Skills for Acting (What Directors REALLY Want) (2024)

Considering acting as a career?In this guide, we'll discuss all the skills for acting you'll need to master to be successful. Here's some of what's covered:

• Education and skills required
• What a typical acting career looks like
• Typical salary
• How to build a successful acting career from scratch

​Actors are professional entertainers who play roles in movies, plays, and television shows. While many aspiring actors have visions of one day becoming a star, the day to day grind isn’t quite as glamorous. Actors read at auditions, memorize lines, compete with thousands of other performers, and frequently take odd jobs to support themselves financially.
​
While many actors make the move to large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles or New York, there are production companies all over the world that hire actors on a regular basis.

Acting can be a tiring career (both physically and emotionally), but if it's something you truly enjoy, it can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable career paths possible.

Although there are no formal skills required to start a career in acting, there are some necessary soft skills for actors you should work to develop if you want to pursue a career in acting long-term:

• Ability to memorize lines:There's no getting around the need to memorize lines as an actor. It's part of the job and the faster you develop this skill, the better off you'll be.Learn how to memorize linesquicklyand The 5 Best Apps for Memorizing Lines.
• Creativity:Actors need to portray characters and emotions in an interesting and authentic way. The more creative you can be about how to perform and capture those emotions, the more engaged your audiences will be and the more opportunities you'll find yourself getting as an actor.
• Training:Although no formal training is required, the more knowledge you have of the differenttypes of acting techniques, the better prepared you'll be for the range of roles you'll be offered throughout your career. You'll also find auditioningeasier because you'll have more tools in your toolkit, so to speak.
• Ability to take direction:Whether in an audition or on set, directors and casting directors will give you notes on what needs to change for the next time you perform thescene. If you can't take their directionor easily get offended, they won't want to work with you.
• Ability to work with others:Just like taking direction from a director, a career in acting requires working well in a group setting, and being able to listenand respondto othersrealistically. Teamwork is essential!
• Research & Comprehension:Many roles require you to read the entire script first to understand the character arc, and some even require you toread historical documents on particular groups of people or historical events in order to better understand them and give a realistic performance. If you don't enjoy research and have no interest in learning about particular character Types, avoid auditioning for them and focus on something you do have an interest in.
• Special Skills:Some acting skills in drama are required to play a particular role, such as the ability to play an instrument, sing, or stage fight. The more Special Skills you have under your belt, the easier it will be for you to find acting work.
• Resilience:A large part of an actor's career involves going to auditionsand getting rejected (even the busiest working actors are rejected 70% of the time). You'll need a thick skin and the ability to turn every negative into a positive (i.e. "What can I learn from this?") if you want to make it as an actor.
• Physical stamina:Most acting gigs require long hours and the ability holddraining emotional states (sadness, anger, etc.) for long periods of time.
• Clear speech:Speaking clearly and "projecting" properly is a must, especially for theater actors where there are usually not microphones close to your mouth. The audience needs to be able to hear and understand what you're saying, so proper pronunciation is necessary.
• A child-like mind:Acting as a career requires an excitement to learn and a willingness to fail and get up and try again. Aim to learn something new every day and alwayskeep an open-mind.

As of 2022, the

, which translates to about $29.33 an hour.

However, it's important to keep in mind that most actors struggle to find full-time work.

In reality, most actors work part-time and therefore earn far less.Many earn closer to $9,000 per year, and the difference (to make ends meet) is usually supplemented by a side hustle.

Here are some typical benchmark numbers (based on experience):

• Actor/Actress:
  • Part-Time: $9,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $51,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $192,000
• Voiceover Artist:
  • Part-Time: $5,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $48,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $98,000
• Film Director:
  • Part-Time: $12,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $70,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $125,000
• Video Editor:
  • Part-Time: $15,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $51,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $102,000
• Video Producer:
  • Part-Time: $18,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $57,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $88,000
• Equipment Technician:
  • Part-Time: $17,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $55,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $77,000

​**Salary info provided by PayScale

​As you can see, when it comes to acting, although the up-front numbers seem small, down the line the numbers can get WAY bigger for full-time, experienced working actors (especially those who join a union). However, you have to take into consideration all the behind-the-scenes work that needs to get done, such as memorization,

, auditioning, etc. – you won't be paid for that time.

