Starting An Acting Career Myth - How to Become an Actor the Right Way
By Bailey Varness

If you've ever wanted to become a professional actor, you've heard it. It usually comes from someone who loves you like your parents. They don't want their baby to waste years and years trying to accomplish something that will never happen.

This myth does one of two things. It will discourage the actor from ever trying at all, or it will be so present in their mind that all of their work is tainted with negativity and nothing ever happens.

Getting the idea out of your head that you can't do it is the first step to becoming a successful actor. Anyone who really wants to can do it. It takes work, but there is a place for anyone in this business.

Part of the reason why actors don't make it in this profession is because they don't know anything about the business side of it. Many Universities teach students how to improve their craft and strengthen their acting skills but spend very little time on how to get consistent work and make a living as an actor.

You see, the acting business is very similar to any other that provides a service, like a landscaper. The problem is that a lot of actors will just sit at home waiting to be discovered. If a landscaper ran his business in the same manner, he'd be out of work too. To succeed as an actor, you have to understand exactly how to market yourself and all the business that goes along with it.

If you are a parent with a son or daughter who has a deep passion to be a part of the acting world, why don't you encourage them to learn the business side as well as the acting side. If they still want to be an actor after understanding all the extra work that goes into the business, good for them.

Another myth that discourages many actors is that there is way too much competition to be successful. They think that unless you know somebody important in the business, you won't make it. It's true that there are around 100,000 actors just in New York. What many people don't realize though is that only a percentage of those actors are competition.

This is because of what actors call their "type." An actor's type basically is a description of what parts they would be cast as. For example, Sylvestor Stalone's type is a determined tough guy. Rick Moranis is a geeky dad type. Becaus of their different types, they would never be in direct competition with each other. They would never be up for the same part.

There is competition in any profession, even for Wal-Mart. Is there quite a bit of competition in the acting business. Yes, but it's definately not the most competitive profession either. You have to be willing to work hard. You also have to understand how to run your business.

I hope this helps to encourage potential actors to go after their dreams. I also hope that parents of potential actors will encourage them to be prepared and not discourage them from ever trying.