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ENTERTAINMENT CAREER ADVICE
CAREERS  

Acting Performance


Let's face it: When most people dream of acting, they imagine themselves as the next Harrison Ford or Julia Roberts. In reality, most professional actors spend their entire careers without ever starring in a major motion picture, headlining a Broadway show, or working in a sitcom named after them. Yet many work regularly, earn good money, and perform a wide variety of characters. That's a career.

Whether in New York, Los Angeles or somewhere in between, actors can have a wide and varied career playing dozens of roles. Luckily, actors don't have to specialize. Many switch back and forth among mediums — film, TV, stage. Some play a clown in a children's show, a dangerous killer in a TV movie, and a petulant lover in stage play.

Performance means more than screen and stage acting auditions. Many have long careers in voiceover, commercial work, standup comedy, improv, dance, singing, and much more. Some start at a very early age, and retire when they hit puberty. Others start at 40 years old and work for the rest of their lives.

And many work both behind the camera/curtain as well as in front of it. In fact, it's becoming more common for actors to produce, write and direct and even star in their own films or stage shows. In short, 'performance' can have many meanings, depending on which kinds you choose to pursue.




HELPFUL LINKS - CLICK HERE
» Film/TV
Film and TV are the most prominent and lucrative careers in the acting field. But they can sometimes be complex to navigate.

» Stage
Getting your name in lights on Broadway is many actors' dream. But NYC is not the only place to successfully play to the seats.

» Commercial Acting
Actors can make a nice living working in commercial acting. Finding a way into this arena can sometimes be a challenge.

» Comedy/Improv
Comedy is a diverse field, everything from standup to improv. And it takes more than good timing to make a living at it.

» Voiceovers
Voiceovers is much more than animation and radio. And competition can be mighty fierce in this very insular world.

» Dance
Dancers can work in everywhere from ballet to hip-hop. The challenge is to find a niche that you enjoy.

» Singing
Singing is more than belting out pop tunes. Luckily, singers have many opportunities for those willing to look for them.

» Young Performers
Young performers have dozens of possibilities in every aspect of performing. However, parents first need to be aware of all the rules and regulations.

» Cruises & Theme Parks
Cruises and theme parks can be a great way to make money, have fun, or do what you love every day: perform.

» Behind-the-Scenes Work
Thousands of people work every day to create movies, plays, musicals, TV shows and more. You could be one of them.

» Making Your Play/Film
Thanks to DV and small theatres, many actors make their own opportunities. But it's not as easy as it looks.

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May 16, 2007
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