Growing up, a lot of people wanted to become actors. And yes, acting is somewhat of an interesting career. However, it does come with its challenges. But have you ever been curious about how hard it is to become an actor?
The truth is, becoming a professional actor can be hard but not impossible to be one. With hard work, dedication, and persistence, it is possible to become a professional actor.
Additionally, acting is more than memorizing lines and talking naturally with a few emotional pauses. It is doing something real under imaginary circumstances. And for every actor to do this, they must first learn many challenging and creative skills.
In this article, I will explain what an actor is and does and explore some of the major pros and cons of being one.
So, let’s dive right in.
What is an actor?
An actor is a person who plays a role in a movie, television show, or live performance. Although many actors specialize in a particular genre, such as film or theater, most have been trained to fit in all kinds of performances.
Actors are essential members of every theatrical production, as they portray the roles of their characters and carry out the director’s vision.
However, an actor’s detailed responsibilities on the job can differ from one project task to another.
Responsibilities of an actor
- Auditioning for new projects
- Learning and memorizing lines from a script
- Rehearsing movements with other actors in their cast
- Taking on a role in production (recorded or live on stage)
- Using diverse technical performance approaches
- Accessing personal emotions to enrich their performances
- Interacting with the audience during live shows
- Applying makeup and styling hair with the help of the costume department
- Listening to and implementing directors’ instructions
- Attending fittings for costumes
How hard is it to become an actor?
Acting, according to many, is talking and showing some emotion now and then on stage or in front of an audience. And that is why so many people think they can do it. However, acting is much more than that.
Becoming an actor is a process, and you must endure a barrage of rejection before landing an audition.
For many actors, this is the most discouraging part of the process because there seems to be nothing they can do to change it.
While acting doesn’t require you to attend drama school, it can benefit your career if you have a degree. And given how difficult it can be to gain admission, this is the first of many hurdles to professional acting.
Also, working as an actor comes with inconsistent financial and job security. Many actors sometimes finish a job without immediately getting another role, which makes many actors maintain extra jobs to make ends meet while waiting to land a new role.
Actors can find it hard to make so much money at the beginning of their careers. And this is because many production companies and directors prefer to work with actors who have been in the industry for a while. This makes it hard for new actors to find work.
According to a 2019 report, only 2% of actors profit from acting. In other words, 1 in 50 actors can make a career from acting. This shows how tough it is to become a professional actor.
How to improve your chances of success as an actor?
Well, you have little or no influence over rejection, and knowing how to control your career is ideal.
Even though you have no control over rejection, there are steps you can take to get more auditions and the likelihood of getting the role.
1. Be open to rejections
Rejection is the primary reason many quit or do not attempt acting in the first place. We are humans, and part of being human is feeling unworthy.
But what you can do is understand why you are rejected in the first place so that you can learn better coping mechanisms. And If you learn to cope with rejections, you will be less susceptible to giving up.
So why are actors so frequently rejected? If an actor is rejected, it is typically because they are unsuitable for the role.
A hundred performers are frequently applying for the same job, but this does not necessarily imply that they are superior actors. It just implies you were not a good fit for the role.
If a casting director has invited you to audition, they are interested, know you can act, and want to determine if you are a good fit for this job.
And when you realize that auditioning is not about your talent but rather about the casting director identifying the best candidate for a role, you will understand why you are rejected in the first place.
2. Always Improve yourself
Instead of focusing on rejection, you should focus on improving yourself. While you might have attended theater school, workshops, and other acting courses, this does not teach everything there is to know about acting.
Of course, it provides you with a world-class foundation, but if you do not build upon it, that is all you will have.
Like any other craft, actors can become rusty if they do not take personal development seriously. Hence, you should practice skills like self-taping, script analysis, etc. The difference between landing and not landing the job is consistent practice.
3. Create your work
While relaxing during an extended period of unemployment is good, it is also good to create your work, which gives you some control over your career.
Creating your own work helps you develop your creative muscles and demonstrate your skill set to industry professionals before hiring.
Then you can send your work to agencies and casting directors to get you an audition role or even the lead role itself. And as your career progresses, you can leverage what you have to get bigger and more rewarding roles.
4. Be determined
It is not hard to get caught up in finding a job. And really, it is challenging because actors are often forced to take up additional jobs to make ends meet.
Many people’s attention is drawn to the performers making millions of dollars while doing the work they would like to be doing.
However, this is not a productive way of thinking. This route may be physically and mentally tasking. Your mindset may be the most crucial factor in determining your total performance.
This is the ideal statement as if you are continually considering your rejection. You will enter the audition room with the mentality that you need this position to pay your bills. And while this may be true, your audition will suffer.
5. Find a balance
Working around the clock is very typical for actors. However, burnout is real. And just because you love acting does not mean you cannot be bored.
So, it is just perfect for finding a balance that you can maintain for the rest of your life, and once you accomplish this, you will feel more fulfilled regardless of your level of success.
Do not equate happiness with achievement. Surround yourself with people you cherish and who cherish you. Connect your pleasure to your life, regardless of your employment status.
Skills you need to be a good actor
- Ability to do what you are told
- Ability to work solo and in a team
- Good time-keeping skills
- Reliability
- Ability to learn lines or directions
- Having the confidence to be in front of a crowd
- Experience in improvisation/ad-libbing
- Having the ability to work odd hours (evenings and weekends)
- A loud and clear voice
What does a career in acting and performing look like?
Acting is not a linear process. You will likely work on a freelance or contract basis, and your specific roles may change based on the client and the length of the production.
Performers’ careers might begin in various settings, including small-scale or experimental theater, self-production, ensemble or understudy roles in larger companies, and more.
Some performers and actors get their start in leading roles if they are a natural fit for the part.
FAQs
How would you describe an excellent actor?
An excellent actor is characterized by their passion and confidence in acting and entertainment.
Is there such a thing as bad acting?
Yes. It is called overacting (hamming or mugging), which refers to exaggerated acting.
Is acting skill or talent?
Acting is a skill. However, just like most skills, it is aided by natural talent.
Conclusion
While anyone can act, becoming a professional actor is entirely different. Because of how subtle and natural they are, great actors make us think that acting is easy, but it took them a couple of years of training to get to that point.
Becoming an actor can be incredibly hard, and only a small fraction of those who try ultimately succeed financially.
However, with constant practice, resilience, and skills improvement, you can land that big role you desire.
I hope you found this article helpful. You can also read how to get an acting agent without experience.
Thanks for reading.
