Let’s sketch a scenario. You’ve always wanted to be an actor. You’ve made the big decision to go for it. The first step in your plan to become a professional actor is to explore which acting schools can give you the training that will help you realize your dream.

So far, so good. You’ve got beyond the fantasy phase and you’re doing something practical about it. Finding acting schools is a logical start, but it’s just a small step towards your goal. Here’s where you need to go from there.

There are all kinds of acting schools out there. You need to know what you’re looking for. Some aspiring actors have a strong idea of what they want to do and where they want to be. They know that they want to act in movies, or stage musicals, or that their ultimate dream is to join the Royal Shakespeare Company.

If you don’t have such a clear vision, that’s fine. Few people start out with a clear career path. You can firm up your career plans as your quest continues. You may decide down the line that acting schools specialising in film are what you need to investigate, or that theatre school is what you want most of all.

Alternatively, you may decide to look at acting schools that will train you to take on diverse acting roles, on the stage or on screen. This can be a smart move if you want to develop your range and ensure a good flow of paid work when your training is complete.

That’s also something to consider when researching acting schools. Your life as an actor begins when you graduate. Will the training help you to find your way in the challenging acting industry after graduation? Will it teach you the ‘business’ of acting?

Brian Timoney Actors’ Studio is unique among UK acting schools. It’s the only one specialising in Method acting – the training that actors like Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Daniel Day-Lewis chose in order to develop their talents to the max. We all know how versatile these actors are and how well they’ve steered their careers.

This London-based acting school is also special because of its philosophy that acting is about action. You need to act to become a great actor. Think about it. If you can’t get the roles once you’ve finished training, you’re not really an actor at all, are you?

Brian’s courses are designed to get you working. Eighty percent of Brian’s students rapidly find agents to represent them. That’s well above the average for graduates from other acting schools.

Trying to decide which acting schools can help you most to your goal of being a great actor is about being pragmatic and making smart choices. Remember! Practical steps and informed decisions are what you need to succeed in the industry.

It’s strange but true: few acting schools teach Method acting, even though it has helped thousands take their acting to new heights. And few acting schools really help students to launch their careers.

When you’re researching acting schools, what you need is an action plan for an acting career. It helps to pick a school that offers you clear ways forward: your blueprint for a future as a successful actor.