Before you go out and start submitting for auditions and acting roles, it might be best to first work on some skills of the craft.

It’s crucial for actors to know their lines. Having dialogue down cold (also known as being “off book”) can give you a tremendous leg-up when it comes to auditioning.  And then of course, being on stage or in front of a camera makes knowing those lines like they were second nature an absolute necessity.

The best way to learn the text to the point of memorization is to break the script pages down to digestible bites, studying and learning them in pieces. Repetition is key when trying to commit dialogue to memory.

As an actor, you’ll want to increase your skillset as far and wide as you can. In addition to learning how to effectively deliver dialogue, skills like martial arts, singing, and dancing will help build your physicality and increase your diversity. You never know what type of role could open that these skills could make you right for. Musicals represent an entire genre of movies and plays and learning how to sing and dance could potentially open a number of doors.

Your voice, that is. That doesn’t mean for you to yell every line of dialogue. You want to be articulate, enunciate properly and most of all, be clearly heard. Your pitch and inflection should be dictated by the tone of the scene, so pay careful attention to exactly what scenes are about as you prepare to memorize the lines and emote with them.

It also helps to keep away from anything that could dehydrate you (alcohol and cigarettes are both very big dehydrators). And make sure you’re practicing out loud. You may want to consider recording yourself and playing it back to hear your strengths and areas that could use improvement.

When rehearsing, try different accents, inflections and voices that may breathe more varied, interesting life into the character you’re portraying. If you find an accent that works particularly well for a role, immerse yourself in audio recordings and videos of people from that region. See how well you can mimic their tone, style and diction of speech. If it’s in your budget, consider working with a dialogue coach who can steer and eventually fine-tune you in the vocal direction you’re looking to go.

Every scene has emotional undercurrents to it. Some may be more obvious than others. It’s the job of the actor to find the emotional truth to each scene and apply their craft accordingly. If a character is meant to be played upbeat or downbeat, be sure to adjust your voice rhythm and physical actions as needed.

Oftentimes, a character’s on the surface emotion differs from their actual feelings and drives. You’ll want to lean into those nuances and subtleties to really pull off a layered performance of a dimensional character.

Simply put, poise is about how you carry yourself (and for the purposes of this article, in front of the camera). Do you exhibit grace, balance and elegance? If the answer is no, there’s no reason to panic. Because believe it or not, poise isn’t an inherited trait. It’s a learned skill. Chiefly it lies with a belief in yourself and a self-confidence that you can rise to any challenge you may be faced with.

Yes, we’re aware that at the start of this article it’s stated you don’t necessarily need an academic degree to become a working actor, but it also could only help your chances of finding work. Studying different acting styles, learning varied techniques and most of all, networking can all play substantial factors in terms of finding success as a working actor.

When you’re starting out, your chief focus should be on building a reel (more on this in a moment). The way to do this is through getting acting experience. Early on, finding paying jobs can be a tremendous challenge, but if you’re willing to take a pay cut (bear in mind many student films don’t pay at all), you may be able to get some strong footage to use to showcase your acting abilities.

The more exposure and work you can get in front of a camera, the better. Not only does it build your reel, but it also enhances you as an actor. There is nothing more invaluable than experience when it comes to learning a craft.

Once you feel you’re ready to start submitting yourself for auditions, getting headshots should be the first step to take. Use a minimal amount of makeup, as you want agents and casting directors to be able see your actual face. Remember to look directly into the camera and update your headshot periodically (every two to three years is a good rule to live by).

And most importantly, make sure you use a professional photographer to take your pictures. As great as your iphone camera may be, it’s just not going to cut the mustard when it comes to this. Considering this may be the very first thing a potential employer could see if you, headshots aren’t something you should skimp on.

A reel, also known as a portfolio, is in essence, an actor’s resume come to life. It’s their chance to show their skill set, diversity and overall competence in front of the camera. Reels are typically the best way to book an audition, as agents send them to casting agents and producers when trying to find work for their clients. So make sure you’re not just putting any performance on your reel. Use the ones that offer the best showcase of your talents and make you proud to have done them.

A monologue is a lengthy speech by an actor. While some may be intimidated by a long block of dialogue, it’s important to keep in mind how much a well-delivered monologue could help your reel. A successfully done monologue means you’re able to hold a viewer’s attention without any props or even other actors. It’s all you.

Choose monologues that are appropriate for you, but also make sure they’re varied in context and content. You want to make sure you can display a degree of range with your monologues. Click here for a list of great monologues.

Make a genuine effort to meet (and connect with, there’s a difference here) as many people as you can. Whether that be in acting classes, at auditions or on sets. Casting directors, producers and directors tend to hire (and keep working with) people they like and get along with. So be genial, be cordial, be polite and most of all, be easy to work with.

