acting
WHAT DO ACTORS DO ?
Duties
Actors typically do the following:
• Read scripts and meet with agents and other professionals before accepting a role
• Audition in front of directors and producers
• Research their character’s personal traits and circumstances to better portray them to an audience
• Memorize and rehearse their lines with other actors
• Discuss their role with the director and other actors to improve the overall performance of the show
• Perform the role, following the director's directions
Most actors struggle to find steady work, and few achieve recognition as stars. Some work as “extras,” actors who appear on screen with no lines to deliver. Some do voiceover or narration work for animated features, audiobooks, or other electronic media.
In some stage or film productions, actors sing, dance, or play a musical instrument. For some roles, an actor must learn a new skill, such as horseback riding or stage fighting.
Most actors have long periods of unemployment between roles and often hold other jobs to make a living. Some actors teach acting classes in high schools, university drama departments, or community programs as a second job. For more information on workers who teach acting classes, see the profiles on highschool teachers and post secondary teachers.
Actors held about 66,500 jobs in 2010. Most work under pressure and are often under stress about finding their next job. Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months, and actors often hold another job to make a living.
On location (where a movie is being made), and sometimes in a studio, they may need to perform in unpleasant conditions, such as bad weather or while wearing an uncomfortable costume.
Work Schedules
Work hours for actors are long and irregular. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Few actors work full time, and many have variable schedules. Those who work in theater may travel with a touring show across the country. Actors in
Duties
Actors typically do the following:
• Read scripts and meet with agents and other professionals before accepting a role
• Audition in front of directors and producers
• Research their character’s personal traits and circumstances to better portray them to an audience
• Memorize and rehearse their lines with other actors
• Discuss their role with the director and other actors to improve the overall performance of the show
• Perform the role, following the director's directions
Most actors struggle to find steady work, and few achieve recognition as stars. Some work as “extras,” actors who appear on screen with no lines to deliver. Some do voiceover or narration work for animated features, audiobooks, or other electronic media.
In some stage or film productions, actors sing, dance, or play a musical instrument. For some roles, an actor must learn a new skill, such as horseback riding or stage fighting.
Most actors have long periods of unemployment between roles and often hold other jobs to make a living. Some actors teach acting classes in high schools, university drama departments, or community programs as a second job. For more information on workers who teach acting classes, see the profiles on highschool teachers and post secondary teachers.
Actors held about 66,500 jobs in 2010. Most work under pressure and are often under stress about finding their next job. Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months, and actors often hold another job to make a living.
On location (where a movie is being made), and sometimes in a studio, they may need to perform in unpleasant conditions, such as bad weather or while wearing an uncomfortable costume.
Work Schedules
Work hours for actors are long and irregular. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is common. Few actors work full time, and many have variable schedules. Those who work in theater may travel with a touring show across the country. Actors in