How to be an Actor in 2024 | step by step in the process of starting your acting career

[@kathrynmilewski]

THANK YOU FOR THAT FIRST TIDBIT ABOUT "GROWING WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED!!!!" People aren't saying that enough. Been acting professionally since 2018, and after the pandemic and the rise of self tapes, it feels like the age old advice of having to be in Atlanta, LA, or NYC in order to have a fruitful acting career isn't necessarily true anymore. Used to live in NYC but moved back to my small little hometown in NJ during the pandemic. Because of self taping and zoom callbacks, my acting career has not died. In fact, it's FLOURISHED because I've been able to save money living in a cheaper location. I'm also close enough to NYC that I can commute when I need to, have friends' couches to crash on if I absolutely have to...plus because of the streaming boom, bigger productions are filming closer to me now. Also crazy that I used to spend lots of time and money getting physical headshots printed but I don't really need to do that anymore.

[@samvalentineLA]

absolutely! it helps that you have some relationships already in NY for sure! but being outside of a larger market has never been so useful!! love this for you. actors are EVERYWHERE.

[@levi_bernhardt]

as always an excellent video sam!

[@samvalentineLA]

i FINALLY have time to start putting into place all your generous advice!! i hope i do you proud 🥰

[@luisvelez8096]

I've felt really stagant in my acting career and your video really helped me think and slow my roll and continue working on the craft. Thank you!

[@samvalentineLA]

ah yes, the valleys between the peaks, i know it well! im so glad you found me

[@AdriannaCDavid]

hey Sam! excited you’re on YT now! in an upcoming video, may you explore what networks / production companies go with what types of actors? I recently heard an actor say “I’m really good for the CW and A24..” I’m wondering if this is just actor preference or if there are certain “types” that is known within the industry? thank you!!!

[@samvalentineLA]

so it involves watching a LOT of content and getting the overall vibe of the platforms! and staying in communication with your actor community!

[@debrafirestone861]

It’s not always sunshine and roses

[@samvalentineLA]

very true!

[@luellachavez365]

Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait for the deeper dives on each of these bullet points, because I’ve been trying to break into the business for almost 25 years. I know the fundamentals, but I’ve been stuck in the same place for about 10 years now.

[@samvalentineLA]

ooh tell me more, what do you mean by "trying to break in!"

[@luellachavez365]

@@samvalentineLA haha! Well, I’m based in vegas and wasn’t going to LA. That’s more of a possibility now, but prior never felt joining SAG (sag eligible here) would be beneficial in the past. I HAD an agent I was booking work with around 2018/2019 but she passed in 2020 (not Covid). Currently, just writing my own web series, creating my own content, and a little standup here and there. Not really getting auditions at the moment. Most the work I book is featured background.

[@KumMaiva]

You are the best ❤❤❤❤❤ much love from cameroon

[@bryceabraham]

Thanks Sam! Helps a lot. Beautiful like always ❤

[@samvalentineLA]

you are SO welcome, thank you for finding me!!

[@Louie.Moore.]

Hey Sam great video. I'm a new actor based in the UK and big fan of your podcast! As much as I understand and agree with the stepped process you explained, I am entering the industry whilst supporting a young family and with a fair amount of years into a corporate career so I've had to jump into many of these at once (head shots, open account in casting pages, apply to different roles, etc) my approach is nothing to lose, nothing to prove and all to gain! Have you got any advice how to build and grow an acting network and career when your other responsibilities don't allow time to take a more stable and paced approach? Thanks!

[@samvalentineLA]

so i do not have kids which is think is really important! but i guess my question is what are you rushing to create/achieve? as it is a long-game career thats a tough thing to put on an excelerator!

[@Louie.Moore.]

@@samvalentineLA I suppose its a mix of not being completely satisfied with my career as an engineer, having a genuine passion for films and acting and to be honest I am quite impatient person 😅. It just seems to me unless you started/had a family once you were already an "established" actor, getting into acting is not very compatible with having children. Thanks very much for your comment and best of luck with your many projects!

[@samvalentineLA]

@@Louie.Moore. i would say 1) go watch my Mothers Day episode (from June 2023!) video all about parents who are actors. and 2. there is no shortcut and in fact i know a lot of people who's career changed in the best way after having kids because they were more in touch with their emotions and better at the craft of acting.

[@Louie.Moore.]

@@samvalentineLA Thanks Sam that's a good shout and an angle I hadn't considered. Will revisit the mentioned episode. Best wishes!

