that have different looks you can pull off. One photo with the Drysdale look, another for your high-fashion look. Submit whatever is appropriate for the job you seek.

3: Stay - but more actively seek out opportunities where your look is desireable and your height doesn't matter. This means you will have to do a lot more job searching on your own. When you find something, include your agent in the pay negotiations.

Hi rachell. Nope.

Hi Cool. The more the merrier.

Hi jan. Scene study is good to teach. A lot of theatre training involves games.

Hi . See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi cassie. It means you have to... I have no idea. I'm not there watching your performance. Did your teacher have any suggestions re: how you can draw the audience "attention directly to you?" Perhaps some adjustments to blocking, body language, use of your voice and "theatricality" would help.

Hi Elisa. You have to be as old and at least as good as the actresses on those Disney programs. I suggest you watch some of the shows and take a few notes.

Hi isobelle. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

Hi ?. Wouldn't it be great if it were that easy? Just ask someone else to choose for you. The acting world doesn't work that way. An actor's work/life involves making choices - every day. This is a choice you will have to make for yourself. I suggest you spend some time exploring the web sites for each; call each organization with other questions you might have; perhaps even tour each facility. If the one you select doesn't work out well enough for you, try another one the next time. Maybe you could try them all over a year or two. Wouldn't hurt.

Hi Leticia. Move to Hollywood.

Hi rose. The new school sounds OK to me. Doesn't hurt to go to a few different acting schools throughout your career. An hour of lessons a week is OK. But the lessons will only take you so far. The most important thing is to put those lessons into practice by performing in productions like local community or professional theatre productions.

Hi Stephanie. See the AWOL lesson, HELP! I GOTTA GET A MONOLOG!!!

Hi sandra. sounds like a waste of $198.00 dollars to me. Take a look at Actors Access. It is free and actually used by professional casting people.

Hi marie. See chapter six of AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi rachell. In Phoenix? I believe they mostly provide extras. Their website is not very informative so don't know if they charge a fee to register or if someone will call and start working you for money. If that happens, say G'bye. They should not charge fees. They get paid by the production company to provide extras. They should not charge fees to the extras to support their company on-line presence and picture files.

Here is another extra casting place in Arizona:
HELEN WHEELS PRODUCTIONS, L.L.C.
URL: http://www.helenwheels.net
Helen McCready
Business: 623-363-1543
Other: CA Office 310-651-0637
Email: CastingPros@helenwheels.net
Description: 20+ years experience. Casting features, series, commercials. #1 ONLINE searchable database of principal, featured/extras, atmosphere, day players, stand-ins. SAG and non-union talent. Best rates in town!

Hi Gohar. That depends. If you are trying out for more puppet shows, then a seperate catagory is apropriate. If you want this on a general résumé, and if the shows were professional productions (as opposed to something you put on in your back yard for the neighbor kids), then you can put them under a catagory such as "RELATED EXPERIENCE" or "OTHER EXPERIENCE".

Hi rose. Yes, it is good to get a mid-year report from your teacher that alerts you to what you might need improvement on. Lots of acting classes use acting games as part of instruction. Reading about acting techniques and other things about acting also helps actors develop their skills - if they put what they have read into practice.

Improve your facial expressions/emotions? See the AWOL lesson, ACTING AS CONVERSATION.

Hi Kelsii. It is likely they will do HSM3. The lead and supporting roles will mostly be cast through agent submissions and current cast members. Smaller roles will likely be cast that way too, though there might be an open audition or two in the LA area. Don't expect a nationwide talent search unless the producers feel a new cast is needed (not likely.) A lot of the filming for HSM2 was done in Utah. There might be some possibilities for Utah performers as extras and in small roles. Contact the agents in the SLC area to see what the possibilities are - if filming for HSM3 will also be done in Utah.

Have you checked out the info on our page: I Wanna Be A Star on a Disney Show!!!

Hi Ashley. Getting a role, big or small, in a professional production certainly helps. However, most people don't start acting that way. I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Aisha. Sorry. You are out of luck. You will not get a look from a CAA agent until you are are well on your way in the field. Perhaps they can hear you perform somewhere. You better be incredible.

Hi Michael. You see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Bree. Yes.

Hi layla. No. I suggest you see the AWOL lesson, "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !".

Hi Kristena. Do as much local theatre as possible. If that is not enough, start your own theatre group or perform one-person solo performances. Videotape your performances. When you have a great tape (or cd), send a copy with a résumé detailing your training and experience. Keep your fingers crossed.

Hi Ash. Yes, you will read from the script. You will not have to memorize the lines, but you should be familiar enough with the dialog that you don't have to more than glance at the script once in awhile.

Hi from. If someone is too sick to do a good job performing, they go home and get better. Same thing with school. Some people will ask how they are feeling. Some might even call.

Hi Andrew. See these sites: ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA)
The Stage Actors' Union
AFTRA and SAG
The Movie, TV Actors' Unions

Hi AnDrEw. Sounds like a waste of time and probably a scam. See the AWOL lessons, "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !" and WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?

Hi Jen. See chapter six of ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Making Money in the Business

Hi Danielle. It is gone now. Too late..

Hi tina. There are no educational requirements to do acting. It helps to get training and regularly attend classes and workshops, but there is no requirement to do so.

Hi Tianika. Seems you haven't looked at our I Wanna Be A Star on a Disney Show!!! page.

Nor have you looked at chapter 7 of ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Nor have you looked at the AWOL's Instant Auditions page.

The Disney casting people might upload a video from the internet, but you might be better off burning a CD. You could also do both.

Hi Jennifer. Have you looked at AWOL's Instant Auditions page?

Hi The Blonde. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW. Also try here:
CITY STAGES
528 West First Street
Reno, Nevada 89503
tel: (775) 786-2278
fax: (775) 786-4350

Hi xoxo caroline xoxo. We do not keep track of film audition opportunities in England. However, it is likely you will not find many since you seem to have no experience - like in local theatre productions - or an agent. You can benefit some from the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions. Not everything will apply to getting work in England.

Hi Alyson. Perhaps you missed the link at the top of most of our pages: I Wanna Be A Star on a Disney Show!!!

Hi DD. It would not be proper for me to label John Casablancas operations as scammers who are much more concerned about getting you to pay them money than they are in helping you develop a modeling or acting career. However, I can say that if it were me, I would steer way, way clear of such operations.

Acting or modelling is not a "guaranteed" career. It is possible to earn a fair amount of income from time to time. It is difficult to earn a significant income on a regular basis and even more difficult to become famous and fabulously wealthy and successful. Of course, all this assumes you work very hard to develop yourself as a model or performer.

This is not a modelling site, but you can learn a lot about the correct way to get into the acting business by studying the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Courtny. I guess you will have to get experience auditioning for roles that you can find without the help of an agent. This would be in local community theatres, and auditions you find in local news papers (watch out for scams: WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?) and on internet audition sites (watch out for scams: WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?). Regularly check AWOL's FREE Instant Auditions page.

I would not attend JRP or anything like it.

Hi Pedro. 8-12 hours a day.

Hi Arian. You see the AWOL lesson, THE NERVES (Stage Fright).

Hi dee. See the info in chapter 7 of AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi izzi. You are only 30 minutes from Toronto. You will need to get an agent in Toronto to get connected with professional acting work including any Disney auditions that might take place in Toronto.

Hi Jami. It is likely there will be no open casting calls for High School Musical 3. The leads (returning and otherwise) will probably be cast through agent submissions and negotiations. Same for the lesser speaking roles. They will probably need extras for scenes, but you will have to live near where they will be filming - like LA.

Hi chrissy. I guess you will have to either learn how to avoid rip offs, or find a different career. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?.

Hi Pedro. Peruse the audition listings on AWOL's Instant Auditions page. That will give you some idea of how much one might get paid for various types of productions and production companies and how much time might be involved.

Hi Aisha. I guess you missed the link to our Disney info page: http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/disney.html

Hi Arian. See the AWOL lesson, THE NERVES (Stage Fright) 

Hi Dee. I guess you missed the link to our Disney info page: http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/disney.html

Hi Jennifer. The easiest way to tell if a talent agency is a scam is if they ask you to pay them money up-front for anything. Legitimate agencies do not charge their talent fees for photos, classes, cosmetics, résumés, evaluations, conventions, or other such things. To learn more about how to spot scams and avoid them, see the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?.

