How to tell your parents you want to act

So, you've made up your mind to be an actor. Now you have to find a way to announce your goal to your parents, who probably have different expectations regarding your future plans. With some preparation and putting those acting skills of yours to work, you should be able to have a meaningful conversation with your parents and still keep your acting pursuits intact.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. If you have made a personal commitment to acting, it is assumed that you have already done your research and have recognized that the field is fiercely competitive. The work is extremely sporadic and comes with a far above average degree of rejection. These are just a few of the concerns your parents are almost certain to raise. Therefore, you must be as familiar with the realities of becoming actor as you with your own personal desire for the vocation. You will want to reduce the frequency of answering their questions and concerns with an "I don't know" as much as possible. For example, you should be prepared to tell them regarding job outlook that acting is expected to grow about as fast as the average. Do not make up statistics, do the research. Then use your skills as an actor to explain these statistics to them knowledgeably.
2. While parents typically work very hard to encourage their child's dreams, even the most supportive parent will find himself at a crossroads between dreams and details when dealing with such a serious yet problematic decision. Try to remember that you are coming at this discussion from two entirely different views. You are approaching your future from the standpoint of passion and interest. They, however, are coming at it from the level of risk involved. Be willing to acknowledge their concerns and fears. Not only does it keep the discussion from escalating into a battle of priorities, it shows them that you have given this matter a great deal of mature thought.
3. Your parents will likely be concerned about your plans for surviving while your acting career is being created. This is a reasonable concern that you should also be planning for, as new actors rarely show up for casting calls and end up "discovered" before the first month's rent is due. Responsibly, you should have a back-up plan, be it a second college major or a skill that you can rely upon with some degree of certainty. Let them hear you talk about your own realization that acting will be a difficult and sometimes complicated career choice and that you acknowledge the need for a reliable source of income as you work toward your goal.
4. Prepare yourself for multiple conversations. Don't expect that one conversation will cover all their worries and questions. In the wee hours of the night, parents do their best worrying. They are sure to come to you frequently with different issues they have thought of. They have planned for your future for a long time and it is incredibly important to them. Work with them as they try to come to terms with your decision. Acting is a long and often frustrating road. Getting your parents to come to terms with your decision will be excellent practice for you as you embark on an unpredictable but rewarding career.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to a career counselor at your school or local college.
• <br>Give as much thought to your back-up plan as you have to a career in acting.