6 Reasons Why After Good Schooling You Fail to Be an Actor

What they don't teach you in an acting school

What Acting Schools Don�t Teach You

Like many of you, I attended a top acting school in the USA and in India with a diploma, a fancy piece of paper that says �You are a great actor!� I was a big fish in a small pond (school), played lots of big roles, and took lots of acting, voice, and movement classes. I studied Meisner, Stella Adler (2 of my favorites), Stanislavsky and some other techniques. I even learnt how to wear neutral mask!

One of the many useful things that acting school teaches is that training is essential, and should always be part of your career.

Fancy diploma in hand, I moved to Mumbai one month from USA with cheap headshots in my bag, a mediocre temporary job, and wondered �Where are all these high paying acting jobs I�m supposed to be getting? What do you mean I have to get few artist coordinators"? I quickly realized there is this whole �business� side of acting, nobody had told me about. I needed to change my approach, get humble, and come up with a game plan.

Later I came to know most of the acting schools in India and around the world usually forget to mention and train actors on these vital success factors:

Here is the list of those 6 things 

1. Don�t think you are special 

You may have gotten a standing ovation for playing a great role in a school class,� but you aren�t the star anymore. You will be in the audition room with people who don�t have any training, who have never taken an acting class, and yet have big coordinators. Some of them already have many of television serials and film credits. And guess what? They are up for the same parts you are in an audition. Accept it. Everyone is in the same boat now, top schools and fancy acting degree, diplomas or certificates or not.

2. For sure acting is business, too. 

It�s one thing to be a good actor; it�s another thing to be a �smart� actor. Acting school is all about the �art.� In the real world, it�s about the �business.� Nobody is going to come knocking on your door begging you to act for them. You have to do the work to get noticed. You have to combine artistry with business intelligence if you want to make money doing this and support yourself. That means killer headshots, a good 2-3 minute demo reel, great audition techniques, monologues (that aren�t too common and one for all), networking (without being annoying), branding, doing �meet and greets� with coordinators and casting directors, creating a website, making your own content, and being the CEO of your own acting business.

3. You won�t be Salman Khan or Deepika Padkone right away  

Yes, you were the lead in  your performances  in school. Everyone told you how great you are. Now you have to go back to the bottom. The reality is that most actors, once they register with few coordinators, just wait for some top producers like Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali to knock their door. The fact is you will have to start, maybe with without a dialog, one liner role and slowly build up your r�sum� and show reel before casting directors are even considering you for auditions for major films or serial regular roles on television. This might take a few years, hence patience and taking care of financial irregularities is the key to survival. Bollywood star status comes later

4. Know your �type� 

In acting school you play all types- an executive, a lover, a villain, a taxi driver, younger or older than your age and many other types. Now you are in Mumbai- �Maya Nagri� Bollywood , one of the biggest cine and television markets in the world. You now have a five-year age range (not 40), and a character �type� that defines you. There are thousands of other actors who have the same type. Accept it and be the best actor in your type.

5. You must learn to �master the Audition Room� 

When it comes to television and film, you can be an amazing actor, but terrible at auditioning, or a terrible actor, but wonderful, confident, and charming in auditions. You have to be �good in the room� as they say. You have to learn the fine art of auditioning (eye-lines, slating, memorizing your lines in 15 minutes, etc.), as that is the gateway to you getting your dream role, and getting casting directors to �trust� you. Take audition workshops, see yourself on camera, or learn from your acting coach. You have to understand tone, the rhythm of television, what works on camera, how to take down your performance for a medium shot, how to embrace your personality, make strong choices, and be authentic.

6. Requisite focus on Acting for the camera

 If you don�t learn the art of acting for the camera, you will simply make a lot of technical mistakes, look either flat, fake or will just exaggerate gestures and voice
This is the most important, and took me months to figure out. Most casting directors for television and film will tell you to �keep it natural, �or �don�t act, just say the lines.� �But I went to a top acting school!� you argue with yourself. It doesn�t matter. You are no longer playing in an acting class. You are playing to an HD camera three to five feet away, which magnifies everything you do, and even the smallest gestures can seem too big. Be economical with your gestures, subtle with your emotions, and use your eyes. Just think and feel, instead of showing.
Acting school training can create confidence in you as an actor.  It can be amazing, and can give you the tools and technique to have a long, successful career. But being a professional actor requires an additional set of skills, which involves knowing the market and how you fit into it, so you can put your acting certificate, diploma or degree to good decoration use. Acting schools are an important part of the equation, but remember, it�s just �the part" of the success equation.