Hi Charles. No.

Hi Joel. "I figured that what I couldn't teach them, I could correct them on when I saw them perform..." Egads!!! I suggest you stick to the absolute basics. Blocking, goals, units of action, script analysis, voice, movement, etc. - the things discussed in our various lessons. That ought to be enough for a year or so. Encourage exploration; risk taking. Skip the "correction" aspect and you will all find learning about acting a joyous experience.

Hi Kate. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi ****. No.

Hi Jacky. See Chapter 7 of ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

Hi Fidel B.. The book is good for starters.

I would have definitely cancelled my Casablanca account if for some misguided reason I signed up for one.

Ah yessssssss; the Disney Channel obsession. We are developing an entire page devoted exclusively to the "How can I get on a Disney Channel Show" question. Here it is...so far.

Hi Henrique. No. They mostly want to see what you can do, not where you went to university.

Hi Shelby. Even in VA, you should ee the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Shelby. Most of them find out through their agents.

Hi alyssa milano and mary ingalls fan . They are not going to school. They are going to a movie set that is made to look like a school.

When a school-age actor cannot attend classes because of production schedules, the production company must provide an appropriate tutor.

Hi cynthia. See AWOL's lesson, WHAT EVERY ACTOR NEEDS TO KNOW.

Hi Joanie. See the AWOL pages, http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/union.html and http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/aftrasag.html.

Hi Nicole. Professional actors do not work 20 hours a day. 10-16 is more like it - when they are working. However, do not fret about such things. First you have to become a famous actress. I suggest you spend your energy on that small task.

Hi Henrique. See AWOL's page, http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/AWOLSearchForm.html.

Hi Rinat. It is difficult to become a professional actor in the US even for people living in the US. Overseas people, US citizens or otherwise, have an even more difficult time of it because they simply are not anywhere near where the US acting scene happens. Until you can come live in the US, I suggest you pursue whatever opportunities you have available in Israel. Build a credible body of work there so you are more ready when you come live in the US.

Hi kayla. Most professional auditions require you have a résumé that gives info about previous roles you have performed. If you have not had any roles, than you can substitute a brief letter that describs any training you might have had, other performance experience (dance, music, singing,) and your ambitions for pursing acting.

Hi Jami. Sorry, you have to be willing to overcome a few hurdles if you hope to get anywhere in life - especially the entertainment business. This means if you don't have a video camera so you can film - whatever you think you need to film, you find one. Perhaps you can borrow one from a friend. Or get a job to earn money to buy or rent one.
You don't pay for agents. If you want to learn how things really work, and learn what you can DO other than dream of someone "discovering" your wonderfulness and making you a star, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Sarah M.. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Lauren. You would send them a CD or video tape of short clips, no more than 30 seconds or so each, of your best acting, singing and dancing work. Preferably from actual productions you were in, not just classwork. Don't forget to slate your name (SLATE: In an audition, to orally stating one's name and agency representation at the beginning of the audition.)

BTW. Houston is your best bet for finding work. Might have to wait until you are 18 to move someplace like LA or NY. In the mean time, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Maurice. Directors and producers have plenty of good ideas for great movies. Tons of great ideas. Great ideas are cheap. Presenting an idea to a director or producer won't get you anywhere.

What they do need, however, are great scripts that take an idea and make it come to life. This is what they pay the big bucks for.

Of course, producing a usable script is a lot of work and takes a great deal of writing talent, training, experience, hard work, long hours writing and at least the next 4 or 5 years of your life. If you are interested in going beyond the easy, great idea stage, check out scriptwriting resources on the intenet.

Hi ethen. Sure. the next audition you find for a Disney soap audition in India nearby Delhi, go to it. Tell them AWOL sent you.

Hi Laura. There are lots of overweight actresses - even on TV. Hmmmmmmmm. Where can you go to become a famous actress within the next four years? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Let me think.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Still thinking.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Still thinking.

While I'm thinking up a good answer, perhaps you could see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi ted. Principals have more than 5 lines.

Hi Need2Know. 1: It is indeed a good idea to study about acting, like, reading about 'How to Audition', and mainly just everything about acting.

2. It is best to get instruction from someone who knows how to teach. Teaching is a skill. It is not easy to do well. An experienced actor may or may not be able to effectively teach acting.

For more info re: training, see Chapter 6 in AWOL's guide book ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

3. There is no time frame. Most actors take many years of training and accumulate a lot of experience before they are "good" at the art.

4. It is good to learn from a variety of people. Switching schools every year might be a bit much, but that depends upon what you hope to achieve by attending the various schools.

Hi Kate. Yes, try our site. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Jen. Practice.

Hi Heather. Sacramento franchised agents can submit talent to a Disney audition - if you can find any Sacramento franchised agents. You will likely have to go to San Francisco. If you can get a San Francisco franchised agent to sign you and submit you to a project in LA - 400 miles away. You will have to be quite good, eager and able to travel to auditions at almost no notice, and impress the heck out of the Casting Directors - which is why I gave you the info for a Disney casting director. Might as well try submitting direct first.

Keep in mind that many auditions are initially conducted via video submission. If you have an excellent video and impress the CD, they might contact you for an in-person audition.

Until that happens, you might find some luck with Sacramento non-franchised agents (they can submit to Disney too - if they know about an opportunity), but the same situation will present itself - 400 miles is a long way to go for an LA audition.

Do not get discouraged. Local non-franchised agents can help you get other local, professional work. This will help you build your experience and credibility as a professionally-minded actress - and give you some excellent clips for your reel (video, CD, webspace.) This will be useful when you get a rare opportunity for an LA-based audition.

If you study, work hard, audition, audition, audition, audition, audition, audition, audition, audition, audition, audition, and demonstrate your skill and determination, you might soon find a Disney opportunity waiting for you.

Hi Jennifer. Have you tried our FIND A COLLEGE PROGRAM page?
http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/frames/schools.html

Since there is no magic bullet to select a program for you, you will still have to evaluate the various programs to find a few that are best suited to your circumstances. Then you will need to qualify and apply and get in.

Hi teagan. I have no idea what you are talking about. You can send your photo and résumé to:
GOLDWASSER/MELTZER CASTING
TRIBUNE STUDIOS
5800 W. SUNSET BLVD.
BLDG. 11, SUITE 201
HOLLYWOOD, CA 90028

Hi ?. You move to Los Angeles. Until you are able to do that, you stay in Australia and develop performance skills and training there. I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Heather. These folks are casting directors for several Disney Channel productions. You can send your photo and résumé to:
GOLDWASSER/MELTZER CASTING
TRIBUNE STUDIOS
5800 W. SUNSET BLVD.
BLDG. 11, SUITE 201
HOLLYWOOD, CA 90028

You can also contact Disney Channel and ask what CDs they use: Disney Channel
3800 West Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 569-7500

Any LA area franchised agency that handles TV actors can submit for Disney channel productions.

I suggest you read through AWOL's FREE on-line guide, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Natalie. Sure. Why not? All you have to do is stop setting up hurdles for yourself and start working toward achieving your goal. I suggest you start by seeing the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, signing-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, studying AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly checking AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi enriqa. Hmmmmmmmmm. Probably not your best options. I suggest you start here, http://www.vyt.com/about.php. You will get a much better foundation for your career.

Hi Lucia. Find an Audition - Go to It. Then find Another Audition - Go to It. Then Then find Another Audition - Go to It. Then find Another Audition - Go to It. Then find Another Audition - Go to It.Then find Another Audition - Go to It.Then find Another Audition - Go to It.Then find Another Audition - Go to It...
In other words, Stop fretting about such things and get busy working.

Hi kengi. "Perry is writing, directing, producing, and starring in his next movie, Why Did I Get Married, which is set to release on November 16, 2007. It is loosely based on the play. Filming was set to begin March 5, 2007 in Whistler, British Columbia; Vancouver; and then Atlanta, where Perry recently opened his own studio. It is currently being edited. Janet Jackson, Sharon Leal (Dreamgirls), and Jill Scott have joined the cast.

"His next movie will be an adaptation of his play Meet The Browns."

"TPS (Tyler Perry Studios) will serve as the main production facility for his various film, theater and television projects."

