Actor

 Actor
actor
Directed by a director, the actor uses vocal, gestural and respiratory techniques to express emotions, embody his character in a credible manner and captivate his audience. Whether he exercises his talent in the theater, cinema, television or radio, this professional must be perseverant. It is, in fact, difficult to break into this environment where competition is tough and income is precarious.

Professional life
The importance of the professional network
Beyond auditions, the professional network constitutes an indisputable asset for any artist. “Word of mouth” and knowledge are good ways to keep up to date with future castings, auditions or projects and to get people talking about yourself. Multiplying meetings increases the chances of obtaining a contract.
Supplement your income
It is very difficult to make a living from acting. Without a proposal, you can go several months without playing. Most performing artists therefore multiply their activities to supplement their income. The luckiest find opportunities in their field (filming of advertising films, film dubbing, corporate shows, entertainment in leisure parks, etc.); the others are forced to turn to other sectors (teaching, administration, etc.).
Moving towards directing
When it comes to career development prospects, each path is personal and unique. Nevertheless, some trends are emerging: some actors are turning to directing, others are setting up their own theater company or even launching into the management of an artistic structure. Actors are most often paid by contract or fee (very few of them receive a fixed monthly salary).
Working conditions
The race for castings and auditions
To make yourself known and land a role, castings and auditions are a must. Very few actors can call on a talent agent to develop their professional contacts and seek contracts. They must therefore remain extremely responsive and show a certain availability. The search for work is an integral component of the profession.
A staggered schedule
The actor's pace of life is quite hectic, linked to his activities: between the search for roles and daily rehearsals, he is required to travel frequently for performances (tours, festivals) or professional meetings. His working hours are staggered: the shows often take place late in the evening and on weekends.
An intermittent status
The profession is marked by precariousness. There are few salaried actors, and few of them manage to break through and make a living exclusively from their talent. Competition is tough, integration difficult, with no guarantee of success. All experience alternating periods of work and inactivity. The largely dominant status is that of entertainment workers. It allows you to receive benefits in addition to your income, provided you have worked at least 507 hours over 10 and a half months.
SKILLS
Versatile artist
The actor is a versatile artist who also knows how to master singing, dancing and even music. Charisma, determination and perseverance are also among the qualities to possess to distinguish yourself from other candidates and obtain a role, to relaunch your contacts...
Memory and technique
Learning texts being an essential component of the profession, great concentration and memorization skills are necessary. Mastery of different techniques (vocal, respiratory and body) is a plus. It allows you to have good speech and a certain self-control.
Nature of the work
Memorize and interpret
Embodying a character, communicating emotions, bringing a text to life... This is the art of the actor. Under the direction of a director or director, he devotes long hours to memorizing dialogue, rehearsals, writing... As an extra, first or second role, he uses different techniques (vocal, gestures, body and breathing) to bring his character to life and captivate his audience.
Do not relax your efforts
Each show requires specific work. Learning the text, rehearsals, performances, tours, filming or recordings constitute the actor's daily life. His schedule is punctuated by periods of intense work, which leave little room for routine.
From theater to cinema
Many actors belong to a company attached to a theater or a troupe. Although theater constitutes the bulk of their activity, this can extend to cinema, television, radio, advertising, dubbing, animation, circus...
Training to access