\n<\/p>\n
How do you talk about your acting career? How is it you describe yourself? Do you call yourself an actor, or perhaps an aspiring one? Are you early-career, emerging or established? These kinds of questions might sound basic, but they\u2019re important to consider for anybody in our field. And that\u2019s because most actors are terrible at answering them. Let\u2019s break down how t talk about your acting career.<\/p>\n
Knowing how to talk about your acting career will help establish you as a confident and committed performer, whether you\u2019re speaking to loved ones at Christmas, or a potential collaborator in a theatre foyer. Speak with enthusiasm about your work, but also modesty; avoid self-deprecation and set a tone for the conversation that treats your life\u2019s work with respect. Finally, acknowledge that not everybody you talk to about your acting career will \u2018get\u2019 it. That is perfectly okay\u2014as long as you do.<\/strong><\/p>\n This article will cover a few helpful hints on how to talk about your acting career, as well as the best way to navigate some of those troublesome questions you tend to cop from family and friends. Let\u2019s get chatting!<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of the most important acting questions you can ask in your work, and it applies to your life as well. Who are you speaking to? And who is your audience in this conversation?<\/p>\n Different people are going to have different ideas about your acting career. Family and friends may love you, for example, but not get the ins and outs of how and why you creep the boards. Fellow actors will be a lot easier to talk to, but there are often unspoken social norms to follow when engaging in shop talk. You don\u2019t want to brag or complain about work\u2014if you talk about acting at all!<\/p>\n Of course, you\u2019re the best judge of how you talk to those in your life: treat each person equally and personally. But expecting your favourite auntie to understand Anne Bogart\u2019s viewpoints, and then getting offended when she transitions the conversation to her aqua-aerobics class, is quite unfair. Most people are simply trying to make a connection.<\/p>\n With that out of the way, let\u2019s set some important rules acting talk. First of all: respect your career<\/strong>. Odds are, you\u2019ve sunk time and money into your efforts to become an actor. So when you talk about your acting career, treat it with the respect you so rightly deserve. Take yourself seriously, especially in those early\/emerging\/rough patch times, in which you might not be feeling so hot about the work you\u2019ve been doing. It\u2019s all admissible, and all adds up (see: Hold Space for Work and Results, below.)<\/em><\/p>\n Respecting your career also extends to the tone you take when you speak about it. Don\u2019t be sarcastic, don\u2019t be cynical.<\/strong> Be realistic, by all means, but bet on yourself. When you speak to people about your career, you set the tone of how other see your work as an actor far more than their own (sometimes limited) understanding.<\/p>\n There is nothing more boring than a person who seems to regard their own career choices with either indifference or disdain. You might find yourself doing so as a means of defence, but unlearn this as quickly as you can. Self-deprecation can feel comfortable; more often than not, however, it comes across as rude.<\/strong><\/p>\n Your career talk should not be all about your achievements as an actor. Talk openly about your daily work as well: taking acting lessons<\/a>, improving your craft, auditioning<\/a>.<\/strong> All of these things are true of the actor\u2019s life<\/a>, and make up a far larger portion of our existence as artists. Most people who speak to you are interested in your journey as an actor over your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Don\u2019t leave out the good bits!<\/p>\n I remember witnessing a dream run by an actor friend of mine\u2014who has actually contributed to this very site, but shall remain nameless. She was doing television, she was acting in plays and getting the best (and rightly deserved) reviews. She\u2019d signed to an incredible agent and her work was the talk of the town.<\/p>\n I did not think I could respect her more \u2026 until I saw a candid post on her social media where she spoke about the need for a day job, the jostling of professional and personal lives, and the constant hustle for the Next Big Thing. It was a reminder to us all that success is relative, and seldom solves the problems we hope it might fix in ourselves.<\/p>\n So hold space for effort and progress in your career. You should be as proud of that as any acting gig.<\/p>\n This point is more important when it comes to industry chat and networking<\/a>. (Generally, your loved ones will enjoy a bit of a career brag on your behalf.) Speak with enthusiasm about your acting career, but always with modesty.