|
Reality Check
Research the Industry
Training Gives You an Edge
Experience to Get You Started
Cost of Talent Related Services
Agent-Related Costs
How Much Money Can I Make?
Toronto as a Production Scene
ACTRA Additional Background Performers
Biz Speak
Reality Check
Many people begin careers in performance for the wrong reasons. They think acting is a glamorous business where someone with little or no experience can make a lot of money with very little effort. Well, it's not that easy. Working as an actor is a challenging profession that requires discipline, commitment, continuous training and lots of hard work.
Performers have to work hard each and every day. They compete against their fellow performers for every role and know there is no such thing as a guaranteed part. Most have years of experience in the performing arts and have trained at top theatre schools. Their work experience can include everything from plays and television series to commercials and feature films.
Considering a career in the performing arts should not be a whim or passing fancy. Bringing a character to life on the screen can give you great joy and personal satisfaction - but it also entails personal sacrifices. You will succeed only if you are serious about being a performer and are dedicated to your profession.
Research
the Industry
If you're thinking seriously
about becoming a performer - do some research first. The Internet is a great place
to get started. After you've looked through www.actratoronto.com, you should also
check out www.canadianactor.com.
In addition, the Acting and Modeling Information Service (AMIS) website (www.amisontario.com)
and hotline (416-977-3832) are valuable sources for learning about agents and
the industry. AMIS also publishes an industry guide that is available from the
Theatre Books bookstore (11 St Thomas St., Toronto). The guide is modestly priced,
so pick up a copy!
 
Training
Gives You an Edge
Performing is a skilled profession where training is a must. When you compete
with other performers, classes and training can give you an edge that gets you
the role.
Enrolling in a performance
program at a university or a college is one of the best ways to get
the basic skills and contacts you'll need as a professional performer.
Some Toronto area performing arts schools include:
If you don't want to take
this route, you can always enroll in individual voice, movement and acting
classes. To find reputable and reasonably priced performance classes,
visit the Toronto Association of Acting Studios at http://www.torontoactingstudios.com
or call them at 416-408-4556. You should expect to pay from $10 to $20
per hour for this type of instruction.
Experience
to Get You Started (BUT HOW DO YOU GET EXPERIENCE?)
Once you've done your research, you're going to be confronted by a big catch 22.
In order to land an agent for serious acting work, you need experience, but how
can you get experience without an agent to get you work? We'll explain what agents
are looking for in our "agents" section, but there are a lot of opportunities
available for you to try performing. You can try out for roles in community theatre,
in school plays, in college productions or volunteer at your local cable station.
If you gain experience like this, in addition to training and related courses,
it will help you when you're looking for an agent.
Cost of
Talent Related Services
You will have to pay for services that support your work as a performer, such
as professional photos, demo tapes and classes. You should expect to pay the following
fees for these services:
Classes............................................................................................$10-$20/hour
Demo tapes.....................................................................................$200 and up
Headshot photos (3 rolls, B&W)..................................................$175-$250
Photo reproductions (for 100 - 8 x 10 glossies).......................$150-$200
Resumes..........................................................................................provided by agent
Warning: Watch
out for agents who demand performers buy the above services from their
agency - ethical agents don't sell services to their clients.
Agent-Related
Costs
Principal agents represent performers who get "principal" (or speaking) roles.
These agents do not charge registration fees but they charge commission on your
gross earnings (15% for film and television work; 10% for live theatre). Principal
agents may also ask you to cover small costs like courier fees.
Background agents represent
people who work as stand-ins and background performers (also known as
"extras"). They may charge a $25 to $100 registration fee to those performers
who are not ACTRA members. They also charge 10% to 15% commission on
your gross earnings.
How Much
Money Can I Make?
Everyone has heard about a few famous performers who make $20-million per film.
That sounds great until you realize only 10 out of more than 100,000 performers
in North America make that much money.
So, unless you're Neve Campbell or Mike Myers (both are ACTRA members by the way) you should
have realistic expectations about what you can earn.
All professional performers
know that - despite all their experience, training and effort - their
earning levels can fluctuate wildly from year to year. Two thirds of
ACTRA Toronto Performers' full members, for example, earn less than
$5000 annually from performing.
Toronto
as a Production Scene
Including commercial, television and film production, Toronto is the third largest
production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York. Canadian cities
such as Vancouver and Montreal are also major production areas.
Despite the large number
of productions and commercials shot in Toronto every year, there are
many more performers that there are roles. In this environment, the
more versatile a performer is the more successful he/she will be. For
example, a multi-talented performer who goes without a commercial gig
for a few months can switch to TV, stage or even comedy work. These
performers can pay the bills and keep their skills sharp at the same
time.
|
