Career In Acting

Introduction

"I don't use any techniques; I'm not trained to be an actor. I just enjoy working in films."

MapMyTalent offers detailed career information on what it takes to become an actor, what courses are available and what is the eligibility to become an actor, where can one study acting as a career, and what are the career prospects.

The actors portray the role of another character, fictitious or otherwise, for the benefit of an audience or for their own creative satisfaction. Actors do films, TV shows, videos and theater. They also do commercials, and sometimes even appear as superheroes in computer games. Some actors do voice-overs and narrations for movies and other programs. Some go on to teach at the drama schools or start their own academies. Overall, they play many roles / characters in their careers.

Actors bring their interpretations of characters from screenplays or scripts to life. They’re both entertainers and storytellers. They spend a lot of time preparing for their performance. Many actors are also talented dancers, singers, painters, and mimicry artists. 

Courses & Eligibility

How to be an actor?

It is said that actors are born and not made. But a formal program gives a person exposure, training and education which enhances the chances of success. Thus the budding actors go to a college or university to study theater and some go to performing arts schools. Although there is no defined educational qualification required for this career but a course in acting or theater and a good command over language is a prerequisite.

The National School of Drama, New Delhi offers a Diploma course in Dramatic Arts, which is recognized by the Government of India for the purpose of recruitment to superior posts and services under the Central Government, where specialization in the field of Dramatics is required. The prerequisite for this course is a degree in graduation with at least 10 years of experience in amateur drama.

A week long crash course to a full fledged academic courses spanning over 3-4 years leading to a graduate degree in acting are offered at many institutes.

Where To Study

Institutions and Universities

• National School of Drama, Bahawalpur House, 1 Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi
• Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Law College Road, Pune, Maharashtra
• Asian Academy of Film & Television, Marwah Studios Complex, FC-14/15 Film City, Sector-16A, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh
• The Imago School of Acting, Sudhan Bhawan (1st floor) 37, Saidulajab Village, Saket, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, New Delhi
• Film and Television Institute of Andhra Pradesh, Saraswathi Nilayam, 8/3/169/69 Siddartha Nagar, Adjacent to Vengal Rao Nagar, Hyderabad
• Adarsha Film Institute No.39, Netaji Road, Bangalore, Karnataka.
• Actor Prepares, 2nd Floor, Film Industry Welfare Trust House, Next to Ajivasan Hall,Juhu Road, Santcruz (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Daisy Irani’s Film Institute 682, Roop Kala, 16th Road, Khar (W), Behind Khar Gymkhana, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Barry John Acting Studio, Mumbai - FullTime and Part Time courses in Acting
• Zee Institute of Media Arts Course in Acting

Career Prospects

Actors can work in films, television, theaters, or other public performances (travelling groups, theme parks, etc.). Indian Film and TV industry is booming and prospects are bright for the budding actors.

Famous Personalities

Amitabh Bachchan is synonymous with Indian film industry, he has done over 180 Indian films in a career spanning more than four decades. He has won many awards in his career, including three National Film Awards and fourteen Filmfare Awards. In addition to acting, Bachchan has worked as a playback singer, film producer and television presenter. He also had a stint in politics in the 1980s. He has received both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan civilian awards from the Indian government.

Naseeruddin Shah famous Indian film actor and director. He has won three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards for Best Actor, and a Best Actor Award (The Volpi Cup) at the Venice Film Festival. The Government of India has honored him with both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan civilian awards for his contributions to Indian cinema.He is an alumni of National School of Drama.

A Day In The Life

There is not a typical day in life of an actor. When they are not performing any role they usually spend time taking acting classes for the betterment of their careers. If they have a role on which they are working the days are spent in rehearsing and performing.

Their days are filled with checking emails and coordinating with the agent and searching for auditions and meetings with industry people, reading scripts and other related work.