Step One: Research the Industry

the acting business is so huge. i had no idea where to start. i was new in every way to the business. i had no experience, no knowledge,  do i first study, get an agent, audition, what? i had no clue where to start. so what do you do when you have no clue? you turn to the ultimate in internet information: google.

I Googled "Acting"
i had pulled up at least 10 different websites and read them all thoroughly, comparing and evaluating their info. already, i had learned a ton of info just on the very simple basics of the acting industry.

a great resource: About.com:

• How to Become a Film and Television Actor 
• 8 Tips Every New Actor Should Know
• 10 Tips to Getting a Job in Hollywood
• Understanding Your Unique Skills and Traits
• New York vs. Los Angeles - Which Offers the Most Opportunity?
• Audition Tips

http://www.actingbiz.com/articles/getting_started.php
(good resource listing ways to gain acting experience when starting out)
http://www.entertainmentcareers.net/acting/wannabe.asp
(Basic Info for Those Considering a Professional Acting Career written by Screen Actors Guild)
http://www.theatrelab.org/newsletter/2007Summer.pdf
(a brief article on deciding where to start)
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/
(good to know background info with videos)
http://www.sft.edu/tips/tips.html
(The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts provides this great online source for the ins and outs of the film industry.)

http://www.abwag.com/how_to_get_started_in_acting.htm
(key background information which led me to my next step: headshots)

i read a dozen different articles like these ones on about.com and through other sources on google. although these were very valuable for me (not knowing anything about anything in the business), none of these articles really gave me what i desired: a step-by-step process and where exactly to start. i was a fresh piece of clay and need to be molded correctly from the start.
however, i did learn that the first thing i needed to do was get headshots.