How to Be a Movie Star: Skills, Training, and What It Takes

How to be a movie star? Personally I think this is an idiotic question, but its one that appears on Google searches all the time. So why not talk about it? 

It starts with letting go of the fantasy. It won’t happen, so just accept that. If you go into this art form to be famous, you will not make it. Becoming famous is like winning the lottery.

No one hands you a career in film—you earn it with serious training and relentless work. Fame might be a dream, but it really is the byproduct of hard fucking work. Great film actors are built, not born.

At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, our acting classes in NYC train artists who want to do this for real. In this blog, I’ll break down the steps that matter if you want to work in film, from building your craft to booking the role.

Key Takeaways

• Fame is not a reason to pursue acting.. You need real training and craft if you want to sustain a long career.

• Talent is cheaper than table salt. Craft and technique will ultimately get you the work that you dream about.

• If you want a lasting film career, get yourself professionally trained at the top acting schools.

1. Start by Building Real Acting Skills

If you're serious about how to be a movie star, this is the first step—realize that acting is an art form. Understand that the best working actors in the business have come out of the top acting programs in the United States and London. Accept that at the bare minimum you will need to develop professional acting skills. 

The actors who book movie roles and work consistently aren't just talented. They've trained. They've done the hard work to turn raw instinct into craft. Here's how to start doing the same.

Focus on truth, not superficiality

Art is about the truth of the human condition, and your job as an actor is to illuminate that in all of its aspects. Learn how to behave truthfully under imaginary circumstances. That means listening, responding, and crafting behavior that comes from a deeply personal place in you.

In film, the camera picks up everything. If it’s not real, it won’t work. And if you are not working in a personal way, why should anyone pay to watch you?

Work on your instrument daily

The best artists in any medium master their instrument. Your imagination, your voice, body, and emotional availability is your instrument of expression. Develop them. 

Take voice and movement seriously. Read plays. Watch films. Show up every day ready to stretch your range and sharpen your instincts.

Find a teacher that gives you direct, honest feedback

Most actors find themselves in NYC acting classes where everyone is patted on the back and told “good job” for the mere fact of being a creative human being. These teachers are taking your money and not providing anything of value. 

In my classroom, I am no bullshit. Every class know exactly what you are struggling with, and are given concrete ways to fix it. Find a teacher that is a bullshit detector. A teacher who will challenge you and inspire you.

2. Invest in High-Quality Acting Classes

You can’t fake skill in front of a camera. If you’re serious about becoming a movie star, you need serious acting training that will sharpen your instincts and give you solid technique and craft. 

Skip the bullshit and find real training

Not all NYC acting classes are created equal. Avoid anything that promises fast results. If you do not know how to act, a scene study or an on-camera class is not going to provide you craft and technique. Those classes will be most beneficial after you have professionally trained.

You believe in a conservatory approach to training. It is how I trained, and it set me up for the rest of my life. Master your instrument. You want a consistent way of creating vivid human behavior. Avoid cobbling a hodge podge of classes that end up taking your money and leave you more confused than when you started. 

Study with people who know the art form and the industry

Your teachers should have extensive experience and have a reputation as a teacher with exacting standards and attention to detail. I trained under master teachers, those who dedicated their entire professional life to the art of teaching. They put in their 10,000 hours. Why study with hacks who are pulling notes from classes they took ten years ago? 

Do your homework, interview acting studios, talk to teachers, and get informed. A teacher and a professional acting studio should create a safe environment, allow you to fail, hold you to a high standard, and never let you settle for your second best.

Look for depth, not just variety

Too many actors bounce from class to class, collecting techniques without mastering any of them. A strong program focuses on depth—repetition, foundation, emotional truth, and connection. Those are necessary if you want to establish a solid way of working.

Film is unforgiving. If your work isn’t rooted in something real, it won’t hold up. Training gives you that foundation, and serious acting classes are where it starts.

3. Learn How to Act on Camera

Stage and screen are two different worlds, but your job is always the same, to create behavior. To be a movie star, you’ll need more than talent and skill. There is charisma, charm, and an authenticity that cannot be taught. But learning how the camera works is going to be essential. 

Film acting demands stillness, precision, nuance, and a deeply rich internal life. The camera picks up everything—thoughts, tension, hesitation—so your work has to be honest and specific.

