by Tiffany Hunter

Created on: May 09, 2009   Last Updated: November 13, 2009

Thousands of people decide every day that they are going to become actors, but very few of them are aware of the realities of the acting world. Some think that they can be an over night success, making millions on their first movie. Others are more aware of the work that is required to become an actor, and those are the ones that are most likely to succeed.

Acting is a rewarding and fun career, but it is also very difficult. People like to believe that anyone can be an actor. If this was true, there would be a lot fewer doctors and Hollywood would be a lot bigger. Actors must learn how to break down a script, create and identify with a character and learn the different techniques of the stage and film. They also must be aware of current events, as many scripts relate to stories on the news, or even historical events. They need to know who the casting directors, directors and producers are and what they have done. And they need to be able to access all of this information before that audition in three hours.

Acting is extremely demanding. Actors sometimes go on three auditions a day, five days a week. They have very little time for preparation. Then, they must go through callbacks, screen tests and the only way they know they have a job is if they get a call. They rarely find out why they didn't get a job. Acting requires a thick skin and a lot of determination. Some actors will audition for months without getting cast in a single project. A good deal of aspiring actors will often quit once they find out how much rejection there is.

Once an actor books a job, the real work starts. Early morning and late nights are expected. There will often be last minute changes to the script, so the actors need to be able to work quickly and under pressure. In theatre, there are long rehearsals. In film, shooting can take place in extreme conditions, like heat, snow and water. There is little time to sleep, so actors need to be able to function without eight hours when they are working. They also need to make sure they take care of themselves so that they do not change weight or fall ill.

Actors also need to be businessmen and women, which is a very difficult idea for many actors to grasp. They need to be constantly networking, improving their product by taking classes and keep their marketing materials up to date. Actors need to learn to create relationships with other actors, agents, casting directors and others in the business. They also need to learn how to represent themselves to other in a professional but fun manner.

Acting is an amazing job, which is why so many people aspire to act for a living. The harsh reality is that many actors, even those who are a part of the unions, do not make a living off of acting alone. This is why actors must love their craft and understand the heartaches involved. Aspiring actors that are determined, dedicated, hard working and passionate, and educate themselves about the business, will be the ones to succeed.

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