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[di marco]

I was never aware that the acting world would be so under paid as I mentioned earlier in the post I have never known anyone that has got into this industry whether it be from the top or the bottom. I just assumed like with any job if you start out then you had to expect that the money wouldn't be much. But if this is how it was going to be for numerous years before I hit the big time if it was me then I would possibly have to choose a different career. As you have to survive and it would be hard to do so by what you said.

yeh if it was just a few years it would be alright but most people will never hit the big time as there are just so many people who want to do it. really if youre lucky then youll be ok otherwise i dont understand why people carry on trying after 10+yrs. maybe theyre just hoping, i dunno, but to me it doesnt seem worth it. ill just do another aspect of drama/theatre/tv that isnt as competitive to get work for!

[Hannelene]

If it was me and I was in that industry I would probably try solid for about 5 yrs hoping to either be on tv or some kind of mainstream work. If that led nowhere I would be happy to act and be on a stage somewhere. As long as I was performing it wouldn't matter.

[Abigail]

90% of actors are unemployed in the industry. Always helps to have something to fall back on.

[Hannelene]

From reading all of this it seems like an industry where one week you could be employed and then the next week you might not be so lucky.
Makes me realise how lucky some actors are - the ones that have seemed to of made it

[di marco]

If it was me and I was in that industry I would probably try solid for about 5 yrs hoping to either be on tv or some kind of mainstream work. If that led nowhere I would be happy to act and be on a stage somewhere. As long as I was performing it wouldn't matter.

youd have to be lucky even to get stage work

90% of actors are unemployed in the industry. Always helps to have something to fall back on.

thats why the average earning is only £1000 a year cos most of the time you dont have any work, and why i dont wanna peform anymore!

From reading all of this it seems like an industry where one week you could be employed and then the next week you might not be so lucky.
Makes me realise how lucky some actors are - the ones that have seemed to of made it

yeh thats exactly what its like. even mainstream actors dont always have work, just makes it easier as the work they do get pays more

[Hannelene]

Risky business
Why do people head into it? Is it to try and be a big star or because they have a passion for acting?

[Perdita]

Probably a bit of both. You obviously have to have the passion and I expect that all performers hope to be talent spotted one day and then get a lucrative contract. But passion must surely be top of the list.

[Hannelene]

Passion has to be what keeps you in the industry

[Pinkbanana]

That much. In some ways that isn't too bad as most average paid jobs pay around that wage.

£1000 is a pathetic amount of money, its not a wage you could live on.... you must be able to get much more than that being on the dole...

I think actors do it for the love of the profession, cause for the majority, it certainly aint for the money!!!

[di marco]

Probably a bit of both. You obviously have to have the passion and I expect that all performers hope to be talent spotted one day and then get a lucrative contract. But passion must surely be top of the list.

yeh i think it is a bit of both, though as my lecturer said anyone whos says they only do it for the passion is lying as if that was the case you wouldnt mind doing amateur stuff etc. i think its also the fact that if youve been trying for so long you dont wanna stop cos you might have just missed out on your opportunity