Acting : How To Fulfill my Passion by Mary Helen Norris

Mary Helen Norris

How To Fulfill my Passion

If you had told me about 7 years ago that I would love to act, I'd laugh at you. I'd done a couple of plays when I was younger (ensemble roles, nothing major) and figured that the writing side was more my thing. But then, I got the opportunity to audition for a web series. While the project fell through, I still spent hours upon hours trying to figure out how to best play the role I'd been cast in.

The project fell through, and for a while, I buried the love I had for acting (and to an extent screenwriting) and focused more on my novels and online content.

But the itch has returned and now I want to do more acting, more screenwriting, and I find myself unsure as to how to do it.

Eric L. Williams

The internet is a great way to scratch that itch. You can write short scenes and put them online. All you need is a camera and a couple of actors.....you can even work with just one actor. By creating a lot of short-form content, your mind will get into the habit of "let's do more work". Then you'll have all the scratch you need to keep the itch happy.

PJ Edwards

Check out community theater. It's great place to start imo. The web is full of info on screenwriting as well. I recommend John August's blog. And when you ready to write, I recommend Trelby. It's free! Good luck!

Zedrick Restauro

Definitely take some acting classes. I'm very excited for the journey ahead of you!

Mary Helen Norris

thank you for the encouragement guys! I actually got a job as a background extra in a short film last week and the producer liked my work and said she'd consider me if she needs extras again soon! :)

Stephen Anthony Bailey

I would love to recommend a book called 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron. It's a workbook that takes you through the blocks artists give themselves. I think you will like it. It was recommended by Jenna Fischer in her book and it helped me greatly. For a long time I refused to even call myself an artist. I didn't feel I deserved that title. "I'm just an actor." Those little negative things we have that get in our head can paralyze us from our true potential! Go after your dreams. We only have so many opportunities to live them. Excited to see where your journey takes you!

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