There are literally thousands and thousands of actors, each of them hoping to make the big break that will launch their career. The sad reality is that only a couple of them actually manage to make it as actors and even a fewer number of them make it beyond secondary film roles and television appearances. Breaking into the acting business is frustrating and confusing. If you want to keep things under control and faire du theatre a Paris, you should keep in mind a couple of things that make the difference between getting a part in a play or a movie and continuing to work at the local supermarket. Many have wished they learned these lessons early in their careers.

1. Have a clear sense of who you are

In drama school you learn how to play virtually any kind of part. You understand how to stretch, challenge, in other words how to grow. Nonetheless, out in the real world you will not be able to play beyond your age, weight, or height. It is necessary to have a sense of who you are when you are walking into a room or when you are auditioning for a part. The fact is that this will take a considerable amount of time, not to mention soul searching. In order to get a sense of who you are you should talk to your friends, teachers, maybe even your agent. They will be able to give you tips about what type of person you really are. Once you figure this out, you will be able to play many kinds of roles, but remember that you will not get those roles unless you first get the jobs that are right.

2. To be an actor, you need an agent

Contrary to popular opinion, the agent is not your enemy. While you do not necessarily need an agent when you first start out, you cannot make the big break without one. You will get a couple of roles even without the help of an agent, but the chances of being informed about important roles in plays are slim. The greatest benefit of having an agent is that you will not come across problems and scams. Finding a reliable one will not be an easy task since there are few legitimate agencies. And while agents do not charge you for representation, they do get a share of what you earn.

3. You need to work every single day

If you want to survive through the first difficult years, then you will have to work, work, and work. Leaving it all to chance basically means remaining undiscovered. Instead of convincing yourself that you do not have time to mail, make calls and read trades, you should get your act together. Begin with scheduling at least one hour every day and work at your business. After all, acting is a business too. In the real world, no one will come at your doorstep to handle you a role.