Contact them about auditions:

TYLER PERRY STUDIOS
541 10th St. PMB 122
ATLANTA GA 30318

Hi Gaga. Travel is often required to get jobs. However, it might be possible to live in one major metro location like New York or LA and just accept work based in these areas; turning anything else down. This might reduce your ability to work regularly, but maybe not.

Hi maya. Busy. Very busy.

Hi Lindsay. Forget about the JRP and Newfaces idea. You will be wasting your time and money.

First, focus your attention on the Pennsylvania area. Regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions for opprtunities.

Second, your best chance of being submitted for a Disney audition and other professional auditions is:
A: Submit your info directly to the Disney address listed elsewhere on this page

B: Obtain representation by a local agent and have the agent submit your info when the time is right. All the local Pennsylvania agencies seek new talent. If you are as good as you think, you will have as good a chance as anyone. To find local agents see the AFTRA Talent Agent list and the SAG Agent Search page. You can also find non-franchised agents here.

Also, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Ophelia. First, you need to find out what the visa rules are for you to work in the entertainment business in the USA. You can contact the consulate to get the info or look on-line.

Second, a couple of years of theatre experience and some puppet shows is not much, but it is good for starters. I suggest you spend more time in Russia developing your performance skills and building experience. Seek out opportunities in Europe (closer to where you live) and build a solid body of work before you come to the USA. You will be competing with highly accomplished and experienced USA actresses, and you will need to have top-notch skills and a strong résumé to pique the interest of USA producers.

Hi gohar. You can title your script "Crash" (titles are not copyrightable) but it would be foolish to do so; sort of like titling your script "Star Wars" or "Pirates of the Caribbean". You would be laughed at.

Are the producers legit? Well, perhaps you could just send in your scripts to strangers on-line and see if they steal your plot, characters and idea, or... you could join an on-line or in-person script writing group AND ASK THEM YOUR SCRIPT WRITING QUESTIONS!!! Unless you are afraid to consult with the people and organizations that are experienced with the script writing business.

Hi gaga. Probably not.

Hi Dedee. Easy. You can research the subject at the library or on-line and then write a paper. Will only take a few hours of your life.

Hi ryan. We already answered that elsewhere on this page.

Hi Viv. You might try discussing the situation with the various agents and try to segregate which agents will submit you for certain types of work. For instance, perhaps one agent is adept at securing commercial work. Then you could use this agent exclusively for commercials. Say another agent is primarily voice-over and industrial work; then they could get an exclusive for voice-over and industrials.

On the other hand, this might not be workable considering the relatively small market in Chicago (as opposed to NY or LA.) All the agents are submitting for as much as they can in all areas - union and non-union. This can be problematic if several agents submit you for the same audition. Could even result in a law suit if you are not careful.

You might have to select one or two who you feel are best at securing the type of work that you can get hired to do.

I hope you don't just wait around for an agent to call you. Keep in mind that the bulk of work you get is going to be secured primarily by you through your own contacts and efforts. You should, however, include your agent in negotiating terms (even if it is just scale) and pay the commissions. That is part of the business relationship. A good agent will work harder for an actor who can secure paying work and provides the agent with income even on projects the agent did not initiate.

Hi Henrique. Have you tried their web site to find the cost of attending UCLA? It will help on your résumé if you go there, and do good work and pass.

Hi Gayan. I think the "work hard" part is something you should take particular note of. Find an Audition - Go to It.

Hi sabine. Summer is the worst. Fall and winter are good.

Hi Henrique. Personally, I would not attend classes any place that does not openly list tuition on their web site or will have a "consultant" (a.k.a. Sales person) contact me.

Hi Allyson. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi Nicholas. Thank you for your kind words.

Hi James. Deferred pay means you will probably never get any pay at all - SAG contract or otherwise. However, it is slightly possible that a film in the SAG "deferred" pay catagory might actually earn enough or be exhibited outside of the scope of the contract and therefore payment might be due to SAG actors. For more info see http://www.sag.org/Content/Public/ShortFilmAgreement2005WM.pdf.
For other info re: terms, see the SAG and AFTRA contract pages. Check out the various contracts to see how various terms are described or referred to. You can also see our glossary for some terms:

Hi gayan. Believe it or not, most hard-working actors never become famous. Sad but true. If all hard-working actors became famous after 5 or 10 years or so, there would be tens-of-thousands of famous actors at any given time - and thousands more joining the ranks of the famous every year. If getting famous was easy or a sure thing, everyone would be famous - so no one would be famous.

Hi kengi. They are not likely to spend the little money they have flying you to California. It is a low budget film. They will most likely use local talent for the film.

If you had lied to the Disney Channel person, she would have been very annoyed when she found out. It is easier for them to cast most of the actors for non-lead roles in the LA area. It is also less costly because they don't have to spend money flying actors into LA. For the top leads, they might select a non-LA based actor even though there is added hassel and expense.

When you send your info and picture, better make sure it is excellent quality and you have a top notch video. If they are impressed with your previous acting work and your video, they might request an audition or interview, perhaps via the internet, through an agent near you. This would be a long shot but not impossible.

In the mean time, find auditions closer to where you live. You will increase your odds of actually getting a role in something.

Hi Chote. If you live in an area where there are agents, then there is apt to be acting work available throughout the rest of spring and summer. There is also apt to be summer classes available. I suggest you look harder. You will likely find local opportunities.

You can always try to get an agent. I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Mariah*. The singing is good and you should list it on your theatrical résumé. Don't worry about being 5'1. You can't be a Rockette, but there are plenty of opportunities available; just ask Sheena Easton 5'1", Nicole Eggert 5'1" and Carrie Fisher 5'1".

Hi Karen. If you are hoping to get started in the acting business through services provided by these places, they would be pretty much a waste of time and money.

Hi Gohar. At this point, take whatever acting work you can so you can benefit from practical experience - small as the roles may be at first. The reason it feels like you are blindly following what the director says is because you do not understand the job of an actor and the actor/director relationship. Actually doing more roles under different directors will help you better understand such things.

Acting is time consuming. There is a lot of stand-around-and-wait time. Often it is quite boring. Perhaps you could use the waiting time to read books about acting. Then you can expand your knowledge and experience at the same time.

Hi Asad. Your question makes no sense to us. Perhaps you should see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

Hi Valencia . See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi Jevone. I suggest you start by learning to act and getting some experience. You do not need money to start. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi justin. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi Andre. See the AWOL lesson, http://www.redbirdstudio.com/AWOL/bodypositions.html

Hi Matilda. Assume there will be no costumes. Just wear whatever you would normally wear if you were to go to the bank.

Hi Gary. The camp is not a scam. It is within reason for the cost of a residential summer camp. Don't get alll ga-ga about the "stars" come-on. It won't be of much value. The camp experience and a week or two surrounded by like-minded actor people is fun and you will probably develop some useful skills.

Re: the talent convention - it is a scam. People who participate receive little or nothing of real value for all the time and money invested.

Hi Ellie. We have lots and lots of suggestions. Just see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Rachel. There are people involved in the entertainment business who discriminate and who are sexual predators or will take advantage of naive, desperate wanna-bees. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?

Hi Hannah. Go to where 70 year old ladies go and observe their behavior. The mall, church services, bingo...

You will notice there are all kinds of ways 70 year old women behave.

Then take a look at the AWOL lessons, HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT?
THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION
GETTING PHYSICAL

Keep in mind, you do not want to mimic the behaviors you observe. You want to use them as a way of exploring what 70, as played by you, might be like; speech, movement, gestures, posture, body appearance, hair, attitude...
After experimenting a bit, Carefully choose 3 or 4 basic behaviors that define the essence of Aunt Abby as played by you. Don't try to do too much or you will look amateurish. If, during the rehearsal process, you feel you need to make adjustments, then do so. Just keep it at 3 or 4 basic, defining behaviors.

Break a leg.

Hi ryan and reggie. Start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi kengi. You were supposed to make up the circumstances and play the line with those circumstances in mind. See the AWOL lesson, HELP! I GOT THE PART! NOW WHAT?

Hi Samar . See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Gayush. More than likely, yes. However, you might manage to get an audition directly with the casting directors for these shows. I suggest you study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Nara. It is very little. But a start and better than nothing. Before heading to Hollywood, I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Gayushik. As an actor? It is unlikely you will be able to earn enough to support yourself. Most actors do not. So you will have to supplement your income with a regular job.