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Am I too Young? Am I old? False! 3 Tips to be Any Age Star

16-year-old Jayati Modi, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi's niece got a role in 'Gippi'. Boman Irani age 55 years; D.O.B. 2nd December 1959

• If you�re good at your craft and really focused on what you want, I don�t think your age matters. It may be a bit harder in some areas, sure, but that is nothing new in our business. We all have our challenges, but I truly believe that the key to success is understanding how to look at your career with a lens showing you an optimistic and �what could be possible� view. It�s true with everything in life and acting is no different, whatever age you are. 

• What is critical though is that you really make sure your whole heart is in it, because it will take money, a lot of dedication, and a lot of sacrifice. This business has many rewards, but it is not for the weak hearts. Opportunities will come up that could move your career forward and you will have to choose them instead wasting your precious time in chatting on the social media, partying with friends and in all other activities which cannot help you to climb the ladder of success. You can have a life, of course, but you are going to need a lot of time in gaining experience grabbing every job which comes in your way to create a good show-reel, in a continues acting training, building up industry contacts, attending auditions, perusing artist coordinators and many similar your career enhancing activities.

• I believe one of the hardest hurdles to someone entering the acting world at any age, but particularly at either early when you are around 14-17 (adolescent) or at an older age.

• Success in this business is very, very inconvenient and inconsistent. It will come when you are about to go out of town, are already out of town, when you�re tired, or when you simply don�t have the time because the rest of your life has gotten in the way. You will need to have the discipline and heart say, �This is what I want and I need to sacrifice so that I can do this coaching, feature film project, short film, etc�� 

• But if you are willing to make the sacrifice other activities not related to acting career growth and move ahead with an iron determination, then you can definitely have a career as an actor and be a Bollywood or TV Serial Star! 

Here are My Practical Tips on How to be a Successful Actor Regardless of Age

1. Be sharp laser-focused on what it is you want! 

Set your career goal and bring it down into monthly and daily action plan. Nobody can succeed without a well thought written goal and its plan for implementation.
If you want to do TV serials then focus on that and don�t run after that is out of that set target. The same goes for theater or film. You don�t want to waste any time dabbling in areas you don�t really have your heart in. Focus, focus, and focus.

2. Ignore all negative people who tell you �you are too young� or �You can�t be a hero, you look old�. Build up your friends' circle of those who are positive and believe always in �Yes, we can� �Of course, you can�

3. Be very, very good! 

There is a terrible competition in general (of age group of 20-30). Thousands of strugglers are roaming the streets of Mumbai. Over and above this, there is a competition has years on you, if you do not fall into this group of 20-30. So when you get in the water for the first time, be ready to swim like an Olympic swimmer. Practice, practice, and practice acting craft as much as you can, because your opportunity will come and you want to make sure you hit the ball into the goal at the first attempt so that luck will be on your side.

Remember, preparation plus opportunity equals luck! 

 �The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent.� �Arnold Schwarzenegger
Partly based on

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This Will Pop Up Your Eyes | Secret to Self Confidence

I often work with professional actors who tell me that they've lost their self confidence. Self confidence is how much we believe that we can do something. So essentially, they've lost the belief that they can act.
Isn't that interesting? It's not the ability to do something. It's our belief that we can do something. We don't even need to be able to do it, we just need to believe it.
Developing self confidence, then, is telling ourselves that we can do it, believing it's possible and acting upon that belief.
You can INSTANTLY have your self confidence back if you choose to have faith in yourself.
It isn't about IF you can do it. You will perform better IF you BELIEVE you can do it. You can CHOOSE to have self confidence.
So believe in your ability to do it, walk in with your head held high, believing you can, and you will.
If need be, join us, take our assistance
http://topactingcoach.weebly.com
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Sad! Nobody Trains an Actor How to Use Eyeline for Camera

