How do you get a career in acting?

How do you get a career in acting?
Incorrect.

Acting is one of the most difficult career's to make a living.

Many are called, few are chosen. It is a career that has nothing to do with talent -- in many ways. Sometimes a beautiful or handsome face will get work with little talent. Yet, all hope is not lost.

Any artistic life may mean years, or a lifetime, of little or no money doing what you love. The rule is -- you must love it.

Acting is not for the weak of heart, or the weak of confidence, or the impatient because -- you may or may not ever make a living at it. If you're seeking "fame" and you feel that makes money and clout; you will be solely disappointed.

If you love to perform, sing, write plays/musicals, etc. then, you will do anything to do it -- money or no money.

If you're in school:
Take your drama/theatre classesAudition for all the school plays/musicalsRead books such as "Audition" and "How To Sell Yourself As An Actor"Learn theatre (even if you want to do television and film)
>> Hollywood casting directors (and they are much more important than agents when you are starting out) and agents love to see theatre experience on resumes of actors.

Take your theatre classes in college (although, it is recommended you study something else, too -- so you can make a living; i.e. English, Teaching)Do community theatre (if available)When you have the time/money you will need to move to Los Angeles, New York or Chicago (this is where the industries [of acting opportunities] is strongest).
>> Of course, in these towns you will have millions of people to compete with!

In the meantime, get a good day job or save lots of money. It's not fun to be homeless or hungry.

Of the nearly 100,000 members of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) -- which is the union that all film/television actors are a member if they have done roles in big tv shows or films -- of all those members; about 85-95% of them made UNDER $5,000-A-YEAR in their acting career.

Trust me, that is NOT enough to live on. They do other things to make a living!