To dream of becoming an actress?

[BlackAppleCore]

Even though I'm 36?

Have always dreamt of it. I think I'd be good at it as I can completely become a different character/persona at will and can take on completely fake emotion to the point that I can convince myself that I'm upset etc. I know it's unrealistic now but HOW unrealistic is it?

I know some of the replies here are coming off harsh, but acting seems to be one of those professions (writing fiction is another) for which a large number of people feel, rightly or wrongly, they have innate as-yet-undiscovered talent.

A lot of money gets made from this belief, and it's not going to the aspiring actors or writers; there are hugely profitable side-industries in each field, hawking everything from The Perfect Audition to The Perfect First Page, meetings with Industry Insiders, Ten Top-Secret Tips, crap classes, overpriced head-shots and infinite dubious short-cuts to recognition.

It's much cheaper to get a harsh-sounding reality check on Mumsnet before you've spent thousands on professional encouragement. If a few people saying 'this will probably never work' just spurs you to try harder, then that's great. If it just makes you gravitate towards friendlier-sounding people who say you're special and all your dreams will come true, hold on to your wallet.

Not at all unreasonable but as others have said there really isn't a lot of work around for women over the age of 30 and it really isn't in the least bit glamorous or even much fun being on set but if you treat it as something you do as an occasional hobby you'll be fine. If it gives you hope, I did a lot of amateur stuff at school and university then moved to a non-English speaking country and put away my acting dreams until an actor friend here told me that they were casting locally for a film and needed an English actress. I went along and got the part. Filmed a few scenes over 4 days and worked with a couple of big Hollywood names. Great experience, got my name on the credits and I was 38. Have done a few ads since then and was at a casting for another ad just this morning. I know I'll never be a star (too old, not pretty enough) but who cares. Go for it.

Haha Figaro it has been embedded in my head for the last 4 weeks doodle doo doodle doo doo doodle doo do doodle...and so on

ARumWithAView I have to disagree with you when you're comparing acting to writing.

For one thing, most people who want to get published write in their spare time. There's no real cost - the books on how to write can be found quite cheaply and also in most libraries.

Writing is one area where it doesn't matter whether you're male or female, old or young. Acting is renowned for having few good roles for older women.

There's a whole swathe of women in their 40s and 50s who are being published for the first time. That really can't be said for acting.

Definitely try am dram if you haven't already. I used to act when I was young/student but wasn't good enough for my parents to agree to finance a degree (and good job too - only 2 people I know who did drama degrees are anywhere near successful - one as a stage actor and one in a rather niche comedy on BBC3).

But they always supported me doing am dram and after a break of several years I joined a local group 3 years ago. There are a lot of members, many who are also jobbing actors or who have drama degrees. But there are also people with no formal acting experience too, like me. We are all committed amateurs and get great reviews and local awards. I was surprised when only months after joining, I got a lead role. And then another. And another!

But acting is exhausting. It really drains you. I got so drained from lead roles 3 times in a row that I've taken a year's break - not something you can do when it's your job!

It's made me realise that as much as I was saving to do a summer course at the poor school, I am actually happy enough to be a committed amateur and pick and choose when I act. It's hard work and not as glamorous as it looks!

Just echoing what others have said. I'm your age and although I seriously contemplated doing drama school as a mature student a few years ago, I couldn't justify the cost given the likelihood of finding work. I have made my peace with being a good amateur with an excellent group in our city. It is full of outstanding professional and ex professional actors who are now doing other jobs to pay the bills and sometimes the odd bit of paid work. It's a hard slog and one actor in the current production (who is studying to be an actor currently!) has been taken aback by the relentless schedule (we rehearse 4-5 nights a week, increasing to 7 nights in tech week and 7 performances a week during show weeks). I think he's getting a bit of a reality check and hadn't realised how long and tiring the hours can be!