Actor

• Advanced Diploma of Arts (Acting)

Aussie acting sensation, Nicole Kidman captivated audiences with her riveting performance as Virginia Woolf. So convincing was she in the role that she went on to snare the Oscar for Best Actress.

Talented actors have the skills to keep us glued to cinema screens, our television sets and the stage. Their clever use of characterisation with skilled use of vocal and movement techniques, brings characters to life before our very eyes. To get the chance to perform, they generally go through an audition process. It's more than likely that hundreds of actors will attend the same audition, so it's now or never for these entertainers. Actors have to outdo themselves during auditions, giving the most convincing character reading and proving to artistic directors that only they can do a part justice! Being fully prepared is the key to a successful audition.

Not quite the career you are looking for? Please try the related course profiles below:

Influencing and Personal Contact

Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Worker,  Accountant,  Actor,  Aromatherapist,  Author/ Book Editor,  Bank Officer,  Bar Attendant,  Beauty Therapist,  Building Surveyor,  Butcher,  Cellar Door Salesperson,  Child Care Worker,  Conveyancer,  Copywriter,  Counsellor and Community Worker,  Credit and Loans Officer,  Ecotourism Guide,  English as a Second Language Teacher,  Event Coordinator,  Fashion Designer,  Film,Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Financial Counsellor,  Fitness Instructor,  Florist,  Hairdresser,  Hotel Manager,  Human Resources Manager,  ICT Network Administrator,  Journalist,  Landcare Officer,  Management Consultant,  Market Research Analyst,  Marketing and Advertising Specialists,  Musician,  Nursing (enrolled),  Occupational Health & Safety Professional,  Optical Mechanics and Dispensers,  Park Ranger,  Patient Care Assistant,  Personal Trainer,  Police Officer,  Private Investigator,  Project and Program Administrator,  Real Estate Agents & Property Managers,  Reflexologist,  Restaurant and Catering Manager,  Retail Sales Supervisors and Assistants,  Sales Consultant (IT),  School Services Officer,  Security Officer,  Sports Coach,  Tourist Information Officer,  Travel and Tour Consultant,  Trichologist,  University - VET Lecturers and Tutors,  VET in Schools Teachers,  Veterinary Nurse,  Youth Worker or Disability Worker

Artistic and Creative

Actor,  Aromatherapist,  Artist,  Author/ Book Editor,  Baker and Pastry Chef,  Beauty Therapist,  Computer Animator,  Copywriter,  Dancer and Choreographer,  Event Coordinator,  Fashion Designer,  Film,Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Florist,  Graphic and Multimedia Designer,  Hairdresser,  Hat Maker or Milliner,  Interior Decorator,  Jeweller and Gem Cutter,  Journalist,  Landscape Gardener,  Lighting, Sound, Staging, Vision Technicians,  Make-up Artist,  Marketing and Advertising Specialists,  Musician,  Painters and Decorator,  Photographer,  Set Builders, Props Makers, Scenic Artists,  Sound Engineer / Sound Technician,  Stage Managers,  Theatrical Costume Maker (Costumier),  Webmaster/ Website Administrator

Literary

Actor,  Author/ Book Editor,  Copywriter,  Film,Stage, TV and Radio Director,  Journalist,  Legal Secretary,  Librarian

It is recommended to undertake some formal training in acting to improve your chances of employment, even though there are no specific educational requirements to become an actor. Currently 23% of those in this industry have Bachelor degrees, 20% have Certificate III or IV, 11% have Advanced Diplomas or Diplomas, 7% have Postgraduate Degrees. While 33% of actors/dancers have no post school qualifications it is strongly recommended that further study is undertaken as this industry is extremely competitive.

Several courses are available in South Australia that may help improve the skills required to be successful in this industry. TAFE SA offers the Advance Diploma of Arts (Acting), Flinders University offers the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) and the University of South Australia offers the Bachelor of Media Arts (Drama).

The reality also is that productions may only run for a few weeks or months at most, so it's advisable for actors to be prepared to do other work to tide themselves over.

Some actors progress on to become directors, producers or scriptwriters.

Cultural and Recreational Services

Once actors have been chosen and rehearsals begin, it's time for intense study of the script and any professional actor will undertake background research to get a good grasp of the role. Throughout rehearsals, actors memorise lines, rehearse movements, mannerisms, and interactions with other characters. Actors use different methods to immerse themselves in a character. Characterisation is developed with either an externalised approach or a personalised approach. Externalising means, for example, adopting a character's distinctive walk and developing the character from that point. Personalisation is the technique where actors identify with a character from their own life experience to make a character more whole, more believable. Such methods may come naturally to some actors, but these skills are also developed during their training. Another essential quality, which may come naturally but is generally developed through training, is a clear, strong voice that can be altered to suit different characters. Voice projection is not just about having a loud voice. It is equally the ability to whisper on stage and still be heard in the back row of a theatre.

Actors work in live and recorded or filmed productions. They need to have determination, self-confidence and the ability to always perform at peak levels. It is also essential that they have a good memory for them to memorise scripts. Film and television actors have the luxury of doing scenes until these are exactly as the director wants them. There's little such luxury for stage actors.

They also need courage and to have a realistic view of their acting strengths, weaknesses and limitations. Actors perform indoors, in studios and theatres, as well as outdoors on location. They must be prepared to travel for shooting and for touring purposes.

They attend rehearsals before and between performances. During this time they may discuss their work with the director, perhaps examining ways to make their character more convincing or to improve a scene. Actors also discuss ways in which to improve a production with the rest of the cast. Throughout rehearsals, actors also need to attend wardrobe fittings for costume, publicity calls and photo shoots. All this hard work and preparation culminates in a performance.

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''I enjoy taking people on a journey and creating a believable character. Working in theatre is what I do best as opposed to TV. Theatre is live and it happens right there in front of an audience. Performances are not doctored and some nights can be brilliant, while others are a disaster,'' says one actor. It's only natural that actors get nervous when performing, and it may be a reaction they have to endure no matter how many times they perform. An actor needs to be confident, versatility is an added bonus. People with a range of skills such as dancing and singing may find more parts open to them. The drive to succeed, dedication, patience and resilience will also help actors get further. In this industry you will receive more rejections than you will offers and there may be a long wait between role offers. A good memory and a high level of stamina to perform at peak level and cope with the demanding work hours are also important.

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (SA/NT)
First Floor 241 Pirie St Adelaide SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8223 6055
Fax: (08) 8223 7176
Email: sa@alliance.org.au
Internet Address: http://www.alliance.org.au

South Australian Film Corporation
3 Butler Drv Hendon SA 5014
Ph: (08) 8348 9300
Fax: (08) 8347 0385
Email: safilm@safilm.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.safilm.com.au

State Theatre Company of South Australia
PO Box 8252 Station Arc SA 5000
Ph: (08) 8231 5151
Fax: (08) 8231 6310
Email: info@statetheatre.sa.com.au
Internet Address: http://www.statetheatre.sa.com.au

Earnings vary enormously, and while high profile actors can earn millions, many are quite poorly paid and experience gaps in the availability of employment. Many Australian actors (across all acting mediums) earn between $38,000 and $45,000.

For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or email tafeinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au