I have a great passion for acting
I am 15 years old and I have a great passion for acting. But I am very tense because it is very costly. But I’m not ready for any other career. What should I do to become an actor? Which acting class is best to join and where? And what steps I should take to become a successful actor?
Amritansh (14)
If you believe you possess the ability to imagine, to relate to people and situations that exist in another mind, if you can project moods and emotions, if you can present a make-believe performance that may not be splendid but is convincing, then you could well take a swing at acting. A good memory is necessary in order to learn parts quickly along with the stamina to cope with arduous rehearsals, countless retakes and outdoor shoots.
One way to start off is to first undertake a suitable course at a good acting school. Get a portfolio done by a professional photographer and take a screen-test if possible to seek an unbiased professional opinion about your potential. While good looks are an asset, they are not everything. It’s your acting skills that really count.
Here are some of the institutes which offer courses in acting: Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi (sac.ac.in); The National School of Drama, New Delhi (nsd.gov.in); Film & Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai (tn.gov.in/miscellaneous/mgrinstitute.html)
But be cautious, don’t be impressed by a handful of actors who are famous and earn in crores. Most actors have a second part-time job just to pull them through. The actors have to deal with long strenuous rehearsals, temperamental individuals, touring opportunities, and many other aspects. Competition is tough and there is no job security.
Dr Vibha Gupta, a feature writer, is a Ph.D. in Mathematics from IIT Roorkee. Her book Careers: A Pathfinder and articles in various publications are an attempt to guide students in choosing a career according to their natural strengths, talents and skills.