Actor/Actress
An actor (actress for a female) is a person who acts in a comic or dramatic production and works in theatre, television, or film. The profession of acting was invented in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greek word for actor is hypocrites, which means “one who interprets”. Thus, an actor is a person who interprets a character. Getting started as an actor can be extremely difficult but it is possible to achieve fame and tremendous wealth.
Education
Begin your acting career by learning the craft of acting. Studying acting at a university or college is a good start. The University of Southern California offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (https://dramaticarts.usc.edu/undergraduate-programs/undergraduate-degrees/bfa-acting.aspx) while PaceUniversity offers the only MFA program to be sanctioned and supervised by the Actors Studio (https://www.pace.edu/dyson/academic-departments-and-programs/asds/?utm_source=REDIRECT&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=redirect). You can hire an acting coach to help you iron out any kinks in your technique (look for a coach with a lot of industry connections and experience). Auditioning for a community theatre is a good way to gain experience as well. You will want to learn a bunch of monologues and practice reading them while also assembling your resume (be sure to list any special talents like singing or dancing). You will also want to get a headshot and decide whether or not you want to hire a manager or agent. They will help you find work but also will take a cut of your pay. Audition frequently – once people begin to recognize you, you will have a better chance of getting a role. You will also want to set up a Facebook page and Twitter account. Social media is a great way to establish a fan base and meet future employers.
Job Description
Hollywood actors are not the only kind of actors, although they are the most famous and recognizable. Actors may work in local acting companies, narrate films, play minor parts in movies, appear in commercials, or read stories for audiobooks. Some even become directors, dramatic coaches, or acting teachers in local theatre groups or schools. New actors generally start with small roles in small companies before progressing to larger roles. Actors have to learn stage techniques and lines, be fitted for costumes, put on makeup, and attend classes and rehearsals. Film actors may work on a project for half a year before moving on to a different project. Stage actors, especially those in successful plays, may repeat their performance many times. Acting is a demanding profession. Actors work closely with the director and other cast members to perfect their performance. This may require multiple scene retakes and hours of rehearsal practice.
Pros & Cons
If you are a successful actor, you will have millions of fans and will be an idol. People will look up to you with high reverence and follow your every move. They will talk about you constantly, and you will be a hero to many children. This level of fame is limited to only a few careers in the entire world. You can also make a lot of money. Famous actors make millions of dollars for each film, and make a bunch more money through endorsements. As a film actor, you will never have to do the same thing over and over again. You will be in different locations playing different characters. Each role will require a different kind of preparation and will give you a new challenge. You also have tremendous influential power. As an actor, you can make people cry, laugh, get scared, or fall in love all in only 2 hours. The acting profession can be hard to break into however, and perhaps the most frustrating part is it is not all about talent. Having raw talent is not enough to become a successful actor. You have to work extremely hard to get a break and seize any opportunity you can. You need to network extremely well and be friends with the right people. Even if you do all of this and have raw talent, you may not get noticed unless you get lucky. This can be incredibly difficult for people to deal with. Also, as a famous actor, you have to live your life in the public sphere. While people will idolize you, they will also be waiting for the first chance to take you down. The public will watch and scrutinize your every move and harass you. This will affect your personal time as well as your family time, and can be extremely stressful and difficult to deal with.
