Being an Actor: How to prepare and what to expect
Many people profess or secretly hold a desire to be part of the acting profession. For most this will remain an idea or a dream, however for those who are seriously considering pursuing a career in acting there are several things you should know and ask yourself first. In this piece of writing I will attempt to provide advice on actor training, finding representation and work, and what kind of lifestyle you may expect to lead as an actor. There is an incredible amount of information to take in and think about if you are considering pursuing this career, and I am simply providing an overview of the key considerations actor's face. Should you decide to investigate further I have provided a list of useful links. Enjoy!
First and foremost, it is important to emphasise that this lifestyle choice is not a glamorous one, and if you are entering the profession for this reason you will be sorely disappointed. Acting is extremely competitive, very hard work, and is often unrewarding financially. Most actors will have to work for free (or very little pay) at some point in their careers, usually having to juggle one or two jobs with rehearsals and performances just to pay the bills. If you do find paid employment as an actor contracts are often short, and once completed unemployment again beckons. I know many actors who have been on the West End stage for months and are now working in offices and bars (often both!) around London waiting for their next audition to come up. For them, like most actors, there is no such thing as having made it'. There are also lots of different types of acting work, and even if you find paid employment it does not necessarily mean that you will feel fulfilled or satisfied in your job. I know actors who have trained for years and are forced to continually take jobs in areas of theatre they find creatively and personally unsatisfying; again to pay the bills. As an actor it is extremely difficult to have any kind of financial security, and you will find it almost impossible to be accepted for mortgages, loans and deferred payment options without proof of regular income from one source. Most actors have to have something else that they can do when not acting, and if this is a skilled job then obviously the chances of earning good money are better. I know actors who are also teachers, technical staff, plumbers, bar tenders, receptionists and promotion workers. Of course, if you are serious about acting it is very difficult to be serious about anything else, as you will require time off for auditions and will always be prioritising your acting work.
If you ask most actors why and how they cope with these employment conditions you will get a variety of answers, yet most will focus on the fact that, when employed in the right job, acting gives them a feeling of purpose and fulfilment that nothing else can satisfy. Many will tell you that they feel most at home' on stage and that, when acting, they feel awakened and alive'. There are lots of different kinds of actors and lots of different types of acting work, so the nature of this fulfilment differs for the individual. Nevertheless, actors of all types feel very strongly and passionately about their work and careers, and this commitment and determination is something you must have in order to survive the rejection and uncertainty that comes with a professional acting career. It is important to keep focussed on your aspirations and goals as an actor, and to continue to be motivated even when you feel despondent about how things are going. Without this resolve you may find yourself feeling very low and discontented.
There are, however steps that you can take to improve your chances of gaining continued, fulfilling employment as an actor. Firstly, it is important to get some training and experience. This need not be excessively expensive, however like any career you should expect to invest in order to give yourself the best chance of success. Many Universities now offer full-time Drama degrees, however, although an excellent introduction to the possibilities within the profession, these tend not to provide specific actor training or guidance. Drama School is the best place to go if you want to train as an actor, and there are many three year and one year courses of all kinds that offer comprehensive training and professional preparation. If you are considering enrolling on one of these courses you should look carefully at the type and methods of training offered, and the kind of employment their graduates are in. The Conference of Drama Schools is a body that regulates and validates drama training, and you can find their details easily on the internet. Of course, Drama School is not the only way to enter the profession, and many actors are successful without formal training, however your chances of being taken seriously by agents and casting professionals are far greater if you have trained. This is especially true if you are young, as there is much more competition for actors in their 20's and 30's. If you do not wish to train full-time then it is essential that you build up your CV through taking part in amateur productions and workshops, and trying to work with as many different people as possible in order to extend your experience and exposure as an actor. You must be responsible for your own learning, and make it your mission to research and become involved in as much as possible in order to see and be seen as an active working professional.