Of course, there is also the issue of working in the entertainment business as a non-US citizen - or working in any business for that matter. Perhaps you should discuss your desires with the US consulate and find out what you need to do to be allowed to work in the US and in the entertainment industry.

Hi Rabia. Work hard. Get roles in lots of other productions. Keep at it.

Hi Gayan. Depends. When they work, it can be 8-12 hour days for days or weeks at a time. During non-work time, they spend many hours taking classes and auditioning. Of course, there is also the issue of working in the entertainment business as a non-US citizen. Perhaps you should discuss your desires with the US consulate and find out what you need to do to be allowed to work in the US in the entertainment industry.

Hi Henrique. We are not the immigration office. Perhaps you should discuss your desires with the US consulate and find out what you need to do.

Hi Gohar. Actually I wrote,

The chances are slim to none that a professional producer will want you to play the lead in your own script. It will be hard enough getting a professional producer to even look at your script.

It is disingenuous to exaggerate my response. Also, don't insult people who you ask for advice. It is moronic.

You are not a moron. Hmmmmmmm. I wonder where I might know that from, since I do not personally know you. Perhaps I am wrong.

It is obvious from the nature of your questions and boorish comments that you are quite naive and uneducated about the professional acting and screenwriting business. It is apparent that you have not done much simple research about either and are operating mostly from your "imagination" and/or what other unknowledgeable people have told you.

Let me try - again - to help you understand.

Professional producers generally do not accept unsolicited scripts from unknown writers. Why?

1. Because most unsolicited scripts are poorly written by writers who have not bothered to actually study the art and craft of writing, attended workshops where their scripts could be critiqued by skilled writers or even consulted with a skilled, knowledgeable scriptwriter.
   
   If you have not done the above with your scripts, then it is likely your scripts are noticeably the product of an amateur.
   
   A professional producer would not get past the first page or two before tossing it - no matter what it is about. Why in heaven's name would they spend time plodding through an endless stream of mediocre scripts in some vague hope that maybe one of them will eventually be worthwhile? They spend the little bit of script-reading time they have reading works from accomplished professionals and from referrals made by trusted, industry professionals.
   
   Many of these professionally written scripts are rejected.
   
   The same goes for professional literary agents, except they might actually open the envelope and look at a page or two before tossing the amateur works.
   
   There is one exception to this. Unscrupulous literary agents will try to scam naive, unsuspecting and all too willing amateurs by telling them how wonderful their work is - but they need to pay a fee to the agent to get it "ready" to submit.
   
   Naive Suckers!
2. A hugh amount of work is involved in turning a poorly written script into something that might have a remote chance of being usable - usually a complete rewrite or two or three by professional scriptwriters.
   
   Don't get your bloomers in a bunch. It also takes a lot of work to turn professionally written scripts into something usable. It's just that there is more to work with when a script is well written from the start.
3. Legal issues. Professional producers are always at risk of getting sued by some nutter of a writer who claims an idea was stolen from them - simply because the writer sent an unsolicited script with a theme vaguely similar to one the producer actually did produce. So producers don't generally read unsolicited scripts from unknown writers.
   
   To protect themselves from such nutters, producers most always only read scripts submitted by respected literary agents or other trusted industry professionals. Unsolicited scripts are returned unopened.

Re: acting the lead in your own scripts; consider the producer's perspective. It costs millions of dollars to professionally produce a film (ever notice how many names appear in film credits? These people all need to be paid.) What do you think the chances are they will be willing to risk those millions to cast an unproven, amateur actor/writer in a lead role; a writer/actor who is most likely maddly in love with every single word of dialog and scene they worked so hard to write? Close to 0% perhaps?

What do you think the chances are they will cast a professional actor who knows what they are doing and has a proven track record and won't argue over every little script change? Closer to 100% maybe?

Does this mean all is lost and you should abandon your dream? Of course not! It means you should wise up, get past your "imagination", enter the real world, get your booty into more acting classes, go to lots of auditions, perform as much as possible and regularly attend writing classes and critique groups - and a get a fairly recent copy of the Writer's Digest Market Guide. And get this book or something like it: http://www.writersdigest.com/store/magdisplay.asp?id=WG0604

The next time you write, I expect to read about your efforts engaging in the above activities - and don't bother me with any boorish correspondence.

Hi Gohar. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you wanted useful, practical information that would help you better understand how the business works. Seem what you really want is a cheerleader.

Rah! Rah! Zis Boom Bah! Go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Gohar!

You can do it!
You can do it!
You can do it!

Go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o Gohar!

Feel all warm and fuzzy now?

Hi C. See the AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi hampton. Well, I hate to be so discouraging. But I think it would be a good idea if you actually followed the advise I gave you previously: See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

If you actually spend time exploring the lessons and perusing the Instant auditions, you will see there are many, many opportunities outside of LA.

I guess it is disappointing to be told that getting on a Disney show or in a film or anything professional doesn't happen just because you want it to happen.

I'm sure it is also disappointing to be told that if there are no film audition opportunities scheduled next door to your house, then you will have to go where the opportunities are - or do the best with what you have available in your area.

It will take time, training, growth, experience and hard work. A role in a Disney channel show simply might be unattainable given your circumstances. There are many other ways to become a successful actor - if you work at it and leave yourself open to the possibilities.

Hi alanna. How did acting begin?

Acting originated on Pelican island, which is an island in the middle of the Missouri river, north of St. Louis. It began there in the year 5003 BC.

Of course there was no written record of what play these first thespians produced, or who the leads were, but a recent discovery of ancient drawings on the basement walls of Rudolph J. Penderbottom's quaint little Victorian home in Cahokia seems to indicate the first play (a musical) was a clever cross between Gilligans island and Promethius Bound.

Odd as it may seem, this combination proved highly successful and toured up and down the Missouri river, playing to appreciative Native-American audiences.

Eventually, the little troup hit the big-time, playing all the villages along the shores of the mighty Mississippi.

The theatre was built upon several tethered rafts made of bulrushes and river mud. Torches were used for lighting the acting area. Lights were dimmed by various stage hands (raft hands as they were known back then) standing in front of the torches, thus blocking the full intensity of the lights at the appropriate moment.

There is no record of what the raft hands were paid, but it is a good bet that union rules would have required extra allowance be paid for working with fire.

The play lasted three and one half days without intermissions. Audiences back then apparently had a lot more stamina then today's pampered play goers.

Unfortunately, a mishap initiated by a disgruntled raft hand resulted in the entire production going up in flames somewhere between Hannible and the Lock and Dam near Saverton. The troup was devastated by the financial loss as insurance had not yet been conceived.

Times being as they were, it was impossible to find a financial backer willing to assume the risk. After several unsuccessful attempts to mount lesser productions on neighboring Cora island, the group disbanded.

Acting fell into a deep, deep slumber.

Upon the charred remains of the bulrush rafts, acting drifted down the Mississippi and out into the uncharted Gulf.

When acting awoke, it found itself in ancient Greece. But that's another chapter in AWOL's Condensed History of Acting.

There's no business like show business.

Hi camilio. Nope.

Hi narine. nope, nr, non, nein, não, no

ADVERB: Informal No.

Hi Gohar. Yes, screen writing is a more competitive business. The chances are slim to none that a professional producer will want you to play the lead in your own script. It will be hard enough getting a professional producer to even look at your script.

Of course you or a friend can always produce your script and you can play the lead in it because you do the casting. You might even manage to get it shown at independent film festivals.

You can also post your "film" on YouTube or some such place. Who knows, if you get a few hundred thousand viewers, a professional producer might actually want to talk.

Hi Laura beth. You just finished reading Adler's book? Once? I suggest you read it through a few more times; take notes; read a few other related books; try a few things out in an acting class or two; then come back and ask me again to explain in this Q&A, an entire volume of Adler's teachings.

Hi Jen. We were not in on the audition process. Perhaps someone on a fan site can enlighten you.

Hi Musa. Since we are USA based, we don't follow much about London TV stuff. Try contacting someone at the BBC.

Hi Sherry. Since we are USA based, we don't follow much about London TV stuff. Try contacting someone at the BBC.

Hi Ian. Dat's am so nice toobee wantin'.

Hi from alyssa milano fan. They are going off-camera. Probably to get something to eat or drink.

Hi jalleela. No. Just post a video to YouTube that about 10 million people go to. That costs almost nothing.