<\/strong>\u00a0This is the flip-side of the self-deprecation warning: don\u2019t come across too cocky. Industry colleagues worth your time will applaud your successes; if it\u2019s all they hear about you, they\u2019ll start avoiding you in foyers.<\/p>\n If you want to try regulating the way you speak with others in the industry, the best thing you can do is\u00a0ask more questions<\/strong>. Be curious and enthusiastic about the work of others, and they will return the favour when it comes time to speak about you. You\u2019re also far more memorable as person who engages rather than one who preaches their success.<\/p>\n Whenever you\u2019re ready. It\u2019s your call to make, as there is no better judge than you. This question calls another equally important query to mind: \u201cWhat is an actor?\u201d If you struggle with the \u201cwhen\u201d question, start with the \u201cwhat\u201d.<\/p>\n Is an actor a performer who\u2019s working professionally? Not unless you want to strip ~96% of all actors of their identities. Is an actor somebody who went to drama school<\/a>? There are so many different pathways these days, it\u2019s a ridiculous claim!<\/p>\n Don\u2019t think about the reasons you\u00a0don\u2019t<\/span> call yourself an actor. Think about the reasons you do. The hard work, the unexpected ups and downs. Those little moments where everything clicks and makes it worthwhile. Think of your colleagues, your teachers, those you look up to and how we\u2019re all in this together.<\/p>\n We\u2019d call you an actor in a heartbeat. So please respect our colleague and do yourself the same service.<\/p>\n This section contains a list of classic acting questions from well-meaning loved ones. If you call yourself an actor, you\u2019ve heard at least some of these. If you\u2019ve heard \u2019em all, buy yourself a treat. And if you hear \u2019em all at one family dinner: feel free to shout bingo! and dance around the table three times.<\/p>\n Some of these questions are clich\u00e9s, some are innocent, some are quite confronting. We\u2019ll offer up some advice that speaks to why they\u2019ve been asked, as well as some advice on answering them.<\/p>\n Finally, for the sake of this article, we\u2019re going to assume that the person you\u2019re talking to is<\/em> well-meaning. If they\u2019re not \u2026 why do you care what they think? Answer politely and move the convo on to something else.<\/p>\n This question is often tied to something you\u2019re currently a part of: a film shoot, or a theatre production. It can be a scary one to answer if the stretch ahead on your calendar is a tundra of nothing. However, you can also answer with non-acting things in your life. Those are just as valid to discuss.<\/p>\n As an answer, try: \u201cHobbies. Until the next audition, I\u2019m re-potting my succulents and trying my hand at aqua-aerobics.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Odds are, you do\u2014exactly like the rest of us! Don\u2019t be upset by this question, as it\u2019s often an inquiry as to how you live rather than how successful you are as a bill-paying actor. This question is actually a great opportunity to educate the person you\u2019re speaking to as to the reality of being an arts industry worker in the modern era. So answer with pride, and speak to the fact that you do multiple things well.<\/p>\n As an answer, try:\u00a0\u201cI do! I\u2019m lucky enough to do something that allows me to pursue creative opportunities and work when it arises.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n If you have a family, you may be asked about juggling home commitments with your acting work. Sadly, this work is asked far more of female actor\/parents than male. And if you sense a bit of sexism in the works, it might be time to do some educating again. But staying positive: you can surely talk about how exciting it is for a child to have acting parents who surely support and nurture their offspring creatively.<\/p>\n As an answer, try:\u00a0\u201cThey love it! They get to see me in things, telling stories. Plus, it\u2019s a nice thought that a single commercial could pay for a semester\u2019s worth of college fees.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n If you take this as nothing more than a good-natured check-in, this can be an opportunity to speak about your daily work as an actor. Speak about the little things that go into your career and craft, such as auditioning, taking classes or work you do at home on your physicality<\/a> or voice<\/a>. This question can tempt self-deprecation or self-pity, so be careful. Nobody asks this question to hear how terrible your life choices have been to this point.<\/p>\n As an answer, try:\u00a0\u201cTough as always, but I love it. There\u2019s so much you can do to improve as an actor, and more than ever you can achieve at home before the next big job.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Maybe they have, maybe they haven\u2019t. Generally, people who ask this question haven\u2019t seen much beyond the Netflix \u2018trending\u2019 lists. If that\u2019s the case, you can choose to politely decline, or tell them about an interesting job you\u2019ve recently completed. (Obviously, if you were in something they\u2019ve seen you should start bragging immediately.)