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 practised.

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 - practise, practise, practise, practise...

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 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. Practise breathing slowly and a bit shallowly so your chest does not rise and fall too noticably. It will take some practise. 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 résumé 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.