How to become an On-screen Talent?

Written by 90 Seconds
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Last updated: October 4, 2023
How to become an On-screen Talent?

If all the world’s a stage, then for actors, life itself is career training. As someone with the talent and drive for film, you have likely considered becoming a freelance actor.

This has the potential to be a rewarding and enriching career, but only if you demonstrate and refine your talent.

Get some experience

To succeed as a freelance On-screen Talent, you must have:

A CV detailing the films and plays you’ve been in, as well as other relevant skills

A portfolio containing showreels from past films, pictures from plays, and other documentation of your accomplishments

Recommendations from previous directors detailing your strengths as an actor and what it is like to work with you

Play to your strengths

A freelance On-screen Talent plays many roles in her career, but almost all of them involve:

Memory

This means not only remembering your lines, but also recalling specific details about how to move on stage. The less your director has to repeat herself, the better your reputation will be.

Empathy

An actor must be able to empathize with the characters she plays, imaging what it would be like to be in their circumstances. This is crucial for giving a realistic performance.

Improvisation

The most valuable talent an actor can have is the ability to respond creatively and confidently to situations of uncertainty. If something goes wrong during filming, you will be able to respond in a productive way, making the most of a bad situation.

Diversify

The most successful actors are those who diversify, learning other skills that will also be valuable in film production.

Learning to sing is a great place to start. Not only are you likely to encounter auditions for singing roles during your career, but the breath support and pacing you learn from singing will also help you in speaking roles.

Dance is also a useful talent, especially when learned in tandem with stage fighting techniques. You should also consider learning directing skills, as they will both make it easier to work with your current director and will allow you to expand into directing later in your career.