Cast of Adam's Apple by Sparrow Productions
In February 2009, l read a beautiful piece by Lindsay Price and she just said it right with her words," we've heard the cry over and over again: "I want to be an actor!" From the outside, being an actor looks inciting. It looks like a happy shiny world where actors are discovered on street corners and put into block buster movies. It can look easy, and something that everyone can do. Yes it's fun, yes it's interesting, yes it's not your ordinary career. Having said that, it's important to understand the world you're getting into. Acting in high school is vastly different than acting on a professional level".

Yes you have acted in a church drama before. Yes you have acted in a school play before and let me not forget, you also played a role in a short film. All these play grounds are not the same as the professional acting career. These scenarios simply means you have the passion and burning desire to be an actor or actress. You have some experience and a building block for future works.
I have engaged lots of wannabe actors and most of them seem to be in a rush to be in the spotlight. A serious career doesn't need the "rush" attitude. It needs serious grooming and preparations. When you are well groomed and prepared, you will take care of every single opportunity that come your way. Simply put, "When you stay ready, you don't have to get ready when the opportunity come".

As your brand and Communication Strategist with experience in managing successful actors, l have listed five tips from experience and research that can aid you to be embark on your dream acting career.
Ghanaian Actress Nana Ama McBrown
1. Start Acting: Any time l tell people who want to become actors this, they look at me with some kind of look which simply means, "What do you mean by that?" If you want to be an actor, this is your number one tip. Create characters and act them out. Stand in front of your mirror and act a character of an imagery. Just start acting. Ghanaian - Nigerian actress, Yvonne Okoro in one of her interviews narrates how she use to act characters at home. She will act the character of a sick person and hell will break loose at home. She will act some characters and everyone at home will believe her. She just acted. As a young fellow desiring to be an actor remember anyone can say lines in a play but acting the lines out in a story is different and takes hard work. The person needs to become the character who states the lines within the personality of the character who is speaking. This acting tip remains important for any actor or actress who is trying to act the part of a particular character.

2. Belief in Yourself:
Ghanaian Actor Adjetey Annan & Helen Asante on Adam's Apple set
Belief in yourself comes with practice and built in confidence. Self help books on confidence are helpful and role modeling with family and other interested actors and actresses will also help in the critiquing process. Find out what you are lacking and need to work on to convince others you are the character you are portraying.

3. Audition for anything
Most local theaters are always looking for actors just like you. So if you are hungry to learn, and most importantly, willing to work unpaid give them a try. If a local car dealership needs a commercial, volunteer to be in it.  Not only will doing these free projects build your resumé, it will also get you into the habit of auditioning and performing. This act will also prepare you for the bigger market. You just don't start acting and jump into the bigger market. It might make or break you. A few have had success with this risk but it is always wise to get some experience under your belt before to jump onto the major market. There is no better way to learn how to act than to actually act.
4. Learn some special skills.
Seriously, if you are an actor with no experience, auditioning against a seasoned professional, some special skills may give you the edge over your competitor and help land you the part. If you know how to ride a horse, play golf or tennis and the part requires such understanding, that special skill alone can get you a call back. Diversifying your talents in this way will be doubly important when you move to a major market, so why not start honing these abilities now and you may also enjoy the experience.



5. Have the Passion and Make Acting Your Choice and Commitment:
Acting is a time and energy consuming career which takes only a passionate person to be successful. When you are passionate about something, you will do everything possible to make that thing happen. You will invest, practice, study, research about that thing. It becomes a burning desire. Many have made the mistake of thinking, "doing everything to make it possible means "offering yourself for sex and other unfortunate acts to get into the acting business". Having the passion and making acting your choice and commitment simply means developing your skills and never give up on you journey to success. Whether your are talented natural or not always remember this, "As for natural talent, it certainly helps to be born with the ability to perform. But acting is also something that can be learned and mastered through lots of practice. Like any skill, it can be taught. With passion and perseverance, you can be a great actor…even if it doesn’t come naturally.

The next edition will be the continuation till we get to the last tip. Credit to research sources: Lindsay Price, Made Man, Brian O'Neil, Mari Lyn Henry and Lynne Rogers and my team.
My name is Ntiamoah Williams, your Brands and Communications Strategist. Always remember, Brand or Be Branded.
Email: studio360gh@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: Ntiamoah Williams