Acting for beginners is no joke. It can feel like being a deer caught in headlights. You want to move forward, but fear, confusion, and overwhelm leave you frozen, unsure of what step to take next. Sure, the internet is full of advice – take acting classes, get headshots, find an agent. But what happens when you follow all the steps… and nothing happens?
I’m speaking from experience here. I’ve been in this industry for years… I majored in theatre and have been immersed in entertainment for as long as I can remember. I have been a dancer, professional mermaid and underwater model, built a successful voiceover business, and even acted in film and music videos.
Still, even with all that background and experience, I often felt completely lost. Like there had to be more! More guidance, more honesty, and more support for actors at the beginning of their journey. Not just a focus on acting skills, but something that addressed the whole picture: mindset, business knowledge, experience, confidence, and community. Because starting out as an actor isn’t just about learning lines, it’s about learning how to navigate a world that doesn’t always make space for you until you carve it out yourself!
So how do you set yourself up for a sustainable, joyful career instead of one fueled by burnout and confusion?
Here are some key tips, and one transformational opportunity to help you get there.
1. Keep Training. It’s Non-Negotiable
Acting is like any other art… it evolves. Your instincts get sharper, your technique becomes more refined, and your emotional range deepens, but only if you keep stretching yourself. Whether you’re diving into Meisner, experimenting with improv, or mastering the art of self-tapes, consistent training is what keeps you fresh, fearless, and competitive in a fast-moving industry. Take part in an immersive acting experience that will help you grow any chance you get. This will only help you in the long run.
Pro tip: Don’t wait for your agent or manager to tell you to train. The best actors are lifelong students. They are constantly growing, refining, and creating their own opportunities, not waiting for them to appear. If this is your calling, then I encourage you to go all-in, immediately! No twiddling your thumbs waiting for opportunities to find you. Trust me when I tell you that it does not work like that!
2. Mindset Isn’t Optional, It’s Foundational
Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: your mindset can make or break your career. I have seen it firsthand and have helped many actors break through mental barriers holding them back in their careers. This is a tough business to be in, and many extremely talented actors have almost quit on themselves and their dreams because of their mentality.
Yes, you need talent. Yes, you need materials. But if your inner dialogue is full of doubt, comparison, or fear, you’ll self-sabotage your best opportunities before they even begin.
Start nurturing your mindset like it’s part of your craft, because it really is. Journaling, therapy, movement, meditation, breathwork – whatever keeps you grounded and confident, do more of that. Because when your inner world is solid, you can walk into any audition room with unshakable energy!
You’ll no longer doubt your decisions or ability to play the part. You’ll no longer believe that you’re not worthy of success. You’ll no longer be stuck, thinking you’re not talented enough to book the part. Change your mindset, change your life!
3. Take a Step Back to Leap Forward
In a business that pushes you to hustle 24/7, it can feel counterintuitive to step away. But here’s the thing: real breakthroughs happen when you give yourself space to reset. I repeat: real breakthroughs happen when you give yourself space to reset!
That’s why I created The Bright Stars Greenroom Ultimate Acting Retreat. This one-of-a-kind acting retreat was created for actors like you who are ready to stop spinning their wheels and start stepping into aligned action! This immersive acting experience is for you if you:
- Feel lost or unsure about where to begin as an actor
- Are feeling stuck, discouraged, or burnt out in your acting journey
- Need a jumpstart to reignite your passion and purpose
- Want real on-set experience filming a festival-bound short film with a professional crew
- Crave time away to reconnect with your creativity and rediscover your “why”
- Are ready to network with like-minded artists and build a supportive creative community
- Want to strengthen your acting skills while updating your resume, learning the business, and getting a new professional headshot
- …and that’s just the beginning.
This is the experience I wish I would have had when I first started my journey as an actor. You will be embarking on a unique opportunity to gain all of the tools needed to start treating your dreams as a business, and be a part of a community that will support you until the end of time. You will gain a new IMDb credit and professional headshot by the incredible Shawn Ray, and when it’s ready – watch a fully produced short film that will be submitted to film festivals!
When and where will it be? 📍 Ormond Beach, Florida | May 1–7, 2025
This is not your average retreat. It’s a full mind-body-career reset designed to launch you into the next level of your acting journey to becoming refreshed, reconnected, and ready for whatever comes your way as a working actor.
You’ll get:
- A stunning, abundant setting to clear your head and fuel your heart
- Movement + sound healing classes to reconnect with your body and calm your nervous system
- 12+ professional coaches teaching acting, mindset, and business strategy
- A professional headshot session to uplevel your brand
- A role in a festival-bound short film – yes, you’ll be on set
- Career & business workshops to finally learn what no one teaches you
- Delicious meals, drinks, and full lodging included
- Plus access to a spa room, private pool, and kayaking on the Tomoka River
BONUS: if you’ve already established your acting business, then this is also a tax-deductible expense.
Let that sink in: your most transformational, joyful week of the year could also be a smart business move.
4. Market Yourself Like a Pro (Even If You’re New)
It’s time to start thinking of yourself as a brand. Not in a fake, cheesy, or inauthentic way, but as a professional with something unique to offer in the entertainment industry. That means having:
- A polished headshot and resume
- An updated IMDb or casting profile
- A clear understanding of your type and strengths
- A reel (even if it’s just short self-tapes or scenes for now)
If you wouldn’t hire someone with a blurry LinkedIn photo and no resume, why should a casting director take you seriously without the same? Always put your best into the universe and continue to improve it.
5. This Is a Business. Own It
You are not “just” an artist. You are the CEO of You, Inc. Even if you don’t have an LLC or Sole Proprietorship, YOU are the CEO of your career!
Learn how to manage your finances, track your expenses, and make strategic career moves. No one is going to hand you a map. But you can learn the terrain. The way you achieve this, is by thinking like a professional from day one. You are no longer “just an actor”. You are the CEO of your acting company!
Once I realized this, everything changed in my acting business. I stopped seeing myself as “just an actor” and started recognizing that I was a brand. A creative professional offering a valuable service.
I’m not just showing up to play a part… I’m helping production companies, filmmakers, and casting directors bring their stories to life. Whether it’s on set for a movie, in front of the camera for a photoshoot, behind the mic for a voiceover, or performing in a live production, I – Shannon Scott am part of a larger creative process. That shift in mindset gave me clarity and confidence.
I started thinking like a business owner: investing in my craft, marketing myself strategically, and showing up with purpose. When you treat your acting career like a business, doors begin to open! Why? Because you’re no longer waiting to be chosen. You’re creating value, and that makes all the difference!
Your Next Step Could Be a Game Changer
If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or unsure how to move forward, you’re not alone. But what if the clarity, confidence, and community you need are waiting just around the corner?
The Bright Stars Greenroom Retreat isn’t just a vacation. It’s an activation! It’s the catalyst you need to start making big moves towards your dreams. If you’re tired of sitting around, just waiting for your dreams to come true, then this is your time to make things happen. Invest in your future self. I promise you that he or she will thank you for it in the end!
It’s your time to recharge, refine your craft, build genuine connections, and walk away with tools you can actually use to build your dream career.
✨ This is your moment to say yes to yourself.
✨ Yes to your growth.
✨ Yes to the career you deserve.
We’ll see you in Ormond Beach. Let’s light it up! 🌟
