Feb 124 min read

FULL-TIME JOB STOPPING YOU FROM ACTING?

Here Are 10 Things to Try

By Aaron Marcus

Most of the actors I know have decided not to follow the same path I have taken (working as a full-time actor.) They have full-time jobs but they also want to act. Having a guaranteed income to support yourself and/or your family is very comforting and can make life a lot less stressful. I completely understand this choice. But some people think that having a full-time job means they can’t pursue acting. You can work full-time and still act. Many people do.Below you will find 10 ways to help you find acting jobs, even while working full-time.

These are real actors you can cast, and their contact information is available in our digital Heart of Hollywood Magazine for February-March 2024. The link to the magazine and actors' page can be found at the end of this article.

1. Shift Work

Are you a doctor, a nurse, or in other roles in healthcare? Or do you have a job that gives you options for shift work? If so, take on evening hours. I have had people attend my workshops who were ER docs and nurses who worked evening shifts, which normally allowed them to accept bookings.

Jobs With Flexible Hours

Maybe you have a government job, are self-employed or work for a company that allows you to get your work done whenever you want. This will allow you to keep your job and accept acting work.

Stage32

Visit https://stage32.com/ . This is a great site filled with information about actors, producers, filmmakers, writers and other industry professionals. You can join free and interact withothers in the industry.

This is a great way to connect with others who might be shooting smaller projects, which will most likely take place evenings and on weekends.

Theater

Look into local theater work. Although you most likely won’t be paid, that doesn’t matter because you are already bringing in an income. Most rehearsals and performances will take place in the evening and on weekends. This shouldn’t interfere with your daytime job.

Women in Film and Video

Visit https://wifv.org . You don’t have to be a woman to become a member of this great international organization. I was a member of WIFV for many years. We would have meetings regularly. Every meeting started with an hour-long networking session. When networking was done, they always had an industry guest speaker. This was a wonderful way to meet other industry professionals in person, and connect or possibly work with them.

Student Films

Look at the websites for local universities, community colleges and colleges in your area. You should be able to find their film classes in the art department. Focus on the classes that have students shooting films.

Contact the instructor and let him or her know that you would like to submit your headshot and resume in order to be considered for future student films.These projects most likely won’t interfere with your work schedule. It is a great way to get on-camera experience and build your resume. You could possibly use a clip for an acting reel. And it is a great way to connect with a student filmmaker. You never know if that student will wind up shooting independent or even feature films in the future.

Meetup

Join http://meetup.com . This worldwide virtual organization has thousands of different types of groups of people who meet up. See if there is a group in tour area that is industry-related, such as groupes meant for filmmakers, writers or producers. Members typically get together in person on a regular basis. This is another wonderful way to connect with others in the acting industry, and perhaps find someone who is shooting a project you can work on in your spare time.

Facebook Group PagesDo some research and find filmmaking Facebook group pages. Reach out to those in your area to let them know you are interested in auditioningfor a future project. These smaller, independent films might shoot evenings and on weekends.

Find a Local Agent

Once you have the right materials and some experience, finding an agent will be very helpful. The agent will know what jobs are available in your area, will make sure they are legit, and can properly negotiate a fair fee for your work.Let the agent know about your schedule. Always be honest with the agent. It’s possible that the agent might have a problem if you are never available during weekdays, but that will be a good discussion to have.Perhaps, if you can periodically take an afternoon or day off from work, the agent will be willing to represent you.

Market Yourself

You could try marketing yourself to the art and creative directors at local advertising agencies or even stores in your area. You might be able to book radio spots or commercial modeling jobs (those involving “real”, non-fashion-looking people) in magazines, posters, billboards, packages, or websites.

Sending photos to local commercial photographers is another way of finding work on your own. Since you will be booking these jobs on your own, perhaps you could negotiate a time that fits your work schedule.

Having a full-time job does make it more difficult to work as an actor, but there are many ways to work around your day-job and still get the thrill of acting.

MORE RESOURCES

Here is the link where you can watch a video on acting while holding a full-time job. It is on Aaron’s acting and modeling quick tips channel. https://bit.ly/47rd9YJ

If you have a full-time job and have been able to accept acting jobs, leave a comment on Aaron’s YouTube page to let others know your secret.Follow Aaron on Instagram. https://instagram.com/aaronrmarcus

If you have any questions for him, click the contact button on his site. howtoactandmodel.com