Britney D.

Alaniz

CARRER ACTING

Work days & hours

Working Conditions

Actors work for television, radio, film, and theater production companies. They may work on a set or stage, or on location. Some shoots take place
outdoors, where they are at the mercy of the weather.

Actors can work up to 16 hours a day, and a lot of this time may be spent rehearsing and learning lines, having makeup done, dressing in the
characters clothes, and waiting around until the director is ready.

Some film and TV roles may require the actor to perform stunts, such as falling out of a window. These actions are usually done by a stuntperson,
although some actors prefer to do it themselves, risking injury (a directors nightmare).

Production and performance time is often fast and intense, particularly in film and television where there are tight deadlines. This can be stressful, as
can the auditioning process.

Most actors spend up to 6 months, or even more, not working each year. This time can be viewed as either vacation or unemployment, depending on
your perspective. However, its usually spent working other jobs to supplement their income and auditioning for roles.

Many actors choose to move to major cities (in particular, New York for theater and Los Angeles for film and television) where there are more
opportunities.

Job Description

To be or not to be. Show me the money. The actors who have spoken these lines may as well have been talking about their profession.

Actors interpret and perform roles for an audience using speech, gestures, and movements. Their roles may be in dramas, comedies, tragedies, suspense
thrillers, or perhaps horror productions. Getting good parts, however, is a very competitive process that requires a lot of patience and determination.

Most people think of acting as a glamorous career. Although glamour certainly plays a part in the lives of famous actors, most actors live and work in obscurity.
Only a small percentage of actors ever make a name for themselves in Hollywood or on Broadway.

Acting is hard work. Actors spend a great deal of time reading and memorizing scripts, and auditioning for roles. If they get the part, they usually spend long
hours practicing with other actors, and rehearsing with directors, producers, writers, and other technical staff. Depending on the type of production theyve
been cast in and their role, actors may also have to undergo long and tedious wardrobe fittings and makeup sessions.

For many actors, however, the real work consists of trying to play their role perfectlyof understanding their character and giving the audience a convincing
performance. For certain roles this can be a mentally draining experience; for others the effort may be more physical. Actors need to be up to either challenge.

Most actors can look forward to getting parts in small independent theater productions, appearing in the occasional commercial, or maybe saying two lines in a
film. Restaurants are crowded with aspiring and out-of-work actors who are waiting tables in order to supplement their acting income.

Despite the long hours, low pay, and endless auditions, most actors love their profession. Since acting tends to attract very creative people, many actors also
write, direct, or produce.

Earnings

Earnings

Earnings from acting can be extremely low. Very few actors can find full-time, year-round work. Even fewer earn the multi-million dollar
salaries you hear of in Hollywood. Most actors must supplement their incomes with day jobs.

In the entertainment industry, minimum salaries, hours, and working conditions are established in agreements between producers and
unions. Actors, or their agents, then negotiate salaries at or above this level.

Several actors unions establish minimum salaries and other conditions of employment in collective bargaining agreements with producers. In
these negotiations, the Actors Equity Association (AEA) represents stage actors, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) represents actors in film,
television, and commercials, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) represents television and radio performers.

Actors performing in Broadway stage productions earn upwards of $1,600 a week. Those in off-Broadway theaters have minimums of around
$500 to $950 a week, depending on the size of the theater.

Motion picture and television actors with speaking parts earn a minimum daily rate of just over $800, or slightly less than $3,000 a week.
They also receive contributions to their health and pension plans and additional compensation for reruns and foreign telecasts.

Many actors who work more than a certain number of weeks a year are covered by a union health, welfare, and pension fund, including
hospital insurance. Under some employment conditions, actors may also receive paid vacations and sick leave.

Education

There are no formal education or training requirements for becoming a professional actor.
Much of an actors success depends on his or her ability and talent. However, its a good idea
to study a wide variety of subjects in high school and to get some post-secondary training.

Working conditions (Perks)

Actors work for television, radio, film, and theater production companies. They may work on a set or stage, or on location.
Some shoots take place outdoors, where they are at the mercy of the weather.

Actors can work up to 16 hours a day, and a lot of this time may be spent rehearsing and learning lines, having makeup done,
dressing in the characters clothes, and waiting around until the director is ready.

Some film and TV roles may require the actor to perform stunts, such as falling out of a window. These actions are usually done
by a stuntperson, although some actors prefer to do it themselves, risking injury (a directors nightmare).

Production and performance time is often fast and intense, particularly in film and television where there are tight deadlines.
This can be stressful, as can the auditioning process.

Most actors spend up to 6 months, or even more, not working each year. This time can be viewed as either vacation or
unemployment, depending on your perspective. However, its usually spent working other jobs to supplement their income and
auditioning for roles.

Many actors choose to move to major cities (in particular, New York for theater and Los Angeles for film and television) where
there are more opportunities.