From TikTok to the Big Screen: Acting Tips for Beginners

From TikTok to the Big Screen: Acting Tips for Beginners

A Real Guide for Dreamers, Creators, and the Brave Ones Who Hit ‘Record’

So, you’ve got vibes, a killer side profile, and you can switch from goofy to emotional in 0.5 seconds flat? Maybe you’ve daydreamed about acting in a Netflix teen drama, Marvel movie, or that indie film that premieres at Sundance. But how do you actually get there? Whether you're lip-syncing dramatic lines on TikTok, narrating skits on Instagram, or just daydreaming about seeing your name in movie credits, this is where your acting journey begins. You don’t need fame, money, or fancy agents. What you do need is authenticity, passion, and a willingness to step into the spotlight—even if your voice shakes.

This guide is packed with beginner-friendly acting tips, audition advice, and tools that’ll help you navigate from casual content creation to casting calls. With local links for Kenyan dreamers and global platforms for the bold, you’ll find practical steps, emotional encouragement, and real examples from actors who started out just like you.
Your phone was your first stage. Now let's upgrade to the big screen.

Step 1: Realize You Don’t Need to “Fit In”

Gen Z doesn’t believe in waiting for permission, and neither should you. You don’t need to be a nepo baby or live in Hollywood. Look at Timothée Chalamet started in high school plays. Or Kenya’s very own Mumbi Maina, who began in theatre and now shines on global platforms like Sense8. Your background isn’t a flaw; it’s your origin story.

The film industry used to revolve around boxes: “You need to look like this,” “Speak like that,” “Act this way.” Not anymore. Audiences and casting directorsar  craving authenticity, diversity, and truth. They want real people with real stories. Look at Issa Rae, who turned her awkwardness into an entire brand with Insecure. Or Elsa Majimbo, a Kenyan internet comic whose raw, unfiltered humor landed her international campaigns. They didn’t fit the mold—they broke it.

Practical Tips to Own Your Difference

• Identify Your “You Factor”
  Write down 3 things about yourself that make you stand out. It could be your accent, your height, your scars, your humor, your heritage. These aren’t things to hide, they’re things to highlight.
  Example- Lupita Nyong’o’s graceful presence and rich accent became part of her signature.
• Stop Mimicking, Start Embodying
  Don’t copy how another actor cries or delivers a line. How would you cry? How would you feel this line? Tap into your lived experiences even from school, home, or heartbreaks.
• Turn Self-Doubt Into Fuel
  When you catch yourself thinking, “I’m not like them,” respond with, “Exactly. I’m not. That’s my power.” Put that energy into your performance. What’s different makes you unforgettable.
• Dress and Audition As You Are
  Don’t over-style yourself to look like “what a director might want.” Show up clean, confident, and in clothes that reflect your personality. Let your energy do the talking.
• Follow Creators Who Inspire Individuality
  Fill your feed with actors and creators who embrace who they are. It’ll remind you daily that there’s no one else like you and that’s exactly the point.

The future doesn’t belong to who blends in—it belongs to those who break through with honesty. Your vibe, your voice, your journey? It’s the role the world didn’t know it needed.

Step 2: Train Like a Creator, Not a Robot

Acting isn’t about memorizing lines, it’s about feeling them.

• Rehearse monologues with the same passion you use for your best TikTok POVs.
• Record yourself. Play it back. Reflect.
• Take free or affordable online classes (YouTube is gold, and even IG lives with actors can teach you stuff).

 Step 3: Get Your Digital Lookbook

Casting directors do judge a book by its cover. Your lookbook = your brand. It shows who you are, what roles you can play, and how serious you are about the craft. And no you don’t need studio money or Vogue lighting to make one

• Headshots: No need to hire a fancy photographer. Dress clean, find good lighting, and snap photos with a smartphone.You don’t need a DSLR. A phone + natural light = magic. Here's how

Lighting: Face a window with soft, indirect sunlight. Avoid harsh midday shadows.

Backdrop: Use a clean, uncluttered background (a plain wall or neutral sheet works great).

Clothing: Solid colors, no logos. Something that feels like you not a costume.

Angles: Get a mix

• • Straight-on headshot (neutral expression)
  • Smiling shot
  • Profile or three-quarter angle

Editing: Keep it natural. Light color correction is fine, but don’t over-filter you want to look like you, not an avatar.

