What’s Your Type?

Many aspiring actors do not understand the benefits of being typecast. They feel if they get typecast, they will never get roles. However, it is actually quite the contrary. This inaccurate thought started in the minds of young actors who believed in order to be the best, you had to be able to play every role in the world. They felt that extreme versatility guaranteed “cast-ability.” However, this way of thinking was both absurd and discouraging since very few actors are showcased, let alone, given the opportunity to show huge versatility within their acting span. Some of the most successful actors are the ones who realize their strengths and feature them in order to present themselves in the most commercial way possible. Now, for those actors who have played incredibly different roles and never stay in a hole, they are still to be respected and “Wow’d” at, but if you study there characters they’ve played, you will find there are similarities in all of them. For a young actor to try and tackle various roles, that clearly do not define them, is a big risk that does not exactly help their image. Your type can be determined first off from your physical appearance, which is in most cases difficult to change. It is good to know what “look” you portray in order to figure out how you are seen by people. Start by asking friends or even people you do not know what type of character they see you as in a movie. If you are drop dead gorgeous or short and fat, the answer may be a little more obvious just by looking in the mirror. If you feel your face is average and not distinguishable, do not be discouraged; just find a way to stand out. I am not suggesting getting a tattoo like Mike Tysons’ on your face. I’m suggesting, dying or cutting your hair, shedding a few pounds, waxing your eyebrows. Find a way to distinguish yourself or create your character type. Don’t try to look like anyone other then your type, and your unique look will still translate within it. Having a type does not limit you because there are still so many areas to explore within the many characters your type can be. People who are type cast will always have a job. The only way they won’t is if they are bad actors. Find your niche and represent!

-Actors Nook Team