Acting Classes You Don’t Need

Acting classes are important but what about acting classes you don’t need? Why doesn’t anyone talk about how much hard-earned money actors waste on classes full of empty promises? With so many industry scams and workshops designed as “acting classes” available, it is easy to fall into the trap of spending on programs that might not provide any value for your acting career.

Let’s talk about the 3 most common types of “acting workshops” or “acting classes” that are far from what they promise to be.

[Read also: 5 Ways To Spot an Acting Scam]

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Casting Director’s Workshops

Casting director workshops often tout themselves as invaluable opportunities to:

• get in front of casting professionals,
• receive feedback for your acting skills, and
• potentially land auditions.

While the temptation to possibly “get under the radar” of the people with access to the best roles can be tempting, the reality is that these workshops are a waste of time, energy, and money.

These workshops often come with a hefty price tag, and there is no guarantee of any tangible results. Many casting directors have spoken out against these workshops, citing ethical concerns and stating that they rarely lead to actual auditions or jobs. 

In our blog post “5 Lessons From Casting Directors Workshops,” we clarified how Casting Directors are usually “teaching acting classes” when they are on hiatus, and never when they are casting roles. They don’t have another motivation except for money when they meet actors at workshops. The reality is that most actors will be completely forgotten five minutes after the workshop ends.

[Read also: 5 Lessons From Casting Directors Workshops]

The alternative

Instead of shelling out money for these workshops, focus on building genuine relationships with industry professionals through networking events. Attending local independent movie festivals, for example, is a great way to meet people in the industry, and is not as costly.

[Read also: Industry Pros Actors Must Network With]

Paid Talent Showcases

Paid talent showcases promise exposure to industry professionals such as:

• agents,
• managers, and
• casting directors.

However, more often than not, these events end up being nothing more than glorified cattle calls where hundreds of hopeful actors are herded into a room and given a few minutes to perform in front of disinterested industry representatives.

Not only do these showcases often fail to lead to meaningful opportunities, but they can also be financially draining, with fees for participation, travel, and accommodation adding up quickly. Even virtual showcases are useless, with zero results for the actors, who will have to continue their pursuit of an agent after being ignored and feeling demoralized after a paid talent showcase.

[Read also: 6 Reasons to Never Pay to Be in a Talent Showcase]

The alternative

Instead of relying on paid showcases, focus on building a strong portfolio of work through student films, independent projects, and solo performances on social media. Invest your time and resources into creating quality content that showcases your talent and passion for acting.

In addition, focus on showcasing your talent through other means like short films and social media platforms. Casting Directors nowadays not only use social media, but they find talent on different platforms.

[Read also: 6 Eye-Opening Tips On Using Social Media]

College Degree in Acting

College degrees in acting are highly overrated – and highly overpriced. While a degree from a reputable institution can look great on your acting resume and maybe even land you an agent when you graduate, a degree is unnecessary for a successful acting career.

Many successful actors have achieved their dreams without ever setting foot in a college classroom.

College tuition fees can be exorbitant, and the time spent earning a degree could be better utilized gaining real-world experience and building connections in the industry.

[Read also: Never Ever Ever Lie On Your Acting Resume]

The Alternative

Your money would be better spent investing in acting skills and learning some businesses. Some examples of classes actors can invest in that can make a difference in the opportunities they get are:

• languages;
• accents;
• the business of acting.

Focus on developing skills that roles demand while you learn how to manage your acting career as a business.

[Read also: 3 Things Acting Schools Don’t Teach]

Conclusion

While investing in your acting education is essential, not all classes are created equal. Before spending your hard-earned money on casting director workshops, paid talent showcases, or a degree in acting from college, consider the potential return on investment and explore alternatives for honing your craft and advancing your career. 

By being discerning about where you allocate your resources, you can ensure that your acting journey is fulfilling and financially sustainable. Remember, success in the industry often requires a combination of talent, persistence, and wise decision-making. Classes only pay a small part, so they must add tangible value for you to consider the investment.

[Read also: How To Get An Agent]

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At Teacup of Wisdom, we share knowledge and insights about the entertainment industry from the actor’s point of view to inspire and empower your acting journey.