Hi .. katie ... Same advice as I gave to Elika, all you have to do is dream up a concept for a show, pitch it to Disney - in person - (posting it somewhere will not do) and hope they go for it - with you as the star. Better get your thinkin' cap on.

Hi Gohar. It will probably be difficult to split your focus between acting and srceen writing. Both will take a full-time commitment if you really want to learn and excel at the art and craft of either. Professionally, your chances of being able to perform are far better than your chances of seeing a screen play you wrote actually get produced somewhere. So you really have to love writing - and be good at it - to have any chance at all of overcoming the odds.

Hi Nara. Nope.

Hi rikki. Yes. Don't pretend to be drunk. Pretend to be normal. It is just that since you are drunk you fail at your attempts to appear normal.

For instance. Drunk people are well aware that they have impaired balance. They try hard to keep their balance. But they fail. How badly they fail at their attempts to appear and sound normal depends upon how much they are inebriated.

Hi Wishuponadream. Nope, but you can always send your photo and resume to: GOLDWASSER/MELTZER CASTING TRIBUNE STUDIOS 5800 W. SUNSET BLVD. BLDG. 11, SUITE 201 HOLLYWOOD, CA 90028 They might take a look at it - but the video better be outstanding.

Hi Jami. They need to see what you can do. If you are determined to do what you can to get a shot at a Disney show, you will have to be determined

Hi Narinka. Believe it or not, mont people never hit it off in Hollywood. Sad fact of the business.

Hi Gayush. Acting school helps a lot.

As far as you know? Did you look very hard?

Nicole Kidman
Kidman started taking ballet lessons when she was four. This led to studies at Sydney's Australian Theatre for Young People, where she is now Patron, then at the Phillip Street Theatre, where she majored in voice production and theatre history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Kidman

Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is Australia's flagship youth theatre company and the largest youth theatre in the world. Over 6000 young people aged between three and 26 participate in the company's work across Australia. Nicole Kidman, who began at ATYP as a teenager, is the company's patron. Baz Luhrmann is ATYP's Ambassador. Recent Artistic Directors include David Berthold and Timothy Jones.

Formed in 1963, the company creates opportunities for young people from many kinds of backgrounds, from urban centres and sometimes isolated areas of Australia, to discover and explore their creativity and to develop a fuller awareness and appreciation of themselves, the performing arts and their society.

Workshop program This is Australia's, and maybe the world's, largest and most comprehensive workshop program for young people. Up to 45 workshops are offered each week, seven days a week throughout the year, exploring acting, physical theatre, music theatre, design, playwriting, camera performance, circus, clown and many other specialist areas. Special school workshops, complementing this program, reach schools in four states. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Theatre_for_Young_People

Julia Roberts Roberts wanted to be a veterinarian as a child, but soon after graduating from Smyrna's Campbell High School,[5] and attending Georgia State University, she headed to New York to join her sister and pursue a career in acting. Once there, she signed with the Click modeling agency and enrolled in acting classes. She reverted to her original name "Julia Roberts" when she found that there was already a "Julie Roberts" registered with the Screen Actors Guild. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Robert

Hi Gohar. Nope

Hi rae rae. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE....

Hi Elizabeth. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE....

Hi McKelvy. By doing whatever local theatre you can find. This will give you a body of work to build your résumé.

Since travel is not an issue, you should also keep an eye on the AWOL's Instant Auditions page for professional opportunities. For instance, there is now open auditions in New York for kids to perform in "GYPSY". Girls age 10-12, for the roles of Baby June & Baby Louise. If you are a young looking 14 year old and can easily pass for 10-12 years, you might have a chance.

Hi Desiree. It is not likely to be impressive. Unless it is a scripted "reality" show, there is not much acting involved.

Re: the taped monologue. I suggest you read through AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi Pete. Thanks for the tips. I'll post them on our memorization tips page, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?

Hi Sherry. On a disney show? Probably not until you can move to LA. I suggest you focus your attention on learning acting and building a career in your own country for the near-term.

Hi Bob. Subjectively. Very subjectively.

Hi dennis. Qualifications??? To join us??? I have no idea what you are talking about.

Hi jazzy. Right now. They will always look at submissions - but your stuff better be really good.

Hi Elika. Easy. All you have to do is dream up a concept for a show, pitch it to Disney and hope they go for it - with you as the star. Better get your thinkin' cap on.

Hi kdm. They do not want you to tell them how much you want to be an actor. It is a given. Everyone they get info from or audition wants to become an actor - really, really a lot. What they want to see is what you can do and how well you can do it.

Hi Tom. Here is Equity's

	Minimum Salaries - Production Agreement (Broadway & National Tours) Contract Duration: June 28, 2004 thru June 29, 2008 Rates Duration: June 27, 2006 - June 24, 2007
CATEGORY ACTOR SM ASM 2nd ASM Musical $1,465 $2,408 $1,904 $1,590 Play $1,465 $2,070 $1,691 N/A INCREMENTS:        Playing a Chorus Part/Specialty $20      U/S Chorus Part/Specialty $15      U/S Principal Role $33      Swing (full) $70      Swing (partial, per number) $15      Dance Captain $300      Asst. Dance Captain $150      Run-of-Play/Term $150      Chorus 6 Month Rider $60      Chorus 6 Month Extension $30      Extraordinary Risk $20 OVERTIME: $40/hour TRAVEL OVERTIME: $34/hour PER DIEM: $113/day (Some cities, $119/day) PENSION: 6% 401(K) 3% HEALTH + SWC: $190.00 (less $40 subsidy: rate paid $150) LAST UPDATE: 09/26/06

I don't see a seperate rate for men than women.

Hi Emily. Yes. But there is a difference between becoming an actress and becoming a famous actress. There are thousands of actresses who earn a good living, but are not famous. Most actresses never become famous, but have a financially rewarding performing career. I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi erika. There are far better ways to get started. I suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Schehrzade. Auditions for all Disney shows are never over. There are not likely to be any wherre you live. I suggest you focus your attention on learning to act and finding local acting opportunities and not fret about Disney auditions. you will have a far better chance of succeeding. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Abiteur. There are better and free places to find auditions. I suggest you see our auditions page, AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi . See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

Hi kengi. Well - there you have it then.

Hi kengi. We know of lots of places, see AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi linda. It was all made up. I doubt anybody kept it.

Hi briana. NO, IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE!!!! THIS IS A BIG SCAM!!! DO NOT GO THERE!!! I strongly suggest you see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Biljana. You start with the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi kengi. It is a scam. See the AWOL lesson, WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?.

Hi Sherry. It is not too likely you will be able to audition for Disney Channel programs. However, if you are determined to become an actress despite the Disney Channel disappointment, then I suggest you continue developing your skills and seek out any local opportunities you can find. You might find audition opportunities in London when you are there, but I do not know what the work rules are if you are a citizen of England.

Hi Heather. There are many opportunities to perform in San Francisco. To find out how to find those opportunities, agents, casting directors and such actor things, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Emily. It will do for starters. The knowledge and experience you acquire might even help you get roles in Discovery Channel or History Channel programs or PBS type documentaries.

Hi Jamie. Help is on the way. Just see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

Hi Mike. Yes, that counts. The skills you develop might also help lead to a film role if they are looking for actors with swordplay and jousting skills.

Hi RK. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Hi summer. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE....

Hi Wynika. Do you mean is it a good idea to join? Probably not. Unless you live in LA or NY, you can bet that most of the auditions will be too far away for you to attend. If you live in NY or LA, there are far, far cheaper ways and free ways to get current audition info.

Is it worth the money? Probably not. Despite all the website hype, you are not really apt to get much for your money.

Is it good to have an internet presence? Yes. But if you stop paying them, you will no longer have an internet presence and your website address will be a dead link.

If you join, do not be surprised if you receive all sorts of offers, upgrades and promotions you will be expected to pay lots of money for. It will never end.

Hi Corey. Your best chance getting into a local commercial is by securing the services of a talent agent. This probably means in the Dallas/Fort Worth area - which is not too far from you. Be sure to read the AWOL lessons "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !" and WHAT ABOUT SCAMS?.

