Screen Acting As A 'Horrible Profession'?

[Tom Marshall]

:huh:

I'm an engineer of sorts (software). I have also produced stage plays. I don't think producing is anything like engineering. It is somewhat like managing, though, which is why I don't produce any more.

I'm a software engineer also (to pay the bills till I can support myself as an actor). What I was referring to was the ability to piece things together to get a coherent production. Software engineering is very task based and production oriented just like film (or theatre) production is. That's what I was trying to get at.

 

[iain.bason]

I'm a software engineer also (to pay the bills till I can support myself as an actor).

That reminds me of a guy I know who funded his startup company by acting. (Commercials, I think, but that was long before I met him. He's retired now. The startup was very successful, and once the men with suits and money showed up they made him stop acting.)

What I was referring to was the ability to piece things together to get a coherent production. Software engineering is very task based and production oriented just like film (or theatre) production is. That's what I was trying to get at.

That's an interesting point. There are, of course, different kinds of software engineering. What I do tends more towards finding creative solutions to problems, but I can still see your point.

 

[cool_splash1]

I disagree! 100% Your opportunities are limited by You and You alone. If you are a one talent type of person then yes you'd better head to LA. If you're an actor and you don't want to put your own money up, help produce, or such, yes head to LA. But if you're about product and willing to work to get it, you don't need LA.

I'm not knocking California. I'm not knocking LA, but to say you're limited because you like where you live and want to grwo there, is crazy. More people are moving to my area (Atlanta) all the time. And as soon as we can get 5 good prod companies that produce movies regularly, I'm sure we won't loose many people to LA anymore.

Actually in Digital Filmmaking 101 the authors mentioned one of the women they cast in one of their movies can't remember where said she had friends who were shocked she got a feature gig staying home. They were in LA and still hadn't gotten gigs. So really I guess it could go either way.

And as for Atlanta I watched this video on acting I got from the Library and one actor did say that his mistake was not listening to his teacher who told him to go to Alanta first before going to New York.

 

[cool_splash1]

JLS, I'm not knocking ATL and it's easy to get defensive, but seriously, if you want to act, does it make sense to live in a place that is producing 1000s and 1000s of movies a year, or a place that is making two? TWO!!!

It's like a mechanic that lives in a town that has only two cars. AND has 10 other mechanics. You might love your town and want to stay, and that's fine, but if you want to be a mechanic, go to where the cars are. Dont say "hey, next year we might get another car" to justify it being a good idea to stay.

Yeah, but isn't everybody and their mamma trying to do the samething? Wouldn't it make sense to start locally first?

 

[Mattykins]

Film making is the most saturated industry in the world. Same with theatre. But you get the musical theatre and stage actors in New York. Screen is mostly in LA.

But location helps. Not just for acting - but for crewing. If I stayed in upstate NY my entire life. I would work maybe a few weeks a year. Unless I get contracted out to an out-of-state production. Location helps a lot. But there is work to be had in other markets.

 

[Michele Seidman]

I'm an Albuquerque filmmaker. I do all my casting in Los Angeles. I've held casting sessions here and they're a waste of time...I can see 50 actors here in Albuquerque and never see a single person worth casting.

I've held casting sessions in Spokane, Portland, Seattle, San Fransisco, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Beijing, Guadalajara and New York City as well as Los Angeles. Only the Los Angeles auditions were worth my time.

Noticed no North Carolina in there. Just for the record, we have 20,000 actors on the South East Coast working on shows like One Tree Hill, Army Wives and in films like Nights in Rodanthee (spelling?) and more....so check us out one day! We also tape and send stuff so you can see us without leaving home!

Actually in Digital Filmmaking 101 the authors mentioned one of the women they cast in one of their movies can't remember where said she had friends who were shocked she got a feature gig staying home. They were in LA and still hadn't gotten gigs. So really I guess it could go either way.

Katie Holmes was living at home in Ohio and missed her call back for Dawsons Creek to honor her fellow students because the call back was the same day her school play opened. She did not want to let the cast down. Katie did fine sending video from Ohio.

