The actor's back up plan

You know, I've made a little game out of finding an image that can most metaphorically (or sometimes literally) represent each post. They all have to be based in a nice blue hue of course. And what better to represent the idea of financial security than an entire splash image full of hanging blue umbrellas?

Very ironically, those who know the arts industry will understand that it truly is a grueling process when it comes to making a living while living a double life trying to perform. The average actor does not earn their money from acting - they earn it from a full-time day job, where money often drains into actor expenses like acting classes, headshots and submission package fees. Others freelance in slightly more "economically viable" creative fields such as copywriting and graphic design when they experience dry spells. In the midst of a pandemic, more so than ever, it is important for the young actor to face up to reality way in advance, and to devise a comprehensive counterattack plan so that they can protect themselves from financial unsustainability as far as possible.

As someone who has walked into the theatre industry in the middle of a pandemic, I'm very clear about what I am likely to be in for. From the day I began pursuing the actor's craft, I embarked on a long journey of near-obsessive research in alternative financial pathways and ways to keep myself afloat while building my competency as a marketable actor.

Living in Singapore, the small island effect was a double edged sword. I was fortunate to have made many connections across the industry and to talk to renowned actors and theatre practitioners simply by virtue of being in the same community as them. Seriously, having talked to friends from all over the world at the Actors' Network, I now firmly believe that being able to start here is an absolute blessing. That said, "small island" also means a small pool of talent, a small market and therefore a very small number of projects going on.

Needless to say, there will never be enough employment for every single actor in Singapore. People often quote this number - 96% of actors and theatre practitioners are not employed in a theatre opening at any one point of time. That very figure is enough to keep acting majors and beginning actors up at night, and I openly admit that I have worried about the prospect of unemployment after graduation as well.

I am most certainly not alone in having those thoughts. When I first told my parents I wanted to act, I was asked to consider how practical or credible such a career might be. They repeatedly encouraged me to consider other career options and to think very carefully if I was truly interested in devoting my life to the arts. While I am very aware and grateful that my parents are in the precious minority of people who are willing to let me explore the arts, the fact remains that all of us are cognizant of the risks and dangers of starting out in the acting industry. This has led me to consider the need for having a Plan B extensively, and to assess where it fits in my career journey.

The Plan B

The Plan B is an alternate plan to the main route. If acting is the Plan A, then the practical and financially stable Plan B would be the emergency parachute out of the arts industry.

Most jobs, however, do not have the kind of flexibility that is demanded from an actor. Before the pandemic and the adoption of selftapes as the main format for auditions, most casting directors are adamant on holding in-person auditions. Even today, many reopening arts industries have moved back to physical auditions. Thereafter, if you book the role, you then face the problem of applying for leave, a rare commodity in a work-obsessed city where showing up is part of the performative display of dedication to the firm. Scrolling through LinkedIn and other job listings, the common refrains of "minimum 6 months commitment" and "fixed hours, no choosing shifts" are seen over and over. That is hardly compatible with an actor's lifestyle.

My question is thus this: Must we really leave the industry behind in order to enjoy financial security? Is having an acting career and a stable living mutually exclusive? Could there be a sweet spot somewhere between the two?

I cannot speak for everyone, but I find that having a niche in another area of the arts helps a lot with finances when one industry is down. Six years of article writing and later copywriting had given me valuable insights into the realities of freelancing and personal marketing. From copywriting to video editing to tutoring, there is a world out there that prides itself on self-reliance and independence from any company.

Of course, it's never easy to get started in any industry. Without a proper portfolio to show for yourself, the projects that you may receive at first may have wages way below the market rate. Other times, repeated rejections can be the cause of additional stress on top of auditioning.

We of all people would know what rejection feels like.

Nevertheless, building a good portfolio of experience is important as it showcases, among other things, your artistic voice in whatever work you are engaged to do. Eventually, a freelance writer can expect their per-word rate to climb quickly once they start receiving gigs from larger firms with bigger budgets.

I would enthusiastically recommend freelancing to any actor due to our unique circumstances. That said, freelancing is not for everyone. It's important to find a working style that matches your style as far as possible so that you have the energy to focus on your craft. If freelancing does not work out, there are ways to get a side business started, and once in a while the perfect flexible job might show up on your radar.

As the word goes, prevention is always better than cure. The earlier you begin planning for the future and building a personal reserve, the less likely you are to find yourself on the bankruptcy list if and when things do go south. So, there's the answer. Do you need a back up plan? It depends on what you're willing to settle with. But do you need a plan that takes both your acting journey and your financial sustainability into account? Without a doubt, yes. A plan is always better than having none at all, so simply sitting down and thinking through your next financial year is a good idea on its own.