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Starting out as an actor? My journey and 3 must-haves for beginners!

Writer's picture: Kristina YarmolichKristina Yarmolich

How to Start Pursuing Acting: My Journey and Key Insights

Hi, my name is Kristina Yarmolich. I'm an actor based in the Bay Area, and I am here to share about my journey pursuing acting. Two years ago, I graduated from the Meisner Technique Studio, a two-year intensive program on the Meisner technique taught by Jim Jarrett, Sanford Meisner's last teaching protégé. Initially, my interest in acting was purely for personal development (I was scared of public speaking, and still am to some extend but the training helped so much!). I never imagined I’d pursue it as a career. Putting myself out there has always been something I admired from a distance, but I lacked the confidence to believe I could actually make it part of my life.



Graduation day at the Meisner Technique Studio - I look so different haha!
Graduation day at the Meisner Technique Studio - I look so different haha!

The program changed everything. It took me from being a shy girl—someone who almost ran away from the first class out of fear—to someone bold enough to pursue acting professionally. Now, I work on a variety of projects, from commercial gigs to short films and feature films. I’ve booked projects with Apple, Amazon, Cisco, McDonald’s, and more. Recently, I even became SAG-AFTRA eligible. But let me tell you—none of this happened overnight.


Acting is not an easy path. Balancing a full-time job while pursuing this passion takes a looot dedication. If you’re expecting instant success, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Unless you’re extraordinarily lucky or have powerful connections, acting requires consistent hard work, resilience, and a willingness to learn from failure.


The Meisner Technique Studio gave me a solid foundation. I learned the skill of transforming words on a page into something alive, authentic, and truthful. That’s what the craft is all about: truth. Those two years were life-changing, and I miss the creativity and camaraderie of that time deeply.


When I graduated, the school offered a business class—a three-month intensive on auditioning and the business side of acting. While it was incredibly insightful, one thing became clear: to grow in this field, you need to put yourself out there. Submit for projects, audition relentlessly, hone your craft, and build connections. No class can replace the knowledge you gain from real-world experience, trial, and error.

Here are the foundational steps I’ve learned along the way:


The Importance of Professional Headshots

Your headshot is your first impression with casting directors. It’s critical to invest in professional acting headshots—not selfies, not LinkedIn-style photos, and not a favor from your photographer cousin.

For my first set of headshots, I traveled to LA based on my teacher’s recommendation, but you don’t have to go that far. Research local photographers who specialize in actor headshots, review their portfolios, and make sure you vibe with them. Set yourself up for success by going into your shoot prepared and in a great mood. Play your favorite music, set an intention, and make the session yours.

A strong headshot signals to casting directors that you’re serious and understand the industry. A poor-quality headshot, on the other hand, can leave the impression that you’re not ready to compete at a professional level.




Crafting Your Acting Resume (Even if you are brand new to the industry)

When I started, I had almost no experience to put on my resume. But here’s the secret: you don’t need a long list of credits to make your resume appealing! Look at your past experiences and adapt them to highlight your skills. Include acting classes, specific scenes or monologues you’ve worked on, and any short films or projects you’ve participated in—even if they were just with friends. That's how you start! Special skills are also a huge plus, especially if they’re unique or athletic. Casting directors appreciate a fresh resume and often want to help new talent grow. Here is my current resum e, and I update it quartely.




Getting Started with Self-Submissions

If you’re just starting out and don’t yet have an agent, platforms like Casting Networks are a game-changer. I’ve booked multiple projects through self-submissions, including one for Google that paid $2,000 for two days in Monterey Bay—a fantastic experience.



Self-submissions are a great way to gain experience and build your portfolio while you’re working toward signing with an agent. A good agent will invest in your growth and open doors you might not reach on your own. For those in the Bay Area, Casting Networks is my top recommendation. While I haven’t had much luck with Backstage, I know others who have. Casting Frontier is another option worth exploring.

This is a tough but rewarding journey. If you’re just starting out, take it step by step: invest in professional headshots, craft a solid resume, and start submitting yourself for projects. The more you put yourself out there, the more you’ll learn and grow.


If you found this helpful, check out my other posts where I dive deeper into preparing for headshot sessions, finding your first agent, and generating income from acting.

Thanks for reading!

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