Median annual earnings of salaried actors were $23,470 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $15,320 and $53,320. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $13,330, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $106,360. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of actors were as follows:
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services | $29,590 |
| Performing arts companies | 28,850 |
| Motion picture and video industries | 17,610 |
Minimum salaries, hours of work, and other conditions of employment are covered in collective bargaining agreements between the producers and the unions representing workers. The Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) represents stage actors; the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) covers actors in motion pictures, including television, commercials, and films; and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) represents television and radio studio performers. While these unions generally determine minimum salaries, any actor or director may negotiate for a salary higher than the minimum.
Under terms of a joint SAG and AFTRA contract covering all unionized workers, motion picture and television actors with speaking parts earned a minimum daily rate of $678 or $2,352 for a 5-day week as of July 1, 2003. Actors also receive contributions to their health and pension plans and additional compensation for reruns and foreign telecasts of the productions in which they appear.
According to Equity, the minimum weekly salary for actors in Broadway productions as of June 30, 2003 was $1,354. Actors in Off-Broadway theaters received minimums ranging from $479 to $557 a week as of October 27, 2003, depending on the seating capacity of the theater. Regional theaters that operate under an Equity agreement pay actors $531 to $800 per week. For touring productions, actors receive an additional $111 per day for living expenses ($117 per day in larger, higher cost cities).
Some well-known actors—stars—earn well above the minimum; their salaries are many times the figures cited, creating the false impression that all actors are highly paid. For example, of the nearly 100,000 SAG members, only about 50 might be considered stars. The average income that SAG members earn from acting—less than $5,000 a year—is low because employment is erratic. Therefore, most actors must supplement their incomes by holding jobs in other occupations.
Many actors who work more than a set number of weeks per year are covered by a union health, welfare, and pension fund, which includes hospitalization insurance and to which employers contribute. Under some employment conditions, Equity and AFTRA members receive paid vacations and sick leave.
Median annual earnings of salaried producers and directors were $46,240 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,990 and $70,910. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,760. Median annual earnings were $56,090 in motion picture and video industries and $38,480 in radio and television broadcasting.
Many stage directors belong to the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC), and film and television directors belong to the Directors Guild of America. Earnings of stage directors vary greatly. According to the SSDC, summer theaters offer compensation, including “royalties” (based on the number of performances), usually ranging from $2,500 to $8,000 for a 3- to 4-week run. Directing a production at a dinner theater generally will pay less than directing one at a summer theater, but has more potential for generating income from royalties. Regional theaters may hire directors for longer periods, increasing compensation accordingly. The highest-paid directors work on Broadway and commonly earn $50,000 per show. However, they also receive payment in the form of royalties—a negotiated percentage of gross box office receipts—that can exceed their contract fee for long-running box office successes.
Stage producers seldom get a set fee; instead, they get a percentage of a show’s earnings or ticket sales.
Actors, producers, and directors express ideas and create images in theater, film, radio, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain, inform, or instruct an audience. Although the most famous actors, producers, and directors work in film, network television, or theater in New York or Los Angeles, far more work in local or regional television studios, theaters, or film production companies, preparing advertising, public-relations, or independent, small-scale movie productions.
Actors perform in stage, radio, television, video, or motion picture productions. They also work in cabarets, nightclubs, theme parks, commercials, and “industrial” films produced for training and educational purposes. Most actors struggle to find steady work; only a few ever achieve recognition as stars. Some well-known, experienced performers may be cast in supporting roles. Others work as “extras,” with no lines to deliver, or make brief, cameo appearances, speaking only one or two lines. Some actors do voiceover and narration work for advertisements, animated features, books on tape, and other electronic media. They also teach in high school or university drama departments, acting conservatories, or public programs.
Producers are entrepreneurs, overseeing the business and financial decisions of a motion picture, made-for-television feature, or stage production. They select scripts, approve the development of ideas for the production, arrange financing, and determine the size and cost of the endeavor. Producers hire or approve the selection of directors, principal cast members, and key production staff members. They also negotiate contracts with artistic and design personnel in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and guarantee payment of salaries, rent, and other expenses. Television and radio producers determine which programs, episodes, or news segments get aired. They may research material, write scripts, and oversee the production of individual pieces. Producers in any medium coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and agents to ensure that each project stays on schedule and within budget.