Take direction and suggestions without argument. You’re far less likely to find work if you develop a reputation of toxicity, negativity or difficulty. Remember that acting is as much a collaborative process as it is a creative one. So be open and friendly to as many people as you can. Both on set and off.

As mentioned earlier, the competition in the acting world is fierce and wildly competitive. The best way to engage in this is to increase your own odds for finding work. And that means going on a lot of auditions. As many as you can.

Trying out for as many different roles that you may be the right fit for. Be prepared for rejection; it’s an evitable part of acting (and most aspects of the Industry in general). The key is persistence and the will to keep moving forward. The math is pretty simple – the more auditions you go on, the greater your chances of landing a role.

Let’s take a closer look at these.

Memorization, or being able to work “off book” is a crucial skill for actors because it allows you to internalize your lines and execute a more authentic and naturalistic performance. Once dialogue and actions are committed to memory, actors are freer to work with the material and make new discoveries. Memorization of the material also keeps actors’ eyes off their scripts and engaged in the scenes they’re playing.

Actors need to be able to take direction, as it ensures consistency among scenes, augments collaboration (with the director as well as the other actors), and plays a key role in the overall professionalism and success of a production.

Let’s face it. Filmmaking can be a long, sometimes grueling process. Sets need to be lit, certain details must to be gotten just exact, and often directors will want to do repeated takes of an action or dialogue until it’s painstakingly correct (famous auteurs Stanley Kubrick and David Fincher are known for a multitude of takes). Actors always need to be able to bring their A-game, whether it’s first shot or the martini.

As in every other profession, communication is essential for an actor to properly do their job. Whether that’s expressing a question over how something should be said or done or clearly making a statement over an issue that does or doesn’t feel right, it’s imperative to be able to communicate effectively with the fellow cast and crew so as to keep things moving smoothly.

As an actor, you’re often required to perform a variety of gestures, voices, speeches, and actions.  How well you can manipulate and modulate your voice and actions could be the determining factor between getting it right or missing the mark. This requires endless rehearsal and practice.

All movies and TV shows start with the script. They’re the backbone of the story and the map through the jungle when production has everyone fatigued. Understanding character motivations (not just your own, but those of all the actors in a scene) is crucial when it comes to properly executing a performance. Often, acting is reacting off other actors, so having a full comprehension of the dynamics between all the players is an absolute must for every actor.

The acting profession doesn’t exist solely in front of the camera. Having a good business sense gives actors the freedom to navigate the professional aspects of your career, from brand building to self-promotion to financial management.

We can dive a bit deeper here…

Get to know the material as best you can. That entails rereading the script over and over until you have it down. You want to internalize the role and be able to perform off-book.

The more work you do in this area, the more confident you’ll feel about the audition. Deep-dive into the script, story, characters, and company behind the production. You never know what nugget(s) of information could prove useful.

If the character you’re auditioning for has some outlandish qualities, it may not be the best idea to go all out with a full-on costume, but any kind of subtle acknowledgement of the character on your dress could express a much-needed understanding of who you’re portraying.

An audition is a job interview, so you’ll want to arrive early. It’s detrimental to risk being late by simply arriving “on time”. Give yourself enough time before the audition to get acclimated to the people and audition space. Showing up late leaves a bad impression that can be very difficult to undo.

This sounds so simple, but it’s a crucial component to the audition process. Take in every direction you’re given. Actors, producers and casting agents aren’t just looking to see if you can nail a role, they’re just as interested in your ability to understand and follow direction.

Auditions can be stressful (more on this in a moment) but try your best to remain centered. Making a slip-up isn’t nearly as memorable when compared to how you handle it. If you keep a level head, you can usually deal with a mistake much more effectively than if your nerves are shot.

Keep in mind, this is performance. The energy you put into your work will ultimately reflect in your performance, and if you’re enjoying yourself, your audience is more than likely to do the same.

Don’t just read the script. Reread it again and again until you’ve got it down cold. And then spend time comprehending the subtext of the material. The more familiar you are with the work, the smoother your performance will be.

It’s been scientifically proven that deep breathing can center you in mind and body, so go ahead, pull in that air, calm your heart rate and relax those muscles. In other words, take a deep breath.

In your mind’s eye, visualize yourself succeeding in the performance. Lean into the details of the audience’s impressed reaction. Bring that positive energy to the forefront of your actions and words.

Ultimately, there is no greater teacher than experience. There are lessons to be learned in every audition you go on, and every job you get (or even don’t get). The key is discovering what they are and using them as you move forward in your career.

The acting profession often stands out as the face of the movie and stage industries. Actors are who the audience will (or sometimes, won’t) connect to the material through. They are the viewer’s way in to a movie or play. Finding acting jobs can be demanding and taxing, but a proper strategy and a desire to truly succeed can turn that dream into a reality.