Pursuing an acting career is the dream of millions of people, with few ever taking the steps needed to pursue their dream. When setting out on a career as an actor, the problem of paying for acting classes, headshots, theatre fees, and basic living can be a problem. Career Village reports technology has lowered the cost of starting an acting career, with headshots costing around $500.

1. Apply to the Nancy Etz Scholarship

The best actors spend years honing their craft in classes and with regional theatre groups. The first step on the acting ladder will often come at high school or college when an actor can explore the theatre for the first time. College students hoping to find financial help for their studies can apply to the Nancy Etz Scholarship, which provides a $1,000 donation towards tuition. Acting is one of the arts-based disciplines listed as part of the Nancy Etz Scholarship.

2. Get the Best Training

No matter how much natural talent a performer is born with, they can improve with training. Acting can be expensive, but choosing to audition for a regional community theatre will give you access to actors with more experience. High school and college productions are good ways of receiving free training from experienced individuals.

Moving up to professional level training will cost money. The choices include finding classes through a four-year college course or enrolling at a specialized dram school. If you are seeking financial assistance for your training, you should check your student loan eligibility.

3. Find a Job

The image of the resting actor is not sustainable in real life. Backstage reports the best option is to find a job offering the flexibility to attend auditions and pursue an acting career. The popular image of the penniless actor resting between jobs is a popular one but not sustainable. Acting coaches will often discuss the plans for making money for their students to make sure they can support themselves.

4. Choose a Base

The temptation is to choose to become an actor and immediately head for Los Angeles or New York. There are several hubs of theatre groups around the U.S. located in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Southeast. To learn to become an actor in Los Angeles or new york requires at least $10,000 in savings to find an apartment and give you time to find a flexible job. The cost of living close to a regional theatre group, such as those in Auston, Texas will be lower and provide an actor with the experience needed to learn their craft.

5. Chase Your Dream

One of the costly mistakes made by actors in the early stages of their careers is to sit and wait for the right opportunity. High-quality actors often write and perform their own material or form reading groups with actor friends. Taking your future into your own hands is less costly than sitting around waiting for the perfect role to fall into your lap.

The acting profession is difficult to break into and can take time to achieve success. In the end, actors with a reputation for talent and hard work are rewarded with the career they deserve.

Do you aspire to be a thespian? Being an actor or actress is a hard thing to do, but with the right guidance you can get off the ground and make your dream a reality. There are many actors and actresses who do not see the relevance of having a creative artists agency to help them, but these agencies are vital to your success in the entertainment world.

Why do I need an agent?

Without an agent, you cannot expect to get the best deal in Hollywood or in New York or wherever you choose to act. There are many unscrupulous directors out there and production teams that seek to rip actors off and underpay them. You are not safe without an agent. Moreover, you don’t know the industry that you’re about to embark on. There are agents out there with decades of experience in this world and the industry so they can protect your rights.

How much does an agent cost?

Agents work on commission as such it is in their best interest to find you the most lucrative jobs on the market. However, in saying that the market is like a lottery you might have red hair but they’re looking for a brunette to play the lead role in a film. In terms of commission the rates are generally negotiable, but you’re looking at anywhere from 10 to 15% across the board. The commission that pays your agent should never include travel expenses or other perks that should only come out of your wage or salary.

What should I look for in an agent?

You need a good agent who knows their stuff. Also, it would be handy if they were also a lawyer so that they can make sure that your contracts are fair and negotiable. People like Nancy Etz – a veteran in the field- suggests that you want to look for an agent who has at least 10 years experience. It is not to say that agents without experience will not adequately serve your needs, but they don’t have the contacts that most other agents do .

Agents have access; you don’t

A good agent like Nancy Etz can open many doors for you, doors that would otherwise be closed. They also have exclusive access to job leads and sometimes even people high up in the production or film companies. Moreover, with these contacts they can negotiate a higher rate for you as well as them in terms of pay and conditions.

Agents understand what you should be paid

A good agent has a better understanding of how much an actor should be paid, and they can fight for you to make sure that you get the correct amount for the role you are going to perform. Many people who go it alone end up losing thousands of dollars that they rightly deserved because they did not have accurate representation or a good knowledge of their industry.

But how will having a creative artist agency help my acting career overall?

You will not survive in Hollywood without representation. If you want to do commercials for Tide Pods for the rest of your life and never break out, then please go without an agent. But if you want to grow and progress and walk up the red carpet, then you need the services of a talent agent.

Many people underestimate the value of an agent, especially an agent who is equipped to deal with your specific area of entertainment. There are some who make the mistake of hiring a manager who has no idea of the industry that they are in and turn their career suffers as a result.

The Takeaway

Hiring an agent is vital and is one of the most important things you will ever do as an actor or actress. You cannot go it alone nor should you because if you do your career will suffer and you will never truly realize the dream of fame and stardom as well as fortune. Yes, giving up 10 to 15% of your hard earned income is a difficult prospect but think about the long-term gains and how much that would be if you had a 5 million-dollar contract. Don’t go it alone, hire an agent it will be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself and your career