If a guy starts acting near 30, how does he not get stuck doing lousy lifetime roles?

hmm 30.. late not late!!! lucky land role on lifetime without experience, training ect
heres advice:

here's "short" version of can do acting , agent:

1.educate first!

read (check samuel french, libraries, , bookstores):

*=highly recommend

acting business:
*how working actor-mari lyn henry , lynne rogers
*self management actors-bonnie gillespie
-acting everything: gold edition-judy kerr
-how arrested-j. wallach michael , paul thurwachter
*an agent tells all-tony martinez
-how book acting jobs in tv , film-cathy reinking
-one less bitter actor: actor's survival guide-markus flanagan
-so want in showbusiness?- steve r. stevens
-acting truths , lies (purchased @ www.info4actors.com)
-breaking acting dummies (this useful)

acting:
*book job-doug warhit
*intent live-larry moss
-acting camera-tony barr
-acting in film-michael caine
-acting class: take seat-milton katselas
-on technique of acting micheal chekhov

method acting:
*art of acting-stella adler
-sanford meisner on acting-sanford meisner
-a dream of passion-lee strasberg
-on technique of acting-michael chekhov
*actor's art , craft-william esper
-the power of actor-ivanna chubbuck
-no acting please-eric morris
-respect acting-uta hagen
-challenge actor-uta hagen
-you can act!-d.w. brown
-strasberg’s method-lorrie hull

comedy
*8 characters of comedy-scott sedita
-the sitcom career book-mary lou belli

improv
-anything viola spolin
-steve book on acting: improv
-improvise: scene inside out-mick napier

auditioning/cold reading:
*how part without falling apart-margie haber
*audition-michael shurtleff
*the 15 guideline map booking-amy lyndon
-the best of you-craig wallace
-secrets successful cold readings-glenn alterman
read them if can

2.get training!

regardless of how "naturally talented" might be, need training, period!

take classes in:
-cold reading/auditioning
-improv
-scene study
-commercials

3. great headshots

here's place start:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tp…

4. build resume , reel doing student films , indie films. plays build acting experience.

sample resume:
http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww80/…

legit online sites can find jobs on own through:
sites not listed below questionable!

-actorsaccess.com
-lacasting.com
-nowcasting.com
-nycasting.com
-nycastings.com
-backstage.com
-starnow.com/au (australia , u.k)

free proceed caution:
-castingcallsearch.com
-mandy.com
-craigslist

5. agent

legit agencies here:
http://www.agentassociation.com/

http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent

agent, need great headshots, resume, , training best. these enough commercial agent @ least. getting theatrical agent (film/tv) takes longer. theatrical agents won’t see unless you’re sag, have polished resume, , demo reel. commercial agents more lenient that. best commercial agents want see on resume commercial classes, improv, , cold reading.

can agent multiple ways. here few common ways:
-mail in unsealed manilla envelope concise coverletter , headshot resume stapled on back. if have demoreel include too.
-attend showcase , impress them. showcase not mean scammy conventions imta, ipop, proscout, or best new talent. mean legit ones @ actor connection, reel pros, network studios, etc.
-get referral friend agency you’re interested in

don’t
-email them unless tell to. it’s unprofessional!
-call unless tell to. unprofessional!
-walk in , ask meeting. unprofessional three!
-sign them if ask upfront money, make take new photos photographer, or take classes. agent’s make money when do. agents make 10% on film/tv , commercials , 20% on commercial print

Arts & Humanities Theater & Acting Next