The wonder of actor's eyelines which speak everything without any dialog
One of the greatest Actors of Our Times-Sir Ben Kingsley ("Gandhi" fame)
Sir Ben Kingsley is an English actor. In a career spanning over 40 years, he has won an Oscar, Grammy, BAFTA, two Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards. Wikipedia

When I say "Eyes", I mean "Eyelines"

Training on Eyelines? No! I don't know of any in Mumbai. But, You are Welcome to Improve my Knowledge

There could be many reasons for this.

1. A school may not be aware of the concept of "Eyeline" in acting for camera
2. There is a  possibility that director | cinematographer is in a hurry to complete as many scenes as possible (may be in TV serials where they have to complete and film episodes on a  daily basis)
3. The director may presume that an actor will adjust to his/her own eyelines  in a shot with the camera

Remember! A camera, loves eyes

What is an eyeline?

 An eyeline is simply where an actor is looking when you're shooting i.e. where he / she was looking� while acting a scene.

Why an actor should care about eyeline? 

An actor should care about eyelines because where and how an actor looks on screen gives viewers information about his character.
Though basically "Eyelines" is a subject of filmmaking, direction and cinematography as to where to place the camera, especially in 2 shot filming, it could be a great opportunity for actors to showcase their talents through eye expressions
In a cine industry of Bollywood or TV serial market in India, where there is a cut throat competition

Therefore, it's absolutely essential for actors how to position themselves suitably in a shot or at the audition to give a memorable performance

Two shot

Is a type of shot employed in the film industry in which the frame encompasses a view of two people

Using subtle eye expressions and eyelines in a close up shot in Jaguar Car Ad. Jos� Mourinho, the driver in this Ad film is not an actor, but is a Portuguese football manager and former football player, who is the current manager of English club Chelsea. The film is a masterpiece of direction, cinematography and of course, of Jos� Mourinho, as an actor. Wikipedia

Cheating Your Eyelines

In the movie business it is common to be asked to �Cheat�. Cheating is moving your body unnaturally to make it look better on camera.
There a ton of different �cheats� that happen on set. But, one of the most common is �Cheating your Eyelines�.
It is positioning your movements and body towards the camera. This will allow you to have more face time and look better on camera.
Despite the feeling of it being uncomfortable, this will allow for the audience to effectively engage with your actions and dialogue.

Some key points to remember

• The moment you enter and ready for your shot, find out where the camera is
• Whether you are in a shot as alone or with your co-stars or just standing there in a group and just have to give a reaction shot, without any dialogue, you must ensure that you are facing the camera. Even if you are not facing the camera, make sure that you can see the camera in the corner of your eyes.

Why this is necessary?

Because if the camera can�t see you, the viewers can�t see you

What to do in such a situation? 

Turn your body slowly without anybody noticing your subtle movements toward camera till you can see the camera (preferably its lens) and whether you have to speak or just give a reaction shot when somebody else is delivering his/ her dialogues, maintain your eyeliner in that position.

How to avoid the Major Mistake of eyelines in an Audition

For an actor, the most uncreative environment on the planet is the film and TV audition space or while you are ready for a shot in your scene in a location�multiple hot lights, a crowd of strangers, a place often windowless, and always airless.

Well, we have already explained earlier what kind of place you face while on a shoot for a film TV or for an audition

1. When you enter into an audition room, you face in this terrible hole, trying to fully focus on your character. You stand on the mark, taking your eyelines to the reader (if there is one) or of the person you think is just some assistant rather than a  casting director or at anyone who is smiling and nodding at you, just off camera. 
2. If he /she is just a reader and not a real co-actor from the script, your gaze is fixed at them rather than at the camera because they offer comfort in your moment of terror, they are the supportive sight in that unfriendly  space. You look at them because you can concentrate solely on delivering a good audition. You find it strangely relaxing, and you don�t have to worry about anything other than the dialogues. 

