Have you ever stopped to consider why you want to act? I can’t really say there are right and wrong reasons to pursue a career in acting, but the question is worth pondering. Particularly if you’re serious about trying one of the more difficult professions to get a job.
Some people are drawn to this profession because they are hungry for fame and fortune. The glamor they are exposed to in a variety of tabloids promises a lifetime of intrigue and excitement. TV shows celebrate the “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, including opportunities that come in the form of fashion, travel, and the chance to meet and rub shoulders with company VIPs. All these temptations attract many people to the business, but the desire to get all the material offers may not be enough to keep their interest.
Acting is hard work. Good actors are constantly working on their craft. It starts with developing a solid technique and sticking with it for the long term. The learning process is endless. There is always something new to learn and people who are consumed with their art are always looking to improve.
For most actors starting out, it’s hard to find a job. Many of the actors you’ve seen on stage, television, and film struggled before they were able to land steady work. The time between paying gigs varies, but in some cases it can take years between jobs. Even those at the top of the profession have experienced prolonged bouts of unemployment. If you think I’m exaggerating please look, “That guy… That was on that thing”the fabulous documentary in which 15 character actors discuss the challenges of finding steady work and maintaining an acting career.
As you scour the pavement looking for work, you need to find a job that gives you the flexibility to audition and work on your trade. A full time job is not an asset. It is an impediment to flexibility. That means he’ll need to find a part-time survival job that meets the demands of the actor’s lifestyle. When he gets a job (regional theater, for example), he’ll have to make travel arrangements, sublet his apartment, and secure housing in the city where he’ll be working. Once he finishes the play (unless he has a job where he’s free to go back and forth from one acting job to the next), he’ll go back to looking for a survival job.
You will also have to find a place either in Manhattan or very close to it. You are going to need a lot of energy to study, work, audition, network and travel. Long trips to and from the city are exhausting. When opportunity knocks, you want to be able to open the door. Exhausting switches will put you at a disadvantage.
Rents are higher than ever. I don’t envy young actors who are faced with the task of finding affordable housing in this day and age, but “Where there is a will, there is a way.” You may need to team up with 2-3 roommates to be able to pay today’s rents, but that’s part of the journey and you’ll have to do whatever it takes to stay afloat.
Their first few gigs may not live up to your loftiest expectations, but that falls under the pay-due heading. Your journey doesn’t have to be an exhausting and painful struggle. You can cut the journey short by learning your craft well to make a positive impression on casting directors and agents when the opportunity presents itself.
It will take a bit of time to find quality representation. You can’t wait to be discovered. You should always be looking for work. That requires you to be working on some aspect of your profession every day. You will need to learn about the business end of the acting profession. There’s a reason it’s called show business.
As you can see, there are many aspects to establishing yourself in the acting profession. Even the most successful actors have to have more than just a little gypsy in them. Stability is not easy to come by, frustrations run high at times, and rejection is part of the business. Surrounding yourself with positive people is essential. Negative forces are another drain on energy, so you’ll want to spend time developing a network of supportive and understanding people. It’s all part of the process.
If you feel discouraged by what I have written, that is not my intention. My sole purpose in writing this article is to shed light on the realities of business. If after reading this you’re still itching to continue, I’d venture to guess this path is the one for you. Be well, be positive and stay strong. Have a good trip!