Top 10 Tips for Getting into the Movie Industry

Practice makes perfect, as the old saying goes, and never is that adage more true than for an actor. Practicing in this case comes in all shapes and forms, including simply talking in front of your mirror to perfect that one important line, or attending classes or film school to be taught by a professional. Either way, rehearsal is key to success. Sure, some people may have a natural acting talent, but practice never hurts, and the more you practice, the more natural your delivery will become and the more prepared you will be for that big audition.

It’s no surprise that Hollywood is the place to go if you want to break into the movie business. Of course, there are cities around the world, like Toronto or New York, that have their own special place for filmenthusiasts, but Hollywood is the big one. You have to be aware of where you have to go to make it in the film industry. In other words, you can’t expect to stay in your small town of 2,000 people and expect to become a big name celebrity; you have to be willing to move and make sacrifices.

It’s very rare than an A-list actor started out his career in a top-quality movie or TV show; everyone has to start somewhere and everyone has to work their way up. If you’re looking to break into the acting biz, you have to manage your own expectations and be aware that you won’t be earning millions of dollars on your first acting job – or quite likely, ever. Be grateful for what you do get, and work your way up from there. And keep in mind: a résumé is just as important in the film industry as it is anywhere else.

To win big you have to bet big, which means you have to be willing to take chances to make it to the big time, and you have to commit to those risks to succeed. You may start out on some small-time TV show that no one watches, and while that’s fine, you have to be willing to make a difficult decision to move on to bigger and better things if your desire is to become an A-list celebrity. Willingness and confidence are attributes needed to elevate yourself above the competition.

Some people may say that Facebook and Twitter are a waste of time, but there’s no better way to get your name and your goals out into the open. You have to be willing to promote yourself to gain recognition from the outside world and to give them the opportunity to see what you can do and what you want to do. Some famous celebrities, like Justin Bieber for example, have used this method to great success. Never underestimate the power of social media and the power of word-of-mouth on the internet.

If you want a career in acting, but all you’re doing is sitting on your couch and waiting for an agent to call you up with a major acting role, you’re going about it all wrong. You have to be active in your profession to get recognized. Making your own film is one way to get your name out there, whether you’re looking to write, direct or act. It shows not only your skills and creativity, but also that you’re willing and able to commit to a long-term project; it’s fantastic practice and experience for the real thing.

There are many available options for representation for you to choose from. You can find an agent to get your work out there and find jobs for you; you can join a union like the Screen Actors Guild, or you can try representing yourself to get your own name out into the crazy world that is the movie industry. In any case, representation is key, as it gives prospective producers the ability to see your work and call you in should they so desire.

A stellar portfolio is invaluable to success in the film industry, just as it is for any job. Employers like to see professionalism from prospective employees, as it’s one trait that will help you right above the rest and will make you memorable. A professional portfolio can include a well-written cover letter, or demo and audio reels for producers to watch or listen to in order to gain an appreciation for your work. But, and we can’t stress this enough, professionalism is key, as you want everyone to remember you in a positive light when it comes time for hiring.

While they may be the butt of jokes on sitcoms, head shots are a must for any prospective actor looking to get their image out there and get your personality across with one glance. More importantly, it gets your face and image out for producers to look at and decide whether or not you are physically a match for the character they’re casting. It’s arguably the best way to get producers interested – after all, you know what they say: “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Before we look at our top pick, here is an honorable mention:
- Be Professional, Punctual, Presentable & Know Your Lines
- Be Positive / Lose the Ego
- Accept Constructive Criticism
- Beware of Exploitation

The most important tool for any prospective actor, or anyone looking to get into the film industry, is networking. As with any other job, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, and having connections to someone with a lot of power just may be the first step that nabs you that perfect role. Websites like LinkedIn are perfect for networking with like-minded professionals, and having others see your name and your work is one way to get the word-of-mouth about you moving. Hopefully, it’ll make it to someone important who can finally offer you the role you’ve been waiting for.

Do you agree with our list? What tip do you think is the most important for getting into the movieindustry? For more informative top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to