[NEohioPAL] Breaking in the business

[Beverly Kristy]

Hi all,

Age? It's just a number.   A few years ago I walked into my first acting
class at North Coast Central Casting at age.......................... well
let's just say my children at the time were 28 and 29.  Nervous?  The page
shook in my hand when I did my first scene. But it was nonetheless
exhilarating.

The acting world needs all ages, looks, ethnicities. All it takes is a
willingness to dive in. There are many welcoming arms in this town ready to
nurture new actors. Believe me I know. Just watch this list.
Echoing Ben, go for it. You won't be sorry.

As for starting in film or theater, I say start where you have the most
interest.

Good luck!
Beverly Kristy



----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Topping" <bentopping at hotmail.com>
To: <neohiopal at lists.fredsternfeld.com>
Cc: <bentopping at hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 01, 2005 3:07 PM
Subject: RE: [NEohioPAL] Breaking in the business


> RE: [NEohioPAL] Breaking in the business
>
> I'm pretty sure it was Kevin Costner I saw in "Inside the Actors Studio"
who
> did not have anything to do with acting until AFTER he graduated college,
> and then signed on with a small theatre company as a stage hand for a few
> years. (None of this is noted on IMDB though, so maybe it was another
> big-name star -- but the name doesn't really matter.) Reportedly, it took
> this actor years, about age 28, to get his union card.
>
> In "Tadpole" 2002 (won multiple awards), the starring role of the
> 15-year-old boy was played by a 26-year-old man -- and it worked! (And the
> guy is NOT freakishly young looking. It was his talent that made it work.)
>
> After earning a scientific degree with multiple science-related
> certifications, and working as an International Expedition Scientist, my
> sister, Natalie McNeil (http://www.nataliemcneil.com), went to LA to act
in
> films/tv. Currently she can be seen in Kate Hudson's film "Skeleton Key"
(in
> theatres now), is cast in a new HBO television series (for next year), and
> is currently working on Adam Sandler's new film, "Click". A few weeks ago
> she signed with the owner of a major agency, LA Talent and is up for
several
> national television commercials.
>
> I say you should go for it. 26 is a GREAT age! Besides -- casting
> agents/directors should only be interested in the "age range" you can
play,
> which could be quite young. In addition, many people who study acting in
> advanced (masters) degreed programs are often 25-26 years old when they
hit
> the pavement, often with no/little professional experience.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Best Regards,
> Ben Topping
> actor/model
> http://www.bentopping.com
>
>
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