Actors who join unions typically find it easier to secure larger roles and get bigger paychecks compared to actors who stay non-union because casting directors tend to book SAG-AFTRA actors more frequently. However, there are also union dues that can become a financial burden on some actors.

Want to dive way deeper on stats and learn all about acting as a career?
Read my free guide: A Career in Acting: All You Need to Know

On a day to day basis, actors have a wide variety of tasks they engage in – tasks that not only earn them money, but also keep them in top performance shape so they stand a chance at competing. Here's a list of tasks most actors engage in on a weekly or monthly basis:

• Performing:Most actors work at least 1-2 acting jobs a month, some of which are paid, some of which are not. These jobs are either speaking (called "principal" roles) or non-speaking (called "background" roles). Background roles are easier to get and don't require much experience(and can pay the bills), but most actors prefer speaking roles to build their reels and credit list so that they caneventually look for larger roles.
  • Related:Learn the different types of acting roles (background, guest-star, etc.)
• Auditioning:In order to get any speaking role, auditioning is almost always required. This is where you'll attend an in-person or virtual meeting with a casting director and perform for them so they can see whether they think you'd be right for a part. Casting directors usually audition anywhere from 40-60 actors per role, but since they can only choose one actor, getting the part is difficult!
• Rehearsing and memorizing:A large chunk of time is spent at home rehearsing andmemorizing lines. In order to have a chance at being selected for a role, it's highly recommended that actors memorize their lines for auditions. And once you're selected (called being "booked"), you'll absolutely MUST memorize your lines. You'll also spend a lot of time practicing (called "rehearsing") with the other actors in the production so when it's time to actually perform,everything will be seamless.
• Developing "Special Skills":It's important for actors to work on their unique skillsets – talents that will enable them to get booked for a wider range of roles. These special skills include playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, juggling, etc., and depend on the kinds of roles the actor wants to book more of.
  • Related: How to Improve Acting Skills at Home
• Networking and marketing:Just like any self-employed person, actors need to go out and find work for themselves, especially since most acting jobs are short (anywhere from a few days to a few months at most). This requires constantly improving their marketing materials such asheadshots, resumes, and reels, networking with casting directors, finding an agent, and doing what they can to ensure the right people know about them so that when the time is right, they'll have a shot at booking a major role.
• Reading scripts and researching roles:In order to perform in the most authentic way possible, reading the entire script is mandatory(especially once you've booked a role). In addition to reading scripts, you'll also need to spend a lot of time studying character's lives and backstories, especially if you're performing in a "period piece."
• Meeting with agents and other "team members":Signing contracts, deciding whether to accept certain roles, and choosing which headshot photographer to go with are just some of the decisions you'll need to make as an actor. Having a team of people you can speak to for advice and counsel whenever you make these decisions is helpful and necessary as you continue to grow in your career.
• Training:Almost all actors attend classes or meet with acting coaches on a regular basis to constantly improve their technique. It's generally recommended that you spend at least 6-8 hours a week training to keep sharp (although more than that can start to eatinto your time, blocking you from being able to consistently submit yourself, attend auditions, and work in real productions).
• Supporting themselves financially:Because of the inconsistency of most acting work, many actors choose to work a second job or start freelancing (shooting photography, coaching other actors,etc.) in order to make ends meet.

If you're interested in pursuing acting as a career, you're in luck because there are ZERO formal requirements! Here's a quick breakdown:

• Degree Level Requirements:There are no actor education requirements. A bachelor's degree in theater arts, drama, acting, or performing can be helpful on your resume, but casting directors don't require it. Having a higher-level degree does not correspond with getting paid more in this field, but in some cases it can help you book gigs more easily.
• Experience Requirements:An acting resume is usually broken down by "credits" instead of experience. The more credits you build, the easier it is to get booked in future roles, but there is no specific requirement around the number of credits or type of experience to get hired as an actor.Learn how to create an acting resume with no experience.
• ​Training Requirements:If you don't have credits or experience, taking acting classes, studying at conservatories, orworking with coaches can pay off because you're able to list this training on your resume. Most casting directors will take training into consideration when deciding whether to offer you the role, so join some acting workshops and get them on your resume as soon as possible!​

In general, there is no single "right" way to build a career in acting. Most online articles will tell you to start by getting the right training, and some will even say that you need to first get a degree in acting and then quickly get an agent.

