Careers in Acting

Actors at their very core are story tellers. Art, acting and performance are an expression of life – our cultures, our worries, our love, our strengths, our weaknesses and our existential curiosity. It is political and spiritual in equal measure. It can stimulate debate, educate, dissect life or rise up against oppression.

The innate connection people have with telling stories is what continues to drive actors, and now, there are a growing number of platforms that provide opportunities.

Still unsure of whether you should become an actor? Rawlinson shared some valuable advice for those who may be considering this career path.

"Acting is a lifestyle not a job, you need to want it. Be prepared for a rollercoaster with many ups and downs. Talent is needed yes, but proactivity, professionalism, the ability to build a network and a positive attitude are equally as important. Observe the world around you, analyse it. Watch other actors at work, see as much theatre and cinema as you can. Play, explore, learn…continually. Be nice to everyone."

Job Profiles

Ø  Actor/actress

Ø  Lead actor/actress

Ø  Co-actor/actress

Ø  Supporting actor/actress

Ø  Crowd actor/actress

Ø  Acting instructor

Ø  Dialogue instructor

Ø  Villains

Ø  Co-villains

Ø  Stunt man/woman

Eligibility

Ø  There is no requirement of a degree course to become an actor or actress. You should have a zeal for this and you may go for the short-term, certificate and diploma courses offered by the various small and big banner schools in India.

Ø  But for some courses, candidates who have passed 10+2 are eligible for these courses.

Courses

Certificate

Ø  Certificate Course in Acting

Ø  Certificate Course in Acting and TV Presentation

Ø  Certificate Course in Acting Foundation

Diploma

Ø  Diploma in Acting

Ø  Advance Diploma in Acting

Ø  Diploma in Acting and Drama

Ø  Diploma in Direction & Screenwriting

Ø  Diploma in Dramatic Arts

Graduation

Ø  B.A. (Acting)

Ø  B.A. (Hons) (Drama)

Ø  Bachelor of Theatre Arts (B.T.A.)

Post Graduation Diploma

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Acting

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Dramatics

Ø  Post Graduate Diploma in Theatre Arts

Admission Criteria

Most acting schools have their own admission criteria. For admission, you may choose a school of acting that you like and follow its admission criterion. Some of the schools provide the opportunity to work in add films and TV serials.

Entrance Exams/ Admissions

Whistling Woods International: It conducts an entrance exam which would assess you over General Aptitude, Monologue, SOP- Statement of Purpose, etc.

Barry John Acting Studio: The session begins from November, and the admission is on first come first serve basis.

Some Entrance after your Graduation

National School of Drama (NSD): They have an exhaustive procedure to admit students. There is a preliminary round of audition or a practical test. In the final round there is a workshop of 4–5 days.

Film and Television Institute of India (FTII): The tentative date for entrance is around August, and the admission is based on a Written test and Interview.

Some Institutes/Colleges

Ø  Asian Academy of Film and Television, Noida

Ø  Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, Ahemdabad

Ø  National School of Drama, Delhi

Ø  Bhartendu Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lucknow

Ø  Bhatkhande Music Institute University, Lucknow

Ø  Imago Acting School. New Delhi

Ø  ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata

Ø  National Center for the Performing Arts, Mumbai

Ø  Sahitya Kala Parishad, New Delhi

Ø  Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi

Cost of the Course

There are various institutions all over India that offer short term as well as long term programs in acting. The fee structure for these course can vary from anywhere ₹ 35,000 and ₹ 1,50,000.

Careers Prospects

With growing media channels and other related fields, increasing number of opportunities are available to the aspirants. Even if entering Bollywood is the ultimate dream of any actor in India, they can kick start their career by working in various new and old TV channels, TV serials, game shows and other programs.

There is ample job opportunity in this field but it is a very competitive field. There is no age limit to work in the acting field.

There are a number of national as well as international options that open up once you start acting. Movie industries of Hollywood, Bollywood, Tollywood, and other regional cinema offer a lot of options, for amateur as well as expert actors.  Theatre and musical shows also make up other career options.

After the completion of this course, you can get the job opportunity in:

Ø  Aamir Khan Productions

Ø  Balaji Telefilms

Ø  Dharma Productions

Ø  Eros International

Ø  Gemini Studios – Chennai

Ø  Mukta Arts

Ø  PVR Pictures

Ø  Rajshri Productions – Mumbai

Ø  Reliance Big Entertainment

Ø  R.K. Films

Ø  Trimurti Films

Ø  T-Series

Ø  UTV Motion Pictures

Ø  Viacom 18 Motion Pictures

Ø  Vishesh Films

Ø  Yash Raj Films

Employment Sector

Ø  Film Industry

Ø  Television

Ø  Theatre

Ø  Advertising Agencies

Ø  Entertainment Industry 

Ø  Acting Academies

Ø  Training Institutions 

Income

Ø  A stage actor can get somewhere around ₹ 1,000 to ₹ 10,000 per show. This largely depends upon the scale of the show, kind of role, production house and moreover the kind of viewers.

Ø  An experienced TV actor can approximately earn between ₹ 10,000 to ₹ 2, 00,000 per episode whereas a new comer can get ₹ 2,000 to ₹ 10,000 depending on the role.

Ø  A film actor in India can earn a handsome pay and it can vary from actor to actor depending on kind of role you get and the type of banner you are working for. The payment keeps on increasing with experience and popularity. A debutant can earn roughly about ₹ 5 lakhs to ₹ 50 lakhs for a lead role for a single movie. And an established actor can ask for the king ransom that goes into multi crores.