I love acting. Many think I have carrer potential, but should I pursue it?

Question

I have been in many plays, and am now a very gifted singer, actor, and dancer. Many of my friends, fellow actors and directors tell me I have carrer potential, and it would be great to do that for a living. But acting is such a competative profession, and very few make it big. I would love to act, but Is it practical for an entire future?

Answer 1

what is it that you want out of acting? do you love acting? would you be happy if you spent the rest of your life acting in plays and singing all the time but only making a middle class living? or do you want to be famous and rich?

very few people make it big, and you may as well try the lottery if that's your goal. but if you love acting and can't imagine not doing it, definitely go for it.

btw, i disagree with the person who said give it three years and then quit if you haven't reached your goal. three years is nothing! i've been acting for ten years, and it's just been the last two that things have really taken off for me. it took me the first five years of my career to figure out what i was doing. i think evaluating one's progress after a certain point in time is smart, but don't set limits on yourself.

Answer 2

Congratulations on knowing what your dream is at such an early age! Of course you've heard the arguments against pursuing a performing arts career. The odds are definitely stacked against even very talented candidates. Your parents are very likely quite concerned about this. So, you need to show them that you have a "plan B" in the event that your dream of a career in the arts doesn't take off. You might indicate that you plan to back up your acting efforts with studies in a related field with better career prospects. Try NOT to appear as an impulsive teen with only a dream. This will at least give a better context to the conversation.

Answer 3

Let the professionals, Talent Agents, Casting Directors, and producers, determine if you have talent.

Acting is not practical for an entire future, you have a good head on your shoulders to see that. Most actors are not that sharp. It's extremely hard to make a living as an actor. Those that are working actors are very lucky, and have the talent and/or look that was needed for the roles for which they were hired.

If you like acting, do it as a hobby, and not as a career goal.

Answer 4

I love acting too, but I know that it's a very unstable career path. I plan on continuing my education (while figuring out what I want to do with my life... heh) and do the acting thing on the side. If the acting thing doesn't work out, at least I have some headway on something else. If I get a big break, well, I'll look more into it.

I don't trust the industry, because it can all be over in an instant. Always have a backup plan.

Answer 5

I think that if you go to school and get a degree in something else, something to fall back on you can give it a try. If your goal in life is to be rich and famous based on a musical theater actor's salary, then I would tell you that won't work. If you want to perform and you are happy with what you do then it's worth it.

In reality, being an actor really sucks. If your agent says you've got a call, you need to go and sometimes you get less than an hour to prepare. If you don't have an agent you probably won't be seen for roles. You face a LOT of rejection and if you do get a job it's a lot of hard work.

Still, you never know until you try!

Answer 6

Do you enjoy performing, and are you capable of having a healthy mind and soul in the acting industry? If so, you can try it for a fixed period of time, say three years. Do some research, and write down where you want to be in your acting career in three years. If after three years of doing everything morally permissible to attain your goal, you aren't where you planned to be, move on to plan B. (By the way, this implies that you have to have a Plan B, probably a more "practical" career path.)

This approach allows your to really try to make it work while at the same time containing liability.

Answer 7

You should go for it. When I was 19, I moved to LA to become a movie star. Well, it didn't exactly work out, but I'm glad now that I went for it back then. It was a really fun experience, and you meet some interesting people. If it works, then that's awesome, you made it. If not, then join the club, and be happy your whole life knowing that you at least took a shot at becoming what everyone else dreams of!!

Answer 8

It can be, if you're willing to dedicate your life to it and realize that you may spend years waiting tables in New York before you make it at all. In the 80s my mother was attending college, and many of her friends were theatre majors. Only now are any of them making it to Broadway or movies, so beware: while the life of an actor can be quite rewarding, it won't come easily. But I do hope you do well, good luck!

Answer 9

It is if you want to make a lot of money and be liked by many others. With you being in many plays that'll look great on ur resume! But if you do get into acting ur gonna have to face the screaming of fans, the flashing of cameras and rumors.

I'm almost there in the acting biz. Just I'm probaly gonna be on tv next summer

Answer 10

Can you imagine spending your whole life doing something you don't love, simply because your friends and family think it is the "Practical" thing to do? Can you see yourself sitting behind a desk, in some stupid cubicle, typing away at a keyboard for 45 years... all the while wishing that you had found the courage to follow your heart?