11 Mar Costs of Being An Actor – The Small Business of Being One
“Wait, what? Small business? I’m not a business person! I’m an actor!”
That’s what you’re probably saying yourself right now but it’s true. If you want to financially survive in Hollywood then you have to approach your career as like a small business owner would.
Here’s a basic run down of the costs of being an actor.
1. Education and training
Let’s start with the most important one: Your training.
Without any training you may do well in reality TV but you won’t get very far in film or scripted shows. If you’re going to go down the university education route then expect to pay around $40,000 for a four year degree, and that’s if you don’t take out any student loans.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great classes and acting programs here in Los Angeles for only a fraction of the cost if a college isn’t you’re thing. The important thing is that you need to train!
2. Rent
Rent in LA is expensive. The average cost of a one bedroom apartment is around $1,500 a month and around $2,000 for a two bedroom. Rent will be a constant source of worry for struggling actors but if you’re lucky you’ll find the actor’s unicorn: A secure, well paying, and flexible job.
3. Headshots and other printed material
Your headshot is like your business’s big neon sign. Without it, no one will ever know that you’re just around the corner. The average cost for hiring a photographer to take your photos will run you about $600-$800. That you should get around 3-5 looks but it doesn’t end there.
A big part of marketing yourself as an actor is having business cards and postcards. Business cards especially are great! They’re like little mini-headshots that you can keep on yourself all the time for when you run into big-shot agents at Trader Joes (just kidding, don’t bother agents at the grocery store). And if you’re interested you can get them printed here! Postcards are another really good tool for keeping up with people you’ve met at events or casting director workshops. Which brings us to number four…
4. Casting workshops
These are kind of a gray area for the entertainment industry. You’re basically paying-to-play in order to meet casting directors, agents and managers. They’re great for some people and not so great for others. Just be sure to do your research before signing up and paying for a workshop. The last thing you want to do is pay $300 to read for a casting director who hasn’t worked since ‘Falcon Crest’ was on TV.
5. Car/gas
We LA’ers are road warriors! Having a car is a must in Los Angeles BUT that is quickly changing. City officials are starting to pump some serious money into the metro, but until that happens you’re gonna need a set of wheels. Fortunately, gas has gotten significantly cheaper so enjoy it while it lasts!
6. Online casting services
I’d say roughly 99.9% of all casting is done online, so unless you’re fine with getting just .1% of the auditions in Los Angeles then get yourself on these sites!
Actors Access/Showfax
LA Casting
Casting Frontier
7. Scripts, sides, and plays
Expect to spend about $300-$400 on buying scripts from Samuel French, and buying ink to print out your own scripts at home.
8. Unions
For Los Angeles SAG and AFTRA are the biggies. The toughest one and most expensive one to get into is SAG. It costs about $3,000 to get into SAG and it’s a huge event for an actor’s career when they finally become SAG eligible. If you’re not there yet don’t push it, it’ll come when you’re ready. In the mean time, start saving for that big fat initiation fee!
Welp, that about covers the basics! It ain’t cheap and it ain’t easy, but once you make it as an actual working actor it’s one of the most rewarding careers out there!
Speaking of business we have a deal going on right now! Buy 100 headshots and get 100 free business cards! Check out the deal at BunkerLA.com and be sure and like us on Facebook
*Happy with Bunker LA? Visit our YELP page and let us know*