The consequences 

1. As most of the actors commit the same mistake, a casting director gets bored.
The frame size is the same for every person auditioning for a role. A casting director shoots every audition for a particular character in the same way. Consistent framing allows them to compare auditions and actors effectively.
2. But if you adopt a singular Eye line at anything else other than at the camera near or around the camera, the character you have created is stagnant and definitely looks �flat� to a casting director.

Many a times, I have seen actors place their toes obediently on the mark, get tensed as if they were at the firing squad, and then attempt to relax and deliver lines in a manner they think is better

Remedy

Take 2 seconds before you start your audition, close your eyes; picture the setting of the audition scene. See the trees, or the cars, or people in front of you as the other restaurant patrons.
See them on both sides, but close and in line with the camera
Relax, go into your character and just shoot your lines!
Depending upon whether it�s a shot above your waist or a close up, or whether it requires movements or not you can move, but make sure that your eyelines are towards the camera and you can see the camera, even though the corner off of your eyes
Inspired by

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10 Acting Tips to Keep You at the Top and Win Bollywood

The Bollywood Jackpot of Winning a Role

Secrets Reveled to be Successful in Acting Game and Win Bollywood Lottery

1. To become a better actor you must not only continue learning the craft of acting (which is a lifelong process), but observe celebrity actors known for memorable and award winning performance. Go to the theater, watch films/TV programs that have your favorite actors in. Observe how they execute their craft. What can you learn from them? What are they doing that makes them an outstanding actor?
Warning: Don�t become a viewer getting involved in the story, but observe films as a critic and as a learner

2. Bring as much to the rehearsal (If there is one) as you can including strong character choices, clear character intentions, ideas, and your prep work/research. This will help you hugely when in the rehearsal space and creating the world of the character with your fellow actors.
If there are no rehearsals, then seek some time before a shoot with the director and show him/her.

3. Had lots of failures and are struggling to see how to find the success you desire? Having a mentor (acting coach) can really help you see outside your �pre-conceived idea  box� and find other ways to climb up the acting ladder of success. It doesn�t need to be someone who is a three time Filmfare or Oscar winner, but someone you had experience with and admire. You can seek solutions from such a coach before an audition, fix an appointment, practice and then go for your kill! Having a mentor can do wonders for your confidence and your career.

4. As an actor, drawing upon our life experience is part and parcel of connecting to a role and injecting truth into it. It is ESSENTIAL you live a full life to do this. Take walks in the parks, stations, zoo, visit as many people as possible regularly and observe keenly everything about them. Try new experiences, visit new places, hear different genres of music� Be an imaginative actor and create new lives.

5. Alongside working on honing your craft and audition technique, you also need to work on your mind. This is of utmost importance. Do you understand the limitations your mind places on situations? Do you understand why? How can you overcome this? Once you have cracked this you will free yourself, lose inhibitions and find you begin taking more risks and making clearer choices with your work. If need help on working on mind, your mentor (coach) can be a great guide.


6. Very carefully read your script, perhaps many a times. Analyze the objective, changes and how it achieves the objective. Analyze your �character�. This contains all the clues you will ever need in creating your character. Go through it with a fine tooth comb to pull out all those gems the script writer has loaded it with.

7. As well as having talent and consistently honing your acting craft, you need to have a good, solid list of contacts and continue to build upon this. You can build up your network /contacts by really working on social networking sites like Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Attending film festivals, theater groups, workshops, events with industry people will definitely expand your contacts and help to broaden your visibility to casting directors and others who matter to you.

8. If you say you�re an actor, be an actor. Read books on acting to hone your acting craft and fictions which have conflict, suspense and intense emotions. Don�t just read, imagine scenes while reading and be a character in the story.

9. Then discover who you are

10. Do you document your character while analyzing the script and character? This is a great way to stay on top of all the choices you make for your character. Of course, you have to create not one but maybe 2 or 3 choices of creating different profiles of your character. Just grab a A4 size paper, write anything that inspires you in the development of your character, this can include a back story, photos of their street, house etc.

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