Understand the language of the camera

Acting for film isn’t about projecting or “playing the scene big.” It’s about doing what the character does with grace, ease, and simplicity. A slight shift in your eyes can say more than some forced emotional outburst.

You have to learn how to hit marks, maintain eyelines, keep continuity, and adjust your performance for master shots, over the shoulders, and close ups. This is part of the technical skill set every film actor must have.

Train for intimacy and restraint 

Theater work is about reaching the back row. Film work is about letting the audience in. 

You don’t need to indicate or push. You need to listen, take in, do what the character does, and let the camera do the rest. The actors who land memorable roles understand how to stay grounded and emotionally available without overselling anything.

Practice on-camera work regularly

You can use your phone or a basic camera setup to work on self-tape auditions. You’ll never even make it to a set if you do not know how to audition well. Review the footage with a critical eye. Are your choices vivid and interesting? Are you believable, or just performing?

Real life on camera means being willing to strip everything down. Practice helps you track your habits, refine your instincts, and build trust in your own presence. This will only help you if you know how to act, and possess technique and craft. If not, you’re wasting your time.

4. Create a Strong Acting Resume and Headshot

Before anyone in the entertainment industry sees your work, they see your assets. If your acting resume or headshot looks amateur, that’s all they’ll need to move on to the next submission.

Casting directors aren’t just scanning for talent—they’re filtering for professionalism. This is your first audition, whether you realize it or not.

Keep your acting resume clean and credible

Stick to the facts. List your training, theater classes, film schools if you attended any, acting classes, and roles in short films, student films, or theater productions.

If you’ve played background cadaver #3 in a TV show, fine—just don't include it. No one gives a shit about your background work. Also, never lie on your resume, it will come back to embarrass you. It’s a really small business whether you realize it or not. Always be honest about what you’ve done and who you have worked with.

Present a headshot that actually represents you

Forget glamour shots, heavily retouched, or amateur shit taken by your friends. Your headshot should be professionally lit, tightly framed, and show the real you. 

Casting directors want to see someone they can place in a scene, someone who can bring a character to life, not someone playing dress-up. 

If your image screams “aspiring actor from a small mountain town trying to look edgy,” it’s not working. You have about 2 seconds to capture their attention enough for them to look at your resume, make sure your shot is captivating in some way.

Think like a director when choosing your look

A good headshot should suggest the types of roles you’re right for. 

Are you the grounded best friend in an indie film? A thoughtful lead in a drama? The offbeat roommate in a comedy? Know your type and own it. Don’t try to look like someone you’re not. 

The goal isn’t to look like a movie star. The goal is to look like you—someone ready to work.

5. Build a Demo Reel That Shows Range

A demo reel is your calling card. If you want to work in film, casting directors, agents, and other industry professionals need to see you in action. They need to see what you look like and what you can do on camera.

Can you create believable, grounded behavior on camera? Your reel answers that question in under two minutes.

Start with your strongest scene

Don’t save your best moment for the end. The first few seconds are all you get to make an impression. Whether it’s a raw scene from a student film or a moment of stillness from a dramatic short, lead with what shows the most depth. That’s what gets attention.

Shoot something new if you need to

Waiting around for the perfect clip isn’t the move. If you don’t have footage yet, write a short scene or ask a fellow actor to collaborate. You don’t need fancy gear or a full crew. You need solid acting chops and a clear, honest moment on camera. Whatever you do, just do it well. If it looks hackish and amateur, it’s not going to do anything for you.

The movie making can be simple as long as the work is good.

Keep it tight and purposeful

One or two minutes is all you need. Don’t try to show every role you’ve ever played. Focus on a few clips that highlight range—comedy, drama, stillness, tension. 

If you were in a friend crush web series, a short film with an enigmatic name, or a gritty indie shot in a small mountain town, use what best reflects the caliber of your work.

Make it about the work, not the edits

Avoid montages, flashy music, or clever cuts . Directors want to see you hold a moment. They’re asking themselves: Can this person create behavior, are they simple, do they understand stillness? Will they hold up on a professional set? Your reel should answer with confidence.

6. Audition Smarter, Not Just Harder

Auditions are where actors prove they’re ready to work. It’s not about the number of auditions you land. It’s about the quality of the work you bring into the room and what you put on tape. If your goal is to act in movies, this is the part of the process that will either end your career or move it forward. If you do not audition well, you will not book work.

