Download Actors (live work)

Career profile
Actors (live work)
Actors interpret others’ words in order to bring a text to life, and to put flesh and blood
on the characters they portray. Most Actors are expected to be able to work across
all the disciplines of Theatre, Film, Television and Radio, and may also work as
models, or provide Voice-overs for commercials, documentaries, talking books,
dubbed foreign language films, etc. Although the basic abilities required are similar,
each of these disciplines demands some specific skills. Theatre work is geared to a
wide variety of audiences, and includes Theatre in Education, Pantomime, Rep,
Touring productions, West End Theatre, National Theatre, etc., and Actors must be
able to adapt to the differing requirements.
When working on stage, Actors need to demonstrate their mastery of the physical
aspects of their craft; the audience sees all their expressions and movements, there
are no second takes, as there are in film or television work. Actors must also be
aware that different audiences may react differently to the same scene, and they
must be able to adapt their performance according to the audience reaction, while
staying true to their character and to the text. Actors are selected, or cast, by the
Producer, Director, Casting Director or, in some cases, they may be recommended
by the Writer.
The work
Actors are the embodiment of any production – theirs is the public face, which
represents many others’ work and efforts. It is rare for the public to see the Writer,
the Producer, or the Director of a theatrical production – their perception is based on
what is portrayed by the Actors on the stage: they present a visual interpretation of
the text. For some roles, Actors must carry out extensive research, for others their
character is moulded and developed during rehearsals. They work with the Director
to create believable, natural characters, based on the Writer’s words, but built upon
in order to convince the audience of their veracity.
When working in the theatre, Actors must be able to learn their lines, and to retain
their meaning and inflection, while repeating the same scene many times over,
sometimes over a period of many weeks or months. They need to interpret the
Writer’s words in a natural manner, while expressing and portraying the appropriate
emotions, and keeping their performance fresh and believable for each new
audience. They should also know their fellow actors’ lines, so that they can respond
to them accurately and appropriately. They must be able to contribute ideas and
suggestions to improve their own performance, in a creative and collaborative way,
whilst also being able to take direction, notes and constructive criticism from the
Director. They need to remember their exact positions and movements on stage at
any given time during the performance, to ensure that the production runs smoothly.
If they are involved in a touring production, this may involve additional rehearsals at
each new venue.
Actors must be infinitely adaptable, as they may find themselves portraying different
characters within the same production; they need to convince the audience that they
are believable in all their roles. They must be aware that others contribute to their
characterisation, e.g., those working in the Costume and Design teams, and that they
may be serviced by a host of others in terms of transport, catering, etc., but that the
ultimate responsibility lies with the Actors themselves. Actors must arrive at the
theatre at least an hour before each performance, and often work six days a week,
with two performances on certain days. This requires stamina and resilience, and
the ability to commit to, sometimes lengthy, contracts. As casting a well known Actor
may provide the main marketing point of a theatre production, he or she bears a
great deal of the responsibility for its success, or failure. Actors also have a
responsibility to their audience, to ensure that they deliver consistent performances,
to the best of their abilities, irrespective of their personal circumstances.
Typical career routes
Actors come from a variety of backgrounds, and it is difficult to pinpoint any specific
career route. Some Actors start their careers in theatre, often working initially in
Stage Management, and progressing to Acting roles on stage. Others may
successfully audition for TV commercials, Radio or TV drama series, or Film roles,
and gain a reputation by exposure on these media. However, there are no
guarantees of work, or work progression, for Actors.
Essential knowledge and skills
Actors must know how to prepare for and perform at auditions, and casting sessions.
They should be able to learn new lines at very short notice, to accommodate text
changes and cuts. They must be uninhibited, in order to temporarily assume other
identities, and also to be dressed, positioned and directed by others. Specific
physical skills are sometimes required, ranging from the ability to assume a different
body shape or language, depending on the age and fitness of their character, to the
ability to take part in staged fight scenes, or to be “flown in” on a harness. For some
productions, singing or dancing skills may be required.
Actors must have clear and concise diction, and be able to assume different regional
and national accents, and to project their voices to all areas of the auditorium. They
need strong powers of observation, in order to learn from others’ body language, so
that they can create believable characters. They must be aware of the professional
etiquette and traditions of working in Theatre. They should also be able to deal
effectively with the press, as they may be asked for their views, or to discuss their
latest production, during interviews with journalists from a variety of different media.
Actors should be aware of Health and Safety issues, and ensure that their actions do
not constitute a risk to themselves or to others.
Training and qualifications
Nearly all professional actors have trained. Weekend and part time classes for
children are available throughout the UK, and there are some full time acting
academies where students follow the national curriculum from Year 6, as well as
training in drama, dance and singing e.g., Sylvia Young Theatre School. State
Specialist Schools, including designated arts colleges and schools, offer customised
courses in the media, performing or visual arts, or combine the arts with another
specialism. Many HE and FE colleges offer Drama or Theatre Studies courses.
There are also specialist drama schools, which usually only accept students over 18
years of age, and conduct auditions for places. These schools are all fee-paying but
offer tailored, vocational courses which are recognised by the industry, and which
have strong links with agents, casting directors, production companies and
broadcasters.
Where to go for more information
¾ CC Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries.
For information about training and professional qualifications, visit their
careers website www.creative-choices.co.uk
¾ Equity is the trade union representing artists across the whole spectrum of
arts and entertainment, and offers representation, specialist knowledge and
advice for its members and student members on work in Theatre and other
Live Performance. T: 020 7379 6000. www.equity.org.uk
¾ The Conference of Drama Schools www.drama.ac.uk
¾ National Council for Drama Training www.ncdt.co.uk
¾ The Stage newspaper is the entertainment trade weekly. Recruitment
advertisements, useful links, and ‘how to guides’, such as finding an agent or
drama school, are on its website www.thestage.co.uk
¾ Contacts is published annually by The Spotlight, and provides details of all
aspects of the entertainment industry. www.spotlight.com