Career Profile
Actor
by FundiConnect Editorial Team | 6 April 2019
Career Overview
Acting isn’t one of those careers you can put in a box and form an exact how-to list, as is with more traditional careers (e.g. Accountant). Becoming an Actor takes raw skill, determination, passion and grit. Some people make it young; they discover their passion at a young age and constantly pursue acting opportunities. Others study a drama degree and make it to the top via the connections they have at university. Others get spotted by an agent by chance in order to make it. Some spend years pursuing acting by attending hundreds of castings, doing acting gigs and networking as much as possible.
So, how do you go about realistically becoming an Actor? Below are just general guidelines that can assist you in becoming a full-time actor.
Required School Subjects
There are no required high school subjects but there are certain high school subjects that are recommended for acting:
- Dramatic Arts
- English Home Lanugage or First Additional Language
- Other languages
- Visual Arts
- Music
Institution and APS
There are many different institutions and private organisations that offer acting classes and/or qualifications across the country. Do a quick Google search to find one near you.
Private Institution/Organisation:
- University of Pretoria – APS of 30
- University of Witwatersrand – APS of 34+
- University of KwaZulu Natal – APS of 28+
- University of Cape Town – APS of 32+
Required Qualifications
Your main selling point as an actor will be your natural talent. Courses will merely help you develop your skills and allow you to achieve your goals. Here are some qualification suggestions to assist you:
Working Hours
Actors work all hours of the day, often more than the general 9 hours a day. Depending on your project, you could be expected to work through the night or all day. There is no general guideline. Or, if you’re doing something like an advert, they might require you for one or two full days and the day will only end when they have all of the shots they need. If you prefer routine and standard working hours, acting may not be for you.
Expected Salary
According to Indeed, the general salary for an actor is +-R15,000 per month. However, salaries may differ depending on your role, your level of experience, location and talent. Connections in this industry matters, so be sure to network as much as you can when entering this career.
What to Expect
If you opt for short courses, workshops or evening classes, you’ll have a lot more practical work. You’ll practice different methods and skills in class, with your fellow aspiring actors. This will help set you up with practical knowledge and skills. You can choose classes based on what you need, for example, learning new accents.