Calling All Actors! My Inside Scoop on Acting in Films

Wanting to act in films is likely the ultimate of being an actor, because of the glamorous red carpet premieres, seeing your name up in lights on the marquee and being seen on the enormous silver screen. When someone wants to break into acting it's at the beginning where it could be a long road for any kind of film roles. Here is my story on being a rather serious actor living in Los Angeles and Chicago. I'll give suggestions and pointers on to steer you in the right direction. The more information you have the better. They say information is power.

My Acting Story

It started out in my childhood watching TV and going to the movies. I became truly fascinated with the people on the screen. They looked like they were having so much fun. I wanted to be a part of that too for the longest time. Unfortunately my father was in the military, so it was difficult to pursue any kind of acting. Besides, we lived in a small town where there was no opportunity for a child to act professionally.

When my family and I lived in Japan, just outside Tokyo, that's when I began some real acting. The one thing that stood out was being a background actor in a Japanese soap opera. We were the only "gaijin" or foreigners in the scene, so it would be extremely easy to spot us. When we moved back to the U.S. acting took a back seat. At that point in time Hollywood and the industry as a whole was radically changing. I was still a teenager then, but I got involved in dancing lessons. That was the closest thing I could find locally that entailed performing at summer recitals.

In 1984 the acting bug really bit me hard. The film crew for "Cocoon", directed by Ron Howard, was in the Tampa Bay area. There were constant calls for the locals as movie extras. Unfortunately they only wanted senior citizens, which there were plenty of at the time. After the success with "Cocoon" Tampa started springing up acting agencies and the push for me was to jump on the bandwagon at long last. A few acting gigs came out of it, but I always wanted to relocate to Los Angeles. That was the only place to be if I seriously wanted to work as an actor in TV, commercials and films on a regular basis, preferably the latter.

Hooray for Hollywood and Chi-Town

I arrived in Tinseltown in January 1986 driving cross country from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California. It was certainly an unforgettable experience. At the time the internet was obviously not available. I realize a lot of technology has transpired in the meantime, that part is true. However, a lot of things remain traditional in Hollywood and the industry. While some things may have changed, some things are still the same.

Thankfully at the time there was an industry magazine called "Dramalogue" that was filled with casting notices. Getting an agent in Hollywood is challenging to say the least, so being your own agent will have to do in the meantime. As a result of my efforts I did get some background acting roles in film such as"52 Pick-Up," "Red Nights," and "The Perfect Match."

There was also a brief role as a nurse in a student film at USC (University of Southern California). One of my last film roles was as a bus passenger for an indie film sponsored by the American Film Institute (AFI). They are the ones who have the 100 Greatest Moments in Movies TV specials in years past. Coincidentally, the child actor, who was the star of the AFI film, was also in the film "Cocoon" that shot in my hometown. His name is Barret Oliver.

After I left LA I headed to Chicago where I was a background actor in another indie film about a homeless couple. I was standing in line at a movie theater. We shot that in the early morning hours when it was absolutely freezing outside. The best thing about working on a film in Chicago back then is the people there are not at all jaded. They get so excited even if you're a film extra. One of the films I did in LA was premiering at the Chicago International Film Festival when I lived there. My friends and I went to the Biograph Theater to see "The Perfect Match."

Your Valuable Marketing Tool and Central Casting

If you are serious about acting in films, TV, commercials, music videos, industrial films or reality TV you will no doubt need what is called a "headshot." This is a photo of yourself taken of your face basically. Some fly-by-night agencies may tell you that it's a must you have an extensive portfolio. That is not true and run like the wind if they give you that line. You'll need to go to a photographer that specializes in headshot photos. They are your calling cards and this will be how you get cast most of the time. Don't take a full-length photo of yourself, because that won't do at all. Now with technology it is done digitally. Yet, you still need to get a headshot taken whatever the method, whether it's hard copy or digital.

For those that want to relocate or already live nearby the areas of Los Angeles and New York there is Central Casting. Your best way to break into films is by working as a background actor. This is the definitive agency to sign-up with. They have been in business since 1925. That's since the dawn of the golden age of Hollywood. Everything else will be up to you on how you want your acting career to take off. Who knows where it may lead?

Note: This was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Join the Yahoo! Contributor Network to start publishing your own articles.