The fact is,

, and no amount of formal education or training will help you get there.

I teach the actors I coach to think differently by spending more planning and less time "jumping in and hoping for the best." Here are the 6 steps I recommend you take to build a solid foundation for a successful acting career:

1. First, define what "becoming an actor" means to you.Before you waste your time signing up for acting classes or getting a formal degree in acting, paying for headshots, and endlessly posting on social media in hopes of "building a following," I recommend you figure out what you actuallywantas an actor.Do you want to act in major Hollywood films? Do you want to be on Broadway? Do you want to be aSeries Regularin a television show? Don't say you want it all – pick one thing to focus on for the next 2-3 years (remember, 2-3 years is not very long in the grand scheme of things – you can always focus on something else once you reach your first goal).Once you'reclear on what you actually want, it becomes WAY easier to figure out what to do.
   • Tip 1: If you want to build a career acting on screen in film and television, you should first get some experience in unpaid student productions, next work your way into television with small one-liner (co-star) roles, and then lastly focus on getting a major role in a movie.
   • Tip 2: If you want to build a career in theater, you should find a show you'd love to be in on Broadway and then find some smaller playhouses putting on that same production. Try to get a job in the small, localplayhouse first and then keep lookingfor bigger playhouses putting on the same show. You'llslowly "work your way up" to bigger and bigger theaters, establishing yourself as an expert in that particular character and show,until you finally get a role on Broadway.
2. Figure out your Types.Knowing the kinds of characters the industry would realistically hire you as is super important if you want to book any paid acting work. Being "typecast" is actually a very good thing when you're first starting out because you'll get consistent work byplaying the same kinds of characters over and over again. Eventually once you're so busy with acting work that you want to break out of that Type, you can focus your efforton doing that. But that's a good problem to have! Most actors never book much work because they try to go against their Type from the get go. Remember, you have to first "give" by doing something you might not necessarily love, before you earn the right to "gain" by playing roles you truly love.
   • Related:A Shortcut to Find Your Type in 10 Minutes
3. Create high-quality marketing materials.Once you're clear on the kind of work you want (theater, film, TV, etc.) and you know your Types, you should go spend some money onhigh-quality, professional headshots. These will usually cost anywhere from $300-800 for great ones, but the investment is absolutely worth it because pro headshots tell casting directors you're a serious actor. You should also make sure your resume isprofessionally formattedand as up-to-date as possible. Finally, if you can afford it, I highly recommendshooting 2-3 professional scenes for your reelbecause doing so will make it infinitely easier to get called in for auditions (and eventuallyget an agent).
   1. Related:What are Headshots?
   2. Related:Acting Resume for Beginners
4. Submit yourself to at least 5-10 productions every single week.Most actors are afraid of this step, thinking they're not "ready yet." The fact is, you need to submit yourself consistently for a long period of time to have any hope of getting work as an actor –especially if you're just starting out and no one knows you yet. Make sure to include awell-written cover letterfor each submission. The more things you submit to, the more auditions and bookings you'll get – it's not magic, it's math.
   1. Related: How to Find Auditions
5. Start networking with casting directors.As you submit yourself, you can also start attending casting workshops and keeping in touch with some of the casting directors your meet there (and at auditions). Keep their contact info and stay in touch with them – once every 6-8 weeks you should simply send a friendly hello message via email or social media, congratulating them on something they recently did or letting them know you recently upgraded your marketing materials (headshot/reel) or booked something. Occasionally, if you notice they're casting something you want to audition for, you can email them directly to ask if they'd be open to you auditioning! Since they already know you, chances are high that they'll say yes.
6. Find an agent and start booking bigger projects.Once you have a few small credits on your resume and you've made connections with some casting directors and other people in the industry, you can begin the process offinding a great agentwho will submit you consistently for higher-level productions, including Broadway shows, Network Television, and even feature films.

