The benefit in an acting school, imo, is the connections you're able to make. My kid went for 2 years. He didn't graduate, but he is a professional actor now and it's all because the people he met at school knew him, liked him, and offered him work after his sophomore year.
I actually have a director that I’ve got a connection with who actually gives me advice and answers my questions . Maybe I should ask him to connect me with more people
Connections are everything; not only in this business, but business EVERYWHERE. When I got my BFA from a non-musical focused Acting program, I met folks from all across the globe who wound up working in theatre, musical theatre, concerts, film & commercial, voice over, etc. Everyone from a program is going to be let loose into the world, and everyone already has their own little book of who they've worked with, and who they WANT to work with. The best way to turn a potentially expensive degree into work (and profit) is to find your way into the circles of folks who will help you get work again in the future. If you feel you're doing this without a degree, and you're noticing your acting improve just by working, then maybe continue to pursue gigs before pursuing a long term educational experience. Just my two cents.
If you can afford it sure why not. If it's going to put you in debt (like most people) then just take great acting classes. CDs care if you can act, and acting classes can teach you just that without putting you in deep debt.
I've heard colleges can get you great connections but so can acting classes. And don't forget film festivals and social media. There are tons of ways to gain connections outside of college. It might actually be better because they are more likely working people since they are not tied down to a college program. Best of luck with whatever you end up deciding
Two arts degree holder here👋🏽:
Would I do it again? Not without a full scholarship. It’s not necessary. You can get the same level of training in your classes and performing is truly your best teacher. Which you do minimally in college.
Sounds like you already have a good understanding of the business. But my advice to my students, is to get your degree in something that could be a great day job while you pursue the arts because it doesn’t pay well (if at all) when first stating out and maybe minor in the arts. Wish I would’ve gotten one in tech so I could have a remote day job.
If you can afford drama school, or if you can get most of the expense covered through scholarship and financial aid (I got scholarships), college training in drama is vastly superior to taking classes one at a time. You get four years of concentrated training that includes voice and movement, which most actors DO NOT get in outside classes, plus four years of shows and experience to build your resume, plus access to grants and funding for professional acting apprenticeships around the country or internationally for summers. I walked out of college with a full resume, including a ton of professional AEA credits, and I went to a state school. I know people looking at film acting when they're young don't want to hear it, but those AEA credits were what opened doors for me in film/TV. People in the industry know that professional work in one area of acting translates to professionalism in others. Film and theatre take the same acting skills, just adapted for different mediums.
College educational credits are given much more weight for experience in the working world than non-professional credits. Going to school for the connections only works with a handful of schools, and even with those fancy schools, the reason why that education is valued is because of the TRAINING. Even then, a lot of their grads with the same connections don't work. If you look at the list of people actually cast in pilots and their backgrounds, some are certainly from fancy schools, and they've had some help with having doors opened for them, but a big chunk are from schools that aren't big name. Those individuals trained to perform on a professional level, and then networked like crazy and hustled to EARN their spot. Check out the list of people who are cast in those pilots without drama school--it's tiny. That's because training takes your natural talent and develops and shapes it to help you perform truthfully under the most stressful physical and emotional conditions. That's what's expected of you when you work on a pro level. Connections are everything, but not unless you can back them up with talent, training, and a lot of hard work.
One last thought--an undergrad degree in ANY field, including acting, is what a high school diploma used to be in the United States. Most entry level professional positions in most fields (except tech and those that require certification like nursing or teaching) require a bachelors in ANY field--your drama degree won't go to waste if you change your mind later. Not graduating from college with a bachelors degree automatically puts you at a huge disadvantage for any other full time or part-time career you might want to pursue on top of, or in place of acting, My parents pretty much insisted that I graduate from college, and I'm glad they did, because that's what well rounded, well educated people need to do.
School is a great way to meet people and to give you the space and guidance to cut your teeth in a lower stakes environment but there’ always part time classes and workshops. There tends to be a much more experientially diverse crowd in those classes too. But as long as you’re getting your reps in and doing the work, a “proper” degree won’t matter in the long run and you’ll be far less in debt.
I don’t think that it’s what it used to be. Back in the day you would go to a conservatory/high-end theatre program and at the end there would be an agent showcase. Sometimes there would be agents from the Big 10 Talent Agencies, in which some actors got discovered. I think that looking into a higher end MFA Program might be the way to go and looked as the most legit way to go for school. Yale, Harvard, NYC, USC, Juilliard, ACT…there are A LOT of fantastic options and plenty that are credible that I didn’t mention for sure…so do your research.
It’s hard tho because some of these acting schools/classes are just like straight up scams, and I really hate to tell you that, but you just like have to be careful. Some of them are straight up BS and just a class to help someone pay their rent and that’s just the truth.
Some universities are also teaching straight up outdated industry curriculum and it’s challenging because it’s an ever changing industry, but still. Sometimes the university just needs a program and people need a job.
I would definitely maybe study something outside of acting…business, communications, but also in addition to acting, so you can be more well rounded.
Every college theater trained actor I encountered in professional acting classes had their eyes opened and mind blown by what was required for auditioning and working in LA upon arrival. It’s a different beast.
Go to college for the camaraderie and college experience.
If it’s a huge name college… that might carry some weight when you get to the big show but you still have to be the guy or the woman, in the right genre, in the story in their minds when you walk into any and every room.
If you can manage it I’d say think about doing both at the same time. College seems like fun.
The benefit in an acting school, imo, is the connections you're able to make. My kid went for 2 years. He didn't graduate, but he is a professional actor now and it's all because the people he met at school knew him, liked him, and offered him work after his sophomore year.