Don’t audition before you’re ready

You only get one chance to make a first impression. I’m amazed at the number of young, aspiring actors who are so antsy about getting out there and auditioning, they have given no consideration to how hackish and amateurish they will look without training. 

Those people learn the hard way. Auditioning without training is like a dentist going in to fill a cavity with no clue how to do it. If you haven’t built a process or developed your acting chops, you’re not ready. 

Directors and casting professionals remember who’s prepared and who’s faking it. You need a consistent way of creating organic, vivid, fully realized human behavior. If not? You’re not a serious actor.

Treat self-tapes like professional work

Most first-round auditions are self-taped now. This isn’t just a technical task. It’s acting which requires vivid choices, executed with clarity, ease, and imagination.

Make sure your sound is clear, your lighting is clean, and your background isn’t distracting. More importantly, your performance needs to be alive and grounded. The tape should feel like a real moment, not a staged attempt at hack acting.

Make the scene real, not a performance

The best auditions feel like life. Don’t push. Don’t perform for approval. Listen. Think. Respond. If you don’t know how to do that, learn how.

Bring a real person into the room, not an idea of what you think they want. That’s what casting directors remember. They don’t know what they want half the time. They just want someone to come in and do good work, and solve their problem. 

Every casting director is hoping your tape is the one. Good work will always be remembered, whether you book the role or not.

Avoid common mistakes

Don’t over-rehearse until every moment feels coached and scripted. Don’t let nerves lead you to rush the scene. And don’t walk in trying to win people over. Your job isn’t to impress. It’s to create behavior. 

That’s the difference between a forgettable audition and one that gets you called back.

7. Start Gaining On-Camera Experience

You can’t build an acting career without doing the work. Time on set is where your training gets tested and your habits get sharpened. The more you show up, the more prepared you’ll be when real opportunities come along.

Use student films and short films to build credits

You don’t need a million-dollar budget to grow. A solid scene in a short film can show your range, give you reel footage, and help become more comfortable on set and in front of the camera.

Student films and low-budget projects often give you more to work with than you’d expect. Focus on roles that give you something to play, not just a credit.

Background work teaches set discipline, that’s about it.

Background work can teach you how to behave on set. You’ll learn blocking, timing, camera awareness, and how to stay sharp without drawing attention. 

These small roles help shape your professionalism. But if you are someone who wants to carve out a serious career, don’t go pursuing this kind of work, especially if you are well trained. You don’t want anyone in the business thinking of you as just a background actor.

Stay present on every set

Whether you’re shooting a walk and talk in a short film or playing a silent part in a student film, stay present, watch, and learn. Pick up all that you can. Use your time on set as a free class on movie making. 

Let small projects build toward bigger ones

A short film shot on your iphone, or a self-tape audition that shows your chops could be the thing that catches a casting director's eye. Every opportunity to act builds your confidence, comfort, and camera experience. If you train and keep showing up, the right people will notice.

8. Understand the Business Side of Acting

Professional training matters, but it’s not the only thing that gets you hired. Acting is an art, but the film industry is a business. If you want a real acting career, you need to treat it like one. Knowing how the industry works gives you an edge most actors overlook.

Know what the industry expects

Directors, agents, and casting professionals want actors who are prepared, grounded, and professional. If you're late, unprepared, or difficult to work with, it won’t matter how talented you are. People remember that. They talk. In an industry built on reputation and trust, your professional conduct follows you.

Build a personal brand that makes sense

Your materials, including your resume, reel, and headshot, should tell a clear story about who you are and what you’re right for. 

Don’t try to look like a generic movie star. Be honest about your type, your strengths, and the roles you play best. Casting directors are looking for people who know themselves.

Run your career like a business

Actors who work consistently know how to stay organized. Track your auditions. Keep your materials up to date. Build relationships with people you respect. Take courses that help you grow. You’re not just an artist. You’re a working professional.

You can’t just focus on the dream of stardom and hope things fall into place. Everyone wants the big break, the hit series, and an Oscar. But behind every breakout role is a person who worked hard, stayed prepared, and understood how to move through this world like a professional. Your career will not happen overnight, not by a longshot.

9. Network with Integrity

Networking isn’t about chasing fame. It’s about building relationships, establishing your professional reputation, and working hard.

In this industry, your reputation is everything. The actors who build lasting careers are the ones others trust, respect, and want to work with again.

Surround yourself with serious artists

Do not hang out with lazy, untalented people. Work with actors, writers, and directors who care about the work. These are the people building real careers, not chasing social media likes or looking for shortcuts. 