If you want to dive deeper on the steps to take, I recommend reading my guide on

.

As discussed earlier, there are tons of ways to grow an acting career, and becoming a full-time working theater/film actor is just one. There are other directions you can take your career, including:

• Voice Acting:Animated movies, video games, audio books... they all require voices. Just like live-action acting, there are no formal requirements to start a career in voice acting, but it's a good idea to get some voice training first. To learn about how to become a voice actorin more depth,read myUltimate Guide to Becoming a Voice Actor.
• Background Acting:If you don't want to build a long-term career in acting but just enjoy working on film and TV sets, you can focus on background work. Background actors don't make a ton of moneybut it can be a fun way to meet new people and get your face in lots of movies!
  • Related: How to Get Background Acting Work
• Directing:Directors have the job of bringing a written script to life by taking charge of the production and working with the actors to ensure their performances are realistic and natural. Directors are in charge of the production as a whole and help guide everything from the casting, script editing, composition, and even editing afterwards.
• Producing:Like directors, producers also oversee the entire production, but they're more involved with the financial and business side of things.They focus on finding locations, securing insurance and investors, and even hiring the director. If you love business, becoming a producer might be right for you!
• Hosting:Hosts and announcers run news, sports, and game shows, by interviewing people and ensuring the programming runs smoothly and seamlessly for viewers. If you love being the center of attention and also like going with the flow and not knowing what could happen next, a job as a host or announcer might be right for you.
• Dancing, Singing, and Choreographing:Choreography, singing, and dance is especially common with live performances such as theater.It's a HUGE part of the acting industry and could be right for you if straight acting isn't the only thing you want to do.
• Crewing:Some actors choose to work behind the scenes as part of the crew members who put the production together. Crew jobs include camera operation, light and sound design, animal wrangling, and even video editing.

To learn about the different

.

​​​

​Knowing the most important skills for acting is just one part of growing your acting career.

​As someone who has worked with people in thousands of industries (through my

),I've been able to take growth strategies that work for businesses and apply them directly to actors– to help them grow their careers faster than most would think possible(examples: one of my clients landed his first-ever Broadway role in just 4weeks of working with me, and a brand-new actress signed with a high-levelagent in just six weeks ofworking with me).

I'd like to invite you to myfree insider newsletterwhere I share my best material, including:

• How to network easily and authentically with casting directors– even if you hate self-promotion.
• How to find yourTypeandBrandin just 18 minutes(it doesn't require awkwardly asking lots of random people for feedback)
• How to find a hardworking and reliable agent– even if you don't have a strong resume or reel
• And much more...

Download my freeActor's Toolkitto get started and you'll hear from me a few times a week with unique "outside the industry" strategies. I promise they'll help you build a career you're truly proud of.

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The five key acting skills you should work to develop include:

1. Ability to memorize lines:There's no getting around the need to memorize lines as an actor. It's part of the job and the faster you develop this skill, the better off you'll be.Learn how to memorize linesquickly.
2. Ability to take direction:Whether in an audition or on set, directors and casting directors will give you notes on what needs to change for the next time you perform thescene. If you can't take their directionor easily get offended, they won't want to work with you.
3. Research & Comprehension:Many roles require you to read the entire script first to understand the character arc, and some even require you toread historical documents on particular groups of people or historical events in order to better understand them and give a realistic performance. If you don't enjoy research and have no interest in learning about particular character Types, avoid auditioning for them and focus on something you do have an interest in.
4. Physical stamina:Most acting gigs require long hours and the ability holddraining emotional states (sadness, anger, etc.) for long periods of time.
5. Clear speech:Speaking clearly and "projecting" properly is a must, especially for theater actors where there are usually not microphones close to your mouth. The audience needs to be able to hear and understand what you're saying, so proper pronunciation is necessary.

​If you enjoyed this article (Skills for Acting), you might be interested in some of these:​
​​

• A Guide to the Different Types of Acting Techniques
• How to Learn Acting Skills at Home
• How to Memorize Lines for An Audition​