Is Acting Worth the Risk?

Question:I was wondering, is acting worth the risk? Ok so most of us find it fun, but with the average actor earning something like 10k a year, is it worth the risk to earn the big money and roles?

Not to boast but i am 15 and could easily go to university and get a good job in a company of some sort later on, but acting has always been a hobby of mine, the question is, should i take the risk and go to a college of acting instead and try to weave my way up into the big adventure of acting?

(does anyone know what the chances of getting a role in a drama, decent film or series is also?)

Thanks for reading.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was wondering, is acting worth the risk? Ok so most of us find it fun, but with the average actor earning something like 10k a year, is it worth the risk to earn the big money and roles?

Not to boast but i am 15 and could easily go to university and get a good job in a company of some sort later on, but acting has always been a hobby of mine, the question is, should i take the risk and go to a college of acting instead and try to weave my way up into the big adventure of acting?

(does anyone know what the chances of getting a role in a drama, decent film or series is also?)

Thanks for reading.

What it takes to be a professional actor is passion. you have to love it in order to be able to stay in the crazy world of it. If you just HAVE to act, then it's for you. If you could live with out it, it's better to just keep it a hobbie.

As far as getting big roles, it's more likely that you can easily get a job doing community theater, or small local shows. Getting into the big time is extremely difficult with out real solid hollywood connections. (A.K.A. you're dad or uncle better be mega famous). You can't even get onto TV with out an agent. And there's a lot of professional theater you can't do with out being part of a union. Which is pretty tough to join.

If you have the passion inside you and are willing to act even if it means being poor (which is most likely how things will end up) then you should be an actor. If you just want to act to make money and have fun, then keep it something on the side.

It's worth the risk if you want it badly enough. For myself and most of my friends in theatre, working in theatre is really our only option. We know, even though we're only in our twenties, that it is the only thing we will ever be completely happy doing, and that we would die without theatre in our lives.

If this is just a hobby for you, and you're not sure you can totally dedicate yourself to it, look elsewhere. There are plenty of other career opportunities out there that would allow you to act on the side. If you want this with all of your heart, then go for it. It's not always about getting huge roles and being famous, it's about loving what you do, and doing the only thing that completely fulfills you.

Good luck to you!

You either have it or you don't.
Most great actors are born, I don't think it's something you can learn, maybe technique.
Do what you need to do to be financially safe, pursue acting as you have, a hobby.

If acting is a hobby, then it is probably not worth taking the risk. If, on the other hand, it is a passion and a need, then you might have a chance. Your chances of getting a role in a drama, decent film or series is very slim without any training. You could try 'open auditions' and see what happens. You may be lucky, but thousands are not. If you want to go to a drama school, then you will probably need to audition to get in. If you do make it in, it will start you on the road to making contacts in the business, showcase your talents and teach you skills. I have worked with actors who have spent years going from one low paid acting job to another and only one who was plucked from drama school straight into the big-time. It can happen, but is very rare. Good luck in what ever you do.

if u are acting just for the money no, because you will never have fun and never do as well as others, however if money really doesn't matter and you love to act then yes because you will most likely do well and make money.

i dont have an answer but all i can say is a 100% relate. i ask myself that question everyday. i could actually feel your nerves when i read your question. all i can say is i got this far and im going to go as far as possible, im not turning around and be a quitter because of all the negative people and uncertainty. It is realy calming to see somebody else is suffereing from the same thing. i believe in you...

well, if you're hot like brad pitts or tom cruise, omg, they will want to film you. lol