Good dayjobs for actors?

Question

I'm thinking of moving to California to become an actor. What would be good jobs that are flexible with auditions and things that could arise? I have a college degree in English and am not interested in teaching. Any job ideas/tips would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

I have always heard construction and waiters....when it comes to actors!

Answer 2

Wow, that's a long shot.
I would highly suggest acting school for a much better shot.
Also, watch for casting calls. They can be posted in the papers quite often. Movies usually use extras, and that's a way to get your foot in the door.

Also, stage / Theatre plays, is another way to get going.

As for jobs, it's going to be the same there as it is anywhere else. Fast food jobs are going to be the most flexible,but any job will not always let you have the days off that you want. Expect there to be some hassle over you wanting to go when you're scheduled to work.

I wouldn't mention wanting to be an actor though to any possible employeer. They'll think you're not serious about working or not reliable.

You're going to have to start very small. No one is a star overnight, if you ever get to be a star at all. If you want to act, do it for the love of acting, not because it can make your rich. It makes very few people millionares.

One actress I knew had acted since she was young, but unfortunately cancer claimed her about 10 years ago. She wasn't on the actor's guild to my knowledge, like most need to be these days, and had little to no insurance. She was in Star Trek's episode "Gamesters Of triskelion" as well as quite a few movies in her day.

Good luck in your search. Remember, California is a cut throat world out there, lots of crime, and not the glamour Hollywood makes of it.

Answer 3

Driving Strippers in Limos, Moving Refrigerators and dressing as a giant chicken while working for "El Pollo Loco"

I suggest you to get an MBA before you become an actor, just in case.

Academy Award Nominee John Travolta is a Pilot.

NOTE: Academy Award Nominee Brad Pitt did all those jobs in California.

Answer 4

How about proof-reading novels, magazine articles, etc, that people send you via the net from anywhere in the world. You can accept payment via Paypal and send the corrected document back. To add value, you can suggest improvements using anything you've learnt about literary criticism or give tips to people whose first language isn't English. You can work at your own pace.

You could do this instead of or in addition to a more conventional job.

Answer 5

id say you better get some experience waiting on tables..
seems the be the fallback career of choice to most actors out there