Whichever way you choose to train or gain experience, perhaps the most challenging part of being an actor is getting the right people to see your work in order to gain employment. This is where Drama School comes in useful as you are likely to acquire contacts and access to exposure through professionals and colleagues at your institution. You must also be prepared to arm yourself with your actors tools' and make sure they are sent to the right people. These include your CV, 10x8 black and white headshot (professionally taken) and often a showreel and voiceover reel as well, although these last two are not always necessary. As an actor you should be prepared to sell yourself to agents and casting directors in order to gain representation and work. This is not an easy task, and you must learn to achieve the right balance between making yourself known without appearing to force yourself on others. An actor must always be their own personal manager, in charge of their profile and career at all times. Remember that you are advertising yourself wherever you go, and that your body and voice are the tools of your profession. As an actor it is important to identify where your strengths lie and what makes you unique and stand out from the crowd. Think about how you can market yourself so that people will notice you, and remember you when they are casting a show. Know your casting bracket and be realistic about what characters you are right for. It is very important as an actor to communicate with others in the profession and to ask advice from those working. If you are unsure about your casting bracket or unique selling point then seek advice through a private acting lesson, workshop or short course. You must always be learning, asking questions and meeting new people if you want to expand your chances of getting work.
Among the people you need to make yourself known to are: agents (actor's personal managers), casting directors (responsible for casting specific productions or seasons), directors (creatively guide a production), artistic directors (responsible for running of a theatre's programme and employees). Once you secure yourself an agent they will also work on your behalf to get you seen by these other people, and they will have access to information and jobs you could not apply for or find on your own. However, unless you are very lucky the chances are you will initially be operating without representation. The first thing you need to do is write to all of the above, sending a copy of your CV and photograph. You can find a list of all the numbers for registered agents and casting directors in Contacts which is published annually, and is often referred to as the actor's bible! You must do your research and find out what kind of work and clients agencies specialise in, and then make decisions about who you would most like to help guide your career. Then, when you write to agents, personalise your letter and highlight what it is that you have to offer them, and why you would like to work with them. Always try to find out the name of a specific person rather than addressing your letter sir/madam as this is more likely to get your letter noticed. Always enclose an SEA if you would like your photograph returned, however do not expect this to be the case as agents receive hundreds of submissions every day. You should not expect agents to respond to you, however it is perfectly acceptable to do a follow up call a couple of weeks later to enquire about your submission. Most UK agents are based in London, though excellent representation can also be found regionally. You should try to have a London address on your CV if you are expecting to be represented by a London agency. When writing to casting directors, directors and artistic directors, the principle is similar however you should first find out what project they are working on and write with that project, and possibly even a part, in mind. You can find out this information by subscribing to publications such as PCR (link enclosed) and also by reading publications such as The Stage. You should expect to spend time researching and keeping abreast of what is happening and when, know what you are suitable for, and have resources available to apply straight away when something comes up.
If an agent is interested in your application they will usually contact you and ask to see you in something. Most reputable agencies will not sign you as a client until they have seen you act, and casting directors and directors will also need to see you perform in order to consider you for forthcoming productions. This is why you need to keep searching for your own work while still seeking representation. Indeed, even if an agent signs you there is absolutely no guarantee they will get you work, so you still need to continue to write and apply for jobs on your own. The Stage is a good place for this, and there are also web-based casting services such as Casting Call Pro and Mandy.com that advertise low budget productions and jobs for professional actors starting out in their careers. The key is to get into a good show and get the right people to come and watch you. Once you have done this you are hopefully on the way to being considered for jobs that will allow you to sustain a career as a working actor.
You should be prepared to have a very thick skin, devote a lot of time to researching, finding and preparing for auditions, and remain focussed and positive about your career at all times. When you are not working it is important to keep developing your skills, knowledge and confidence in your chosen field by reading and watching plays and attending as many events, lessons and workshops as possible. If you have trained and worked professionally you are eligible to join organisations such as the Actor's Centre (see link) that provide classes, events and guidance for actors. The key is to be able to do all these things while still paying the bills and trying to maintain some sense of normality, balance and sanity in your lifestyle!
I hope this information is useful for those of you considering a career in acting. Of course, some people are lucky and do get excellent representation and work straight away, however for most actors career development is an upward climb. If you are embarking upon this career for the right reasons, and you are prepared to put the work in, then your life as an actor can indeed give you personal satisfaction and fulfilment unparalleled in any other profession. I wish you the very best of luck, but I must also remind you that, especially in acting, The harder you work, the luckier you get.'
Some Useful Links
www.castingcallpro.com
www.thestage.co.uk
www.man dy.com
www.drama.ac.uk
www.spotlight.com
www.actorscent re.co.uk
www.pcrnewsletter.com
www.equity.org.uk