Many Actors are represented by an Agent. An Agent puts their clients up for roles they think they are suited for and are often given breakdowns for castings that are not readily available to the public, they will take a percentage of the pay, often between 10% and 20%. You can gain an Agent by writing to them, inviting them to shows that you are in, or ask for a meeting. It’s a good idea to research Agents and apply for those who have ‘open books’, meaning they are actively looking to represent new clients.
An Actor portrays a character with their physical presence, voice, and ability to emote through both. To bring a character to life, an Actor must analyze their motivations via the script, memorize the dialogue in it, work with the Director to further develop the character, and mine their own emotional life to authentically embody the figure they’re portraying in the script. In addition to the work necessary for a particular role, Actors must always be preparing for their next job, as the nature of this profession is typically one of inconsistent work. Should an Actor gain a level of success or notoriety, they may also need to be present for promotional events and media tours to market their film or other project.
