When we think of young Hollywood actors, we think of James Franco, the star of movies such as Pineapple Express and Milk. But these days he’s more than just a pretty face. He’s also an MFA student at Columbia University, where he is working toward his graduate degree in creative writing.
Now, Franco is turning his talents to the Internet, with a blog about how older actors can make a return to Hollywood. The blog, written in conjunction with the website Mashable, will offer tips for actors who want to “get back in the game” after turning forty.
Franco has long been a writer as well as an actor. He has published short stories in Esquire and Vice magazines and wrote about the Sundance Film Festival for The New York Times.
In an interview with The Guardian last year, he said that he was inspired to write by one of his heroes, William Faulkner. “I admire Faulkner because he made it seem so easy to do something that’s so hard—to be an original writer and create your own world,” Franco said.
There’s no question about it: ageism is a real thing. It affects women more than men, and it affects actors more than any other profession. And it doesn’t matter if you’re Brad Pitt or Judy Dench—if you’re over forty, then you can forget about ever winning an Oscar.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t roles out there for older actors who want to make a comeback. Jobs are lurking in the dark corners of the industry, just waiting to be snapped up by anyone with the nerve to find them. I should know: I’ve been working in Hollywood since 1980 and I’m not planning on stopping any time soon.
In this blog, I’ll keep you posted on upcoming auditions and casting calls in your area. But that’s not all! Whether you’re new to the acting scene or looking for tips to re-energize your career, you can read weekly articles about how to approach agents, what kinds of roles are still out there (and which ones you should avoid), and how to network with others in the industry who can help you land that dream role.
You don’t have to call it
There is no doubt that the entertainment industry is a youth-obsessed business. But what about those actors and actresses who are over forty? How can they get roles when the majority of scripts are written for younger characters? The truth is, there are more opportunities than people realize. Here are some tips for how to make the most of your age and experience:
Work. Nothing gets you more roles than wanting them and going out there to get them. You have to be willing to audition, which means putting yourself out there, even when you know your chances of getting a role are slim. Make the most of your audition time; do all you can to impress casting directors and producers, who will remember you for future roles.
Network. Many people think that networking is only for younger actors and actresses, but it’s just as important for those who are more established in their careers. Meeting the right people can open doors that you never thought possible. Go to events where you might meet producers and casting directors in person. Don’t be afraid to send out emails or call people you’d like to work with as well!
Social media. More than ever before, it’s important that actors and actresses use social media professionally. Creating a
I’ve now been acting for over forty years. I’m old enough to know better, but too young to quit. Here are a few things that I have learned in those forty years. In this series of articles, I will share with you all my greatest secrets to getting the roles that you want when you’re over forty.
I have been acting since 1975. My first professional gig was actually when I was thirteen; it was a commercial for McDonald’s. Although my first role on television was in 1985, it wasn’t until 1991 that I started getting regular work on television and in films. During these twenty years, I’ve had many ups and downs as an actor, but one thing is certain: there’s never a shortage of work for older actors.
The key to success is finding the right agent who will represent you well and get you auditions for roles that fit your profile. If they’re not doing this, then they’re not doing their job properly! It’s important to remember that even if your agent doesn’t get you any auditions at all, they’ll still receive 10% commission on whatever money you make through them so it’s worth keeping them happy by meeting their every whim or request – after all,
Hollywood is an ageist town. While it’s true that some actors and actresses reach their peak after forty, the industry as a whole has a reputation for casting younger talent, especially in leading roles.
If you’re over forty and looking to break back into acting, you need to find roles that fit your age range. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:
1. Find your niche. You’re not going to get cast in roles meant for twenty-something actors. But you might find yourself cast as someone’s father or mother — and those roles are often interesting, complex ones. If you can show directors you have the maturity for these roles, you can use them to demonstrate your skills on screen.
2. Think local. Indie movies often feature older actors in leading roles because they don’t have as large a budget as major studio films. Look up local indie film festivals and see if any of the films are casting soon-to-be-produced projects or if they’re looking for extras in upcoming projects.
Hello fellow older actors! I’m an actor who has been in the industry for over twenty years (you may know me from such films as “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and “Freaks and Geeks”). As a veteran actor, I have some advice for all of you who have experienced the challenges of getting a role past the age of forty.
First, let me say that I think it is wonderful that our industry is becoming more open to older folks. I think we should celebrate this by making an effort to look younger. What do I mean? Well, as you know, getting plastic surgery in Hollywood is practically mandatory. So why not get a little extra done? A little nip here, a little tuck there—and before you know it, you will look like you are thirty-five again!
I looked around at the actors on all sides of me, the ones I had once known and envied for their careers. Some were still working regularly, but most of them hadn’t worked in years. The few who did work were relegated to small roles playing judges or lawyers, the occasional police officer or doctor, much older authority figures, or perhaps a killer or a kidnapper. They were not employed because they were good actors; they were employed because they looked like judges and police officers and doctors and killers.
But what was worse was that many of them no longer even wanted to work. For some it had been years since they had done something creative. Many of them had given up hope. They told themselves they were too old, too tired, too disillusioned. And so they stopped trying to get work in this business. They stopped taking classes and going on auditions; they stopped working on their craft; they stopped preparing themselves for roles with the same dedication and gusto that they had once brought to their jobs as young actors, when nothing seemed impossible for them.