General note...I was trying to avoid this thread because I saw lots said I could have debated but did not see the point.

I did want to make note the author quoted by the person who started the thread did mention one thing I find to be true and it is a pet peeve because I teach.

If I think someone can't act I tell them. It is the bane of my existence dealing with actors who were with some teacher for years who told them how good they were just to keep making money off of them.

I work very differently and try to kick them out to do work on their own. I try to prepare them to look after their own careers. I try to get them in and out fast and only have them back when they really need me.

But here is a problem with actors that bugs me to no end...and since I am one...I am allowed to speak on this. Actors (most of them) are too needy. They expect to be made in to stars....and they think someone else will do it for them. Half of that IS because some stupid acting teacher kept selling them a bill of goods so they could keep their little acting studio open.

That is why I teach from home and don't depend on teaching as my soul income. I don't ever want to sell them bull crap and if they are needy...nothing I do will change that. I just won't put up with the needy ones...the normally stand the least chance anyway. Producers, directors and casting people do not have time to hand hold them.

 

[libneon]

Most things in life worth doing are difficult. Often, the more difficult they are the more they are worth doing.

Most of my friends went to college and became accountants or manage the local office supply store. They hate their lives.

When you are 20 it's easy for your friends and family to make fun of you but 10 years later when they are miserable, they are quite envious of the life of an actor or filmmaker even if that's not your day job.

Some people are just so threatened by the thought of confronting their own failed aspirations that the only solace they can find is to drag others down.

Furthermore, the game is changing. Actors are producing their own features from start to finish with the help of affordable DV equipment. This can only be a good thing for the industry as more talent and more dreams are realized.

The joy is in the journey...not the destination.

Frankly, most actors are simply not good enough for many of the jobs they want and many of the good actors are too fickle, lazy or disorganized to do what is needed to succeed.

When I hear stories of people who spent 15 years acting and only did one commercial and a handful of plays I can only view that as laziness in the extreme. If nothing is happening...make it happen. Team up with other actors and make your own short films, write a play, create a DV feature or even do street theater. If you truly LOVE what you're doing then you'll find a way to do it even if only for personal fulfillment.

Most people really don't want to be actors. They want to be famous. There's a difference.

 

[Tom Marshall]

Most things in life worth doing are difficult. Often, the more difficult they are the more they are worth doing.

And sometimes, that's all you really want to do with your life, so the level of difficulty is moot, really. If you have to do it, you have to do it. I was telling my mom how much I needed to quit my job so that I can pursue this full time. She said, "No, you WANT to do this" and I told her, "No, I NEED to do this. Like a person needs food or water to survive."

Most of my friends went to college and became accountants or manage the local office supply store. They hate their lives.

When you are 20 it's easy for your friends and family to make fun of you but 10 years later when they are miserable, they are quite envious of the life of an actor or filmmaker even if that's not your day job.

If someone makes fun of you for wanting to be an actor, it's usually jealousy. Either that or they're trying to tell you, in a not-so-nice way, that you don't have what it takes to make it. But even then if you bust your butt, you'll most likely get somewhere. Look at Stallone. People made fun of him for years and he's a good actor... with some of his stuff. He really did a good job with the Rocky character.

Some people are just so threatened by the thought of confronting their own failed aspirations that the only solace they can find is to drag others down.

Also very true...

Furthermore, the game is changing. Actors are producing their own features from start to finish with the help of affordable DV equipment. This can only be a good thing for the industry as more talent and more dreams are realized.

The joy is in the journey...not the destination.

Which is great for a lot of actors. A lot of your true actors want to get out there and make stuff and work on their craft - get better by doing. And, by making small independent projects, you get to meet people that love making movies as opposed to big budget features that could care less about the people involved.

Frankly, most actors are simply not good enough for many of the jobs they want and many of the good actors are too fickle, lazy or disorganized to do what is needed to succeed.

Unfortunately, that's true also. Watching some actors kind of makes you cringe.

