Actor and Actresses: what it is, what it does – Education and Transformation

we see and we hear actors almost every day – portraying various characters in film, television, radio or theater productions. When most people think of actors, they think of Hollywood's top stars. This, of course, is the ultimate dream of anyone pursuing an acting career.

However, it is quite difficult to achieve this kind of success. Most actors perform in smaller productions, usually starting in commercials or as extras on television shows or movies.

See too: What does an accountant do?

What does an actor do?

There are many actors who make a successful career with so-called small parts and never have a leading role, which can still be a very satisfying career. Others who achieve great success early in their careers become household names and have many important roles. Most actors will have a career that falls somewhere in between these two extremes.

An actor's job is to fully represent the character they are playing and convince their audience that the character is real by engaging them and drawing them into the story. This applies to lead roles and minor plays as all roles combine to create a successful production.

There are many ways to get into character and actors often look for jobs, hobbies or activities of the characters they play, so they can put themselves in that state of spirit. Physical appearance can also be important in character creation, and actors generally lose or gain weight, or change their hair color to physically create the character they are interpreting.

If the part requires some kind of emotional drama (for example, dealing with death), an actor will usually research people who have experienced what the plot describes to understand and realistically convey the emotions involved.

What is an actor's workplace like?

An actor's workplace varies depending on the type of production involved. Some movies and television shows, like most commercials, will be filmed in studios and on sets. This can be quite exciting, seeing how a place can be created by set designers and made to look real. Other film and television shows are filmed on site and can involve extensive travel – sometimes to distant and exotic places.

Theatrical productions take place on stage and have very different considerations from filmed performances. The presentations will be in front of a live audience – in movie theaters and in the studios of some television programs. Other performances have no audience and feedback from these performances is not instantaneous.

The workplace is very varied, and actors need to be flexible regarding where they work and the type of environment in which they work. Those prepared to work in all sorts of different situations and able to adapt to their different environments will be more successful in finding their niche.

Should I become an actor?

If you're thinking about becoming an actor but aren't 100% convinced it's the right career for you, ask the following questions:

Are you confident and okay with criticism?

• From first audition to rehearsal, performance critiques are a big part of the acting process. It is essential to have confidence and to keep trying despite rejections, criticisms and setbacks.

Do you have tenacity?

• Even the most successful actors face competition and rejection. Having the willpower and persistence to keep going even after facing many rejections is the only way to survive as an actor.

Are you observant and insightful?

• Actors need to be able to observe and absorb what is happening around them in the world, as well as observe human interactions and emotions. They need to be able to successfully explore the characters they're portraying, getting an idea of ​​what makes different humans tick. These skills are essential for actors to connect to their work.

How good are you at reading a script and following the instructions?

• Being good at textual analysis, and understanding and extracting character information from a script is a vital part of being a successful actor. Having the ability to listen and follow instructions is another big component of acting, as all actors need to work and respect their director's vision.

Do you like working with other people?

• A lot of collaboration is needed during the rehearsal and performance stages, and actors need to be able to work cohesively with others in order to make it a good experience for you and those around you.

Do you need to have a regular schedule?

• Unfortunately, most actors tend to have abnormal hours, working long days and weekends. Rehearsals and filming sessions usually arrive late at night or start early in the morning.

Are you emotionally healthy?

• Show business can be a breeding ground for eating disorders, drug abuse and depression. If you're already dealing with personal issues, it's best to seek help before diving into this industry.

Can you imagine yourself doing something else?

• If you imagine yourself doing a different job, you may not have what it takes to fully commit to the action. You need to be extremely motivated to be an actor and embrace the day-to-day struggles you'll face. An actor's life is incredibly competitive and one of the hardest careers to sustain. Actors spend most of their time trying to get an acting job, working another job to pay the bills, training and networking. If you noticed, none of these things involved acting. The level of commitment needed to succeed and the thick skin needed to survive the constant rejection that is an actor's daily routine is enormous.

Is your goal financial stability?

• If your goal in life is financial security, being an actor is not the best career choice. You could literally spend your entire adult life struggling to survive, with no hope of being able to retire.

Are you going to spend your life acting anyway, even if you never make a dime doing it?

• The only reason to become an actor is if nothing can stop you from doing it – in which case, do it as an amateur or as a hobby. If you get to the point where you are equally determined to try it out professionally, then only should you do so.

---

It is important to think about what you want out of life, as there are many options and paths to follow. Remember, if you decide to act as a career, it can be very difficult to change careers if you find yourself in middle age still in food service and auditioning.

An alternative path is perhaps to find a way to make a living that is not acting but will allow you to continue acting. There is nothing wrong with acting as a hobby in local community theater or student films. Don't try to act for fame or money, because you will probably be very disappointed.

Be sure to read: What does a beautician do?