Starting up?

[MermaidKitty]

Hi everyone. I'm Kitty, I'm a lifelong actress and thought it would be super cool to be a character actor underwater. I was just wondering how to get started whether to swim at parties or to offer to swim at the aquarium. Coming from theater, I have a resume for my performances but I would need some help transferring it.
Thanks!

[Mermaid Sirenia]

Welcome! Have you read Raina's book? It covers everything you need to know!

[Mermaid Momo]

Welcome! Have you read Raina's book? It covers everything you need to know!
Not only read her book, but there are a lot of resources and threads about this all over the forum.

[Mermaid Lunette]

Actually there are threads on here that should have lots of info for you, depending on your skill set. I am sure google could produce some articles about it as well

I would suggest starting with kids parties and youtube videos though, unless you have an in with someone whom works at an aquarium. Marketing yourself is the most helpful for both of those choices, and having loved ones willing to also help you market (even as simple as reblogging your youtube or facebook, or whatever media page you have.)

[Mermaid Sirenia]

Not only read her book, but there are a lot of resources and threads about this all over the forum.
Yeah true, reading her book was just how I started :)

[AniaR]

www.makemeamermaid.com contains my books, my free youtube vlogs, and my online workshops.

This is a link to all the stuff I've posted on mernetwork for free to help new mermaids get started: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?9364-Raina-s-Professional-Resources&highlight=raina%27s+resources

Good luck :) Pretty much everything you could ask is in those threads and links!

[Mermaid Luciana]

First things first, work on your underwater skills before getting your own tail (or doing anything "fancy" underwater). Like learning how to hold your breath and to get your body to lower itself underwater, with minimal pressure/force. Next would be learning to open your eyes under water for an extended period of time (at least until they make contacts that let us open our eyes under water with minimal strain and the contact not come out under water :P ). After these two basic skills are mastered, you can go shopping for your own tail (or make your own). Tails tend to cost anywhere from 150+ to 800, possibly more US dollars, depending on the brand, maker, if a monofin is included, tail material, etc...

[Mermaid Kelda]

Tails tend to cost anywhere from 150+ to 800, possibly more US dollars
Yeah, let's put that estimate closer to 150 - 3000+ :P
For your most basic silicone tail, you'll be looking at 1500 ish.
Though, there's no reason why you need a silicone tail; you can buy/make fabric or neoprene that can look almost as realistic.