[@the_real_andresjorgeortiz]

Hello Sam! Thank you for sharing the advices of how to become an actor! Really appreciate it. I have a question. I already took a couple acting courses from my local community college. How about if I included those on the acting resume? Is that doable? Hope you answer my question whenever you can. Again, I enjoyed watching your video. It is very helpful to me. My name is Andres by the way! It is pleasure to meet you. Good luck with everything you do. God bless you and your family. 🙏❤️

[@samvalentineLA]

thank you for finding me and commenting!! means a LOT. yes! the training section of your resume is for exactly that!

[@Lilou_log]

Amazing tips ❤❤ thank you sooo much

[@sam_rtx]

u look like you would be my famous crush if you were famous😂

[@samvalentineLA]

hahahahhaa i’ll take it

[@debrafirestone861]

Looks talent and money

[@samvalentineLA]

hmmm idk it has a lot to do with timing and luck and hard work too!

[@christophersedinam5825]

My name's Chris and I'm from Ghana west Africa I've wanted to be an actor because its fun and entertaining people helps bring out the inner me much easily. I just wanted to know if being in Ghana is a blockage for me because I've always been wanting to act in the U.S and its my dream too

[@samvalentineLA]

you would need a visa or green card to act in the Us!

[@Maryssa_Butler56]

How can I get a résumé?

[@samvalentineLA]

you can make one anytime! i have a podcast about this here: www.patreon.com/posts/90334002?

[@russelldecatur9849]

How many films do you have to be in to join SAG-AFTRA ?

[@samvalentineLA]

there are several ways to join SAG, from booking SAG work to doing background to creating your own productions! I recommend calling them to explain it all! I booked a commercial and a costar

[@CLIPFILM888]

I LIVE IN INDONESIA.... WANT TO BE A VOICE OVER OR ACTOR... ANY ADVICE ??

[@samvalentineLA]

i have no idea of your local culture ill be so honest! but i would find online VO classes to work on your skill first? and have good internet!

[@KumMaiva]

Okay please am in Cameroon so how can I do to be an actor in Nigeria

[@samvalentineLA]

i do not know your market but starting in training is always a good thing!

[@MelissaLeeGomez]

Wish I had this video in 2002! 🤣

[@samvalentineLA]

ME TOO lol

[@elizabethmaealan]

I think you mean Starting? :)

[@samvalentineLA]

spelling is NOT my forte ;) gracias

[@brendacooper1036]

Thank you for the video but I live and Vallejo and I have been looking for an acting class near me and a studio but there are none I will be trying to use KZbin but am a hands-on kind of person I also don't have a job to pay for a class and I live and a care home am 22 years old so what can i do you say be with a community but I don't know if that possible am not a people person but am trying to because I'm want to be and acting but am and a pickle Also i try to look up acting community but i dont know what am evening looking for are how this work

[@samvalentineLA]

there are TONS of acting classes online!! and they’re really really good

[@jonathantrauner3742]

My name is Jonathan Trauner. I will be 30 this May 15th 2024 in Jerusalem. I work at Mobileye in Jerusalem. I have Autism. I am a poet artist and performing artist and I love Gal Gadot and Taylor Swift. On June 18th 2023, I got hit by a huge tour bus and I only broke my left collarbone and did not die. I finished recovering end of August 2023 and my bone returned back to normal and to a completely unbroken unified state beginning of December 2023. My greatest dream come true is to become the first openly autistic poet performing artist and artist with Autism to win my Emmy Grammy Oscar and Tony film and acting awards in Los Angeles California in 2025, or in 2028 at the 100th Academy Awards. #NEVERGIVEUP. "Here's to the ones who dream, foolish as they may seem," Emma Stone, 2024 Oscar Academy Award Nominee for film "Poor Things." RIP Mieka Pokarier, 16, a huge fan of Taylor Swift from Melbourne Australia.

[@EdwardStefanski]

Los angeles Are from ohio

[@ADifferentVibe]

Honestly, just make sure you have a good job with health insurance before becoming an actor. Seriously. This career is expensive lol

[@samvalentineLA]

i had none of these things lol but i have them now as i have grown! i think you can grow into this

[@ADifferentVibe]

@@samvalentineLA I already have a great paying career over 10 years before becoming an actor. So when headshots payments come and I don't book roles, it's not my problem hahaha

[@mariamorenavicente]

Im going to LA for couple months to train in acting because I’ve for a scholarship 🩷 Know is so little time but I’d love to build community. Thank you for the info, loved the video

[@samvalentineLA]

hang out as much as you can with your classmates! that is your community and network! and online classes are really great these days, truly.