How does an actor use these skills to progress into the professional industry?
There are many paths an actor can take to progress in the professional industry. An actor might choose to take an undergraduate course in acting after school or college to further enhance his/her skills and enhance their employability. Some individuals may wish to go straight into the business and audition for plays to gain experience and get known in the business. Some may choose to find an agent who would look for employment for the individual. The performing industry is a highly competitive industry and the main way an individual will be employed is through making themselves more employable than another actor. At the end of the day competition for jobs will be tough because many highly trained and talented people are trying to become actors. Many actors leave this job because the hours are long and they can't earn enough money. Only a few actors become stars.
There are 3 main progression routes which I am going to focus on in detail.
- Undergraduate Acting Course.
- Straight into the business.
- Employ and agent.
1. The majority of actors and performers take up an undergraduate course at a university or drama college. These courses are designed to enhance actors’ skills and introduce actors to a variety or styles and techniques which will enhance their employability. These courses are predominantly designed at producing well rounded and diverse performers with knowledge in a wide range of theatre styles however these courses open doors to many other opportunities such as teaching, drama therapy and any other interactive and communicational based careers. There are many acting courses in the U.K and they are proving to be one of the most popular courses available. The difference between a university and a conservatoire is that a university provides a more academic look at acting with a high percent of academic studies and essay writing whereas a drama school looks at teaching through a more practical based programme, with assessments based on a performance rather than written. The choice of a university depends solely on the way an individual feels he/she learns and which course would best suit their learning methods.
- What do Universities/Drama Schools look for?
When selecting appropriate candidates for their courses they usually look for individuals who firstly perform well in their auditions and show a love of the industry and a passion to progress and learn. They look for experience in the business and performances that the individual has been in. However they also look for something which makes an individual stand out and makes them more interesting. When deciding between candidates they would pick the individual who shows something different. They also look for evidence that an individual has ‘life experience’ and shows other individual qualities which they feel may contribute to the course.
The sheer number of people applying for acting courses is massive and only a small percentage of applicants get into courses, so you need to make yourself stand out. There are many thousands of applicants each year for fewer than 1000 places within CDS schools (The Conference of Drama Schools). The ones most able to show their talent and potential at audition may, however, be offered places on a number of courses. Some members require you to apply through UCAS. For all acting courses you have to pay for and pass an audition and may have to attend more than one audition, as well as interviews and workshops.
The CDS (The Conference of Drama Schools) offers some of the top drama courses in the U.K. These courses are mainly practical based courses which aim to develop and nurture well rounded performers.
Some of the top schools that are members of the CDS are:
- ArtsEd
- Central
- Italia Conti
- LAMDA
- RADA
- Rose Bruford
- Mountview
- Guildhall
- Lipa
These are highly acclaimed schools which offer some of the top acting courses in the country; they are highly sought after courses and always get a high number of applicants wanting to get in. Frankly, these are the schools that give actors a higher chance of getting into the business and getting jobs after their course. They offer high quality teaching by professionals in the business and they develop the all important experience of the industry. These courses are usually 3 years and are all fully funded by the individual and there is limited funding. However if an individual feels that they want to go to do a university course in acting then they can still get into the industry either through auditions or they can go on to do a post graduate course at one of the top drama schools in the U.K, which is a very popular choice.
2. Some individuals after finishing 6th form or college decide to go straight into the business after their A Levels. This is a harder way of making it into the profession because employers are constantly looking for qualifications not just experience. However through auditioning for productions you become recognised and may end up being talent spotted. When you choose to go straight into the profession you will mainly be looking for any available jobs to heighten your experience. You can use many methods to find jobs, either through papers like “The Stage” or through internet sights like “The Stage online”, “Star Search”, “Cast Net” or “P.C.R”. You would right to any jobs available of which you fit into the criteria. You would write a formal letter to the director/production company stating why you would be suitable for the job, any qualifications or experience that is appropriate to the advert and any extra information that you think would make you more employable. You could also when looking for a job use a method called “Cold Calling” which is where you write to a company asking if there are any jobs available at the moment. Also if you decided to go straight into the profession you would rely on “networking” to enhance your career. Networking is where you share details with other people as an informal way of getting known. If someone has your details already they may consider you for a part or inform you of auditions. The performing arts business is all about ‘who you know’ the more contacts you have the more likely you are to get a job. If you went straight into the profession you would aim to develop contacts and become known among the industry, maybe starting with more local productions. Also when leaving school you could audition for a touring theatre company which would also get you seen around the country, you would gain experience in performance and teaching during workshops. Whilst in and out of jobs it would be vital for the individual to maintain a part time job. This option would be for the individuals who feel they want to gain more experience in the profession and find out if it is what they want to do. After you start work as an actor, it is unlikely that formal training leading to vocationally-related qualifications will be provided. Skills are developed on the job, through rehearsal and performance, as you move between contracts and this experience is evidenced on your CV rather than on certificates. Sometimes you may need to learn a new skill, such as a specific kind of dancing, in order to perform a particular role, and the director will arrange for a teacher to train you for this.
