[custom_adv] Afsaneh Pakroo (born May 1, 1983) is an actress who has been active since 2005 with acting in cinema. [custom_adv] Getting started as an actress isn't that hard. It is one of the few jobs where you can actually just declare yourself an actress, even before you get your first audition or job. People do it all the time. [custom_adv] But, becoming successful as an actress is one of the hardest things you can attempt, with absolutely no guarantee of any kind. [custom_adv] This business is the most capricious in the world - the best actor doesn't always get the part, and so much is beyond your control that you have to be willing to be rejected on a daily basis. [custom_adv] I tell actors about my own journey when I coach them on how to be successful in this business, and it has happened specifically because I approach this as a business, and I've become really good at three things: the art, the commerce and the science of acting. If you don't get mad skillz in all three areas, your chances for success rapidly evaporate. [custom_adv] The first part of my answer is to become expert at the art of acting: get the best training you can. I recommend forgoing any advanced drama degree or theatre program at a prestigious university - it won't mean a thing to most people in the business. [custom_adv] Do it if you love being in school, but if you want to get moving, don't waste four years at any college or university. [custom_adv] Live life. Get your heart broken. Enjoy successes and failures. Suffer with rejection. Be elated when you win. Live...life. You'll need it as an actor. [custom_adv] Once you start training, you'll naturally be drawn to getting involved into projects that will give you experience: student films, black-box theater, web series, voice over, commercials and more. Each of these will give you experience in the art of acting.