Directors are responsible for the creative decisions of a production. They interpret scripts, express concepts to set and costume designers, audition and select cast members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of cast and crew. Directors cue the performers and technicians to make entrances or to make light, sound, or set changes. They approve the design elements of a production, including the sets, costumes, choreography, and music.
.Employment of actors, producers, and directors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012. Although a growing number of people will aspire to enter these professions, many will leave the field early because the work—when it is available—is hard, the hours are long, and the pay is low. Competition for jobs will be stiff, in part because the large number of highly trained and talented actors auditioning for roles generally exceeds the number of parts that become available. Only performers with the most stamina and talent will find regular employment.
Expanding cable and satellite television operations, increasing production and distribution of major studio and independent films, and continued growth and development of interactive media, such as direct-for-Web movies and videos, should increase demand for actors, producers, and directors. However, greater emphasis on national, rather than local, entertainment productions may restrict employment opportunities in the broadcasting industry.
Venues for live entertainment, such as Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters, touring productions and repertory theaters in many major metropolitan areas, theme parks, and resorts, are expected to offer many job opportunities; however, prospects in these venues are more variable, because they fluctuate with economic conditions.
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Persons who become actors, producers, and directors follow many paths. Employers generally look for people with the creative instincts, innate talent, and intellectual capacity to perform. Actors should possess a passion for performing and enjoy entertaining others. Most aspiring actors participate in high school and college plays, work in college radio stations, or perform with local community theater groups. Local and regional theater experience and work in summer stock, on cruise lines, or in theme parks helps many young actors hone their skills and earn qualifying credits toward membership in one of the actors’ unions. Union membership and work experience in smaller communities may lead to work in larger cities, notably New York or Los Angeles. In television and film, actors and directors typically start in smaller television markets or with independent movie production companies and then work their way up to larger media markets and major studio productions. Intense competition, however, ensures that only a few actors reach star billing.
Formal dramatic training, either through an acting conservatory or a university program, generally is necessary; however, some people successfully enter the field without it. Most people studying for a bachelor’s degree take courses in radio and television broadcasting, communications, film, theater, drama, or dramatic literature. Many continue their academic training and receive a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. Advanced curricula may include courses in stage speech and movement, directing, playwriting, and design, as well as intensive acting workshops. The National Association of Schools of Theatre accredits 128 programs in theater arts.
Actors, regardless of experience level, may pursue workshop training through acting conservatories or by being mentored by a drama coach. Actors also research roles so that they can grasp concepts quickly during rehearsals and understand the story’s setting and background. Sometimes actors learn a foreign language or train with a dialect coach to develop an accent to make their characters more realistic.
Actors need talent, creative ability, and training that will enable them to portray different characters. Because competition for parts is fierce, versatility and a wide range of related performance skills, such as singing, dancing, skating, juggling, or miming are especially useful. Experience in horseback riding, fencing, or stage combat also can lift some actors above the average and get them noticed by producers and directors. Actors must have poise, stage presence, the capability to affect an audience, and the ability to follow direction. Modeling experience also may be helpful. Physical appearance, such as possessing the right size, weight, or features, often is a deciding factor in being selected for particular roles.
Many professional actors rely on agents or managers to find work, negotiate contracts, and plan their careers. Agents generally earn a percentage of the pay specified in an actor’s contract. Other actors rely solely on attending open auditions for parts. Trade publications list the times, dates, and locations of these auditions.
To become a movie extra, one usually must be listed by a casting agency, such as Central Casting, a no-fee agency that supplies extras to the major movie studios in Hollywood. Applicants are accepted only when the number of persons of a particular type on the list—for example, athletic young women, old men, or small children—falls below the foreseeable need. In recent years, only a very small proportion of applicants have succeeded in being listed.
There are no specific training requirements for producers. They come from many different backgrounds. Talent, experience, and business acumen are important determinants of success for producers. Actors, writers, film editors, and business managers commonly enter the field. Also, many people who start out as actors move into directing, while some directors might try their hand at acting. Producers often start in a theatrical management office, working for a press agent, managing director, or business manager. Some start in a performing arts union or service organization. Others work behind the scenes with successful directors, serve on boards of directors, or promote their own projects. No formal training exists for producers; however, a growing number of colleges and universities now offer degree programs in arts management and in managing nonprofits.
