Modeling and acting are different arts, no doubt. But for being different they are awful similar in many ways and the transition from modeling to acting is a well-established route of many performance artists. Mark Wahlberg famously modeled Calvin Klein underwear and Channing Tatum was a heartthrob in Abercrombie advertisement before they became Hollywood stars. Charlize Theron and Monica Belluci became huge in the fashion industry before they embarked on long and successful film careers. So, if it is possible to transition from modeling to acting, how do you do it?
Educate Yourself
Reading blogs, acting books, and plays is a great way to begin the transition to acting. The New York Film Academy blog and website has resources to help aspiring actors learn about the craft of acting and the steps required to pursue an acting career. After you have educated yourself of the basics, and are truly committed to becoming an actor, consider taking acting classes.
Go To Acting School
There’s no substitute for the training one receives during Acting School. All actors should invest in acting classes, and models are no different because with education comes experience and confidence. Models have an advantage when it comes to becoming an actor due to their comfort in front of the camera. However, acting classes will teach the important aspects of acting that models may not be familiar with.
The ability to analyze a script, breakdown a character, and make appropriate performance choices is the primary focus of acting classes but there are so many other advantages. Acting courses offer the invaluable opportunity to study with other aspiring actors, directors, and writers. Essentially, classes are the best way to learn about acting while building a network of friends in the entertainment industry.
Use Your Industry Connections
Through modeling work models meet agents and other artists, many of whom can help with the transition from modeling to acting. Actually, a lot of modeling agents also represent actors or can help find agents that do. Other models and photographers may also work in film or commercials and have advice on for how to get started as an actor. Point being, models should use their existing connections to help start their acting career. After all, you aren’t the first to make the transition to becoming an actor. Just ask Ashton Kutcher.
Understand the Challenge
It is never easy to become a professional actor and the transition from modeling to acting will be rife with challenges. A support network of fellow models and actors, as well as a firm self-belief will be needed to make the jump from photographs to moving pictures and stage plays. However, models have the unique advantage of having worked in a similar industry with high expectations. Use your past experiences and seek out acting classes to learn the ropes and help ensure that your transition from modeling to acting is the smoothest it can be.
Build a foundation in acting for the screen and in front of live audiences with our 1-Semester Acting for Film Program. Students hone their acting skills through a variety of core acting classes designed to teach them the nuances of acting in front of a camera. Visit our 1-Semester Acting for Film Program page to learn more.