This is like saying how long is a piece of string. You may need 1 class you may need 100. There are just as many instinctive actors who are naturally gifted as there are determined and disciplined actors who are prepared to learn the craft.

There are also a myriad of ways to ‘get into acting’. You may be discovered by a director or win a talent quest or graduate from a respected acting institute or your parents or friends get you your first job. You might do a general audition for a major theatre company and be accepted. You could shoot a great showreel and send that off to producers of films and TV shows. It may be a combination of several of the above. Having said that, the most recognised way is to graduate from a respected 3-4 year acting course and be picked by up a reputable agent who then sends you for A List castings.

At the end of the day, how you land into your career is no longer a linear-step process. And your first opportunity may come when you have had limited training. But the ones that have long careers almost always have strong CONTINUOUS training. All professionals in all professions continue to study. It’s no different for actors except actors become lazy and indifferent. Success in any craft is most definitely a journey and not a destination. The best actors continue to study, to explore, to grow and to thrive. Several years ago when I was in Italy on vacation, I spend a few weeks in Rome working with an acting coach named Ilsa Prestinari. (I think that’s how it was spelled) She was a prodigy of Marcel Marceau. I learned things in a few classes that I carried with me through the rest of my career. I have dozens of stories like this.

My final comment on this is a quote from Allaine Aldaffer the casting director from Playwrights Horizons in New York. “A lot of actors are in this game to become stars. But it really needs to be about the work.” (developing the craft itself)

If you are not an actor because acting is what you ‘must do’ then chances are you won’t be happy in this career choice. And if you are a ‘must do’ actor then ‘the work’ will mean so much to you. You will seek the journey of becoming master. I have read recently that it takes 10,000 hours to become a master at something. And a true master is forever a student.

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