How to get into acting with no experience.

To get into acting with no experience, follow these steps:

Decide what type of actor you would like to be

First, you have to decide what type of actor you would like to be. Are you aiming to get into film and television or do you want a career in the theater? Some actors want and achieve both. However, trying to figure out the specific acting career you want to have can influence what steps you take and when you take them.

This is also a question as to what type of acting you want to pursue, as in drama, comedy, or any other subcategory. Again, some actors can have versatile careers in many different genres of productions.

However, when starting, it helps you to set a clear intention as to what type of acting you want to pursue. Take stock of whatever your strengths are and determine what type of acting you want to pursue.

Practice by yourself at first

Then start to practice at home. Take cues from films, TV shows, or recorded plays that display the type of acting you wish to pursue. Try to imitate the actors you see.

Get literature on acting

There are many great books on acting. Stella Adler's 'The Art of Acting' and Konstantin Stainislavki's 'An Actor's Work' are considered by many to be two of the greatest books on acting. However, there is so much other great literature on the subject. Do some research and read as much as you can.

Consume other media on acting

In addition to books, there is a wealth of knowledge about acting in other formats. And the great thing is that much of this is free. Check out different podcasts and tutorial videos on the craft, and again seek to digest as much as possible.

There are also paid options in these areas, such as online courses like Masterclass. However, before spending too much money, make sure you gain enough knowledge and even some experience.

Join a community theater program

These are ideal opportunities for people that want to pursue acting but don't have any experience. It gives you the ability to develop confidence in front of an audience and just in general as an actor.

It also has the benefit of one of the most important parts of acting which are interacting with other actors. You also can try out a variety of roles and see what kind of productions you are most suited to and enjoy the most.

Once you have a good initial foundation of what type of acting you want to pursue, take some acting classes. Many communities have small acting workshops that are appropriate for beginners, and these usually aren't very expensive.

Acting classes can enhance valuable skills like focus, memorization, and improvisation.

Apply to a formal acting program

This is not a requirement. However, many actors do choose to go this route. A formal acting program will expose you to essential knowledge and skills needed to become a good actor. They help with learning how to use your body and voice to communicate specific emotions, and how to approach classical and modern scripts and plays.

Another huge benefit of a formal acting program is that it will present you with networking opportunities.

Take any acting opportunity you can find

As a beginner, it is important to not turn down most acting opportunities. This means productions like student films or plays at local theaters. Even if the result is an overall bad production, they are useful experiences nonetheless. You are sure to take away something that can benefit you along the way.

Create an acting reel

Student films, short films, and tapped theater productions are also great ways to start building an acting reel. An acting reel is an edited video of your most strong work as an actor. It is absolutely crucial that you develop one.

The great thing about acting reels is that they are just clips, so even if the production you were in was lacking, you only need a piece of it that showcases your abilities as an actor.

It would be advantageous to seek out a good video editor when creating your acting reel.

Establish a strong social media presence

Social media represents a unique opportunity for actors in particular. Many can become self-made this way by gaining large amounts of followers or even paid subscribers.

You could create a low-budget sketch comedy show or some short-form films with you as the lead. Social media is critical to promoting yourself as an actor and getting noticed.

Get professional headshots

Get headshots from a professional photographer. This can be expensive, but it's well worth it. Your headshots will be used when submitting for auditions or trying to find an agent or manager, in addition to your acting reel of course.

Move to Los Angeles or New York

These are by no means the only places you can become an actor. Chicago, for instance, also has a thriving theater scene.

However, if you are looking to break into TV and Film, Los Angeles is probably still the surest route. If you want to act on Broadway, you need to go to Broadway, and move to New York City.

Both of these cities, as acting hubs, also have an immense amount of acting resources that you can utilize.

Go on auditions and get rejected

Auditioning is one of the hardest parts about being an actor. You are liable to go on hundreds of auditions and be rejected the majority of the time. This isn't the case for every actor of course, but learning to deal with rejection and finding the fortitude to keep going is an essential skill needed for most actors.