When I hear stories of people who spent 15 years acting and only did one commercial and a handful of plays I can only view that as laziness in the extreme. If nothing is happening...make it happen. Team up with other actors and make your own short films, write a play, create a DV feature or even do street theater. If you truly LOVE what you're doing then you'll find a way to do it even if only for personal fulfillment.

Well said.

Most people really don't want to be actors. They want to be famous. There's a difference.

There's a HUGE difference. Being a good actor who works often and lands good roles is something that many good actors, like myself, strive for. Being famous is overrated by far.

And, oddly enough, it's very anti-climatic from what I hear. There are so many actors, musicians, and other artists who pursue fame their whole life and, once they reach it, turn to drugs because they're expecting so much more and it's just not there... It doesn't bring them the glory that they were hoping for. There's nothing good about being famous... Paparazzi bugging you all the time... you can't even live a normal life. Who wants that?

 

[jls4]

And as for Atlanta I watched this video on acting I got from the Library and one actor did say that his mistake was not listening to his teacher who told him to go to Alanta first before going to New York.

I think it's good to build your resume first before tackling LA. But since I'm not an actor, I don't know what's truly best for them. IMO, I "believe" the best thing is to work with great producers/directors and try to build a name for yourself with those producers/directors with the hope they will "spring" you into fame. Several of my actors work in this manner. They befriend producers/directors and work their craft with them. They won't work with newcommers and people without an understanding of filmmaking. Their hope is that when I or anyone else blows up, we won't forget them; and we will open new doors for them.

 

[filmman]

I don't know about all that; being an indie filmmaker is just as hard. But I agree with many here who love acting ... that it's not like any other job.

Original post:

No one makes movies about unsuccessful actors. Their lives are dreary, dreary hell. For every Hilary Swank who lived with her mother in a car for a year

I'll make that movie! But only if Hilary agrees to star in it. LOL

Just kidding, I'll make it no matter who stars in it. You want to act? Here's a link to visit and commit yourself ... yeah, commit yourself! No one else will do it for you

It's your life and you can do whatever you want with it.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=158197

 

[sean90291]

Screenwriting is far worse.

Sure you can do it by yourself...but where's the joy in that. Someone still has to read it, like it and make it.

 

[Tom Marshall]

You also have to define what "make it" means. If, as an actor, you want to be the next whomever, that's one thing. But if your goal is to work with other talented people and be able to pay the bills, that's something completely different.

 

[Gbaez]

depends on your definition of success

to me it all depends on your goals and how much your willing to sacrifice.


there are plenty of working actors, making a living doing so.... not all actors are rich but not allactors are poor


you gotta love it

 

[Rylan Zolinski]

I saw this post and thought I would chime in. It seems like a lot of people believe success is attributed to just large cities with loads of agencies. More people equals more talent which equals a harder time for a person to stand out in a crowd. I am currently filming my own films and I live in a small province in the middle of Canada. Production companies exist here, but not much of a film scene. I think this is a blessing. It gives me the opportunity to shine without the restraint of competition. What I'm saying is that make with what you have and become noticed in the lesser known areas. This could be advantageous to yourself.

 

[Michele Seidman]

I saw this post and thought I would chime in. It seems like a lot of people believe success is attributed to just large cities with loads of agencies. More people equals more talent which equals a harder time for a person to stand out in a crowd..........What I'm saying is that make with what you have and become noticed in the lesser known areas. This could be advantageous to yourself.

Bravo Morox

People often think they should run straight off to California and the vast majority get lost in the crowd or return with their tail between their legs because they were not prepared and did not do their homework.

Funny part...here in North Carolina we get actors who move here from NYC and California to get their foot in the door a little faster. They come here...get agents in a matter of days, weeks or months...and on average I see men get their SAG cards in 6 months to a year and a half and women in 1-3 years. Most actors I have trained that went to California before they got their card spent 5 years or more just trying to get a good union gig. Many report back it takes a year or longer to land a great agent.

I say start in a smaller area...stand out...build a resume...get in the union and THEN head off to the 'big city' if that is what you desire!