Losing the Love

Hi Jack,

You've probably touched a raw nerve with all of us. The only justification for no pay, or expenses only is if the jobs are student projects.
My advice is: don't chuck it in, find another source of income and pick and choose your work.

Best of luck

Léon

• 10 years ago
• 1

We all make choices based on our experiences. Sometimes blows in the face can lead us to better things.

• 10 years ago
• 2

Jack - I think everyone who uses this site would recognise, appreciate and sympathise with all your current thoughts about this most taxing business. It really does test and thwart one's resolve. And resources! We all have to live, somehow, and lack of income is the killer.

In the good old days, when questioned about the vast amount of money actors could earn for commercials, for example, the response was (legitimately), 'Well, it makes up for all the time spent OUT of work...'

Now...? The money isn't even there for commercials, as it used to be, and it's very, very hard for a working / jobbing actor to survive. So we all look for a sustainable alternative income, part-time or full-time, and some get sucked into that sublime content of having a regular, reliable injection into the bank account that gradually supercedes any artistic struggle to earn a crust here and there. And why wouldn't it? We all have to eat, pay for a roof over our heads, look after our families. Who could not sympathise with anyone throwing in the proverbial towel?

It's rotten that the business defeats so many talented actors. Trouble is, if it's your passion and raison d'etre, the need will never go away and there will still be part of you hankering after it, even though your bank account may be experiencing a happier status / bills can actually be paid / life becomes generally easier.

It would be far better, wouldn't it, if one readily chose to leave the profession rather than being forced to do so?

Best wishes to you. It's a tough choice.

• 10 years ago
• 3

Hi Jack, totally get you. It doesn't have to be 'all or nothing though'. Try and focus on learning other skills which might be able to earn you a crust when you are not getting paid work. I won't work for nothing anymore, unless it is a favour or a small commitment & something which excites me. Or if I feel I a) can afford to do it and b) feel the need to do something to keep my 'hand in', as it were. Try and join a rehearsed reading group to keep your morale up. I go to the Actors Writers London and North London Actors groups. They are good support groups, if anything and many people are now my friends. I've also been cast in a few paid productions from the groups too. Don't lose heart, don't sell yourself short either. x

• 10 years ago
• 4

I don't even let students get away with not paying my expenses and feeding me.

I go by the thought that even students can't get free food, transport, electricity, and anything else in life, so why should they get me?

I strongly believe that university tuition fees should include a film budget, and the tutors should teach them that actors are the MOST valuable asset to a production. No director has a production without actors. If tutors are telling students to go and get free actors from whatever site, what does that tell them about the industry?

I get quite annoyed when I'm helping a student and a pro sound guy turns up. I very much doubt he/she was free. It's even worse when it's a for profit production company doing it. They should borrow money like any other business would need to, in order to pay its wages.

• 10 years ago
• 5

Thanks to you all for your good great and encouraging advice.I started this trade late in life and have been a businessman an engineer ,entrepreneur,musician,father etc etc so i am used to the roller coaster of life and i have always managed to make money outside of this business.I must say though this is the only business i have ever been involved in where there is very little hope but such an enormous all engulfing passion by all concerned.Its almost like a drug.I am pretty good and quite experienced in screen-acting but i think i may need to take up some minor theatre work even if it is low or unpaid.This may keep the flame alive.Any suggestions of decent theatre groups or up and coming productions that could use someone like me i would be most grateful for.Guess i am a registered addict like the rest of you :)

• 10 years ago
• 6

Jack,there is alot to be said for having life experience. You could certainly plug your business skills to get into corporate or medical roleplay work, create projects and see if some of your corporate contacts might co-sponsor a production, use your musical experience by researching companies who cast musicians (often open air summer Shakespeare co's) and ensure all of these skills are reflected in your showreel somehow (if you need to get one done from scratch). I would certainly join a rehearsed reading group for (mostly) theatre contacts/sight-reading experience etc. You'll gain confidence in theatre work & fast! Join British Actors Network on facebook too. Good luck!

• 10 years ago
• 7

Hi, Jack.

There are many wise words above, and I have been struggling to put into words my thoughts about your post. That level of self-questioning is something we are all getting at the moment, and I suppose I ought to thank you for articulating something I was thinking was just me. Rates of pay are falling and ridiculous terms are being increasingly offered. However, looking at your showreel and CV I have to say it's nothing you're doing wrong. You have a much higher quality track record than most of us on here, and your talent is evident You are a believable, present and attentive performer. I suppose the reel could be edited a bit to remove ANYTHING that isn't you, and shorten the montage, but tiny, tiny point. You might move the Dad excerpt to the front, follow it with the vendor, then the hardnut. and a bit of Paloma Faith for fun. You might thin out your gallery (I know, mine's ridiculous) by removing everything self-taken and done in the green room, limiting your headshots to three (four at the outside) all DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT and, as a rule of thumb, if it's in your showreel, you don't need a still of it as well.

It's obvious that you have not succumbed to the temptation to take silly or sub-standard work, and to judge by the work you have been getting, the people who do employ you recognise a certain fearlessness and absence of vanity which makes you quite special. It's just so rarely what do-it-yerself film makers shooting an execrable zombie movie want.

Don't feel alone If you weren't tired and unhappy in this climate, you'd be David Tennant.

If you do decide to pack it in, make sure that you have decided, and know that you have done everything that you could. It would be the industry's loss.

• 10 years ago
• 8

Those are really kind words Keith, the only thing i would add would be acting makes me a better person, be it in work or classes and this is hugely important to me; I like many of us actors can survive on relatively little money but if i ever felt the situation i was in started to come at a cost to my personal growth as a person then i would think twice. This for me is the ultimate balance sheet.

• 10 years ago
• 9

Nadia and Keith thank you so much for all your advice.I have taken it all on board and was already in the process of having new headshots and show-reel updated.I don't like montages either and I hate viewing actors show-reels when they are behind somebody famous etc.Its messages like all the above that keep you locked in and its great to know you are not on your own and doing some things well.I called my first agent today who is a lovely lady and a very successful former actress,I wanted to ask her if my experience was general and she confirmed the same story on the agency front.She feels just like me and is on the brink of giving up as an agent.I am taking a break for a few weeks until my show-reel and heads are done and hopefully will come back with renewed vigour.As before anyone who knows any good theatre groups who may need someone like me please advise.Its the people in this industry that make it and like all business' its pretty cyclical and this could just be a big shakeout. All the best to all of my friends out there.Things can only get better!!

• 10 years ago
• 10

Not to worry Jack & Keith. When I get my next request to put on the Asian accent and play traditional Asian mum I shall pass it on to you guys. :) ......Innitt!

• 10 years ago
• 11

..FIND A NEW AGENT ! (ASAP)
Once completed, your have a totally different perspective on things.

All the best,

Charles

• 10 years ago
• 12

I agree with you Stuart.Acting can make you a better person.It certainly made me more observant and aware.I love change and encourage it and I would not stay in it if it was not constantly changing.Anything that stunts your personal growth MUST be side-stepped :)

• 10 years ago
• 13