Here are some of the agents in your area:

Campbell Agency, The
3906 Lemmon Avenue, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75219
Tel: 214-522-8991

Collins, Mary Agent C. Talent
2909 Cole Avenue, Suite #250, Dallas, TX 75204-1307
Tel: 214-871-8900

Dawson Agency, Kim
1645 Stemmons Freeway, Suite B, Dallas, TX 75207
Tel: 214-638-2414

Horne Agency, Inc., The
4420 West Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX 75209
Tel: 214-350-9220

Stone Agency, Ivett
14677 Midway Road, Suite 113, Addison, TX 75001
Tel: 972-392-4951

Taylor Talent, Peggy
437 Southfork, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067
Tel: 972-219-7362

The Clutts Agency
1807 Ross Avenue, #167, Dallas, TX 75201
Tel: 214-761-1400

Tomas Agency
1017 Elm Street, Suite 105, Carrollton, TX 75006
Tel: 972-446-2221

From salvatore: HI MY NAME IS SALVATORE, I JUST WENT OUT FOR MY FIRST PILOT AUDITION IM 7 AND I HAVE ALLOT OF EXSPERIENCE, ,PLAYS, MODELING, VOICE OVERS, COMMERCIAL ECT.. WELL MY QUESTION IS HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAR BACK IT WILL BE ALMOST 2 WEEKS CAN I ASUME I DID NOT GET IT??? IM SOOO EXCITED!!! THANK YOU

Hi salvatore. You are not likely to get a phone call if they are not going to call you back. However, two weeks is not a long time to wait. It could take a month or more. In the mean time, assume you will not get called back and find another audition to go to.

From brianna: I live in arizona,and i have looked on the internet for professional acting classes that i can take for 6 months. But the thing is i cant hardly find any, well, PROFESSIONAL classes. Is there still a posibility of getting into acting?

Hi brianna. Start here: http://www.durantcom.com/index.html.

From Madilline: I wanna know if i want to becaome an voice actress for disney animation or for any animation. Where should i start. What should i do. Do you have any websites i can go to to practice? Please and THankyou

Hi Madilline. There is much to learn about the voice-over business. It is highly competative and complex. I suggest you get a copy of this book, Talking Funny for Money : An Introduction to the Cartoon/Character/Looping Area of Voice-Overs (Paperback) It is inexpensive and will save you from doing things all the wrong way and wasting a lot of time and money.

From Madilline: How do i devolope voices for charecter animations like disney. What should I do to practice.If i really dont have mch money what can i do. Is their any websites i can go to to help me.Any free downloads of lessons and things like that. Please help me i know you can

Hi Madilline. If you do not have enough money to get an inexpensive book that can help you learn how to get started in the voice-over business, then I suggest you use all your creative energy and talent and find a way to earn some money so you can get the book; or see if your local library has such a book.

Here is an article that can give you some brief info and other resources about the voice-over business: http://www.backstage.com/bso/career_advice/careers/voiceovers.jsp

And, of course, a Google search of the internet (key words: voice-over, voice-over tips, voice-over lessons, voice-over demos...) will yield a number of sites you can explore.

From Madilline: I am 15 years old.I live in New York. My deepest dream is to be a fulltime entertainer. I want to sing, dance, act, voice act for animation( Disney & anime) and model. I know i have the talent but thats not all you need to make it. You need money and strenght and courage to handle regection you need passion and i have all of that and soo much more. I want to be apart of Disneys legacy someway.I also want to be on braodway But my problem is the timing. I have school and so much to do during the week. I have really no time to myself. i want to know what should i do to practice animation characeter voices. How can i bettrer my voices. What can i do to make it as all i want to be . I know you can help. Ive read all of these lessons on Awol. Im trying to get into a local theater but there is so much for me to do. Please i am really passion about this .do you think i can actually do all of this if not then what you suggest i do. I know its alot i want to do b ut something deep within knows i can do it. I know i can do it.I also know many people say out of 1000f those who try 2% actually get in. Well i know that im gonna be apart of that 2%.Nothings gonna stop me from reaching there.Im sorry for typing so much but i have one more thing to tell and ask. I dont just want to do this for me. People all over the world are depending on us to entertain them and keep a dream alive. Thats my goal to keep mine and their dreams alive. pease give me as much advice as you can. Thank you

Hi Madilline. You're right, there is much to do - and learn - and it takes a lot of time and effort and energy. If you are determined to become an entertainer and voice-over actor, you will do what you need to do to get started; like all the things discussed in the AWOL lessons and in ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business. Perhaps some of your other extra curricular school activities will have to take second place to your performance skill development. This might help you find time to devote to your deepest dream.

From Hyanglae, jin: Hello I'm looking for begining acting school in London. Is there have good class or course..?? I'm really want to learn acting . can you recommend that beginnig acting class or course?? thanks a lot

Hi Hyanglae, jin. Start with the AWOL Search Machine and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

From Lola: i read alot of the questions and answers and i'm wondering about what stuff you said to send in to casting directors. What do you mean by a cd or a video? Should there be a momlouge on the video? Should it be a demo cd? i also want to applaud you for getting back to people so quickly. all my friends who use this site absolutely love it! Thanks!

Hi Lola. See AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business - Chapter 7

From Jannie: Here is a huge tip for people who want to learn to memorize lines. What you need to do is have your lines out infront of you so that you can see them clearly. Then you read your first line outloud. After you are done, then close your eyes and repeat it without looking. Then read the next line outloud. HERES THE CATCH. then you have to close your eyes, repeat the first line you said and then say the second line. after a while all of the lines will just start naturally flowing out of your mouth.

Hi Jannie. Thanks for the tip. we'll post it to our AWOL lesson, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

From Soon2BeFamous: I really want to get into acting and i have professional Broadway experience. My parents are hesitant about getting an agent. Can I get jobs and do mailings without and agent? Also, I'm intrested in Disney Channel auditions for Hannah Montana or the Suite Life of Zack and Cody or any other shows or movies. What should i send in?

Hi Soon2BeFamous. I don't believe there are general auditions at this time, but you can send your photo and résumé to:
GOLDWASSER/MELTZER CASTING
TRIBUNE STUDIOS
5800 W. SUNSET BLVD.
BLDG. 11, SUITE 201
HOLLYWOOD, CA 90028


They might take a look at it - but the video better be outstanding.

From Alexis: How do you get a job on Disney Channel

Hi Alexis. See above.

From vivian macias: what age can an actor be?

Hi vivian macias. Any age is OK to start.

From iwish: I am in a play, and i need ot do voice exercises, but i don't know what they are because i missed them at rehersal, can you please tell me?

Hi iwish. See the AWOL lesson, GETTING PHYSICAL.

From Keladry: Hi! I gotta say on behalf of all us w/questions that you are amazing for taking the time to answer them. ^^ I got into New World School of the Arts for their musical theatre program, so I'll be going there for college in the fall. Some local theatres are gonna be holding auditions for their 07-08 season soon, but New World doesn't allow students to audition for productions until mid-sophomore year. (sounds like a bad thing, but it's really a very good thing) So my question is this: I still want to do shows over the summer, but would it work against me to go to the 07-08 season auditions knowing I'd only be able to work the summer shows if I get cast? (I want to make this last summer before college a busy one!)If that wouldn't work well, are there any camp-free ways I could acting-wise make the most of my summer? Many thanks in advance!

Hi Keladry. Contact the various production companies and ask if they cast seperately for their summer and regular season shows. Also, there are many theatre groups that only produce summer shows. Check AWOL's Instant Auditions for starters.

From Rachel: Is it true that your contract says you don't have to do anything you feel uncomfortable with, like swearing onscreen?

Hi Rachel. No. But you can try to get such clauses added to a contract.

From from little house on the prairie fan : I was wondering when actress have to be at rehersal or on the set filming and they can not make it to the set or rehersal because they are sick or they have a doctors appoiment do they call the agency and tell then they can not be in today because ...

Hi from little house on the prairie fan. A performer would contact whoever they were told to contact. It would vary depending on the production. Having a doctor's appointment is not usually a good excuse unless it is an emergency. It is usually best to reschedule the doctor's appointment.

From addy: Does acting include traveling like in tours to do performances?

Hi addy. It would if you got a job performing in a touring show.

From Karume.: I am Young Congolese amateur actor of 27 years old, but I want to do professional acting in the American Broadway shows in New York and then in Hollywood movies. I know that I have the talent, because I have been acting since I was a child, I also have a good sense of creative story writing. My question is, do you think I can make it? To be a great foreign actor from Africa in the U.S.A.? Since, I was a teenage boy, my dream was to become a great Broadway and Hollywood foreign superstar. Can I make it? If yes, What and how can I do it?

