Actor - As a career option
Introduction
While most actors in the world are known for the glamour and extravagance that comes with a career in acting, the truth is that acting is an art that requires an extremely unconventional and rare set of skills that very few people in the world can boast of.
For most actors, acting starts very early in their lives when their proclivity and penchant for a career on the stage becomes apparent. Since most of the skills involved in an acting career are ones that require being taught beyond the scope of a university or a classroom, an actor’s career is significantly different in its setting as compared to say, that of a musician or a scientist.
What does it take to become an Actor?
It is difficult to state explicitly what exactly it takes to be a successful actor – while many might suggest great looks and disposition to be a requirement, this isn’t entirely true when we look at successful careers in acting over the past several decades.
It could be said, perhaps, that a general innate inclination and knack for performing out a story, and the ability to express the emotions of another with confidence and finesse, and the capacity to project language, be it through one’s voice or one’s body, are essential requirements to make it big on the stage.
Since these aren’t skills that can be mastered over a degree at university, most actors in the world start relatively early in their lives – perhaps performing in school plays or sketches done as a child are where the seeds of a majority of the world’s famous acting careers were sown.
How to become an Actor?
If you’re reading this and are seriously considering acting as a career, it’s likely that you’re either confident of a career in acting based on your past experience and knowledge of your capacity for it.
If you’re still in high school planning to get into university, it’s recommended for you to get into a discipline that brings you in close contact with people associated with the film industry, such as a degree in film studies, arts, music, literature, or even the social sciences.
Most acting certifications in India are offered as diplomas that you can opt for both at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels, and these can be sought for in several film and television institutes across the nation.
Of these, perhaps the one most acclaimed for delivering success is The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Entry into all of these programs is purely on the basis of merit and auditions, and admission can be highly competitive.
Eligibility criteria to become an Actor
+2: No Restrictions. Students from either stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) can apply.
Bachelor’s Degree: No restrictions, but a degree closely associated with the arts is preferred
Master’s Degree: Not Required
Aside from diplomas, one can opt for a formal training in acting simply by being part of the industry! Most cities in India have a vibrant and active theatre culture. Be it the National School of Drama in Delhi or the Academy of Fine Arts in Calcutta, the opportunities for you to be associated with theatre groups are endless.
One of the best ways to get noticed in the acting industry is to do great acting, and pursuing acting as a career throughout your school and college life is a great way to gain the exposure and publicity that it will take for you to eventually succeed as an actor.
A day in the life of an Actor
Hi, I’m Rashi. I’m in the acting profession for just about half a decade now and am delighted to have you walk in my shoes for a day. I have BA in history along with a post-graduate diploma in acting from a reputed institute.
Right now, I perform both in theatre, in cinema, and engage in a number of other fun activities to get the wheels of my career rolling.
6:00 AM: One of the most important things for my career is physical fitness, so I wake up early in the morning for a two-hour solid workout. Today’s Yoga day. My instructor shall arrive any minute.
8:30 AM: It’s time to run along to the studio. I’m doing a short ad-film for a budding new director I’ve known for a while now. It’s an ad for some laundry detergent and I have to play the delighted housewife whose life has been revolutionized by its cleaning capabilities.
It’s not the dream, but it brings home the bacon. In a career dedicated to acting, you’re never assured of a fixed income at the end of the month, so one has to take what comes one’s way.
11:30 AM: I’m halfway through the set and am actually starting to enjoy it. The crew is delightful and the thing is going with fewer glitches than I expected.
12:30 PM: The next up on my schedule is an audition for a role in a regional film. I’m not going to sugar coat this for you, the selection is quite competitive. It’s, however, not something that’ll get my teeth chattering in anxiety anymore – I do these about twice or thrice a month so it’s a habit.
So far, I’ve been selected for two minor roles, but you know what they say, all it takes is one big hit. I have my fingers crossed.
3:30 PM: The audition went okay. I’m not sure if I was the strongest applicant, but I sure did my best. Part of being an actor is the satisfaction of having performed up to one’s fullest in any endeavour you pursue, regardless of the final outcome.
4:30 PM: I stopped for a quick snack – didn’t dare eat before the audition lest I should get all groggy. I’m on my way to the rehearsal for a theatre group now. It’s the brightest part of my day, you’ll see.
6:00 PM: The stage is where I really belong. Our group is composed of a mixed bag of people, from veterans in the industry to part-time actors who have come to play their part after a long and hard day’s work. Where do I fall in? Well, perhaps somewhere in the middle.
Acting on the stage is amazing, but it doesn’t really make for much of a sustainable career. We hope this article has added something fruitful to your research about becoming an actor. Have your say in the comment box below. Enjoy Reading!