Welcome to the Biz
For those of you new to the acting, I will tell you what nobody else is willing to admit: it’s a gambling addiction.
Why? You’ll never know when you’ll work, if your scenes will be cut, if your commercial will air, and if so, exactly for how long, and you won’t always be certain of when you’ll get paid or how much.
It’s difficult to live life like a normal person, to budget, to plan, to do anything. One year, you can make a lot of money and have a dry spell for two, or five, or ten. Most actors have other means of employment. One may find productions to be very complimentary and inclusive, until it’s time to pay. Then some go quiet.
There is an attitude among some that actors should be thankful to even make small amounts of money. These people seem to not realize we have rent and bills to pay, and we’ve also invested quite a bit financially just to be prepared to be seen.
“Chasing the dream” is a childish mentality. This a business and actors should operate as such.
Be careful and realistic. Statistically, the odds are not in our favor:
“Most SAG actors don’t even make a living wage.“ SAG (the acting union) has over 170,000 members and “only 14% make at least $26,470 annually to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare coverage” (Rolling Stone, August 4, 2023)
“According to a comprehensive study that examined 2,408,501 performers, ‘as low as 2% of actors are able to make a living out of acting.’” (Backstage, August 5, 2024)
There is also gender bias for aging women. (Backstage, December 20, 2023)
To be an actor requires financial investment but if you’re wise, patient, and well-read, you can avoid the inefficiency and waste I’ve endured. I sincerely hope you do.
I find actors forego relationships and having a family because they’re so hellbent on achieving a success that will never happen. This career should never impede other forms of growth/potential, self-knowledge, and happiness.
Do it because you enjoy acting but don’t expect success. There are many variables and this is not a merit based system.
-M.