Making a living by acting?

Question

I want to be an actress, but I'm going to be realistic about it. I dont expect to go out there and become a super star over night, if ever at all. I know it's hard. I'm just wanting to know, living in the L.A. area, what are the odds of making a decent living... I'm talking just like a middle class lifestyle. I know it depends on your talent and how many jobs you can get, but should I expect to be able to live at least at middle class level, or should I expect to be starving and living in a 200 sq. ft. studio apartment in the ghetto and driving a beat up old V W bug. If you're an actor, or know actors, what do you usually see with their life style. I know there are a lot of variables in this equation, but any input would be great.
Thanks.

Answer 1

One of the best things you can do when you are trying to live your dream is to be flexible. Being a actor (even a good actor) quite often means you still have to work a day job, even one you don't love. I am a stage actress, living in a large city. I get moderate work, but I still have to have a "real job" to pay my bills. You also have to willing to search for projects, and make connections. You have to go to lots of auditions, even for projects you are terribly interested in - this is the only way your work gets seen. And you never know. Sometimes that project that held no interest for you at all winds up being really fascinating.

Being an actor (just like being any type of artist), is exhausting and sometimes frustrating. You through big up and down periods, you lose heart, you want to quit. But then, you get that dream part, or someone praises your work, and it's all worth it. Hang in there. It pays off (even if nto financially!) in the end!

Answer 2

The latest Screen Actors Guild statistics that I remember said that about 75% of its members earn less than $5000/year. You'll almost certainly have to have a day job and flexibility and paycheck are often inversely proportional (the bigger the flexibility, the smaller the paycheck). If the income is the point, then don't start. The doing of it has to be the point because there may not be anything else. Don't waste your life waiting for something that may not come. But if you can love the journey, even with its materialistic downside, it can be an amazing way to live.

Answer 3

LA is damn expensive and nearly ALL my friends are over there as actors/models.
The majority have made it - mind you, all but one of them has been trying for at least 10 years to "break in" but if you fall into the right circle, you might not get famous right off the bat, but at least you will have relatively steady work.
Some of my friends have been recognized in People and in popular movies and soap operas, yet they are still not famous.
Is it fame you are seeking or general happiness doing what you love?
My best advice to you is to go for it, because who knows what Tom Cruise, for example - would be doing today if he had never tried, or what George Clooney would be doing if he had never tried...I's going to be hard in the beginning, but you might actually get lucky and get a part right off the bat, a part that changes your life.
Most importantly, try to get involved in something else on the side, something marketable, that you can use as a last resort if all else fails.
And keep in mind, that for all those stars you hear about who just seem to have popped up out of nowehere - the majority of them have actually been waiting in the sidelines for years.

You have to really want it. You have to have the drive to get it and to stand out, because there are a lot of other people out there who have their eyes on the same prize.

Good luck to you!!

Oh, and to answer your question about their lifestyles - the majority of my friends are living very well, but there are also some of my friends who are struggling and have been struggling for years. I wonder how much longer they are going to put themselves through that...I'm all for pursuing your dream, but there comes a time when you have to ask yourself if being a waiter at 29 is still something you want to do as your day job.
(Scratch that...as your PRIMARY job.)
Needless to say, waiting tables and having various acting jobs here and there barely pays the bills and my friends who are living this way are living in near squalor.
On the other hand, remember there are the rest who are practically living in luxury.
It's a gamble, but you'll never know until you try.

My apologies for the long answer. It's very hard for me to just be short and sweet.

Answer 4

I know someone who follows his dream to be an actor. He lives and works Lake Forest, CA. And he does perform miracles. He goes from one audition to another. He is landed with some significant roles at some theater such as Orange Curtain Theater. He performs at church and teaches children to sing, dance and performs in his spare times. He may not fulfill his entire dream yet. But he is surely working toward his dreams. He does make money and own an apartment and a brand new car. Thus, just be true to your dream and work it out. Believe in yourself.

Answer 5

I think everyone in America wants to be an actor,rapper,singer,model,athlete or entrepreneur. What ever happened to lawyers,doctors,firefighters careers like those? But hey! pursue whatever it is you want to do, be the best at it! Good luck!

Answer 6

well, first you need expirience to show people ALONG with your talent. starting out in small shakesperian, public plays and theatre stuff is good. better chance of getting known and expirience. Asking some celebs themselves is a very good idea, though quite unchancy in many different situations.

hope this helped, though i'm totally brain dead for the moment!

Answer 7

My actor friends in L.A survive by doing extra work in film, soaps and commercials, when they don't have a booking on tv or film.

Answer 8

Some of us don't do it for the money, but the money is nice.