Acting coaches will gladly take you on as a client and help shape you into what it is you’re hoping to become. But truth be told, this is a reality for many professions, not just acting.You might be asking yourself, “But isn’t acting for the young and beautiful? “Actors I have worked with who are in their fifties and sixties do feel like ageism is a challenge they face,” Mc Cracken says, adding that as a result, many “are beginning to create work that have vigor to tell stories more interesting to them. Don’t take out a second mortgage on your home or a small business loan. It’s safe to say you’ll need headshots and you’ll want to sign up for a class or two.
And lastly, you will hopefully have more financial stability.
Focus on the pros, not the cons, and you’ll be just fine. A-based acting coach Sara Mornell says, “Nothing is impossible.” Actors need to believe that, she says, because she “would never want anyone to look back and regret not trying.” Matt Newton, acting coach and Backstage expert, has five tips for actors starting later in life: “I believe there is a place for everyone in this business,” he says.
The “hot actors” market might not be the most lucrative avenue for your career at this point.
You’re less likely to become a Hollywood mega superstar and you can’t use your young age as an excuse for lack of credits. You’ll have life experience, wisdom, certainty, maturity. You’ll also have the ability to stay focused on your goals.
“Type and talent are obviously important but, more than anything, it’s important to follow your dreams and do what makes you happy.” Newton advises that people treat acting as a fun hobby until it develops into something more.
“Learn the skills, educate yourself about the business, and surround yourself with people who will help you on that journey and support you,” he says.
“Skin has texture, even the smoothest of skin,” he says.
“[And] skin gets more texture as we age.” Cartwright adds, “The first thought that pops up when I see a headshot with overly retouched, plastic-looking skin is, ‘What are they hiding? In overly retouched photos, casting can’t trust what the actor will look like, and therefore won’t waste time calling that actor in to audition.” A character’s age is one of the most important factors in selecting actors for a project, so think about your age range and work with your photographer/retoucher to make sure your skin looks realistic and authentic to your age range.
But let’s be clear about what this retouching business really means: It should include things like removing stray hairs and evening out your skin tone.
Los Angeles-based headshot photographer and Backstage expert Marc Cartwright says that when retouching photos, actors need to keep their realistic age in mind.
But just because they might have a few years on you in terms of life experience, it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to share the stage or screen. You haven’t appeared in dozens of plays at your local theater over the years? If you’re going to become an actor later in life, you’ll need both a touch of humility and a lot of confidence along with patience, hope, and persistence.