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The most
important thing that a beginner actor can do when deciding
what type of acting class to take is to research his or her
teacher's credentials before enrolling. There are a lot of
bogus teachers, coaches, and programs out there, so knowing
what you're getting yourself into before opening your wallet
is a good idea.
But how
do you do this research? Sometimes, a simple Google search
can let you know valuable information. One beginning acting
student, Anna, searched under her teacher's name and came
up with nothing incriminating; however, when she searched
for some of the film credits that supposedly belonged to her
teacher, she found that four times out of five, someone else's
name appeared where her teacher's name ought to have been.
Needless to say, Anna did not return to class.
In addition
to doing online research, it is a good idea to ask your potential
teacher how long they've been teaching, where they've taught
in the past, and where they received their own training (whether
academic or nonacademic). Have they had any students who've
gone on to achieve success, or even fame? Don't be afraid
to ask your potential teacher or acting coach for references,
either. While you may be uncomfortable asking for this information,
a reputable teacher should have no problem giving this information
to you.
You may also want to go so far as to call the Better Business
Bureau and inquire about the types of complaints they've received
about the acting studio or private acting school in which
you're considering enrolling. You should be able to find out
how long the company has been in business, whether or not
they have other locations, and if the company has operated
under any other names, too. You can also call the acting school
directly and inquire as to whether or not their company is
licensed or bonded. (Note: Not all states require all companies
to be licensed or bonded.)
And there are other ways to find out about the legitimacy
of an acting studio or school. Ask yourself these questions:
- Upon enrolling, did they insist that in addition to paying
for classes, I get headshots from their staff photographer
for a significant fee?
- Did they claim that I needed special one-on-one coaching
(at an additional cost) in addition to the classes I originally
elected to take?
- Did they promise me that I'll be able to get the acting
job of my dreams right off the bat, even though I'm a beginner?
- Did they answer all of my questions about their teachers
and company history in a forthcoming manner?
If your potential acting teacher or coach says that you won't
be able to succeed as an actor without getting headshots from
their photographer, or without taking additional classes or
workshops for a high fee, and promises you pie-in-the-sky
results but doesn't seem willing to answer your questions,
there's a good chance that the studio, company, or school
in which you're considering enrolling is not a great one,
and may even be running a scam. The good news is that there
are plenty of legitimate companies and coaches out there.
Do your research, and you'll always be ahead of the game.
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