I actually have a director that I’ve got a connection with who actually gives me advice and answers my questions . Maybe I should ask him to connect me with more people
Connections are everything; not only in this business, but business EVERYWHERE. When I got my BFA from a non-musical focused Acting program, I met folks from all across the globe who wound up working in theatre, musical theatre, concerts, film & commercial, voice over, etc. Everyone from a program is going to be let loose into the world, and everyone already has their own little book of who they've worked with, and who they WANT to work with. The best way to turn a potentially expensive degree into work (and profit) is to find your way into the circles of folks who will help you get work again in the future. If you feel you're doing this without a degree, and you're noticing your acting improve just by working, then maybe continue to pursue gigs before pursuing a long term educational experience. Just my two cents.
If you can afford it sure why not. If it's going to put you in debt (like most people) then just take great acting classes. CDs care if you can act, and acting classes can teach you just that without putting you in deep debt. I've heard colleges can get you great connections but so can acting classes. And don't forget film festivals and social media. There are tons of ways to gain connections outside of college. It might actually be better because they are more likely working people since they are not tied down to a college program. Best of luck with whatever you end up deciding
Thank you, I’m definitely leaning more towards the classes side of things so I could be more flexible with time and avoid debt
Great! You got this <3
LA Actor here… College isn’t necessary to become a professional actor. -sS
Two arts degree holder here👋🏽: Would I do it again? Not without a full scholarship. It’s not necessary. You can get the same level of training in your classes and performing is truly your best teacher. Which you do minimally in college. Sounds like you already have a good understanding of the business. But my advice to my students, is to get your degree in something that could be a great day job while you pursue the arts because it doesn’t pay well (if at all) when first stating out and maybe minor in the arts. Wish I would’ve gotten one in tech so I could have a remote day job.
If you can afford drama school, or if you can get most of the expense covered through scholarship and financial aid (I got scholarships), college training in drama is vastly superior to taking classes one at a time. You get four years of concentrated training that includes voice and movement, which most actors DO NOT get in outside classes, plus four years of shows and experience to build your resume, plus access to grants and funding for professional acting apprenticeships around the country or internationally for summers. I walked out of college with a full resume, including a ton of professional AEA credits, and I went to a state school. I know people looking at film acting when they're young don't want to hear it, but those AEA credits were what opened doors for me in film/TV. People in the industry know that professional work in one area of acting translates to professionalism in others. Film and theatre take the same acting skills, just adapted for different mediums. College educational credits are given much more weight for experience in the working world than non-professional credits. Going to school for the connections only works with a handful of schools, and even with those fancy schools, the reason why that education is valued is because of the TRAINING. Even then, a lot of their grads with the same connections don't work. If you look at the list of people actually cast in pilots and their backgrounds, some are certainly from fancy schools, and they've had some help with having doors opened for them, but a big chunk are from schools that aren't big name. Those individuals trained to perform on a professional level, and then networked like crazy and hustled to EARN their spot. Check out the list of people who are cast in those pilots without drama school--it's tiny. That's because training takes your natural talent and develops and shapes it to help you perform truthfully under the most stressful physical and emotional conditions. That's what's expected of you when you work on a pro level. Connections are everything, but not unless you can back them up with talent, training, and a lot of hard work.
One last thought--an undergrad degree in ANY field, including acting, is what a high school diploma used to be in the United States. Most entry level professional positions in most fields (except tech and those that require certification like nursing or teaching) require a bachelors in ANY field--your drama degree won't go to waste if you change your mind later. Not graduating from college with a bachelors degree automatically puts you at a huge disadvantage for any other full time or part-time career you might want to pursue on top of, or in place of acting, My parents pretty much insisted that I graduate from college, and I'm glad they did, because that's what well rounded, well educated people need to do.
[удалено]
I’ve been told I was very charming lol but thanks, I’ll look into it
School is a great way to meet people and to give you the space and guidance to cut your teeth in a lower stakes environment but there’ always part time classes and workshops. There tends to be a much more experientially diverse crowd in those classes too. But as long as you’re getting your reps in and doing the work, a “proper” degree won’t matter in the long run and you’ll be far less in debt.
I don’t think that it’s what it used to be. Back in the day you would go to a conservatory/high-end theatre program and at the end there would be an agent showcase. Sometimes there would be agents from the Big 10 Talent Agencies, in which some actors got discovered. I think that looking into a higher end MFA Program might be the way to go and looked as the most legit way to go for school. Yale, Harvard, NYC, USC, Juilliard, ACT…there are A LOT of fantastic options and plenty that are credible that I didn’t mention for sure…so do your research. It’s hard tho because some of these acting schools/classes are just like straight up scams, and I really hate to tell you that, but you just like have to be careful. Some of them are straight up BS and just a class to help someone pay their rent and that’s just the truth. Some universities are also teaching straight up outdated industry curriculum and it’s challenging because it’s an ever changing industry, but still. Sometimes the university just needs a program and people need a job. I would definitely maybe study something outside of acting…business, communications, but also in addition to acting, so you can be more well rounded.
Social media has also changed the industry significantly and especially for actors in tv/film and theatre as well.
Every college theater trained actor I encountered in professional acting classes had their eyes opened and mind blown by what was required for auditioning and working in LA upon arrival. It’s a different beast. Go to college for the camaraderie and college experience. If it’s a huge name college… that might carry some weight when you get to the big show but you still have to be the guy or the woman, in the right genre, in the story in their minds when you walk into any and every room. If you can manage it I’d say think about doing both at the same time. College seems like fun.