I thought about doing an update post for the results of the poll I posted in the beginning of the year but I wanted to get straight to work giving you guys updated content and since this post is talking about acting classes, I'm sure you can guess that the poll leaned in favor of including content related to pursuing acting as well as modeling.
Ask and ye shall receive!
That being said, I will equally weight topics so nothing is going away when it comes to modeling but it is realistic for me to set y'all up for the expectation that in today's entertainment industry, modeling and acting go hand-in-hand. More posts related to the details on that to come.
So without further adieu, let's talk about why it can be highly beneficial for models of all experience levels -- including you newbies! -- to consider taking an acting class (or two).
MODELS AREN'T WALKING MANNEQUINS ANYMORE
Remember those days when models were "seen and not heard"? Thankfully, that mindset is mostly out of the window. In the effort to maximize visibility and opportunities, more models are being required to step into "spokesmodel/influencer" roles, where they're not just the face of a company or brand but the voice as well.
Think about the evolution of the "Supermodels" and "It Models" over the years. Even the ones renown for high fashion runways and editorials have also appeared in commercials, hosting and guest starring on TV shows, making cameos in films, posting influencer style content. etc. They might not act full-time or make that a majority of the work they do, but their ability to crossover as needed makes them extremely bankable for both clients and agencies alike.
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| Naomi Campbell hosting the reality TV Show The Face |
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| Gigi Hadid in commercial campaigns for Maybelline |
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| Gisele Bundchen with Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada |
If you don't have the personality or the energy to introduce yourself, speak a coherent sentence or memorize a few quick lines, it's going to be super easy for a client to replace you with someone who can. Don't ever give someone else the chance to step into a gig that you know you have the ability to deliver on!
IT MAKES YOU MORE VERSATILE
A model who can "only" model and do nothing else isn't as strong of an asset as a model who can do that but can also do a commercial, make a cameo on a TV show, be a spokesperson at a live event, or appear on a podcast to talk about their career and latest project(s).
See where I'm going here? The more an agency can market their models and crossover into acting related opportunities, the more exposure those models will get, which means more bookings and more clients. There are some talent agencies out there who explicitly state on their websites that they only represent people who are able to do both modeling and acting.
IT STRENGTHENS YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING & ON CAMERA SKILLS
When you attend a go-see or casting, oftentimes you're going to be asked basic intro questions so the client can gage your personality. If a client asks you, "Tell me a bit about yourself," and you instantly choke, that's not good. Sure, being able to knock out pose after pose is key as a model but these days a lot of brands and companies want more. They want the complete package: beauty, brains, and personality.
If you're shy and awkward when you speak, it doesn't exactly sell you as the complete package and you only get a few seconds to make a solid first impression. Remember: you're one of many models that want the same gigs you do. You've gotta stand out.
Taking acting classes shows you how to own your voice, get outside of your comfort zone, and develop those speaking skills in a way that will take the fear out of being in front of a camera or any kind of audience and tap into your personality and strengths. Learning basic memorization skills is also a superpower when it comes to acting.
Modeling in a way gives you a chance to get into character for whatever project you're doing (I know it certainly does for me) and acting classes can provide you with the tools to help you bring that out for the benefit of not just any acting gig you book but modeling work as well. It's a win-win in my book.
IT'S A GREAT CONFIDENCE BUILDER
Taking an acting class as a newbie and especially one who doesn't even plan to become an actor will be very intimidating at first. The kind of vulnerability required in acting classes doesn't always come easy, even to those who consider themselves outgoing and social. The right instructors create a safe space for you to be creative, take risks, explore acting, and receive constructive criticism/feedback that will ultimately help you build a stronger and more confident you.
Taking an acting class is a wonderful way to unlock parts of yourself that normally don't get to be on display. The tools, tips, and techniques that you take away from your acting classes can be directly applied to your work as a model and in your regular day-to-day life as well.
WHAT TAKING ACTING CLASSES DOESN'T MEAN
You Don't Have to Become a Full-Time Actor. Just because you take acting classes and start dabbling in doing auditions and being submitted to acting projects doesn't mean you have to abandon the dream of becoming a model. You can absolutely do both. If you happen to get more gigs for acting than modeling, that's normally and vice-versa. Don't panic, it's great to have the best of both worlds and your agent will submit you accordingly.
You Don't Have to Take Master Classes & Become a Die-Hard Trained Actor. No one is expecting you to become the next A-list actor who has to memorize 100+ page scripts if that's absolutely not your goal. There is commercial acting and theatrical (FYI: "theatrical" refers to TV/Film work and is not to be confused with "theater." We just call theater work "theater.").
There are acting classes and workshops (both online and in-person) related solely to auditioning, self tapes, getting into character, memorizing scripts...the list of specialties goes on and on. At most, start with a basic Acting 101 type of class and go from there. It's up to you to pursue further acting training if you end up loving it but it's not mandatory. Learning the gist of acting is the main starting point to focus on.
THE TAKEAWAY
If all you want to do is take photos and/or walk a runaway, that's totally fine. You are more than welcome to do that. However, if you want to set your sights a bit higher -- especially when it comes to finding a talent agency to sign with -- taking a few acting classes beforehand to get your feet wet to see what the basics of acting involves, is a move that can only help you and not hurt you.
Even if you sign with a modeling agency that doesn't deal with or represent actors, having the skills and techniques from a basic acting class in your back pocket will come in handy throughout your career and very likely in ways you didn't expect.
Stick around because my next post will dive a bit deeper into the topic of taking acting classes as a model, what you can expect, and how to find the right type of acting class/training for you!
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