3. Lastly, similarly to going straight into the profession an individual might feel they want to employ an agent who will be able to discuss one to one with you on your qualifications and what parts would suit you as an individual. An agent would be able to get in touch with jobs of higher calibre. Agents can be very expensive but worthwhile in the long run.
- How do you get an agent?
You would obtain a copy of an agent listing book for you area. Put together a packet to mail to prospective agents including a brief cover letter, outlining your acting experience and why you would be a good fit for that particular agency. Also you would try and show your personality and your passion through your cover letter. You would also include a cover shot and your C.V with the packet. If the agents are interested they will set up a meeting. This meeting with them is to see if you and the agent would work well together. In the interview the agent may want to see a monologue, or ask you to perform a ‘cold reading’ or material at the interview.
If you do not find an agent that way then you should audition and perform in local theatre productions and get seen because agents often come and watch productions or “talent spotters” for the company do.
You can also get an agent through agent workshops where you will meet and perform for an acting agent and get a chance to ask them questions. If they are interested they may decide to set up a meeting with you.
What percentage of pay do agents take?
Agents usually get paid out of a percentage of how much you earn by performing. So basically the better the job they find you the more they get paid in the long run. The percentage the agency takes is negotiated between the agency and their client, and typically there is no negotiation at all, just a fixed percentage set by the client which might normally be anything between 10-35%.
To be in this business people have to get out and be seen, gain as much experience as possible, especially if they have decided not to go into higher education then they should take external exams with LAMDA or RADA and apply for as many productions as they can. Also as an actor in the profession they should not limit themselves to one specific style that you feel good at e.g. Shakespeare. It is vital that individuals show a wide range of styles and techniques.
“At the end of the day, the more skills you have to be able to do a job successfully the more chance you have in getting employment and progressing in the industry” Rose Bruford
How easy is it to get a job?
The only way to progress in the industry is to show that you are better; more qualified and have more experience than another person. This highly competitive world is harsh and only the top 5% make it. These individuals show something unique they show commitment and they show a drive to succeed. The ones with experience and commitment make it in the industry. Not even the highly talented people get in if what they’ve done doesn’t impress. This is not a sit down job you have to get out there and seen. Only a few actors become stars and sometimes it’s because how you look, who you know or who you impress.
How much do actors typically get paid?
The Equity minimum rate for theatre performers is set at £350 per week. Performers in London's West End are guaranteed a minimum salary per night of £380. Non-Equity actors are often expected to work for much less than the Equity minimum rate and are prepared to do so, seeing the experience as a way into the profession. Very few people become wealthy through acting, although for those who do, the rewards can be immense. In theatre however actors do not get paid the most, they are usually at the bottom of the pay role.
As an example I use the “Royal Shakespeare Company’s” most recent equity agreement.
So unless you are a famous actor who a company would pay more to hire then you earn a small amount of money for a relatively small contract period.
What is Equity?
Equity is the trade union for profession performers and other creative workers which most professional actors join. Equity makes sure all actors are treated fairly and negotiates minimum wages for its members. Minimum rates depend on the number of performances, type of employment and the location in which the performance is held.
Why is the role of an actor important?
Actors are what make a script turn into a performance. An actor is a very important piece in the many people who work to bring a production to life. The actors bring their own personality and depth to the characters they are portraying. Sometimes because how an actor portrays a character we change our whole view of the character. However an actor is only a small piece of an entire production team. An actor is brought into the arrangements later on in the production plans. A production can be planned years in advance because of performance rights and venue vacancies. Set design and advertisements can be circulating before a show is even cast. In a professional theatre company actors have a few months of intense rehearsals before the start date. Where as other aspects of preparation have been on going for years before hand.
What is the lifestyle of an actor like?
Working hours for an actor can be long and tiring. An actor has to make sure he/she stays physically fit and well to do a ‘run’ of shows. Especially in a touring company where a performer may be setting up scenery and sets during the day and performing at night.
The life of an actor is an unpredictable life. Actors are unusually in and out of part time jobs while working on different projects. An actor needs to keep a part time job because to chance of work is so slim. The part time job also has to be flexible to fit in with audition times which are usually during the day and last a long time. It is also important that the employers know that they may have to drop out of the job in short notice due to an offer of a part. Typical jobs that actors may do are front of house which works on a rota system so you can work in the evening after auditions and are very flexible. Similarly they make work as box office staff or in the marketing side of performing. Actors may find themselves working all over the UK and touring abroad. Auditions are usually held in London or other capital cities and actors will often be required to attend them at very short notice. The life of an actor is tough and requires hard work and dedication. You also have to physically and mentally able to take the strain of this unpredictable lifestyle. The lifestyle implications are considerable. Time spent away from home is an inevitable part of the job. Disruption to home and social life is unavoidable. Many actors leave the profession because of difficulties finding work. When you want to get into the profession you always need to have a back up plan, not many performers make it and you have to keep that in mind at all times. There are many routes an actor can take into other related areas including teaching, theatre management, directing, drama therapy or script writing. Some may also move on to other types of theatre such as Theatre in Education companies which tour school and use drama to educate children. They may also do work for museums or heritage organisations to play a historical role.
“An Actor can fall just as fast as they fly” Judy Dench
“Our business is very tough - we need strength behind us.” Gillian Lynne