Dreaming of the spotlight but unsure how to take your first step? For aspiring actors, the journey is often as much about forging your own path as it is about landing a role.
In a new series, the incredibly talented Janet Moran, an award-winning actor and playwright known for her role in RTÉ's hit dramedy The Dry, is sharing invaluable insights for anyone looking to break into the acting world. This installment dives deep into the crucial qualities of resilience and the power of being a self-starter.
But here's where it gets tough: what happens when you don't get the part? Let's be honest, a significant portion of an actor's life is spent figuring out how to navigate daily living and finances when you're not actively performing. The reality is, there are far more actors than available roles, and the pay, to put it mildly, is often quite meager, especially when you factor in the extended periods between jobs. So, unless you're one of the exceptionally lucky ones, you'll likely need to supplement your income with other work. In my own early days, I juggled waitressing, temporary administrative roles, and a whole lot of careful budgeting.
And this is the part most people miss: unlocking new income streams. A true game-changer for me in my early twenties was a voiceover demo session, a generous gift from a friend. Voiceovers can be surprisingly lucrative, and even if they don't bring in a fortune, the time spent in a professional studio is invaluable. The key here is to create a strong demo. Whether you book a session at a professional studio or, if you're tech-savvy, record at home, your goal is to showcase your vocal range in a concise 2-3 minute presentation. You can craft your own scripts or adapt existing ones from radio commercials. Your straight read is paramount, followed by variations like a more energetic, a hard-sell, or a calm, soothing read. Pay close attention to advertisements – car commercials have a very different feel and purpose than those for discount electronics stores, for instance. Don't forget to consider a demo for animation (which is incredibly fun!), where you can showcase any unique characters or accents you might have, and a demo for book narration. Get your demo created early and proactively send it out to advertising and voiceover agencies.
A brilliant trend we're seeing more and more of with young Irish actors is the creation and performance of their own work. This is fantastic, and many Irish drama schools now incorporate this into their training. When I was a young actor, this was far less common. It took me until my late thirties to adopt the proactive mindset of a much younger individual and begin writing my own material. Actors are inherently storytellers, and through the process of rehearsals, you absorb so much more about narrative structure than you might realize. There are numerous platforms for original work, such as Scene & Heard and the Dublin Fringe Festival, which are highly recommended.
My own writing endeavors have led me to perform in places like New Zealand, Paris, New York, and Edinburgh, with two projects currently being developed into feature films. I used to be quite intimidated by writing, but honestly, once you overcome that initial fear and apply a bit of discipline, it's not nearly as daunting or mysterious as it seems.
Now, for the tough love: you won't thrive in this industry if you can't master the art of disappointment. This is especially true if you feel you're not even getting the chance to audition, let alone land roles. Learn to genuinely celebrate others' successes, stay connected with your peers, and make it a point to see live work (this is absolutely essential!). Furthermore, share information about auditions with fellow actors. Some might be tempted to keep opportunities to themselves, but trust me, that approach rarely pays off in the long run.
One final piece of advice: savor your victories and gracefully let go of the setbacks. After all, it's just acting...
What are your thoughts on the importance of self-creation in acting? Do you believe actors should actively share audition opportunities, or is it a competitive landscape where discretion is key? Share your perspectives in the comments below!
