Don’t become an Actor
An actor’s life isn’t easy, it’s one of dispiriting rejection, even for those that make it through to drama school and beyond.
For a bit of a reality check, let’s look at 10 reasons you shouldn’t become an actor, and if you still want it, well fair enough:
ONE: For all but the very lucky ones that make big budget features, the money is terrible. Equity minimum is terribly very low for someone with skill and experience. Most jobbing actors earn less than £15000 a year, that’s not much of a future.
TWO: Getting to become an actor isn’t straight forward. I know plenty of actors that have been to Drama School, got out there in the industry and failed to secure any work.
THREE: 5 years after finishing college, most actors have given up and are doing something else. But what exactly are they qualified to do?
FOUR: The competition is phenomenal. There are hundreds of thousands of actors all looking through a shallow pool of work. They want it as bad as you do and they know the director.
FIVE: Fannying about pretending to be someone else is no way for an adult to earn a living. Or more politely it’s hard to build a family, get a mortgage etc with such a transient existence.
SIX: Most of the training is duff, which means although you were lucky enough to earn a place at a conservatory, what you do there for 3 years may not help you secure a job or do it well.
SEVEN: Other actors aren’t always great company. The ones in shows want to brag but end up moaning and those out of work are jealous of their success. Actor’s ego is renowned for being brittle. How many actors does it take to change a lightbulb? 1. They just hold the bulb and the world revolves around them.
SEVEN: When you get jobs you realize that acting is a job just like any other. Well, okay it’s a lot better than being an accountant but there are some pretty crappy acting gigs out there.
EIGHT: If you’re female, there are two criteria that you need to fill to be a movie actress, as Mamet says, you need to be able to take your shirt off and you need to be able to cry. Plus if you’re female the parts still aren’t as good.
NINE: Agents don’t want you until you can book gigs. When they do want you, it’s because they know they can make money out of you. They’re necessary parasites.
TEN: When you do find success, you can lose it with just one bad show. Your reputation is only as good as your last job.
Okay, maybe I’m painting it black. But before you make the decision to commit your life to this marvellous, beautiful, miserable profession, have a think if you really want it.
And if you do, that’s just great! Now get on with it .