<\/p>\n As an answer, try: \u201cPossibly! How familiar are you with the web series \u201cWhen Pets Murder\u2026\u201d?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Again, maybe they have, maybe they haven\u2019t. Actors have a funny attitude at times towards commercials\u2014it\u2019s a bit like teaching, which can be seen as a lesser part of the career. Our advice is to own it loud and proud. The person asking is most likely going to get a real kick out of it if you were.<\/p>\n As an answer, try:\u00a0\u201cThat was me, Hungry Dad #4. Did you know they make you spit out the burgers in between takes?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Another well-meaning query by (usually) a relative who doesn\u2019t know how questions like these can sting. The funny thing about this question is that actors often make\u00a0terrific\u00a0<\/em>teachers<\/a>. They\u2019re smart, studied, hard workers and have excellent emotional and interpersonal skills. You may even be an acting\/drama teacher already. If you are, you should be incredibly proud of it.<\/p>\n As an answer, try:\u00a0\u201cNot currently, as acting is my primary focus outside of the day job. However, I would be interested in teaching some acting classes or workshops down the line\u2026\u201d As a writer by trade, I\u2019m going to speak to this question in the first person: it\u2019s one I get more than anybody. Look, nobody who says this to you means you any ill will. This question is a sign that the person you\u2019re speaking to is excited for your career and wants to help in any way they can.<\/p>\n Sure, it may cost you an hour hearing about your Uncle Thaddeus\u2019 40 year career as a lock-keeper. But as an artist, set yourself the task of finding the drama, the human element of the story. And who knows, perhaps Uncle Thaddeus is hiding a wild, tell-all tale you just have to bring to life<\/a>\u2026<\/p>\n As an answer, try: \u201cI would love to hear some stories. You never know!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Always say yes. Tell them they play your sidekick in your next project together, and that they cheat at cards and snort milk through their nose.<\/p>\n If you\u00a0actually\u00a0<\/em>know the famous actor, give the person asking the question a little insight. Perhaps word of your connections might spread around the room, and save you answering some of these questions at the next gathering.<\/p>\n As an answer, try: \u201cRyan plays down our friendship in the press, because he knows it makes Hugh jealous. That said: total gentleman, and his gin cocktails are suitably delicious.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Okay: unless the family newsletter announced your retirement from the biz, this question is fairly rude. When asked, it\u2019s a great time to remind yourself of all the things in this article: know your audience, respect yourself, speak with enthusiasm and modesty and hold space for your efforts and passion.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n As an answer, try:\u00a0\u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>And drop the nearest available mic.<\/p>\n So there you have it: how to talk about your acting career. Remember, as you venture forth into whatever social foray has you speaking to your craft, that speaking about your art is a skill that requires study and practice. If it feels strange, or you feel like a phony, keep at it. You\u2019ll get better at it, and you very much deserve to.<\/p>\n And if all else fails, don\u2019t forget that the community here at StageMilk is here for you\u2014readers, members and contributors alike! We get it, and we\u2019re here to remind each other that in the darkest, most deflating days: none of us are on this journey alone.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nKnow Your Audience<\/h2>\n
Respect Your Career<\/h2>\n
Hold Space for Effort and Progress<\/h2>\n
Speak with Enthusiasm and Modesty<\/h2>\n
\u00a0\u201cWhen can I call myself an actor?\u201d<\/h2>\n
Answering Questions from Loved Ones<\/h2>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing next?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cDo you have a day job?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cWhat about your kids?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s the acting career coming along?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cHave you been in anything I might have seen?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cDid I see you in a commercial?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you get a teaching degree to fall back on?\u201d<\/h4>\n
<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYou should talk to [RELATIVE], they have some excellent stories for you!\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cDo you know [FAMOUS ACTOR]?\u201d<\/h4>\n
\u201cAre you still acting?\u201d<\/h4>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n