Actors work in a number of different mediums, including:
Theater Televison Movies Commercials Radio broadcasts Video games Podcasts Animated shows and movies.
One of the first things to consider is what type of acting you are most interested in. That does not mean, however, you have to remain only doing this type in the future. Many accomplished actors move between acting in commercials, doing voiceover work, being on the stage and starring in movies.
Screen
Screen actors usually perform in commercials, movies or TV productions. While they are sometimes filmed in front of a studio audience, particularly TV, acting in front of a camera means the opportunity for special effects, lots of takes and a wide range of budgets.
Stage
Stage actors can perform anything from Shakespeare to musicals, and the performances tend to run for a limited time, although you would be expected to do an average of two shows a day, six days a week. On the stage, everything is live, and you often get immediate feedback on your performance from the audience.
Voice
Voice actors can be involved in a wide range of projects. Animated movies and TV series are usually made for a younger audience, although in recent years, there has been a surge in the production of animation for adults. Radio broadcasts can be plays or audible movies. Video games are becoming more and more like movies, with cutscenes that could challenge a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. The voice work in these can be specific and interesting for an actor to be involved in.
What Does an Acting Career Involve?
There is much more to being an actor in any sphere than the performance on set. Reading scripts and rehearsing is a big part of the day-to-day routine of working as an actor, as is meeting with agents and casting directors. You will have to audition for roles, work with directors and producers, and attend meetings and table reads. When you are working, you might need to travel to the set, and for movies especially, the days can be long and difficult. This might include night-time shoots, working in the cold, underwater or any number of different situations. Theater actors might end up on the road with a touring production, which means a long time away from home and family. It is worth remembering that for most people, acting is not a steady job. You might have to consider a ‘side hustle’ to help pay the bills, at least until you are established and earning regularly. Flexible, short-term work like waiting tables, writing and even teaching are popular choices.
How Much Does an Actor Earn?
For actors at the top of their career – the household names that we all know and love – the earning potential can be almost unlimited and well into the millions per performance. However, earning potential for those who aren’t blockbuster performers is based on a number of factors, including experience, expertise, the type of roles you want to take and geographical location. For many actors, salary is not guaranteed and definitely not regular, which is why so many actors have a second job. For theater actors who are part of the Actors’ Equity Association, the median pay is $16.82 per hour. This has a set minimum weekly pay of $1,145.70 per week for off-Broadway productions and just over $2,000 per week for Broadway. Movie actors tend to be the best paid, particularly in Hollywood blockbusters. A-list actors can expect $15 million to $20 million per movie, but to be guaranteed decent pay in movies, less well-known actors need to be part of the Screen Actors Guild. Big movies (budgeted at over $2.5 million) must pay a minimum salary of $3,488 per week, with a regular payday of Thursday. For small-budget movies, there is a set daily rate of at least $630. Extras are not usually covered by this. Voice actors get paid depending on experience and expertise, as a rule, averaging at about $31,400 per year, and an experienced voice actor can earn as much as $40,000.
What Education Is Available for Actors?
There is no formal education needed to be an actor, and you do not need a specific degree or level of education to tread the boards or feature in a movie. However, formal training can be helpful to not only hone your skills but also demonstrate your passion and determination to improve.
Acting Schools, Classes and Workshops
Local acting schools are available across the country, and it is usually pretty easy to find details online. It is always best to research the teacher and their methods to decide which class, school or workshop will be best for you, and give it a good chance for at least six months. There is no end to different ways of learning, and these can often be followed around your other commitments.
Acting Degree, Masters and PhDs
For complete immersion in the world of acting, a full-time acting degree or a degree in a related field offers constant opportunities for learning and performing, and is an obvious way to boost your acting CV. Classes can include drama, film, stage production, screenwriting, costume design, and so much more. If you want to specialize, you can focus your learning on one of these subjects. Combining both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice, you will be able to participate in student projects that will give you a real experience of putting on a production from start to finish.
Other Degrees That May Be Helpful
There are other degrees that could be helpful in your quest to become an actor. These include English degrees, where you can look at the work of famous playwrights as a basis for your own career, or even media and film production.
How to Start a Career in Acting
Learn About the Entertainment Industry
If you have a thirst for learning new things and make it a priority to be a constant learner, you can use that knowledge when you are attending casting calls and performing. The acting industry, whether you choose to work in front of an audience, over a microphone, or on a film set, is always developing, and you can improve your skills and employability by researching every aspect of being an actor. You can find a lot of information through online sources and through subscribing to acting magazines. Membership of relevant guilds and associations can also help.
Know What Type of Actor/Style of Actor You Want to Be
Although you might not want to choose a niche too early in your career, focusing on the type of actor that you want to be will stop you from effectively wasting time learning more than you need to in irrelevant subjects. Pick an acting type and use this decision to hone your craft and learn relevant knowledge and skills.
Take Acting Classes or Workshops
Acting classes, workshops and camps are a great way to get more knowledge of the industry while learning practical acting skills, including different methods and styles. Seach online to find local classes, which are usually in the evening or at the weekend.
Consider Further Education/Enroll in a Degree Course
If you have the time and want to get a qualification to add to your resume, a degree or college course might be the answer. Some of these are full-time courses, but others are part-time and can be completed at night school.
