
90 Seconds
Cloud Video Production Platform
If all the world’s a stage, then for actors, life itself is career training. As someone with the talent and drive for film, you have likely considered becoming a freelance actor.
This has the potential to be a rewarding and enriching career, but only if you demonstrate and refine your talent.
Essential elements
To succeed as a freelance actor, you must have:
A CV detailing the films and plays you’ve been in, as well as other relevant skills
A portfolio containing showreels from past films, pictures from plays, and other documentation of your accomplishments
Recommendations from previous directors detailing your strengths as an actor and what it is like to work with you
Play to your strengths
A freelance actor plays many roles in her career, but almost all of them involve:
Memory
This means not only remembering your lines, but also recalling specific details about how to move on stage. The less your director has to repeat herself, the better your reputation will be.
Empathy
An actor must be able to empathize with the characters she plays, imaging what it would be like to be in their circumstances. This is crucial for giving a realistic performance.
Improvisation
The most valuable talent an actor can have is the ability to respond creatively and confidently to situations of uncertainty. If something goes wrong during filming, you will be able to respond in a productive way, making the most of a bad situation.
Diversify
The most successful actors are those who diversify, learning other skills that will also be valuable in film production.
Learning to sing is a great place to start. Not only are you likely to encounter auditions for singing roles during your career, but the breath support and pacing you learn from singing will also help you in speaking roles.
Dance is also a useful talent, especially when learned in tandem with stage fighting techniques. You should also consider learning directing skills, as they will both make it easier to work with your current director and will allow you to expand into directing later in your career.

90 Seconds
Cloud Video Production Platform
Related
What is an On-screen Talent?
The film industry is filled with hundreds of interesting and rewarding career paths, but none is as sought after or as idolized as that of the on-screen talent.
Known as “actors,” these positions can make or break any production, as even the most w ...
Read more
How to hire a Freelance On-screen Talent?
Actors are the faces of your film. They are the first thing viewers will notice about it, and have the potential to either make or break the video no matter how you handle other elements. There is thus no way to make an effective film without carefully selecting your freelance ...
Read more