In order to make an intelligent decision about acting as a way to spend your life, do the research. Its a shame they only write biographies on the successful actors, when in fact it would be much more instructive to talk about all those actors who never made a dime in the business. Because the public is only exposed to star actors’ lives, most people have the idea that that is the lifestyle of any actor.
Acting is a profession. And any profession requires a big commitment. Years of study. Years of struggle. If your family is very wealthy then that might not be much of a sacrifice, but the real challenge is not just doing without money, its doing without validation.
When your life is spent mostly with people saying: “No, Thank you.” all the time, it takes effort to stay positive. Psychologists tell us that we get our picture of ourselves from work. In that case, if you are not working, its hard to get a valid sense of self.
The reality is that every actor spends more time unemployed than employed and that his real job is looking for work. Stardom is, after all, only unemployment at a higher rate of pay. The actor’s life is grueling. For a long time, you may not be able to have a life other than pursuing work and when you finally do get work, you will work and pursue your next job at the same time.
Choice of career is not just the choice of ones nine-to-five endeavor, but the choice of lifestyle. Within the instability of the actors life, it is difficult to plan for children, vacations, illness, and other life necessities, luxuries or surprises.
When you are unemployed, its difficult not to be depressed;when you are working, there’s little time for a mate and family. If however you are able to get out of yourself, you will realise that family and mates will be there for you when management wont. You’ll be able to enjoy what some might call the downside of your lifestyle.
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