How Do Beginners Learn Acting?

So, you’ve decided you want to become an actress or actor. That’s some awesome news. Now you’re probably wondering how you’re going to go about it? If you’ve decided to dedicate your life to become an actor, you need to know there are no shortcuts.  

The good news is it’s doable. Thousands of top actors have been where you are today. After all, even Edris Elba was a beginner at some point. The most important thing for you is to take action and start learning how to become a good actor. 

So, before you start searching for where to find actor classes in California, keep on reading to find out how beginners learn acting.

1. Read, Read, Read

Yeah, you read that right. You’ve got to start reading. It will help if you familiarize yourself with the industry. How does the industry work? What are the ins and outs of acting? Think of it this way. When you walk into a new restaurant, do you order first, or do you first go through their menu to know what they are offering? 

Learning about the industry, talent agents, managers, casting directors, and how to market yourself will help you learn what you need to do to get to where you want to be. 

Reading will also help you improve your acting skills. Lots of established players in the industry have written books on different acting techniques. They will help you learn the theory behind truthful acting as well as improve your creativity.

If you’re starting out as an actor, you can never underestimate the importance of self-learning.

2. Attend Acting Classes

You can’t solely rely on self-learning. Can you now? There is a lot of value to attending acting classes, especially for beginners. You may have the drive and talent to become a top actor, but it’s also important to learn how to harness them to your benefit. You can only do this if you’ve got a knowledgeable acting coach guiding you.

Acting lessons, especially for beginners, are essential to overcoming stage fright, learning different acting techniques, improvisation, and characterization. With proper guidance, you will know the craft and the tools to use to harness your talent. Only then will you be able to set yourself free as an actor and use your imagination to create an honest and truthful portrayal of a character. 

However, we should mention that this is a process that you shouldn’t rush. A few weeks of acting classes won’t turn you into an acting sensation.

3. Gain Some Actual Experience

What better way is there for a novice to learn acting than gaining actual acting experience? You could try and get an acting gig on a movie or a tv show, join an amateur theatre company, improvisation groups, community theatre, student films, or play readings.

Be on the lookout for opportunities where you can get the opportunity to act. There’s a lot of benefit to going out there and gaining some experience. You’ll gain vital acting experience; you’ll build up your resume, and you get to network with people in the industry. 

4. Watch People

No, not in a creepy way. We don’t want you to be falsely accused of wrongdoing. Watching people in their natural element will help you learn how people behave in different environments, situations, and settings. 

Great places to watch people are at your local Starbucks, at the pack, in the tube, and on the streets. While acting can be considered fiction, the characterization should be genuine and unique. And the best way to truthfully portray a character is to be aware of how the character would behave in day-to-day life.

5. Watch TV and Movies and Go to Theatres

An excellent way to learn is to watch the masters of the craft. What makes an actor good? If you want to find out the answer to this question, you’ll find the answer lying with good actors. Therefore, you have to constantly watch movies and tv shows and go to theatres to figure out what makes top actors brilliant. 

If you can identify what makes them brilliant and apply it to yourself, then you’re a step closer to your dream. Right? 

6. Get Used to Rejection and Learn from It

We felt that we should add this last one to the list for one good reason. In your early days as an actor, you will likely be rejected many times that you might consider quitting. Top actors like Henry Cavill, Kristen Stewart, Mark Ruffalo, Melissa McCarthy had, at some point in their careers, considered quitting because of being rejected so many times. 

Today, the acting industry is very competitive. Even top stars miss out on roles because of stiff competition. Therefore, you’ll need to learn how to handle rejection early on in your career. And make sure you learn from this rejection. If possible, ask for feedback. Only then can you improve your acting skills.

If you enjoyed reading the article, what other ways can beginners learn acting? Comment in the comment section below.