How to Be Professional Actress - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 7, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Acting as a profession has become increasingly popular over the years due to its potential for financial success and recognition. The more successful actors often become role models, inspiring many others to pursue the profession. As a result, the industry has become more competitive, requiring actors to have specialized skills, such as method acting, improvisation and an understanding of the entertainment industry.

Actors must also be able to take on a wide variety of roles, from comedic to dramatic, in order to stay relevant and gain recognition. The need to constantly adapt and hone their craft has forced some actors to go back to school to study acting and develop their skills. actors must also be able to market themselves in order to find work and build a successful career.

All of these factors have helped propel the profession, making professional acting an attractive career choice for many.

Steps How to Become

Get Training. Take classes in acting, improvisation, and/or theater. This is a great way to learn the basics of acting and to gain exposure to the industry. You can find classes in your area or online.
Get an Agent. Look for an agent that specializes in representing actors. You can find agents through online directories or through other actors who have already been signed.
Create a Headshot and Resume. Headshots are important for marketing yourself as an actor and getting auditions. Make sure you get a professional headshot taken and make sure your resume lists all of your experience and training.
Audition. Start attending auditions and casting calls in your area. Make sure you are well-prepared for each audition and be sure to follow up after each one.
Network. Start building relationships with producers, directors, and other industry professionals in your area. This will help you get more auditions and be seen as a professional actor.
Get Experience. Take any jobs that you can get in the industry. This will help you gain experience and get more exposure.
Market Yourself. Promote yourself through social media, your own website, and other outlets. This will help build your brand as an actor and make it easier for people to find you for future auditions.

Staying ahead and competent as an actress requires a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment. It is important to stay abreast of industry trends, hone your craft through practice and build your network by attending industry events and meetings. Keeping up with the latest casting calls, scripts and shows is also essential.

researching and understanding the target audience for the film or television show can help you better prepare for an audition or role. Lastly, having a positive attitude and professional demeanor will help you stand out from the competition. By taking these steps, you can stay ahead and remain competent in the acting industry.

You may want to check Childrens TV Actress, Soap Opera Actress, and Extra Actress for alternative.

Job Description

Acting: Performing in front of an audience or camera in movies, television shows, plays, commercials, and other productions.
Rehearsing: Practicing lines and movements with the cast, director, and other actors.
Auditioning: Attending casting calls and competing for roles.
Networking: Building relationships with other actors, agents, and producers.
Promoting: Representing oneself in interviews, at events, and online to attract new fans and potential roles.
Collaborating: Working with other actors and creative professionals to develop characters and storylines.
Studying: Developing one's craft by reading scripts, watching films, and taking acting classes.
Researching: Learning about the history, context, and cultural relevance of a role or project.
Memorizing: Being able to quickly recall lines and blocking instructions.
Directing: Taking charge of a project by setting up shots, guiding actors, and overseeing post-production work.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Acting ability
Ability to take direction
Memorization skills
Good public speaking skills
Understanding of character development
Ability to work with a variety of personalities
Strong improvisational skills
Knowledge of script analysis
Technical proficiency in make-up, hair, and costuming
Ability to work long hours
Excellent physical fitness
Ability to perform physically demanding roles
Understanding of the various genres of acting
Good communication skills
Knowledge of different accents and dialects
Ability to work under pressure

Having an effective set of acting skills is essential for any professional actress. These skills include strong communication, the ability to work well with others, the ability to take direction, adaptability, and a good understanding of the script. Communication skills are important for both understanding and conveying the emotions of the character, as well as working with other actors and directors.

Working well with others is also important because an actress must be able to act and react to their fellow actors in order to create a believable performance. Being able to take direction and feedback is important for making adjustments on the fly in order to create a realistic performance. Adaptability is also critical, as it allows an actress to work in different scenarios and be creative in her performance.

Finally, having a good understanding of the script is necessary to be able to accurately convey the emotions of the character and bring the script to life. All of these skills, when combined, create an effective professional actress.

Classical Stage Actress, Television Actress, and Web Series Actress are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in acting?
What techniques do you use to prepare for a role?
How do you handle auditions?
Describe a difficult situation you have encountered as an actor.
What type of roles do you prefer?
How do you handle criticism?
How do you stay motivated?
What is the most challenging role you have ever taken on?
What are your creative strengths?
How do you handle stressful showbiz environments?

Common Tools in Industry

Headshot Portfolio. A portfolio of photographs to showcase an actors unique look and style. (eg: Professional headshots taken by a photographer in a studio setting).
Reel. A compilation of scenes, clips, and monologues showcasing an actors work. (eg: A two minute video reel of different roles an actor has played).
Social Media Presence. An online presence used to network and promote an actors work. (eg: An Instagram page to post updates and share current projects).
Acting Classes. Regular classes to gain and hone acting skills. (eg: Ongoing classes on improvisation and scene study).
Networking Events. Opportunities to meet casting directors and other professionals in the entertainment industry. (eg: Attending industry mixers or film festivals).

Professional Organizations to Know

Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA)
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA)
British Actors Equity Association (Equity)
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)
International Federation of Actors (FIA)
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
Directors Guild of America (DGA)
Writers Guild of America (WGA)
Professional Musicians Local 47 (American Federation of Musicians, AFM)

We also have Standup Comedian Actress, Musical Theatre Actress, and Indie Film Actress jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Agent. A professional representative of an actor or actress who helps to negotiate contracts and secure work.
Casting Director. The person responsible for selecting actors for particular roles in a film, television show, play, or commercial.
Equity. Professional union for actors and stage managers in the United States and Canada.
Showcase. A performance or audition given by an actor to demonstrate their talents and abilities.
Reel. A compilation of an actor's best work, often used to showcase their skills and abilities.
Headshot. A professional photograph of an actor's face, typically used when seeking and auditioning for roles.
Callback. An additional audition requested by a casting director after an actor has already auditioned for a role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who is the highest-paid actress in Hollywood? A1: Scarlett Johansson is currently the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, earning $40.5 million in 2019. Q2: How many films has Meryl Streep appeared in? A2: Meryl Streep has appeared in over 60 films over her career. Q3: What is Viola Davis' Academy Award record? A3: Viola Davis is the most awarded African American actress in Academy Awards history, having won an Oscar, two Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards. Q4: Who was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress? A4: Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, winning the award in 1940 for her role in Gone with the Wind. Q5: What is the highest grossing female-led film of all time? A5: Avengers: Endgame (2019) is the highest grossing female-led film of all time, earning a worldwide gross of $2.797 billion.

Web Resources

Rita (Yijing) Zhang: From Professional Actress to Academic Policy sps.columbia.edu
Vianney Aguilar: Professional Actress | McNeill Academic www.colorado.edu
The Actress | SCAD www.scad.edu