Whether you're in theater classes or filming your first scene in a project with aspiring professionals, the people around you will shape your work ethic and standards.

Be the actor people recommend

The industry is small. Word spreads fast. Be the actor who shows up prepared, takes notes well, and doesn’t waste time gossiping about other people and bitching about their career. Be focused. Be real. That’s what makes other professionals want to bring you in.

Use social media to stay connected

You don’t need to be a star on every platform, but you should be visible. Share your involvement in projects, post your headshots and clips, and highlight your work. 

Every role is part of the bigger picture of your unfolding career. Just keep it professional. Agents and casting directors are watching.

10. Find the Right Representation (When You’re Ready)

At some point in your acting career, you’ll need help finding more opportunities and getting seen for bigger roles. That’s where agents and managers come in. But don’t look for representation too early. You need to be ready. 

No agent is going to sign and send out an untrained wanna be. There are too many well-trained, talented actors to choose from. They have a reputation as well, and they aren’t going to put that on the line representing a hack.

Wait until you’re truly prepared

Agents want actors who are already working, not actors who have no clue what to do. If you’ve been doing strong work, building your reel, and getting positive feedback, that’s when it makes sense to start reaching out.

Your materials must be solid

A polished headshot, a clean acting resume, and a reel that shows range are essential. Representation isn’t going to build these for you. They need to see that you’ve done the work before they put you in front of casting directors.

It’s a partnership, not a magic wand

Even the best agents can’t land you roles if you’re not ready to deliver in the room. All they can do is open a door for you, and negotiate your contracts.You still have to audition, act, and earn the job. A good rep helps you access more auditions. You’re responsible for the rest.

11. Stay Focused, Resilient, and Patient

If you’re wondering how to be a movie star, start by accepting that it’s a long game. Real careers take years, and most often decades to build. Most actors quit within five years, especially when the industry doesn’t hand them instant success.

Expect rejection and keep going

You’ll hear “no” more often than “yes.” That’s part of life in this business. Even great actors with memorable roles have faced a ton of rejection. It’s not personal. Keep showing up with professionalism and a fresh mindset.

Keep growing between jobs

Don’t wait for your next role to stay involved. Keep training, reading, rehearsing, and learning. Take a new course. Revisit scenes that challenge you. Whether you started acting at an early age or came to it later in life, consistent work sharpens your craft.

Let the break find you working

Breakthroughs often start small—a single line in an indie film, a quiet scene that lands just right, or a role you almost turned down. What matters is how you show up. Stay sharp, stay committed, and let the work speak for itself.

Train for the Career You Want, Not Just the Role You Want

If you’ve been jumping between random classes or hoping talent alone will get you noticed, it’s time to rethink your approach. Becoming a serious actor means committing to real, professional training.

At the Maggie Flanigan Studio, we don’t train for fame—we train professional actors who want a decades long career.. Our conservatory program is rooted in the full two year progression of the Meisner Technique. Every class, from Acting 1 and 2 to Movement, Voice and Speech, Cold Reading, and Script Analysis, is designed to challenge your habits and shape your instrument.

This work is rigorous. It’s not a BA 101 acting class you took for an easy A. It’s about learning how to create truthful, vivid behavior under imaginary circumstances. That’s what real film and TV work demands.

If you want a long, fulfilling career in acting, this is where it begins. Schedule your interview and learn more about our training.

Conclusion

The actors who stand out aren’t chasing attention. They’re focused, prepared, and doing honest work. They’ve mastered their instrument, built their technique, and know how to show up like professionals.

No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just skill, discipline, and consistency.

Stay committed to the craft. When the right moment comes, you’ll be ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do movie stars get paid?

Top-tier movie stars can make millions, but that’s not where most actors start. Early-career actors often work for low-budget rates or union scale, especially in indie films.

If money is your focus, you’re missing the point. Skill comes first. The paycheck follows.

What makes someone a movie star?

A movie star commands attention with presence, truth, and skill. It’s not just looks or charm—it’s the ability to live honestly in front of the camera. That kind of work takes training. It’s earned, not handed out.

Can you star in a movie with no experience?

It happens, but it’s rare. I certainly wouldn’t bank your career on that happening. It’s not. Without training, most actors can’t handle the demands of a lead role.

Landing a job is one thing. Being ready for it is another. That’s why real actors train.