Q: I keep hearing from lots of people that "If you want to make it as an actor, you have to get out of N.C. and move to N.Y., L.A., or Atlanta." I guess my question is, should I spend the next two years putting myself out there, hiring a couple of acting coaches, going to auditions, doing small roles for independent films, and getting an agent who knows what they're doing?
AO: There are certainly more opportunities in New York and Los Angeles for actors than there are in North Carolina. However, you'll have more competition in those places as well.
My personal philosophy is to do as much as you can where you are with the resources you have. If you are in a position to uproot and move to New York or Los Angeles and can sustain your lifestyle while there, then by all means go my friend.
If you don't have an agent, don't have a SAG card, don't have a resume, a reel, and don't have any classes under your belt - then you're probably not ready to move away just yet.
Take advantage of a smaller market such as North Carolina and use it as a spring board to expand your resume and skills. The North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and has a wonderful film program that utilizes lots of beginning actors. Contact the film department and get your headshot and resume on file with them. They'll let you know about upcoming auditions.
Most NC & SC colleges and community colleges offer acting classes both for theater and film - take some classes and network with both the students and the teachers to find out who needs actors for upcoming productions.
Check the NC & SC film commissions for upcoming productions and find out who is casting those upcoming films. Get your headshot and resume on file with them.
www.Tarheelfilms.com is a great website that will alert you to some independent films constantly looking for actors from the Carolinas.
Yes, do as many small roles in independent films as you can afford to. This will help you build a reel, and get comfortable in front of the camera while trying out new characters.
Once a movie is complete and hits the festival or film circuit - you're going to go places that physically you will never go.
Your name will get out there, people who can hire you will see you in those films, and some of the difficult choices will be made for you almost effortlessly, choices to join SAG, better connected agents, whether or not to move to another city etc.
The secret is like a ball rolling downhill - Once you get the ball started, it picks up momentum, and eventually speed until it rolls downhill on its own. You can get that ball started from wherever you are - just start it.
© 2007 Angela Oberer
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