Hi Karume.. Somebody has to make it. Might as well be you - if you are willing to work hard, study and perform every opportunity you get. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage.

From Kate: Hi, I've looked everywhere for tips on memorizing lines, and this seems the best site. The technique that works for me the best is PRACTICING.

I'm 13 and have 175 lines in this play thats really dramatic. I'm on stage the whole play and with everyone else changing, I memorize whats going to happen in that scene. (ex. What are they going to talk to me about? Are they trying to hurt me? Should I act scared, or angry?) This helps me a lot since each character comes and talks to me for a different reason.

And, also, when you read over the script and practice on stage, it's easier to know where each line goes.

Hi Kate. Good suggestions. We'll post your message to our page re: memorizing lines, LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

From Brianna: my goal in life is to be an actress, its been my goal since i was seven. I know acting cost alot of money,but I was just wondering what the average would be/or required tasks for acting.

Hi Brianna. Acting does not cost a lot of money. For info about the acting business, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

From Sarah: I am taking a Stage Combat course and was wondering if there are any comprehensive or compiled lists of plays with combat scenes in them? Thanks!!!

Hi Sarah. Just about every Shakespeare play has some stage combat. Also, try the stage combat sites. Perhaps someone specializing in stage combat has compiled such info. If not, then I guess it will be up to you.

From hayley: Hi... i was wondering if you could help me find SINGING auditions..im also interested in acting...but mostling singing..i would love to have or be on a show like Hannah Montana..... i live in VA...fredericksburg VA...so plaese help me!!!!!! thank you!!

Hi hayley. Regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

From Jessie: I wear glasses, and there's absolutely no possibility of my ever wearing contacts. Does that mean acting is out for me? I mean, I can still see without them, just not details.

Hi Jessie. Good news! You can still be an actor.

From jake: how much do actors make per year

Hi jake. See the AWOL lesson, AN ACTOR'S LIFE...

From iwish: ok, so i live in a small town in ontario, near toronto, and buffalo. I am really interested in becoming an actress for screen. I am 15 years old, and i don't have an agent at the moment. I don't know where to look for open auditions, are there any site is could try that would have some stuff in toronto or buffalo? I ahve looked at the auditions on your site, but none of them apply to me, so i was hopeing maybe you could tell me of some other sites i could try, please thank-you

Hi iwish. Try this site, http://www.pact.ca/who.cfm.

From stevie: hi. I live in a small town with no money to have acting lessons, but i really want to become an actress. what should i do?

Hi stevie. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

From DramaKing: Hi. I sent a head shot and Resume to Abrams Artists Agency. I know that they have a youth department so i thought that would be good. I also sent a cover letter. I dont know if that was needed though.??. But the problem for me is that I live in Maine which pretty far from NYC which is where Abrams is located. Actually its far from anything exciting. Would boston be better? Can you give me some advice? Im 15 and would love to be on television. Do you post auditions for teens? or just disney channel? cuz it seems like theres alot of disney stuff being menitioned on this site. Thanks. I know this asking alot of you and i really do appreciate it.

Hi DramaKing. Boston is a bit closer. However, I suggest you spend the next 3 or 4 years developing your acting, singing, dancing and other performance skills. Get parts in as many local productions as you can. For more about how to prepare yourself for a professional career, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

Youo might consider attending a professional training program either in college or at a conservatory. Eventually, you will be ready to hit the big time, then a move to NY or LA is in order. But don't leave until you are ready to compete in those intense, professional markets.

From Addie R: I have always wanted to be an actress on disney channel. How can I become an actress or a special guest on disney channels " Hannah Montanna"?

Hi Addie R. Open calls for a number of Disney Channel shows, including Hannah Montanna, are over. However, you can always send your info and maybe get lucky on their next production of whatever. Contact Disney Channel and inquire about who to send your info to. A high-quality CD or video of samples of your work would be good to send with a résumé. Don't expect to get them returned to you. Disney Channel 3800 West Alameda Avenue Burbank, CA 91505 (818) 569-7500 www.DisneyChannel.com

From haley: Are there any auditions for High School Musical 2 still, or have I missed the boat??

Hi haley. Too late.

From kitkat: Hello! i was wondering who wrote this site because i am doing a report and i am using this as one of my sources.

Hi kitkat. Cool Bill and Associates.

From April: what does it take to become an actor

Hi April. See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business

From Allyssa: Hi um i live in NY and um i was wondering how can i live in Ny and stay in NY forever without leaving and still be an actor

Hi Allyssa. Develop the skills necessary for actors to earn a living in live theatre, voice-overs and commercials (dance, singing, acting, voice-over techniques, commercial acting techniques.)

From Laura: I'm 17 years old (almost 18 actually) and I've participated in theater at my school for many years. I've always had an interest in taking up acting professionally and going to auditions. But if I go to an audition, will the people in charge of casting not consider me because I haven't taken any acting classes? Also I know everyone has asked about disney channel, so I have to ask, are they having any open calls for any of their shows? Thanks a bunchh!

Hi Laura. Open calls for a number of Disney Channel shows are over. However, you can always send your info and maybe get lucky on their next production of whatever. Contact Disney Channel and inquire about who to send your info to. A high-quality CD or video of samples of your work would be good to send with a résumé. Don't expect to get them returned to you.
Disney Channel
3800 West Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 569-7500
www.DisneyChannel.com

They are interested in what you can do - not where you got some training.

From kim: i am 14 and all my life I have wanted to become an actress. my mom doesn't think that it is the best career for me. what should I do?

Hi kim. Here are a few strategies that can help:

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS remain calm, respectful and rational. You cannot expect your parents to change their attitudes overnight. Angry outbursts as a reaction to your disappointment will only set them more firmly against the whole idea. Building support from reluctant parents is complex and must be approached objectively and calmly.

Tantrums, shouting matches, defiance, anger and whining are not acceptable behaviors for a professional actor. Show your parents you are mature, responsible, trustworthy, and can handle disappointment gracefully, like a pro. These are important traits for an actor to possess.

Negotiations frequently involve setbacks. How you handle those setbacks is an important part of continued success. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal, your long-term goal, is to help your parents feel comfortable, be accepting and be supportive of your desire and efforts to study and do acting.

You need your parents on your side. This is new for them. Work on the idea slowly. Don't shove it at them all at once. It could take months or a year or more to make headway. Success takes its own time. Those who are prepared and ready recognize it when it arrives. Don't rush blindly toward some imagined wisp of stardom. Prepare yourself for success.

In the mean time, demonstrate your interest in acting by:
* Attending local plays - not just movies.
* Find out about your local community theatres and subscribe to their newsletters.
* Read lots and lots of books about acting so you can learn something about acting and the business of acting, even if you cannot attend classes. You can find acting books in the library or you can purchase some through AWOL's Book Search.
* Read the FREE Acting Lessons on the AWOL homepage.
* Take any performance skill classes you can in and outside of school. This includes acting, dance, singing, voice, music, even such things as forensics, juggling, martial arts...These are very valuable skills for an actor to have. You never know what you will called upon to do for a role. The more skills you are competent in, the more employable you are - and better able to pay the monthly bills when you are on your own as a struggling actor in NY or LA.

They will still be making movies and theatre productions when you are prepared and ready - and when you have your parents on your side.

From Richard: What is a good cover letter?

Hi Richard. See our info re: cover letters in AWOL's lesson "I GOTTA GET AN AGENT ! ! !".

From Zach: Will getting into the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television greatly affect my chance of "making it" in Hollywood?

Hi Zach. Yes.

From kevin: How can I memorize all my lines?

Hi kevin. See the AWOL lesson LINE! LINE! WHAT'S MY LINE?.

From michelle: Hi. I just want to know if its worth it to pay $2600 for about 20 weeks for a modeling/acting school to help me with my career? I have already read what about scams and I'm still confused. Can you help me with that? Thanks.

Hi michelle. Yes, I can help. It will not help you with your career. Save your money. What will help you? See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

From Scott: I really love the whole concept of acting. I always dream of being an actor, i can always see myself in movies, but theres one problem, when it comes to reading scripts i just don't put Enthusiasm into it. People always tell me i can act but when i am reading from a script i just go dull. I will do anything to be an actor, so can you give me any adivice to help me.

