Everyone has a dream, whether it be becoming a nurse, a pilot, or even an actor. Many people enjoy acting and attempt to make a career out of it. Many of these people also move to New York City to do so. If you’re going to be discovered as an actor, you’ll likely be discovered in New York City or Los Angeles. Actors looking to make it big crowd into NYC yearly with more hopes and dreams than anything else. Scoring an acting gig in NYC isn’t always easy, but there are a few tips that you can follow to make your process life easier. Some of the tips to follow when looking for an acting gig in NYC include:
Prepare Wisely Monetarily
Moving to NYC is costly, there’s no way around it. The city is one of the most expensive in the world, and if you’re not properly prepared for this, you’re not going to fare very well. The success you create as an actor can only happen if you’re able to live where it’s easier to make it happen. To stay in NYC, you must have NYC money. Before moving to the city make sure that you have a good amount in your savings. You’ll need money not only to rent an apartment but also for things that may help you gain a gig, such as agent fees and headshots. You’ll also want to make sure you have some money to fall back on in case you’re unable to get a job right away.
Get New Headshots
An important part of scoring an acting gig in NYC is making sure that you have updated headshots. Your portfolio and your headshots are like your calling card, and you’ll want to make sure that it’s a good one. Consider getting new headshots NYC style, with that city flair that producers look for. A local photographer is more likely to understand what producers are looking for, as they’ve likely shot for hundreds or thousands of upcoming stars. Even if you have headshots, make sure you get new ones and update them every few months, even if you don’t think it’s necessary. A subtle change in look can make a huge difference.
Work on Your Craft
One of the best things about NYC is that there are so many opportunities. This is including opportunities to work on your acting skills. Consider joining local theater groups, or improv classes. Find acting groups and classes and take a few of them when you can. You’ll not only be exercising and growing your skills, but you’ll be exposing yourself to others in the same position as you, or better. This is great for networking and making friends.
Network Heavily
Most gigs are earned through word of mouth and luck. When trying to make it as an actor in NYC, it’s always helpful to be as social as possible. Attend and signup for communities and groups that are of interest to you and your craft. Talk about your goals with people you meet and put yourself out there. A lot of gigs are gained because the actor knew someone who knew someone. Let people know who you are and what you’re looking for. They just may remember you when it’s time to get down to business.
Treat Yourself Like a Business
Gone are the days of the coffee shop discovery, or at least it’s less likely. In New York City, acting is an empire, and each actor is their own business. It’s important to treat your acting career like the business it is. To do this, you’ll want to make sure that you get the business materials that you need. This includes a website for potential employers to review, business cards, headshots, a wardrobe, and more. Think of the items that other professionals need, such as photographers, and obtain the actor equivalent. The sooner you treat your career like a business, the better you’ll fare.
Take Care of Yourself
All too often people overlook their well-being. They’re blinded by the potential for their dream career, and they tend to forget to take care of other things that are just as important. Beyond having a side job to help pay your bills and afford your apartment, you’ll want to take care of yourself as a person as well. Be sure that you take some time to do things you enjoy, such as visiting friends, reading, or hiking. Also, make sure that you stay on top of your health, you wouldn’t want your call to come through when you’re in bed sick from pneumonia. The better you take care of yourself, both physically and mentally, the better you’ll do in other aspects of your life, including your acting career.
Conclusion
There are many tips that you should follow when trying to land an acting gig in NYC. Not everyone who moves to NYC will make it as an actor or actress, and that’s okay. However, it doesn’t hurt to try. Be sure that you prepare wisely, and always make sure that you have good headshots to hand out when you need to. Ultimately, enjoy this time, because all it takes is one simple phone call for your life to never be the same again.
