Becoming an Actor at Age 30 - How I started my acting career in my 30s. What it's like to start your acting career "late." My journey, the positives, negatives, and should you start your acting career in your 30s.

00:00 Introduction
00:55 Why I Started Acting Late at Age 30
02:27 When Did I Decide to Start Acting at Age 30
03:18 How I Started Acting at Age 30
04:32 How My Acting Career is Going Now
06:27 The Downfalls of Starting Your Acting Career Late
08:45 The Positives of Starting Your Acting Career Late
11:03 Should You Start an Acting Career at Age 30

Resources Mentioned

Producing My First Short Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4laruT8ZbtY&t=0s 

Starting My Acting Career in My 30s: A Journey of Passion and Persistence

Hey, Cherene Francis here. Did you know I started my acting career in my 30s? It’s often said that you should start acting when you're a child, a teen, or at least in your youth. While I consider myself youthful, I technically started late. I'm here to share my story of how I embarked on my acting career in my 30s. If you’re in your 30s, approaching them, or even beyond, and you’re curious about transitioning into acting, this post is for you. Like, share, and comment below. Let me know how old you were when you started acting.

For many of us pursuing a career in acting, it is a dream—a lifelong ambition. For me, it was exactly that.

Why I Started an Acting Career Late

I always wanted to be an actor. As a child, I would put on plays, write scripts, and perform in front of my school assembly. I coordinated groups of students to put on productions. It was always something I wanted to do. I even signed autographs, telling people to hold on to my signature because I was going to be famous.

During high school, I had to pick my electives and decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I found myself at a standstill. There was a disconnect between a career and acting. In my culture at the time, it was taboo to be an actor. Acting was seen as impossible, a career where you’d never make money, let alone succeed.

So, I never pursued that career. There were times when I dabbled in the industry and then stepped back out, especially after having kids and establishing my life.

The Turning Point

In 2017, I decided to jump back into acting after producing my own TV talk show. It was an amazing experience. I loved the camera, the process, being on set—everything about it. It was an “aha” moment for me, realizing that this was what I was meant to do.

The desire to act had always been with me, gnawing at me over the years. I remember watching movies and thinking, “Oh my gosh, that's me. I can do that. I want to do that.” I would literally cry because I wasn't acting. It was something I deeply wanted to pursue.

So, here I am, sharing my journey with you. If you’ve ever felt the passion for acting, regardless of your age, know that it’s never too late to start. Follow your dreams and see where they take you.

Feel free to comment below with your own stories. Let’s inspire each other on this incredible journey of acting and self-discovery!

From Talk Show Host to Aspiring Actor: My Journey

After two successful seasons of my talk show, I decided it was time to revisit my passion for acting. At 31, I enrolled in acting classes, worked on my skills, built up my confidence, and eventually secured an agent. It wasn't an easy start. I had to redo my headshots multiple times and figure out my essence, my brand, and what I was genuinely good at. Selling myself as an actor took time and effort.

Being in the Toronto market posed its own challenges. Unlike L.A. or New York, there weren't many resources available on starting an acting career here. I relied heavily on trial and error and the varying advice from acting coaches, which sometimes conflicted with industry realities. Despite these hurdles, I showed up every day, submitted my auditions on time, and practiced consistently.

About two years into my career, things started to pick up. I began booking a lot of commercials and a few TV series. It wasn't always consistent or predictable (chuckles), and I'm still not where I want to be. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how I managed to create a career and living as an actor.

Did I have another job supporting my acting career? Absolutely. I always had a more predictable gig, but I ensured it never interfered with my acting commitments. This balance allowed me to pursue my dreams while maintaining stability.

It's been a journey of perseverance, learning, and growth, and I'm excited to see where it takes me next.

Now that I feel much more comfortable in the film and television industry, I've also decided to take on other pursuits, such as producing my own content. I already had some experience from producing my own talk show, but diving into scripted content with fictional characters was a whole different ballgame.

To prepare for this new venture, I went back to school and took classes in business, producing, and camera work, among other subjects, to ensure I could produce a successful film. And that's exactly what I did. You can watch my previous video on producing my first short film for more insights.

Now, before I answer the question of whether you should transition to acting or try it out in your 30s or later, please comment below with your age and whether you've already started or are just thinking about dipping your toe in the water. I want to know who I'm talking to.

Let me share with you the downfalls and positives of starting late in the acting industry.

Downfalls

One of the main challenges is that other actors your age might have started much earlier. They likely have more credits, experience, and a beefier reel to showcase their abilities. This means they might be vying for bigger roles while you are competing for smaller ones.

However, there's always a role for your age category. More experienced actors often compete for larger roles, which means they might turn down smaller ones. This leaves opportunities for newcomers. Even if you start later, you'll still be able to book smaller roles and gradually build your experience and portfolio.

In conclusion, starting late in acting has its challenges, but it also has unique opportunities. Embrace the journey, and remember that there's always a role out there for someone with your unique life experience and perspective.

Another downfall which I think is always gonna be a part of the acting industry, is that yes, it is unpredictable, and yes, you do need to find a way to maintain your lifestyle. And so it doesn't quite change. You will need to think about what you're going to do as you're building your actors portfolio, as you make connections and build relationships in the industry. And I think for someone that's a little bit older the concern is, well, I have kids, and I have to start thinking about retirement. And you might have just a lot more things to cover as opposed to a young child or teenager that is staying at home and supported by their parents. So that is something that you wanna think about. For me, I do content creation. Me and my husband have a digital marketing agency. And so that was something that was really flexible, that I made my own schedule around. You will need to think about how you are going to sustain yourself.

The Positives of Starting an Acting Career Later in Life

Starting a career in acting later in life comes with a unique set of advantages. Here are some positives I've discovered:

Life Experience

With age comes a wealth of life experience, particularly in areas like communication, business acumen, and networking. All these skills from my previous career are immensely beneficial in my acting journey. The maturity and deep understanding of human nature I bring to my craft are invaluable.

Confidence

Confidence is another significant benefit. Growing up, I struggled with confidence and body image issues. These challenges would have been harder to manage in an industry rife with rejection. Being older and more self-assured makes it easier to stand in front of people and audition.

Purposefulness

I feel a stronger sense of purpose in my career now. As a young person, my motivations were often centered around the fun and glamour of entertaining people. Today, I find joy in sharing stories and believe I can transform lives through my work. This sense of purpose and maturity makes my journey more fulfilling.

Considering Acting at 30+

So, should you transition into acting when you're 30+ years old? It all boils down to purpose and commitment. If you approach acting as a hobby or something you just want to try, it might not be worth it. You need to truly want it and be prepared for the hard work ahead.

The Reality of the Industry

You have to understand that the return on investment won't be immediate. It might take a year or more before you see any significant progress. In the beginning, you might have to take on jobs that aren't ideal, just to build your resume. The industry requires a lot of hustle and grind, especially when starting out later in life.

Commitment and Sacrifice

The key is to have a solid game plan and the grit to endure the initial stages. It's about sowing seeds, nurturing your craft, and protecting your confidence. With time, dedication, and sacrifice, something beautiful will eventually bloom.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning into acting later in life is challenging but rewarding. It requires a high level of commitment and a willingness to invest time and effort without immediate returns. If you have the passion and perseverance, it can be a fulfilling journey.

So, what questions do you have about starting your acting career in your 30s? If you found this helpful, please like this post, subscribe to my blog, and stay tuned for more insights.