Job Description for Acting
The glory of the stage, the allure of fame and the promise of stardom can all be tempting to people drawn to acting. But the reality of the profession is often much different. The average actors may spend a lifetime trying to find steady employment, and may never reach anything close to fame. But, actors can make a living at their craft, and can be found in almost every city.
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Job Duties
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Actors portray characters in films, television programs, commercials, stage plays and other performing arts media. These workers entertain audiences by performing and interpreting written scripts or improvisational material. Actors can spend long periods researching, rehearsing and practicing their material before they perform.
Education and Training
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There are no formal educational requirements for acting, and these workers can follow many paths to becoming an actor. Many go through formal theatrical or dramatic training at a college or conservatory. Some stage actors get a master's degree in fine arts (MFA). Most aspiring actors have some background in high school or college plays, community theater or television or radio production, while others join the profession with little or no background or training.
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Work Environment
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The life of an actor can be hectic and stressful. These workers are often employed for short periods, from a day to a month at a time, and can struggle to find regular employment. When they find work, actors can often spend long and irregular hours in rehearsals and performances. Working on weekends, evenings and even holidays is common. Many actors maintain secondary employment during times when they are not acting. Although it is common for actors to live and work in New York or Los Angeles, acting work can be found in other cities.
Skills
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Actors need to be talented and creative. The keen competition for a limited number of jobs often requires actors to learn multiple skills, like singing, dancing, juggling or skating. The ability to comfortably appear on a stage before large audiences is also often required. Being physically attractive can be an important factor as well.
Salary
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly salary of actors in 2008 was $16.59 an hour. The middle 50 percent of these workers earned between about $9 an hour to $29 an hour. These jobs are expected to grow between 2008 and 2018 at an average rate, with keen competition expected, because the number of applicants auditioning greatly exceeds the number of availabilities.
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References
- Photo Credit stop acting image by robert mobley from Fotolia.com