Headshot
A professional headshot is an 8” x 10” color photo of an actor from the chest up, with the face clearly visible. This is your image that will be used by casting directors and talent agents to decide if you have the look they need for their production. As this is the foundation of your marketing materials, it needs to be high quality. Consider paying for a professional photo session to ensure that it is the best it can be. This can be expensive but will be a good investment if it lands you your first acting job.
Resume
An acting resume is much the same as a resume for any other type of job: a one-page summary of your qualifications, achievements and experience. For acting, you will need to include details such as the name of your agent and any union affiliation, as well as your basic contact information, date of birth and physical attributes. You will also need to include your acting credits, listed by type, including the title, your role, the director and the production organization. It is important to include any special skills you have, like martial-arts training, horseback riding or playing an instrument.
Demo Reel
Also known as a sizzle reel, a demo reel is a collection of your best bits that highlight your previous acting credits. Talent managers and casting directors do not have a lot of time to watch these. They need to be less than two minutes long, consisting of 20- to 30-second clips that present you in the best light. If you don’t have many clips, you can also use a scene or a monologue.
Join a Theater
A local theater might seem small-time, but it is a great way to learn from the ground up what goes into creating a production. Not only will you learn about the important role of the non-acting personnel in the smooth running of a performance, but you can often make friends with people in the industry who might have connections that could provide an ‘in’ to other opportunities. Actor friends can be excellent mentors and teachers, and local theater is a great way to get involved and find new clips for your demo reel, as well as credit for acting roles.
Create an Online Presence and Promote Yourself
Unless you are lucky enough to be discovered by an agency, you are likely to be your own marketing manager, so it’s a great idea to create an online presence that you can promote. You can create a basic social media profile on the bigger platforms or go all out and create a website, depending on your IT skills. Use this as a place to send casting directors for more information about you and promote yourself using this online profile wherever you can. Some acting associations and subscription websites also allow you to create a profile.
Audition for Casting Calls
The management team of established actors is usually in contact with various casting directors and they arrange for auditions. If you are not managed and don’t have an agent, it will be down to you to find the casting calls. There are a number of places you can search for casting calls. Local papers might have information, or you can search the internet for auditions in your city or state. Subscribing to online sources like Backstage is a good way to find out where auditions are happening. Some more serious roles are posted in places like Actors Access and your local SAG office. There are a number of other websites that you can use, including Playbill for theater roles and Casting Networks for a wide range of projects, including low-budget and independent.
Learn How to Deal With Rejection
As an actor, you will need to develop thick skin. It is important to remember that success is not something that is going to happen overnight, and you are likely to face a number of rejections before you find a perfect role. Even the biggest Hollywood actors have to start somewhere, and for you, it will begin with your first audition. Resilience is important, and being told ‘no’ is a natural step in your career. Take the knockbacks and use any feedback to focus on being better. Every ‘no’ is a learning opportunity. Resilience also helps later in your career, when you will have to deal with the opinions of critics and those who do not enjoy your performance. You will have to keep going, regardless, without taking it too personally.
Get an Agent/Manager at the Right Time
Talent agencies can take a lot of the admin out of your acting career, but they also tend to take a cut of any money you might make. In general, you won’t need an agent until you have a few acting credits under your belt. To be considered for an agency, you are likely to need extensive training or some experience. In general, a smaller agency with fewer clients will mean that you have more opportunities and a more personal relationship with the management. The best way to get onto an agent’s radar is through a personal recommendation. This is why finding acting friends and creating a circle of mentors, teachers and colleagues can open doors for you in the industry. Having an agent can make it easier for you to manage auditions, and you will usually need to have an agent to be considered for some of the bigger movies and productions.
Skills for Actors to Master
Acting skills can range from the obvious to the quite strange, and the best way to develop these is through diligent practice. Whether you work on your performance in front of a mirror or learn your lines with your partner, practice really does make perfect.
Research
You can learn much from watching TV, movies, commercials and theater shows, not only for the techniques and methods of the actors but for the little details like physical reactions and stage directions. This level of research will help if you are playing a character based on someone in real life, where you will need to get into their mindset to be able to play them well.
Excellent Communication
Being able to express yourself in conversation, sell yourself in a presentation and make great points on paper and in person are important aspects of being a successful actor.
Physical Fitness
Long hours on set, a physically demanding role, or learning several dance routines, mean that actors need to be physically fit to cope with what is expected of them during a production.
Good Memory
You cannot escape from the need to memorize your lines, whether you are working in front of a camera or an audience. Some productions require remembering dense monologues; others might have sentences in a different language. You will need an excellent memory to perform well.
Persistence
Not every role is going to be right for you, and you will not be right for every role. Keep going, be persistent and remember that even the most well-known actors have faced a few setbacks in their careers.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an actor is a real fantasy job for many people, but it is possible for anyone to get involved in acting. With practice, learning, research and a lot of luck, your acting career could really take off. However, it is important to remember that there is a lot more to being an actor than the final performance. Get in all the roles you can, from high-school plays to local theater, offer voiceover and commercial work for local businesses and remember that you are your own brand. It isn’t the job for everybody, and you might have to rely on a second job to pay the bills. If you become a household name, however, the earning potential could be limitless.