Hi Scott. Practice reading scripts. Read 50 or so scripts - with feeling. That ought to do it.

From fan of samantha micelli : i was wondering do actress choose there own customes, also how do actress change costume so fast instead of asking here where can i find questions and answers to all of my acting questions also when actress are not on scene and are waiting for there scene what do they do and where are they

Hi fan of samantha micelli . If a quick change is required; and for many professional productions; there is a "dresser" back stage to assist the actors. Sometimes special clothes are designed for quick changes. When not needed for a scene, actors are somewhere near by, doing whatever. If they are done and no longer needed, they might stick around to wait for friends, or they might be on their way home, or on their way to a party.

From ella: What kind of people do casting people and agents like? And how would an agent or casting director be able to tell that you can make them a lot of money? I have just seen so many shows and movies where the acting is horriable, and I think why would they hire these horriable actors. I just dont get why they would hire some one who isnt so good rather than someone that is better. I always think how come tons of bad actors get to be in shows or movies and I probable never will? ;(

Hi ella. You probably never will because you probably will stop trying.

From Paris: when i do make a CD or a dvd or anything to the disney channel casting group up above. what address do i send it to??

Hi Paris. It is now too late to send to the Disney Channel auditions. We received word today from the Disney people that the auditions are closed.

From Linda: where can i write to elaine saussotte and also if you want costume from tv show where can i get them and if i can t can i get elaine saussotte to make them for me cause their are costume that i really like to have please reply

Hi Linda. Perhaps you missed it. We are an acting site. Not a costume site.

From *Jazzy*: Does it matter how much i send to Disney Channel?

Hi *Jazzy*. It is now too late to send to the Disney Channel auditions. We received word today from the Disney people that the auditions are closed.

From clinton: how to be chosen to act on the suite life of zack and cody

Hi clinton. They are looking for TEEN BOYS AND GIRLS - Ages 12-17, all ethnicities. They are seeking teenaged actors who also might sing and dance. They are seeking strong, appealing comic actors with star qualities. They are seeking talent of all ethnicities; e.g., African American, Hispanic, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, Caucasian, and others.

If that's you, then send in your stuff.

From Hampton: I want to be an actress but I dont have much of a resume. I dont have an agent and I dont live in a huge city, so I dont know if I have a chance. I really want to do something like Disney but I don't know how. Please help me!!

Hi Hampton. Help is on the way! See the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business and regularly check AWOL's Instant Auditions.

From kengi: can u suggest any good upbeat and slow song to sing for a Disney channel audition

Hi kengi. Forever Young - Joan Baez version.

From Zack: I have developed an interest in acting, and I want to know if you have any advice. Where do I go from here? I read your free lessons, but should I go to an acting school? Also, I might be getting into UCLA, and I have heard that they have a very good school of acting. Would it be worth my time to enroll in this class? I have started lifting weights, and I was wondering if building a body can limit you in the acting business, or if it is a good thing. I have a problem with stage fright. I get up in front of more than three or four people, and I freeze. Any suggestions? Does martial arts help you get parts?

Hi Zack. Did you also read ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business?

It would be worth enrolling in UCLA's acting program. There is an audition to get in. Better start practisin'. http://www.tft.ucla.edu/dot_ba/index.cfm?action=faq

If martial arts skills are required for a role, you will have the skills. It is a good idea to develop a variety of skills aside from performance skills.

Which ones? Whatever interests you. Scuba diving if you like. Snow boarding. Harmonica playing. Holding your breath for long periods of time. Whatever. You never know what special skills a role might call for.

Re: the stage fright. I suggest you get up infront of more than four people as often as possible. Eventually, you will get used to it.

From Hadley: *sigh* I'm sure I do. Sorry again.

From Michael : Do you know of anywhere on the net where current broadway directors/casting directors talk about what they are looking for for specific shows? For example, I recently went to a Telsey + Company audition in Orlando where they were seeking immediate/future replacements for 5 shows (Rent, Wicked, Hairspray, The Color Purple, and Tarzan.) Hope this is clear.

Hi Michael . Wouldn't it be nice if things worked that easily. They don't. So you will have to do a little work yourself. A good place to start is by becoming familiar with the productions. Search the internet to get some cast and background info. You can also search for reviews and other web writings about the various productions. If you check out the numerous auditions we post on AWOL's Instant Auditions page, you will notice many of them provide a brief description of what the casting people are seeking.

From raven y.: how much would it be if you asked me to come over to audition, how much would it cost

Hi raven y. Nothing, we don't hold auditions.

From raven y.: hi, i was wondering, if you live in new zealand somewhere and lets just say i posted a picture of me to los angelas for to see if i could get an audition over there, and if i did and you ask me to come over so you could see me in person, what if i don't have my pass port and don't have enough money to go over there

Hi raven y. Then you would not get the audition.

From kengi: 1)hi, i was wonderin... do u continuosly call and send ur stuff in to them? 2) after you know all the casting directors for all the disney shows, get their address and send stuff into them too?

Hi kengi. Do not continuously call. I think it would be a good idea if you read through our info in AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business - before you make a nuisance of yourself.

From tianna: Ummm is it to late to send it in my information i just finished up

Hi tianna. Does the info do you any good if you leave it laying around your house?

From ashley: How do actors and actresses get a agent? how do we actors and actresses get into acting auditions?? what is acting emotions all about and how do you strive for the learning about them with out cutting your budget? how many acting schools are their that we can get to with a good cost? how many actors and actresses do we have in the united states? were do we find acting auditions without singing and dancing?

Hi ashley. We don't really want to rewrite all our lessons pages and guide book, so to find the answers to all your questions (and a lot of questions you haven't thought of yet, see the FREE lessons on the AWOL homepage, sign-up for AWOL's FREE How To Get Discovered Club, study AWOL's guide book, ACTING: AWOL's FREE Guide to Earning Money in the Business.

From Robert: I am a sixteen year old boy, and I am just starting to get interested in acting. I am also writing many screenplays. What would you recommend as my next move? I have read all of your AWOL links, and they contained a lot of information. However, I live in a theater-challenged area. Should I devote my time to writing, or should I find out if there are any theater groups around here? Another question about screenplays. Do writers ever star in their own movies? Thanks.

Hi Robert. Few writers star in their own movies. I think you should search for theatre groups, start your own group and make your own films. Post them to YouTube.

From Bubbles: How can you convincingly perform dying, or being dead onstage?

Hi Bubbles. The dead on stage part is easy. Just don't move. The audience will get the idea. The performing dying is not much different than any other acting. For some basic lessons, see the AWOL lessons,

THE ESSENCE OF ACTING
ACTING AS CONVERSATION
GETTING PHYSICAL

From peter.a: i am 16 going 17.i am a drop out . i kind of got the acting bug and it messed me up thoroughly;from a top ranking school to a nobody.i am looking for anyone out there who can take me and sponsor me to a drama school aven though i have not finished school.that is my only dying wish.i am from kenya.thanks.

Hi peter.a. Are you planning on dying any time soon?

From Laura: hi, im 14 and have become interested in acting in the last year, ive read all your lessons and they have really helped me understand acting more thanks! but my mam really doesnt help, like many others have probably heard she's always saying 'be realistic' or 'stop dreaming laura your being stupid' ect. at one point i did stop to think, 'am i being stupid' so i looked into it and after reading your lessons i realised im not.

because im from a small town she says 'how many people from here do you know who are famous' so i thought, well have any of them actually tried? probably not. so i thought of leaving school at 16 (im from engand by the way) and moving to larger town or city, like london, then once i have enough money move to l.a. but im to scared to tell her this because shes always wanted me to go to collage, and as much as i want to keep her happy theres really nothing else i want to do other than acting.
And im not really that experienced, im taking a drama course at school, and have been in a few small plays, but thats it. and as i have an accent she said she would let me have elocution lessons, but thats only because she thinks it nice when people talk nice, not because i want to act. can you help me? id really appreciate it.

Hi Laura. I suggest you stay in England for awhile and study acting as part of your college studies. There are many excellent actor training programs in England and many opportunities to develop performance skills and get professional experience.

After you have seriously studied acting in England and developed a solid body of professional work (perhaps in London?) you can rationally entertain the notion of coming to LA. to further your professional ambitions.

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