Pod Info:
This Pod was created by Tom Edmondson and is about a job as an Actor from the Bands, Actors, Performing Arts industry sector.
Background to the Pod: Interviewing Alastair was great fun and very interesting. An Actor is a hard career but if you get the breaks it can be very rewarding.
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Actor is sponsored by:
Alastair Massey
Actor
Pod number 10028Views: 310 Since Jul 09
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The job of an actor is to bring to life characters created by playwrights and scriptwriters. They interpret their role with guidance from a director and either perform in front of a live audience, usually in a theatre setting, or for TV, radio or film.
A great deal of an actor's working life is spent rehearsing and preparing for performances. They also need to research their characters, learn their lines, and prepare for and attend auditions. They attend costume fittings and also spend time in make-up. Most actors, even very successful ones, spend time out of work, and they have to work hard finding their next job. Having a variety of skills can make finding work easier.
An actor's working hours may be long and irregular, and may include evenings and weekends. However, there are strict rules on working hours and rest periods. Actors may work in a theatre, community centre, concert hall or in TV, radio and film studios. They may also work out on location, in all weather conditions.
Many actors work for very little, especially at the start of their careers. Actors in West End theatres earn at least £400 a week. TV and film actors' earnings depend on the size of the part and on their reputation and experience.
Actors need:
talent
to be self-disciplined and hardworking
to work well in a team
a strong, trained voice
an interest in performing and the art of acting.
Most acting jobs are short term. Even experienced actors can find it hard to make a full-time living, and many people find they need to do some other part-time work to supplement their income. There are acting opportunities in theatres, films, television and multimedia productions, commercials, theatre in education, and clubs and variety.
All professional actors have trained, often in specialist drama schools. To get on a drama course, all applicants must go through one or more auditions. Drama schools have links with agents, casting directors, production companies and broadcasters, giving students the chance to be seen by potential employers.
Qualifications
A levels or a BTEC National Diploma in performing arts.
Where to get more information about Actor
Arts Council, 14 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3NQ. 0845 300 6200. Website: www.artscouncil.org.uk
Actors Centre, 1a Tower Street, London WC2H 9NP. 020 7240 3940. Website: www.actorscentre.co.uk
Conference of Drama Schools (CDS), PO Box 34252, London NW5 1XJ. Website: www.drama.ac.uk
Creative and Cultural Skills, 4th Floor, Lafone House, The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London, SE1 3HN. 020 7015 1847. Website: www.creative-choices.co.uk
National Association of Youth Theatres, Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington DL3 7AX. 01325 363330. Website: www.nayt.org.uk
National Council for Drama Training, 249 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JX. 020 7407 3686. Website: www.ncdt.co.uk
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), 62-64 Gower Street, London WC1E 6ED.
020 7636 7076. Website: www.rada.org
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