JACK WATERMAN

PROJECT

DATE CLIENT25.09.14

ACTING IN THE INDUSTRY

ROUTES INTO ACTINGThere is no single route to becoming an actor. Experience is an important factor and it is also impossible to discount the importance of talent, determination, hard work and luck. It may be beneficial to join a local amateur dramatics group, undertake work experience at a theatre or on one of the BBC Careers  work placement schemes in order to gain a wider understanding of how specific areas of the industry operate.

A number of noted actors entered the industry through working as holiday camp entertainers or taking similar jobs with a tour operator or holiday resort. Others start by joining a local theatre group as a child and gaining small parts in television programmes or adverts.

Although specific training may not be a formal requirement, a very large and increasing number of actors have undertaken formal training in acting or the performing arts.

A degree or HND in these areas may help to improve your chances of following a career in acting, largely due to any practical course work involved, but acting is open to all and many successful actors do not have a drama degree. Students of other disciplines may gain acting experience through drama societies and actors often have links with other performing disciplines such as Music

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ACTORAN ACTOR IS OF COURSE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL REHEARSALS, BE CONSCIENTIOUS, PREPARED AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DIRECTOR AS TO TAKE ON BOARD THERE VISION AND AIMS FOR A PIECE. IF WORKING FOR A PRODUCING HOUSE OR A DEVISING THEATRE COMPANY AN ACTOR WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BRING IDEAS AND OPINIONS ON HOW TO DEVELOP A PIECE OF THEATRE.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND ROLES THAT AN ACTOR WORKS CLOSELY WITHAN ACTOR MUST WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DIRECTOR IN ORDER TO TAKE ON BOARD THEIR VISION FOR THEIR ACTING AND WHAT THEY WANT TO GET ACROSS. THE ACTOR MUST BE OBEDIENT IN A SENSE TO THE DIRECTOR AND FOLLOW THERE PLAN OF HOW SCENES SHOULD RUN.AN ACTOR SOMETIMES WILL COMMUNICATE WITH WRITERS. IN DOING THIS THEY CAN GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WRITERS CHARACTERS AND THERE MOTIVATIONS. ALSO THE CONTEXT OF THE SCRIPT AND HOW THE WRITER INTENDED THERE PLAY TO BE PERFORMED. IN A SENSE ACTORS MUST ALSO WORK WITH THEIR AUDIENCE IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE THE PLAY IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY. IT IS THE ACTORS ROLE TO INVOKE EMOTION IN THE AUDIENCE AND THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE AUDIENCE IN ORDER TO DO THIS.

PROGRESSION ROUTES FROM ACTINGMANY ACTORS GO ON INTO WRITING OR DIRECTING AFTER ACTING. THIS IS A SOUND CAREER PATH BECAUSE ACTING WOULD GIVE ONE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEATRE WORKS. MANY ACTORS MAY WANT TO PROFUSE THERE OWN PIECES AS OPPOSED TO BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO. SOME ACTORS MAY LOOK TO CREATE THERE OWN THEATRE COMPANIES AND DEVELOP THOSE.

ANY QUESTIONS?