Rick Chatham -- The Arts

Welcome to RickChatham.com

Young actors* (and their family*) often ask how they can get a start as an actor:

Please read my section at the bottom (in red) if you have not already been warned about scams in this industry.

"I wanted to let you know that some of directions you have provided me has given my brother and daughter a couple of acting jobs in Houston. ... I was able to get them free headshots and pictures! Thanks so much."

BREAKING NEWS: Check out the new Apprentice Program where you can learn one-on-one from a Pro Actor who will make a customized course of action to help get you to your goals. Whether you're in L.A. or across the country, I can help you.

First off, you have to decide what you want to do. Do you want to do stage? Film? TV? If you aren't sure, the best thing to do at a young age is diversify...do lots of things. Then you'll have a lot of different talents to pull from.

Take voice lessons: even if you don't plan on being a singer, this will help with your speaking and breath control. Most colleges will offer voice lessons to young students. For example, I took classes at a local private college when I was in 8th and 9th grades. But make sure you do all the homework the teacher or professor assigns you. There's really no point in taking the lessons otherwise.

Dance classes: Again, even if you aren't planning on being a professional dancer, the lessons will help you move with grace and ease, and maybe you'll find a hidden talent. I'd start with ballet once a week. If you have more time, add tap and then jazz. Again, take as many DIFFERENT forms of dance as you can, but ballet is the foundation of all dance so you should concentrate on it. Some schools even have "movement for actors" classes.

Acting: There might be a place nearby that offers clases. Check the local community colleges. If you're in a larger city there might even be dedicated acting schools. Check the phonebook or ask a local actor. Also check your school to see if there is a drama club.

Audition for EVERYTHING: Even if it isn't a good role for you or you know you can't do it, the audition is good experience and it will help you get known. Most big cities will have audition listings once a week in the newspaper. Also check http://www.backstage.com for professional opportunities and great articles.

Keep up on the industry: That means going to see ANY show you can. Support the theater by going out and watching shows. You'll learn a lot and you'll help those actors earn their paycheck. Also buy Broadway CDs and listen to them as much as you can. Try to figure out how what you like and why. Compare different recordings of the same show. Learn the names of the performers and read the booklet that comes along with the CD.

Professional vs. Amateur: At some point you will have to decide if you want to be a professional actor. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting a 'real job' and doing community theater for fun. In fact, I often tell people, "Only act if you have to". What does that mean? That means if you're sitting there thinking, "I kind of like acting, but I also like computers.", you should do computers. You'll make a lot more money a lot easier and be a lot happier. Only become a professional, full-time actor if it's the only thing you think about when you get up, and still the only thing you're thinking about when you fall asleep.

School vs. Moving: Once you get out of highschool, you have a big decision to make. If you want to be a professional actor you will need to eventually need to move to New York or L.A. There just isn't enough work anywhere else for you to work full time as an actor. So do you go straight to one of these cities or do you go to school first. Well, there are 3 options:

Move straight to one of these cities, get a roommate, and get a job at Starbucks because you have no skills.
Go to a performing arts academy. Some of the best are AMDA (New York and L.A.), AADA (L.A.), Boston Conservatory, and OCU (Oklahoma City).
Go to a 4 year liberal arts school and get a Bachelor's degree.

I'm a big fan of option #3 because it lets you get some life experience outside of acting and gives you some skills to fall back on. Hollywood/Broadway will still be there, so unless you want to go into modeling and you already have leads, and really don't recommend option #1.

If you want more specific advice, feel free to !write me!. Then I can give you more specific advice.

*A warning to parents of young talent (although kids should know this too). There are a lot of companies out there that are complete scams. The biggest two are John Robert Powers and Barbizon School of Modeling. Both places use despicable tactics to charge families obscene amounts of money, promising that their specific child is amazingly talented and has what it takes. If you've already been taken in by one of these groups, get away fast. If you haven't, just know that ANYONE who wants to charge you in advance is a con artist. Real agents get a 10% fee when the child works. That's it. And a real agent won't have pictures or acting/modeling lessons etc. in house. In fact, they're prevented by industry standards from even recommending specific options. The only thing your child needs to get a good agent are some decent pictures. Those should cost $150 to $250 depending on how many rolls of film are taken. The printing should be about $150 for 300 to 500 prints. And there are TONS of places that do this in New York and L.A. and will mail them to you if you aren't local. Also check out Samuel French Booksellers for a booklet called "The Right Agent" which lists all the legitimate agents in New York or L.A. or call them at (323) 876-0570 if you live in some other area.

You can contact SAG directly for a list of franchised agents in your area. You do NOT want to deal with a film/tv agent if they are not "SAG franchised". Just ask them. If they make excuses, walk out the door or hang up the phone. You can also check the Better Business Bureau for more info. www.bbb.org But remember, just because they don't have a bad rating doesn't mean they're good. It just means they haven't been caught. Here are some warning signs to look for:

They want money up front (a real agent takes money from your EARNINGS)
They have a photographer or teach of lessons in house (obvious conflict of interest)
There is language in the contract that goes beyond one or max. 3 years (look for words like "in perpetuity"... legalese for 'forever')
They advertise heavily in mass media such as radio or newspapers, or some guy at a mall gave you a card (real agents are very selective about new talent)
They want you to go to competitions, talent shows, or other such meetings where there will be "dozens of top casting directors" (these will normally sap you of thousands of dollars, and if there even ARE real casting directors there, they are only there because they are being paid under the table. Trust me, they don't take you seriously if you are there and it will actually HURT your chances of getting a part.
They promise they can get you work (it is illegal to make this promise, and also just plain untrue. There are no guarantees in this business.)
If you have any questions, please, please, please contact me FIRST. I've already saved dozens of parents *TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS*. I hate these places. Really, really hate them. If I weren't busy with my own career I would stand outside them handing out info until I shut them down. Just click !write me!.