They say luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. So how do you reconcile wanting to be booked in a notoriously unpredictable industry? One word: dedication. We’re breaking down how to get an acting job into easy steps that will form the foundation of your career.
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Before you start applying for acting jobs, you will need some sort of experience. Whether it’s through classical training or building a CV with a list of productions you’ve been a part of, this is what casting directors will be looking at.
Unlike its corporate counterparts, your acting CV should state your physical attributes, such as height, build, and playing age, along with contact information such as your email address and phone number. This is especially important at the beginning of the casting process, because it will help the casting team mentally place you within their production.
Your acting credits will make up the bulk of your CV. If you’re in the early stages of your journey, make sure to include your credits in training and any am-dram experience you may have. The format for stage work normally covers the roles you portrayed, the title of the productions, the directors, and the theatres or companies that put on the shows. Film, television, and voice acting follow the same structure, with the production company (film and TV) or the hosting platform (voiceovers, radio plays, audiobooks, etc.) substituting for the theatre slot.
Specify your training, too, including any drama schools, workshops, and classes you’ve taken. You should state the name of the course, as well as the institution that provided it and the year you took it.
A quick mention of your skills also goes a long way. Any accents, languages, or musical instruments you know could ultimately make the difference. If you sing or dance, put down your range and any style you specialise in. The broader your interests and expertise, the more accomplished you will be as a performer.
Finally, enclose your headshot. At the start, it doesn’t need to be a professional photo. (Once you start booking roles, however, you may want to upgrade.) Just make sure it is a colour portrait shot in decent lighting against a plain background, and wear a natural expression and minimal makeup
You may want to avoid being typecast, but having a niche in which you can show your range helps. Are you a great character actor or a contemporary dancer? Shoot sketches or choreography on your phone and build your online presence. Having a following on social media can prove favourable when it comes to being chosen for a role. It can give producers a sense of security when it comes to sales forecasts and guarantee their show will have an online presence through you. It will also help with your confidence and teach you how to project your own personality beyond the screen.
Narrowing down the path (or paths) you may want to pursue will also help you when you’re looking for a job, and understanding your casting type is essential. Age and appearance are the foundations of your type, but skills, personality, and sometimes the sound of your voice play into it too. Think of it this way: Tom Cruise doesn’t go for the same roles as Timothée Chalamet.
Once you have enough material to put together a showreel, you’ll also be able to submit it to agents along with your acting CV and headshots. You can continue to create your own sketches and other content that lines up with the future jobs you’d like to land. Social media platforms are a great way to promote yourself and show what you can do.
If you’re lucky enough to have an agent, they will take care of most of the searching. If you’re unrepresented, however, it’s crucial for you to understand how to find casting calls, and knowing your bearings when navigating databases and call-outs is important.
Your training will be a valuable tender during your job hunt. In addition to your experience, it will be the first information the casting panel will look for. We may like to think that roles always go to the best-suited person in the room, but having professional links to the production won’t hurt. Whether through networking events or opportunities created by your drama school or course, try to build a rapport with your teachers, mentors, and peers. In such a close-knit industry, the more friends you have, the more doors will open for you.
Once you’ve landed an audition, it’s time to prep. You can never be overprepared, so learn your lines and do your research ahead of time. You may be asked to submit a self-tape (a recording of yourself reading your sides) or go in for an in-person session. Look at auditioning not as a job interview, but as an opportunity to be in the room and learn firsthand from professionals. It can feel intimidating, but everyone involved will want you to succeed. You may not be the right fit for the role they’re casting right now, but each member of the panel is bound to work on other projects you could be perfect for. It’s a way to network, show your personality, and gain experience. The more auditions you get, the better you’ll become at them.
Receiving a callback can be both exciting and scary. The casting panel loved you, but now you have to prove you are indeed the best person for the job. Try not to change anything in your approach, but be prepared to undergo more scrutiny in your work. You may be asked to deliver the scene in different ways and dive deeper into the character, or you may be paired as scene partners with another actor. Being proactive and receiving notes positively is paramount at this stage. It will show the kind of person you are and prove you’re flexible in your acting. This is also a chance to get to know the team and ask questions.
Booking acting jobs can feel daunting when you’re starting out. Remember that longevity is key to a successful career: Be resilient, be versatile, be disciplined, and don’t lose hope. Your name will be in the credits if you stick at it.
