These pages are aimed at aspiring young actors who have a passion for performing and want a good understanding of what working professionally as an actor involves. We’d love to be able to cover everything but as there are hundreds of books on the subject we hope these tips will start the ball rolling for any wannabe actor.
So You Want To Be An Actor?
If you’re thinking of Acting as a profession there are some important elements of the business we think you should know first. Casting director Taylor says “One must never go into the business lightly; one should embark upon a career in acting as seriously as though you were embarking upon becoming a doctor – the road is that long and that hard”. We love what Taylor has to say to make sure you check out her YouTube video ‘How Bad Do You Want It?’ for some great pieces of advice.
Everything is Easier than Becoming an Actor
It’s important to know that Acting is one of the toughest professions in terms of competition. The industry is incredibly overcrowded. There are hundreds if not thousands of actors in the industry with only a handful of actors actually getting work. If you are dedicated about being an actor, you have to be aware that you will be unemployed the majority of your career. It’s likely that for every ten jobs you’ll have an audition for, you might book only one. You will face rejection and criticism everyday which can be very hard on the self-esteem. It’s true that you have to be talented, but you also have to be lucky! Getting a job can sometimes be about being in the right person in the right place at the right time.
Do You Want to Act or Be Famous?
It is foolish to choose acting as a career path if all you dream of is fame or money. If you want to be an overnight star, acting is NOT for you. Acting is lifelong career where you will need to train hard, expect tough times when you are not working. It is no easy ride. Don’t consider your life as an actor a ‘dream’ as Mark Westbrook states;
“It’s not a dream you have to become an actor, you’re beyond dreams now. Dreams are intangible and cannot be touched, therefore they cannot be achieved. So, stop thinking of it as a dream, and see it as your target, your goal in the near future.” Mark Westbook – Acting Blog
In order to survive in the acting profession, you need to have a passion for performing that will not be knocked easily. You will face rejection on a daily basis, so dedication and determination is essential. The only reason to chase a career in acting is if you’re passionate, wholly committed as well as completely and utterly certain that acting and performance will be the only career that will make you happy! If you are, read more of our Acting Guide below: