What would you tell your child if they want to be an actor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mostly depends on how rich you are. Can you support them while they try to make it?

+1

I would say the exact opposite is true. Much better if the kid knows there is no backstop and no support coming. Then they will either hustle to make it work or they will find a new passion.

[Anonymous]

Do it while you’re young. If you have no plan by 25 do something else.

[Anonymous]

I actually know a lot of people who have succeeded in arts fields and am incredulous. I personally am friends with the creative director of a major NYC theater (was into acting as a child); two Hollywood show runners; a Hollywood producer; a NYC theater Director; two Emmy winning TV writers; and two successful working artists. Granted, many of them went to Harvard undergrad and all went to elite schools. But they went for it and are successful at a path I never even knew existed. But you have to be very disciplined, very driven to succeed and very focused on seizing every opportunity.

I think having the discipline is the biggest factor in creative professions.

[Anonymous]

“It is success and not failure that is the wolf at the door.” -Tennessee Williams, The Tragedy of Success

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually know a lot of people who have succeeded in arts fields and am incredulous. I personally am friends with the creative director of a major NYC theater (was into acting as a child); two Hollywood show runners; a Hollywood producer; a NYC theater Director; two Emmy winning TV writers; and two successful working artists. Granted, many of them went to Harvard undergrad and all went to elite schools. But they went for it and are successful at a path I never even knew existed. But you have to be very disciplined, very driven to succeed and very focused on seizing every opportunity.

I think having the discipline is the biggest factor in creative professions.

All the positions you mentioned also require being incredibly well connected to get a foot in the door.

[Anonymous]

Say well, you’ll have to get accepted to Yale.

[Anonymous]

My neighbor was a high school drama teacher in Fairfax county. Her daughter was in a soap opera for several years and was in a few episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 and some other shows etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually know a lot of people who have succeeded in arts fields and am incredulous. I personally am friends with the creative director of a major NYC theater (was into acting as a child); two Hollywood show runners; a Hollywood producer; a NYC theater Director; two Emmy winning TV writers; and two successful working artists. Granted, many of them went to Harvard undergrad and all went to elite schools. But they went for it and are successful at a path I never even knew existed. But you have to be very disciplined, very driven to succeed and very focused on seizing every opportunity.

I think having the discipline is the biggest factor in creative professions.

All the positions you mentioned also require being incredibly well connected to get a foot in the door.

Like I said, elite schools. That’s how I know them all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are very involved with theater & drama and want to major in drama in college.

No problem. Just do a double major in theater and accounting or add a minor in Comp Sci.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are very involved with theater & drama and want to major in drama in college.

No problem. Just do a double major in theater and accounting or add a minor in Comp Sci.

Worked for Meghan Markle.

[Anonymous]

Just support them, show you care, and trust them to figure it out. They have a whole life ahead of them.

This. OP's child is (or soon will be) an adult. Treat him like one.

Optionally, if you have the means and desire, maybe offer to provide some financial support for the first (say) year of work, on the condition that the (adult) child is actively working and/or looking for work and/or studying to become a better actor. But make clear that the financial support is time-limited and that the expectation is that the (adult) child needs to become self-supporting after that time.

I don't understand the negativity here, in any case. Acting is a legitimate profession. If it doesn't work out, then OP needs to trust that he has equipped his (now adult) child with the life skills necessary to pursue other endeavors. Either way, it could be the beginning of a rewarding career.

The above assumes that OP has judged his child to have some level of talent and interest in pursuing acting. If he really is completely untalented, then I would suggest that OP strongly suggest other options or encourage some education in the subject.

[Anonymous]

Read some Wikipedias even for some actor who plays the sibling on an HBO show that keeps get renewed. So we’re not even talking household names here. I guarantee they went to private school k-college in a major city and have parents who are at minimum lawyers, politicians, C-suite executives, actors, producers, directors or real estate developers. Remember I’m talking about a basic working actor or actress here. Someone you’ve only heard of if you’ve watched the show they’re in.

That’s how hard it is to break in socially & financially

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve told my kids we will pay for their Bachelor’s degrees. That will be our last major gift to them. I don’t care what they do afterwards as long as they’re 100% self-supporting. The expectation is that they’ll complete at least a BA, barring special needs and/or health issues.

I have the same expectations, but if they major in something like theater, and 99% of the time they can't get a job to financially support themselves within 2 years, then what will you? Just cut them off?

My DD *loves* * adores* *lives* theater and drama. But, she knows she shouldn't major in it because 1. she likes her material things and 2. she has thin skin, and can't handle the type of comments/rejections that people in the arts/entertainment industry have to deal with.

So, DD will major in something that she can get a good job in, and do community theater on the side. I 100% support her joining a theater/drama club/community theater in college.

Your DD sounds very self-aware! The thin skin thing leads a lot of kids to utter disappointment. OP, I don't know how old your kid is, and how much experience they've gotten. They should know all the harsh realities ... but if they do, let them try. Recommend a backup plan.

[Anonymous]

Lol they'll grow out of it. I wanted to be a professional opera singer. I work in finance!

[Anonymous]

My friends kid got signed by Disney at 18 for a 3 year deal at a flat one million a year. Went to college at 21