Realistic odds of making it as an actress?

[We_Are_The_Media]

I'm a female aged 15 and i have been in several school prodcutions and i am currently enrolled in acting classes at South Coast Repertory in Los Angeles, CA. I have a passion for the arts and theatre and can only picture myself doing acting for a living. My parents do not see this as a viable career path for me, yet i still wish to give it a shot. They are skeptical of me getting an agent, so can i get some information on such things? I have a photographer already in place for headshots, so that isn't a problem in the slightest. What are the odds that this career path works out for me? I'm not afraid to work hard and i'm incredibly gifted at memorizing lines. I have been able to memorize an entire role in just a few hours, so that is not a concern for me. Any and all advice is welcome. Thank you. This is a tentative headshot position i was thinking...does it work? http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a...915&type=3

[Plastic Bimbo]

Chances of making it as an actress is 0 to none

[Gray Area]

Couple of things to note. Yes, it is very tough to "make it" as an actor but also, peoples definition of "making it" as an actor are often skewed and unrealistic due to ignorance of the profession. "Making it" doesn't mean that you have to become Julia Roberts or Kate Beckinsale. There are many, many actresses who earn a living making between $50,000 and $80,000 per year. Now that may sound like a lot of money but in Los Angeles, or NYC, that kind of salary does not go very far. Also, there are many people in many other professions who do not manage to earn that much in a year.

Another thing to realize is that a career takes a long time to build. There's a saying that an overnight success takes ten years. At 15, if you start now and if your parents put aside their ignorance of the industry and put their time and effort behind you as well as educate themselves about the industry, then you will have a fighting chance. If not, you can always wait until you are 18 or finish college to make a run at it.

That it will take hard work is a given. That you can memorize lines quickly and all that isn't really the big obstacle in your path. It's the least of your worries in fact. This is a business and you and your parents must conduct you as such.

You should engage the forums over at http://www.backstage.com. In general there is a higher level of knowledge there from other actors who are in your position or who have already navigated the obstacles in your path.

P.S. that link did not work for me but when it comes to headshots they must be professionally done. It is your first impression. Trying to do it by yourself or cheap out in any way will not serve you in the long run or even short run. You can click on the ad links of photographers on Backstage to start your research.