Are you into dramas, live production theatres and see yourself at ease to communicate in public, or are you not camera shy at all? Then maybe you are thinking of getting into an acting career and dream big to one day get into Hollywood. A big dream is for sure a start, but you need to start working to create your acting career path. To help you start, first, it is essential to do comprehensive research on an acting career. See whether it is indeed a promising career or not by taking into consideration both the pros and cons. So, today’s topic- Is Acting a good career?
Pros to choose an acting career are as follows:
- When one talks about an actor, the next word that comes with it is ‘fame’! As an actor, you will easily be identified by the media and audience. You will earn nation love or maybe international love if you are successful. The advantage of this fame might even open other door opportunities for you in the film industry. Remember, if you are famous, then this means that people have loved your work and automatically, the probability of you getting more jobs is high, thus leading you to get higher pay.
- Travel and discover the world as an actor. Depending on your film or live production theatre location, you might need to travel to another country.
- As an actor, everything is possible! An actor can play several characters, including thieves and bandits. No one will hold you accountable for your actions. You can test out numerous careers and personas to learn how to conduct business discussions. This difficulty will no longer be a barrier to your progress. On stage, you may be a completely ridiculous and hilarious person, and no one will judge you for it. Artists can take on the roles of people of the opposite gender. For example, if you are a man, you may be required to perform on stage as a woman.
- Being an actor is among the most socially significant careers a person can pursue. Your philosophical standpoint and life philosophy will be communicated to the audience’s mind and spirit from the theatre stage. The career of an actor has a particularly important function to play in the construction of the next generation and its education and growth.
Cons to choose an acting career are as follows:
- Acting is frequently linked to the possibility of physical harm. Actors on stage and screen pull off amazing feats. Stuntmen will occasionally perform this, but only if the stunt is coupled with a significant risk to their lives and safety.
- It will take a huge amount of time before you get a shot in a movie or play. Despite having an acting degree, you will still have to wait like you. There are a lot of struggling actors in the queue waiting for the day when they finally get an audition.
- If ever you even become famous your life becomes public. Paparazzi will be all over you. That is one bad step; they can ruin your whole career just by ruining your reputation.
- To become an actor is more than just a career; it is also a way of life. Artists are entirely dedicated to their work and their creativity. Actors are frequently compared to monks in the media. People in this job often do not have enough spare time to devote to their lives, such as spending time with their families. As a result, we frequently read stories in the media about musicians who have had unsuccessful marriages. Some people choose not to marry or do not marry at all for a variety of reasons.
Like any other career in the world, there are pros and cons; all you have to do is analyze each benefit and downfall and see if you still want to go further in this career. Nowadays, with digitization, anyone can become an actor as we all now have a platform where we can showcase our talent. There are online platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok to display your talent. Some of the online actors who became famous are King Bach, Anwar Jibawi, and Lelepons. These are online celebrities who became famous because of their short online videos. So if you want to become an actor, start using the online platforms to your advantage and showcase your talent online as, who knows, you may receive a phone call from a producer.
Other information you need to know about that profession is as follows.
Responsibilities of an Actor
- Collaboration with other performers
- Pay attention to the technical and dress rehearsals.
- Present the show in front of an audience
- During the performance, make use of props and costumes.
- Learn the lines, songs, and/or dances that will be performed.
- Attend all planned rehearsals and costume fittings and do your research on the play or character.
- Follow the instructions of the Director and/or Choreographer.
- Other responsibilities as outlined in the job description will vary based on the type of show.
Skills Required to Become an Actor
- Experience with improvisation and ad-libbing the ability to work unsociable hours is required (evenings and weekends)
- Vocal clarity and the capacity to project one’s voice are important.
- Excellent ability to keep track of time
- Reliability
- The ability to memorize lines and directions
- Confidence in one’s ability to speak in front of an audience
- The ability to follow instructions
- Ability to function both as a member of a team and on an individual basis
What educational requirements do I need to be an actor or performer?
While there are no exact qualifications required to work as an actor or performer, the following courses may be of interest to you if you want to develop knowledge and experience in the field:
- Dance
- Actor-Musician
- Voice
- Acting
- Musical Theatre
- Drama
The following are some subjects you can study in school that will offer you valuable skills for a career as an actor or performer:
- Drama
- Theatre Studies
- Dance
- English Literature
- Languages
- Public Speaking
- History
If you are interested to enroll in acting classes or even earn a degree in it, see some of the famous universities below:
- Yale School of Drama
- Tisch School of the Arts, NYU
- UCLA School of Theatre
- USC School of Dramatic Arts
- California Institute of the Arts
- SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Theatre Arts
- Syracuse University School of Drama
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts
How much can a performer/actor earn?
Even though starting pay can be relatively low, with some fringe productions adopting ‘profit-share methods, a small number of star Actors and Performers can command extremely large salaries.
If you intend to become an actor then you must as well need to think about getting an agent representation.
Agents represent a large number of actors. Agents place their clients in jobs that they believe are suitable for them and are often given breakdowns for castings that are not publicly available to the public. In exchange for this service, they receive a share of the remuneration, often between 10 percent and 20 percent. It is possible to obtain an Agent by writing to them, inviting them to shows you are participating in, or asking for a meeting with them. It is good to investigate Agents and submit applications to those who have “open books,” which indicates that they are actively seeking new clients to represent. On the other hand, some actors do not have an agent and instead apply for castings on their own.
Suppose you are still puzzled about getting into an acting career. In that case, I encourage you to read about some famous actors such as Tom Cruise, Jim Carey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah Winfrey, and Robert Downey Jr success stories. Their stories about their struggle to finally become famous actors might give you some inspiration and help you in your career decision. So click the following link to read the full article. https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/top-5-hollywood-actors-that-will-inspire-you-to-work-hard-in-life
