Actor and benefits

rogerblack

scootw1 wrote: »

No films or dramas on tv or the cinema. Get a grip folks, it is a proper job just one which is highly competitive.

Really?
I have real questions if there would be a significant number of binmen doing it for the love of it.
But acting?
There is no great shortage of actors, especially for TV or cinema.

Would the social mix of actors change - certainly.

Looking at the exceptional pay in a field is a very poor way to determine your career, unless you are objectively truly exceptional, much like financial planning based around winning the lottery is a poor idea.

scootw1

rogerblack wrote: »

Really?
I have real questions if there would be a significant number of binmen doing it for the love of it.
But acting?
There is no great shortage of actors, especially for TV or cinema.

Would the social mix of actors change - certainly.

Looking at the exceptional pay in a field is a very poor way to determine your career, unless you are objectively truly exceptional, much like financial planning based around winning the lottery is a poor idea.

A job is a job at the end of the day. you don't do it for the love of it, you do it to get money to pay the bills.

I never said there was a shortage of actors, quite the opposite in fact.

And I never mentioned pay at all.

I merely pointed out that it is a proper job the same as any other. Why would people regard it as otherwise?

mumcoll

My son's dream is to make films. For ten years he has done a 'normal' job AND pursued his passion. This has been (and still is) extremely hard work as he effectively has two careers - the one that he WANTS and the one that he NEEDS.

As he becomes more successful in his film making (BAFTA nominated last year), he is hoping to be able to do this full time but he is realistic and responsible so has to carry on as he is until his 'big break'.

Bigmoney2

scootw1 wrote: »

A job is a job at the end of the day. you don't do it for the love of it, you do it to get money to pay the bills.

I never said there was a shortage of actors, quite the opposite in fact.

And I never mentioned pay at all.

I merely pointed out that it is a proper job the same as any other. Why would people regard it as otherwise?

Except it's more like doing contract/agency work than a full time permenant role.

Unless it is providing enough regular income to not be reliant on benefits inbetween 'jobs' then it is not unrealistic to expect to do any job to earn a living between acting roles.

scootw1

Bigmoney2 wrote: »

Except it's more like doing contract/agency work than a full time permenant role.

Unless it is providing enough regular income to not be reliant on benefits inbetween 'jobs' then it is not unrealistic to expect to do any job to earn a living between acting roles.

Well, it can be a full-time role. Look at the regular cast of Eastenders or any other soap. Depends what type of work comes in really. But would anyone consider contract or agency work as not "proper jobs". perhaps we should be redefining this as "possibly not regular work" unless as specified above i.e.soaps. Would a singer be considered as "not proper jobs" as they might only release two singles/one album a year so would they seek benefits in between? Probably not.

Dunroamin

scootw1 wrote: »

Well, it can be a full-time role. Look at the regular cast of Eastenders or any other soap. Depends what type of work comes in really. But would anyone consider contract or agency work as not "proper jobs". perhaps we should be redefining this as "possibly not regular work" unless as specified above i.e.soaps. Would a singer be considered as "not proper jobs" as they might only release two singles/one album a year so would they seek benefits in between? Probably not.

Except that only 5% of actors make a living out of acting alone and around 90% are out of acting work at any one time. It's absolutely vital that someone wanting to work in this area has other skills that they can use to support themselves for the majority of the time.

dodger1

mumcoll wrote: »

My son's dream is to make films. For ten years he has done a 'normal' job AND pursued his passion. This has been (and still is) extremely hard work as he effectively has two careers - the one that he WANTS and the one that he NEEDS.

That's my experience of most colleagues I've ever met.

fawd1

ermine wrote: »

My dream is a island with a helicopter. I can't afford that. You care to chip in for my dreams while I chip in for your daughter's benefits while she pursues her dreams? Thought not...

Erm, I don't have a daughter. My 3 year old son wants to be a dinosaur though. And I don't think I suggested she gets benefits, I think I suggested she get some waitressing work and find a low cost flatshare. I also said she'll be as poor as a church mouse. In fact did you read the post or do you just have a huge chip on your shoulder in regards to people who have the guts to pursue their passion?

SUESMITH_2

if she's dyslexic and dyspraxic i think teaching or waitressing wouldn't be the best careers

i think the suggestion of somewhere like rada or lamda might be a good idea as a friends son has just had a small part in downton abbey and that was partly because he had been to lamda and had lots of agents come and see his end show (he has been in other things as well, but that one sprung to mind)

to be realistic, another friend of ours went and did a drama degree, and is back working in starbucks she is talented but just hasn't had any breaks and she does a lot of volunteer work at the theatre too.

another warning, even if she does get a part in a west end show at the end of the day, its a not very well paid job with very little scope for artistic impression (another friends experience)

i wish her and you all the best