Being an actor is expensive
Recently, I have fully begun to understand why actors are usually poor. First of all there is the obvious reason that work is hard to come by in this highly competitive industry. Also, all competition aside, there are so many outside factors that are out of your control, it's not even funny. Looks have a lot to do with it, but there isn't one particular look that people are looking for. You might be too tall compared to the leading man, you might be a brunnette when they want a blonde, or maybe you just look like the casting director's bitchy ex-wife who took all his money and left with his best friend after he failed to "discover" her.
OK, so you still manage to get a few parts on a regular basis, that's great! What else could there possibly be? Well, first of all, to get to an audition you need a resume and a headshot. While resumes are pretty cheap to come by, a headshot is a whole different story. First of all, to be taken seriously, you need to get it done by a professional. Expect to pay anywhere from 200 to 500$ for the photo shoot alone. Throw in another 100 or so dollars if you want to ge your hair and makeup done too (and trust me, you should). Then once that's done, you need to get copies made. Currently, I'm getting by by making laser copies at about 0.75$ a pop. Now, if I ever get an agent, I'm going to need to make actual photo copies (no pun intended). This can cost about 200$ for 100 copies in black and white. This price goes up quite a bit if you want colour photos too. Usually 100 is the smallest number you can get. You might want to look into getting business cards with your picture on it as well. I found a place that will charge 20$ for 100 with a minimum purchase of 500.
With your resume and photos in hand, if you have enough experience, you're going to want to get a demo reel. You can get a cd made for voice work and a tape for anything on video. I know one place in Ottawa that will make a voice demoe for you for 250$ and up (including studio time). I don't have enough film credits yet for a tape demo, but once I do, I'm going to have to find someone to compile together in a nice little package. More $$$$. However demos are super important for people who have never seen your work.
Now that you have all this, you need to mail it out to prospective agents, casting directors, production companies, ect. Buy yourself some large envelopes and a lot of stamps. Don't forget paper and ink for your printer. Ink=50$, paper=5$, envelopes and stamps=15$
When you're first starting out, chances are you will be doing a lot of independant features and community productions. I highly recommend you buy your own makeup if you don't want to put someone's sloppy seconds on your face. Who knows how many people have used that sponge? You'll also want to get some makeup remover. Although I'm aways amused going to the bar after a show with a bunch of guys who happen to be wearing more eyeliner than I do. And if you don't want your face to break out after a week of caking it, you'll need to invest in a quality product. Some staple items you'll want to get for your little makeup kit (this is for people who think makeup is a foreign concept): a good foundation and concealer, makeup sponges, blush, black eyeliner and mascara, lipstick and eyeshadow in neutral colours (although owning a super red lipstick does pay off sometimes). Again prepare to invest about 100$ or more.
Now, when you go to a film audition, there are a few key things to know about what to wear. Since an audition does not usually have very good lighting, do not wear black because it will make you look like a floating head; do not wear white because it will look too bright film; red bleeds into the background; stripes and patterns will blend together; logos are distracting; so's cleavage (trust me, theyre not going to cast you so that they can sleep with you :p). This might leave very little in your closet so you might want to go buy a shirt. Maybe 15-25$
An actor also has to keep his skills sharp. Classes also look really good on a resume because it shows you are commited and they give you a great opportunity to network. However, an eight week course can usually go for 150 to 750$. Acting books can also be helpful. On average they can go for 30$ a book.
This is just a few of the basiv expenses an actor might end up paying for. To recap:
Headshots - 400$ + 100$ hair and makeup
Copies of Headshots - 200$
Business cards - 100$
Voice demo - 250$
Demo Reel - 250$
Printing and mailing supplies - 70$
Makeup - 100$
Audition Shirt - 25$
Classes - 350$ and up
Books - 60$ for 2
Total - 1905$
Hearing those applause at the end of a production - Priceless
;)
OK, so you still manage to get a few parts on a regular basis, that's great! What else could there possibly be? Well, first of all, to get to an audition you need a resume and a headshot. While resumes are pretty cheap to come by, a headshot is a whole different story. First of all, to be taken seriously, you need to get it done by a professional. Expect to pay anywhere from 200 to 500$ for the photo shoot alone. Throw in another 100 or so dollars if you want to ge your hair and makeup done too (and trust me, you should). Then once that's done, you need to get copies made. Currently, I'm getting by by making laser copies at about 0.75$ a pop. Now, if I ever get an agent, I'm going to need to make actual photo copies (no pun intended). This can cost about 200$ for 100 copies in black and white. This price goes up quite a bit if you want colour photos too. Usually 100 is the smallest number you can get. You might want to look into getting business cards with your picture on it as well. I found a place that will charge 20$ for 100 with a minimum purchase of 500.
With your resume and photos in hand, if you have enough experience, you're going to want to get a demo reel. You can get a cd made for voice work and a tape for anything on video. I know one place in Ottawa that will make a voice demoe for you for 250$ and up (including studio time). I don't have enough film credits yet for a tape demo, but once I do, I'm going to have to find someone to compile together in a nice little package. More $$$$. However demos are super important for people who have never seen your work.
Now that you have all this, you need to mail it out to prospective agents, casting directors, production companies, ect. Buy yourself some large envelopes and a lot of stamps. Don't forget paper and ink for your printer. Ink=50$, paper=5$, envelopes and stamps=15$
When you're first starting out, chances are you will be doing a lot of independant features and community productions. I highly recommend you buy your own makeup if you don't want to put someone's sloppy seconds on your face. Who knows how many people have used that sponge? You'll also want to get some makeup remover. Although I'm aways amused going to the bar after a show with a bunch of guys who happen to be wearing more eyeliner than I do. And if you don't want your face to break out after a week of caking it, you'll need to invest in a quality product. Some staple items you'll want to get for your little makeup kit (this is for people who think makeup is a foreign concept): a good foundation and concealer, makeup sponges, blush, black eyeliner and mascara, lipstick and eyeshadow in neutral colours (although owning a super red lipstick does pay off sometimes). Again prepare to invest about 100$ or more.
Now, when you go to a film audition, there are a few key things to know about what to wear. Since an audition does not usually have very good lighting, do not wear black because it will make you look like a floating head; do not wear white because it will look too bright film; red bleeds into the background; stripes and patterns will blend together; logos are distracting; so's cleavage (trust me, theyre not going to cast you so that they can sleep with you :p). This might leave very little in your closet so you might want to go buy a shirt. Maybe 15-25$
An actor also has to keep his skills sharp. Classes also look really good on a resume because it shows you are commited and they give you a great opportunity to network. However, an eight week course can usually go for 150 to 750$. Acting books can also be helpful. On average they can go for 30$ a book.
This is just a few of the basiv expenses an actor might end up paying for. To recap:
Headshots - 400$ + 100$ hair and makeup
Copies of Headshots - 200$
Business cards - 100$
Voice demo - 250$
Demo Reel - 250$
Printing and mailing supplies - 70$
Makeup - 100$
Audition Shirt - 25$
Classes - 350$ and up
Books - 60$ for 2
Total - 1905$
Hearing those applause at the end of a production - Priceless
;)
posted by Nancy Kenny at
1:30 PM
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