If you are dreaming of becoming an actor, or it has been your life’s ambition to become one, then you will need to know if this is the right career path for you.
Becoming an actor is not an easy thing to do, and it will take a lot of ambition, drive, hard work, and dedication to succeed in such a hard field to break into.
However, acting can be a very rewarding career, and one that brings many people joy, passion and can pay very well.
Whether it is background work as an extra, or a leading role in a film, TV show or play, acting can be a well paying career. That being said, acting can also be very harsh, hard to maintain and expensive to sustain. So, is acting for you?If this is the question that you are asking yourself, then you will need to know if acting is a good career, if it is a stable career, and if becoming an actor is expensive.
Is acting a good career?
Acting can be a good career for many people, as long as you are prepared to put a lot of time, effort and hard work into it. You cannot expect to get anywhere without dedicating your life to becoming a professional actor. This means taking classes, refining your skills and adapting to change.You will also have to spend time going to countless auditions, hiring an agent, taking on constructive criticism and feedback, and finding as many roles that you can get your hands on. You will also need good mental and physical fitness, to keep you in the best shape and health for more demanding roles.In addition to this, you may need to be open to travelling, changing locations, or moving away for extended periods of time.
What we are trying to say is that you have to dedicate many aspects of your life, career, and money into becoming an actor in order to be successful and get somewhere. If you are willing to do this, then it will be a good career for you.
Is acting a stable career?
Acting can be a stable career choice for many people, but you should remember that there are hundreds of thousands of people trying to get the same roles that you want. It is an incredibly competitive job market, where many people will be auditioning, and possibly working just as hard as you to land their dream roles.Therefore, there can be periods as an actor where you may find yourself out of work, or unable to land auditions and get parts.
During these times, it can be difficult to survive, and you may need another job or career in order to take care of yourself in between roles. No one said it was going to be easy, so try not to give up, stick at it, and something else will come alone! To make a living as an actor it can be very difficult, and we would not argue that being an actor is a stable career choice. This is because you are not paid a salary or a steady wage. Instead, you would be paid for the days of shooting that you worked, or for the role itself, and you do not have a reliable, steady income to live from. That being said, you can make a living as an actor, by being smart, budgeting, planning and prioritizing work. You can also make sure that whatever you get paid for a role, you spread across a few months, rather than live like a King/Queen for a while, before struggling to make ends meet between roles. Becoming an actor is extremely tough to do, but it can also be extremely rewarding. So if you are prepared to take your chances, and work your way up, then you can do it!
Is becoming an actor expensive?
Becoming an actor can be expensive. This is because you will need headshots, acting classes, marketing, you may also need to hire an agent.
Additionally, you may need to move closer to the hubs of acting opportunities such as London, or Los Angeles, where you will find it easier to look for roles and casting directors. However, the money you spend on becoming an actor is money invested in you, and you cannot put a price on that.
What every actor should know:
Acting is a tough trade, so there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Life isn’t fair. The director who seemed to love you may not ever call you back, for reasons unknown. Learn from it, and move on.
The writers are always right. If you are performing a script, learn it and perform it. Do not try and argue that yours is better, writers are hired for a reason.
Always be prepared. You have to learn the scripts for auditions, and arrive on time, always be professional and do your research.
There will always be someone more qualified than you. Try not to take failure to heart, there will always be someone better than you, so become the better version of yourself.
Don’t give up. If you give up after the first few hurdles, you will never get anywhere. Keep at it, or you will never make it!