Example: Lupita Nyong’o early headshots

• Create a Simple Acting Resume (PDF or Website)

What to Include

• Name & Contact Info
• Age Range (what ages you can realistically portray)
• Height, Accent(s), Languages
• Experience (school plays, short films, skits even TikToks count)
• Training (any acting or voice classes, workshops, or coaches)
• Special Skills (dancing, swimming, martial arts, stunts, instruments)

Tools You Can Use

• Canva (resume templates)
• Notion or Wix (to build a free actor profile site)
• Google Docs (clean, shareable links)

• Record a Basic Acting Reel (30–60 seconds)

This doesn’t need to be a studio production. Just pick a monologue or two, set up your phone at eye level, and perform. Use natural lighting and avoid background noise.

Reel tips:

• Pick pieces that feel natural to you don’t fake a crying scene if it feels forced.
• Dress simply.
• Add a short slate at the beginning (say your name, age range, and where you're based).

• Upload Everything to an Online Casting Profile

Use platforms like

• Backstage
• StarNow
• Casting Networks
• Or even your Google Drive with organized folders and links.

Keep everything professional but real. The goal is to show who you are versatile, ready, and authentic.

• Acting Resume: List any school plays, skits, even content creation. Acting is storytelling whether it's a 2-hour film or a 15-second reel.

Step 4: Find Auditions Where You Already Scroll

Casting calls are no longer locked behind studio doors:

• Backstage has legit global roles even virtual ones.
• StarNow: Great for beginners in acting, modelling, and more.
• Kenya National Theatre: Check for real-deal local auditions.
• Follow production houses and indie filmmakers on IG, Twitter (X), and even TikTok.

 Step 5: Audition Like You Mean It

Nervous? Of course. Do it anyway.
Bring you into the room—your swag, your slang, your energy.
Don’t try to “act.” Just be. Directors are craving authenticity. The world already has enough people pretending to be someone else.

Don’t wait to feel “ready.” Start messy. Start unprepared. Just start. The next actor to break out from Nairobi, or any corner of the world, could be you. And when it happens, it’ll be because you said yes to your dream before anyone else did.

Step 6: Enroll in a Film School to Sharpen Your Craft
Because raw talent is powerful but trained talent is unstoppable.

If you're serious about acting or filmmaking, enrolling in a film school can be a game-changer. It’s not just about learning lines or camera angles, it’s about building confidence, mastering technique, and connecting with a creative community that pushes you to grow.

Why Film School Matters

• Structured Learning: You’ll learn everything from acting theory and script analysis to voice control and on-camera presence.
• Hands-On Experience: Practice makes powerful. Film schools give you access to real sets, cameras, and editing tools.
• Networking: You’ll meet future directors, producers, and fellow actors your first creative tribe.
• Portfolio Building: You’ll graduate with short films, monologues, and reels that you can use to land real auditions.

Spectrum Film School – Nairobi, Kenya

Located in the heart of Nairobi, Spectrum Film School is one of East Africa’s top institutions for aspiring actors, filmmakers, and digital creatives. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, they offer:

Certificate & Diploma Programs in Acting, Film Production, and even Drone Cinematography

Online Courses for flexible learning

State-of-the-Art Facilities with modern equipment and real-world projects

A Creative Community that nurtures talent and celebrates diversity

You can explore their programs and apply directly through the official Spectrum Film School website. Intakes are ongoing, and they even offer scholarship opportunities for passionate students. Even if you can’t enroll full-time, consider short courses or weekend workshops. Every hour you invest in your craft brings you closer to the screen.

Auditions & Acting Opportunities in Kenya

• Kenya National Theatre: A hub for local productions, workshops, and auditions in Nairobi.
• Mojo Productions: A Nairobi-based production company involved in TV, film, and commercial projects.
• Lowrys Online: A digital casting and modeling agency connecting Kenyan talent with global opportunities.
• Youth Village Kenya – Casting Calls: Regularly updated with local audition notices and casting calls.
• Urban Kenyans – Acting Career Guide: A beginner-friendly guide to starting your acting career in Kenya.

Global Casting Platforms

• Casting Networks: A leading platform with thousands of roles across film, TV, and commercials. Great for building a professional profile.
• Backstage: Trusted by actors worldwide, Backstage offers casting calls, advice, and tools to help you land roles.
• StarNow: Ideal for beginners and pros alike, StarNow lists global auditions in acting, modeling, and content creation.

These platforms often require you to create a profile with headshots, a resume, and sometimes a showreel.