It’s pretty surprising just how many creative people get upset, or offended even, when you call them business people. Creativity and business aren’t and shouldn’t be treated like they’re mutually exclusive. In fact, having a keen understanding of the business of acting is a must for those who want to take their careers to the next level. Not many actors and producers know this, unfortunately. Instead they’re given “acting tips” encouraging them to go to acting or film school and acquire as much knowledge there as possible.
That kind of so-called “advice” isn’t just inaccurate, it’s harmful. There are a handful of inherent barriers to the acting and film industry, but acting and film school is one of the biggest barriers of all. Not because it’s hard to do, but far too many people think they have to do it.
The Expenses
Judi Dench once said “Anyone who’s in the theatre gets letters countless times a week asking for help to get through drama school. You can do so much, but you can’t do an endless thing. It is very expensive”. That’s both a heartbreaking thought, and a frustrating one. These schools are a strain on the wallets of those who can attend, and a nightmare for those who can’t afford it. Just imagine how many people had to give up on their dream because they were convinced that a degree was their only way into the industry.
The Expectations
Many acting and film schools require some level of prior experience for admission. Two of the most common and easily accessible opportunities include getting involved in theater and drama classes in middle and high school. The earlier, the better. Anyone no longer in school can check their local community theater instead.
These are definitely some excellent ways to get your foot in the door, but these avenues don’t need to take you straight to acting school or film school. Prospective actors and producers can leverage the knowledge they gain through amateur productions without getting ‘permission’ from an academic institution to progress. And they certainly don’t need to measure their chances of penetrating the market by the number of productions they’ve been in or classes they’ve taken. There are so many other options out there, which makes the traditional ‘resume’ somewhat obsolete. Just look at all the people who have gotten famous by posting content on YouTube and TikTok! Some actors start in different industries altogether, and they use their experience to inform the roles they take on. The Rock is a perfect example of that.
The Judgment
Chris Bryant, a minister in England’s Labour Party once caused controversy by criticizing the state of British pop culture for being dominated by people like singer James Blunt. Blunt attended a prestigious boarding school, but he comes from a working class background, so he attacked Bryant for classism.
Bryant’s quote was taken out of context, as he was referring to people who attended high-profile schools in general, not where they come from. He went on to say in his interview that classism, racism, and other types of discrimination prevent students from entering the arts. Knowing you might face those issues would, understandably, prevent anyone from enrolling in an institution for the arts. And if someone isn’t aware of the alternatives to attending schools like this, it’s hardly a surprise that they abandon their dream.
The Curriculum
Acting school and film school don’t prepare you for the entertainment industry. They teach you all sorts of techniques and give you access to countless resources. Once you graduate, however, those teachers are no longer around to give you guidance. And don’t even think that you’ll get easy access to the gear, props, costumes, and everything else you need to bring your set to life.
There are many more elements to landing a gig and running a production that these schools don’t touch on. Without understanding how the entertainment industry operates, it’s a given that you’ll struggle to find relevant work. Next thing you know you’re working two part time jobs to pay the bills while you take on any project that comes your way, and your career stagnates as a result.
So if acting school and film school are a waste of time and money, how can you get the necessary experience?
The actors and filmmakers of tomorrow deserve better, and you can get your head start today. Are you ready for a more relevant education? Reserve your spot in my career course for actors who want to learn the business of acting and entertainment!