Why Acting Is A Bad Career Choice

To be or not to be an actor?

There are tons of reasons not to become an actor, whether you're a male or female. When it comes to this job, there are plenty of risks to the satisfaction of your future career, making it a difficult and dangerous one.

"When you’re in the business of entertainment, people think you’re doing it to get famous, but that’s not the reason why," says career coach Deborah McCurley.

"There’s a very big stigma associated with the job. And people think it’s an easy job that you can fall into and you’ll make tons of money, but it’s not the case."

The government has put some measures in place to help with these issues, such as the WGA strike that went on last year and reduced the TV and film industry to a fraction of its former production value.

According to the WSJ, the actor Jon Voight has been vocal about Hollywood's effect on the middle class. He has also claimed that many aspiring actors turn to drugs to ease the discomfort that comes with a life in the business.

"At a certain point, you’ll either break the addiction, or you will end up in a mental hospital with no money," Voight said.

That's not to say that the actor is advocating for actors to stop acting. Rather, he is pleading for awareness and help for those who are struggling. While the stigma does exist, it is not nearly as prevalent as the words of the actor suggest.

But the effects of this job aren't just related to taking drugs. They also include how difficult it is to create a career, get good work, and gain respect in an extremely competitive industry.

These are just a few of the reasons why this job isn't worth it.

You'll have to pay for it yourself

Sure, there are those times when you can make money being an actor. There are some TV shows, movies, and theater productions that pay.

But this type of work is often brief. Some can last for weeks or months, but there are plenty that are for a couple of weeks or only a few weeks.

You're going to be on the payroll for a while, but you won't make the kinds of money you were hoping for.

This is also an occupation that can be in demand only for a few weeks before all of the auditions and film roles have been filled. If you're going to a production that lasts for longer than a few weeks, you're going to have to supplement the income you earn from acting.

To get better work, you're going to have to go to an audition that is already booked. These can often include out-of-town auditions, and these can be an absolute nightmare.

Even if you're lucky enough to land a role, the pay will be incredibly low compared to the typical American worker.

Of course, if you're a first-timer, you might make more money because you don't have any experience or training. This will come with a steep learning curve, and unless you're incredibly talented, you'll never be able to get the type of work you want.

The load is larger than you can handle

If you're looking to become an actor, the role you want to play is often not the one that will land you your first major role.

This means you're going to have to do a lot of small, one-off, uncredited jobs in order to get your foot in the door. One audition might not even result in an audition. So, before you know it, you're doing things that will be out of your comfort zone and are simply to make ends meet.

This is one of the reasons why many actors end up quitting their job to pursue other work. You just can't keep up with the amount of work you're doing.

"One of the big reasons people quit or get fired is their workload and physical requirements," professional actor Ed Welch told Whispers. "I think it is a ridiculous thing that someone would have to eat potato chips and drink sodas all day long, and then go audition all day and come home to cook."

Sure, there are some good shows and films that have shown that it is possible to become an actor, but the workload can get overwhelming.

Often times, people can't compete with the demand of the industry and feel that they need to leave. It's especially difficult for people who have to pay their bills. And even if you do land a role, the financial toll can be tough to bear.

If you have to supplement your income, you'll likely have to quit your job.

You can't measure your worth

If you're going to be an actor, it's extremely important that you get real-world experience to show potential employers.

But if you have to do a job that doesn't align with your chosen career path, you're going to be limited in terms of what you can do.

Maybe you want to be an actor, but the acting school you want to work with doesn't want you to audition for their plays because that's not what they do. Or maybe you want to be a teacher, but you aren't comfortable with the types of work you'll have to do.

Even in a professional industry, there are obstacles that are preventing you from reaching your goals.

"I believe the majority of people cannot achieve their dreams unless they have a plan for the journey ahead, rather than just flying by the seat of their pants," Kira Foerster, director of the eponymous website, told Whispers.

"I know it's hard to put a price on what you want and believe, but having a realistic idea of what you need, and how you need to get there is an absolute must."

Don't get distracted by your emotions

It's possible to have a fulfilling career as an actor, but you can't ignore your feelings on the matter. Sometimes you'll want to quit, or you might feel like you need to do something more challenging and less financially rewarding.

However, the reality is that if you want to make a living as an actor, you will need to put in a significant amount of hours and travel to audition.

If you're frustrated by not being able to continue on the path you want, you might have to consider quitting the business.

"I was 18 and asked a girl out on a date. She said yes and for months the relationship built, and then she asked me, 'Do you love me?' And I said, 'Yeah.' She said, 'Well I love you, but if you really do love me, you need to go to theater school. I'll support you.'"

Actor and screenwriter Adam Giaudrone told Whispers that this is the main reason why he quit acting and headed to Los Angeles.

"I wasn't going to do theater for a while, but now, I wish I had," he said. "I love the people I work with, but it was a great opportunity to go down a path that I was already starting down."

Conclusion

Heading into the world of show business takes a lot of courage, but if you really want to be an actor, you have to be ready to face whatever might come your way. It's not going to be easy, but it will be worth it once you gain a steady audience.

Thus, prepare everything you can - money, talent, time, and effort. It's not enough to say "I can do it," because you need to be consistent and persistent.

Always find time to learn more and explore things so that you can maximize your talents and enhance your skills.