As the reputations and box-office draw of actors, producers, and directors grow, they might work on bigger budget productions, on network or syndicated broadcasts, or in more prestigious theaters. A few actors move into acting-related jobs, such as drama coaches or directors of stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions. Some teach drama privately or in colleges and universities.
.People who work in performing arts occupations that may require acting skills include announcers; dancers and choreographers; and musicians, singers, and related workers. Others working in film- and theater-related occupations are makeup artists, theatrical and performance; fashion designers; set and exhibit designers; and writers and authors. Producers share many responsibilities with those who work as top executives.
For general information about theater arts and a list of accredited college-level programs, contact:
For general information on actors, producers, and directors, contact any of the following organizations:
Formal training through a university or acting conservatory is typical; however, many actors, producers, and directors find work on the basis of their experience and talent alone. They also work in cabarets, nightclubs, theme parks, commercials, and “industrial” films produced for training and educational purposes. They select scripts, approve the development of ideas for the production, arrange financing, and determine the size and cost of the endeavor. For example, stage actors may perform one show at night while rehearsing another during the day. On weekends, more than one performance may be held per day.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos093.htm
Because of erratic employment, earnings for actors are relatively low. In essence, actors, directors, and producers express ideas and create images in theaters, film, radio, television, and a variety of other media. Actors entertain and communicate with people through their interpretation of dramatic roles. In addition, they audition and select cast members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of the cast and crew. Many others were between jobs, so the total number of actors, directors, and producers employed at some time during the year was higher.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/62.htm
She looked around for an ACTRA steward. She phoned the performers' union offices - closed. The parents of other youngsters told her they'd make sure he was blacklisted if she continued to fuss. Many of their parents are also lured by glamour, stardom and dreams of wealth, making it easy for abuses to be swept under the rug. But there's not much hope that children will be better looked after on movie and TV sets.
Summary of: http://www.minorcon.org/outsidethelaw.html
Actors perform in order to entertain their audiences, to communicate an idea, or to create an image. Actors generally get work by trying out, or auditioning, for a part. Film and some television actors occasionally work outdoors. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100002
This Handbook statement focuses on actors, directors, and producers. In addition, they audition and select cast members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of the cast and crew. Working Conditions Acting demands patience and total commitment, because there are often rejections when auditioning for work and long periods of unemployment between jobs. Evening work is a regular part of a stage actor's life as several performances are often held on one day. Actors working on Broadway productions often work long hours during rehearsals.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh9899/10.htm
This Handbook statement focuses on actors, directors, and producers. Actors, directors, and producers express ideas and create images, based on a script, in theaters, film, television, and radio. Some actors employed by theater companies teach acting courses to the public. In addition, they audition and select cast members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of the cast and crew. Working Conditions Acting demands patience and total commitment, because there are often long periods of unemployment between jobs.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos093.html
Talent showcase with resume building tools, links to talent agents, managers, casting directors, acting coaches and film commissions. Provides acting articles, tools and tips plus casting calls for film and TV auditions. Includes articles about auditions, agents, managers, casting directors, and more. Break into showbiz by becoming a movie extra. Moviex provides acting resources, casting notices, career guides, job search, and resume building tools.
Summary of: http://www.actingnet.com/
Actors' Obligations 28. Actors-Director Relationship 43. For personal, noncommercial use only. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. Copyright 2005 All Media Guide, LLC.
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She reconnects actors with their confidence, clarity, and creativity - their joy in acting. There is no auditing of classes. THE ACTORS' SCENE STUDY AND TECHNIQUE WORKSHOP A place to stretch and hone your instrument in both traditional and untraditional ways. My goals are to promote - or restore - your freedom and confidence, to expand your range, and to make you "director-proof" - that is, able to respond effectively to direction, even if it's confusing. THE ACTOR-DIRECTOR LABORATORY Actors are selected from my classes to participate in the ACTOR-DIRECTOR LABORATORY.
Summary of: http://www.judithweston.com/classes.shtml
Please write and let me know if you'd like to know about the next one. all set the stage for this weekend intensive retreat of skill building, learning new ways of working, sharing experiences, gaining valuable on-set communication skills and making new friends. Director Eric Escobar, with actors Lynn McRee, Diane Dicosola. Director Miriam Schalit takes a yoga break with actor Don Williams. Practice rehearsal skills, develop acting vocabulary of "actions and objectives" for better results; motivate shot set-ups through text analysis.
Summary of: http://www.bayareacasting.com/photolayout.html