It's almost unheard of for an actor to achieve overnight fame. Most of today's biggest movie and television stars got where they are only through years of struggling and very hard work. The secret is not to give up but many big-name actors also got a head start by taking acting classes in Los Angeles.

Being a good actor requires more than just talent or a pretty face. Just like a talented pianist has to take lessons to learn different techniques and then practice every day before he or she can become a concert pianist, you need to hone your skills as an actor. Good actors have learned and perfected the different techniques suited to the different genres of acting.

The way you would approach film work, for instance, would be different from the way you would act on a theater stage. Film often requires close-ups of your face and you can convey the character's thoughts and feelings with the subtlest changes in your facial expressions. This wouldn't work on stage, where the audience is seated too far away to really see how your face changes.

During classes where you learn how to act, one of the main things you learn is how to use your voice. On stage, for instance, you need to project your voice so that the audience can hear you, without making it sound as if you're shouting. You also learn how to use your entire body, as well as techniques like stage fighting.

Drama training will also help you to broaden your range. You'll learn about the different approaches for different genres, such as comedy, serious drama, action and musicals. The more genres you can master, the better your chances of landing parts in films, TV shows or stage productions.

Taking classes not only help you to hone your craft as an actor. It will also teach you about other aspects of the performing arts, such as warming up your voice and body before a performance, applying make-up and approaching auditions. You may even learn about some of the behind-the-scenes activities such as lighting, camera work and publicity.

A great thing about acting classes is that they're very practice oriented. As part of your training you'll get to perform in actual productions, from stage shows to student films. This allows you to build on your resume. In addition, casting agents sometimes attend these school performances and if you impress them, your big break may come sooner than you could have imagined.

There are drama schools all around the world but taking your classes in Los Angeles puts you right in the middle of the action. After all, this is where the film and television industries are centered. In fact, most schools in the city are located only a stone's throw from the Hollywood sign, so you'll never really lose sight of your dream of making it big.