Do not underestimate the power of a helping hand, Birmingham veterans in the entertainment industry will tell you, “No one does it alone.” Having a great mentor in the field you are working in will be extremely valuable to you and you will learn so much more than what you would without someone else to bounce ideas off of. A great mentor can provide you with a big-picture perspective while also helping you navigate what is ahead of you in your career while you are taking the first steps to a successful career in Birmingham.
Mentorship in Birmingham tends to be a really underrated topic, but it is much more essential to the beginning actor than realized. Mentors are not talent reps shepherding a career though, do understand that. A good mentor will be an experienced actor that is helping new actors getting started with no expectations on getting anything in return there in Birmingham. They are doing good for the sake of doing good. It can be a challenge to find a good one but there are ways to do so and help forward your career as you work towards success.
Find yourself an A-lister, though in this case the “A” really stands for accessible. A big box office star may seem like a sure bet as a great mentor, but good luck connecting with them. Even if you do, their schedules most likely won’t allow for much bonding. Instead in Birmingham, turn toward the character actors you admire. Although these talented folks rarely see their name above the title, over time they have built an impressive list of film and TV credits. These actors will have a lot to teach and are more likely to take the time to connect with you.
The next approach is to find someone in Birmingham that has a history of being helpful. Seek out an actor with a track record of volunteering their time speaking with young actors at schools, camps or non-profit industry organizations. If possible, go to an event where this person is appearing and find an appropriate time to approach. Be very careful not to monopolize the actor’s time and instead, introduce yourself briefly. Ask if it would be OK to follow up with them via email to “pick their brain a little.” Do not overwhelm them or ask for anything else. Time is money to everyone in the industry and not just you.
As odd as it may sound, go back to school. Check to see if there are any seasoned actors who graduated from your high school or university. You can just check the schools in Birmingham, though if you came from somewhere else before landing in Birmingham, check there first. Often a list of notable alumni is available through a simple online search. The smaller your hometown or college, the better. Try approaching them through your college alumni office or connect on social media. The best way to connect with an alum, however, is with a personal introduction. This can be a shared professor or teacher. You can also watch for actors who are visiting your alma mater whether or not they’re an alum and see if you can respectfully wrangle yourself into the room. For example, you can volunteer at their event.
Sometimes the mentors you really want may actually be unreachable however, books can provide some great mentoring as well and you don’t have to worry about them having a busy schedule. There are good benefits to be had by using a book for your mentor or using a guide like Sanford Meisner on Acting. You can improve what you already know about acting without having to worry about trivial things like time constraints or having to deal with another actor's agent or security personal, to get the mentoring you need. To be a successful mentee, you should be open to learning and don’t be afraid to ask the tougher questions as you make your way down your career path in Birmingham.
