How to Learn To Act

Step 1

I was basically that guy. I was at Ohio State. I had a finance degree. I didn't take any classes until my senior year, and they were just theatre classes. They taught me general things about theatre, some history, some knowledge. However, I knew once I moved to LA, I was going to have to take some classes. I didn't want to take classes at a university right away, only because there is different type of acting. And if you go to Ohio State, you can inly learn acting through their way. You on't have any choices. Now, when I moved to LA, we have every acting school here is. You can audit each class to see what you like.

Step 2

You have to take an acting class, because at the end of the day, when you are in front of that camera, you need to show truthfulness. And it has to be "hot." You can't be just walking around doing stuff that you do with your high school buddies because its not going to fly because every role is different. Every story is different and you need to learn how to transform and get into that character. You can't just go and be Joe Smith for every character, because that is not what they are looking for. And unless Joe Smith is the real character and he probably is not, you need to know how to get into that character, what you need to do to, you have to remember how to learn to memorize the lines, There is so much that goes into it in just the audition, a callback, reading with your other cast members. That you have to learn it somewhere.

Step 3

Books - can - help. But the required reading that I have for my acting studio, don't explain everything. But you need someone with experience to teach you that stuff. That when you are in front of them and you do a reading, and a rehearsal, anything, a play, a scene, whatever. Someone needs to correct you, because if you are not paying someone to watch you, how are you going to get an honest response to what you are doing?

Step 4

Now you can go to auditions and you can do what you think is right in front of them, They are not going to call you back. They are never going to talk to you again, because it is not going to work. Whatever you are doing, it is just not what they are looking for.

Step 5

You have to be taught something. And by going to a studio, by going to audition classes, you are learning techniques, you will succeed. But, always make sure you get the technique that is hot for you. That works for you, that brings out the most truthfulness.

Step 6

And you will know, by doing a scene, that is truthful and when it is not. Especially in that audition. If you go in there and you do some bullshit audition, you are going to walk out with all this energy and life that you are going to be pissed and say "I can't believe I did that. I could have done this, this, this and this." Auditions that I go to and I know I nail, I walk out and I am spent. I am tired. I am fatigued. I am famished, I am ready to go to sleep.