I know that you have a lot of questions concerning the acting field. In this article, we will discuss the percentage of actors that make it to help you gauge your chances of becoming a successful professional in this diverse field. Let us get started!

I’m an eternal realist and the success rate for being an actor is pretty low.

Tom Hiddleston

What is the percentage of actors that make it?

Only 2% of actors make it to the international scene. There are a lot of actors entering the movie scene at a time when shows and movies are limited. Some actors have also monopolized the market, featuring in several films with unending contracts. Making a living off acting is quite tricky, an assertion that is supported by various reports.

To help you understand this, let us focus on a report that was conducted by Mathematicians at London’s Queen Mary University. Mathematicians conducting the report used figures dating to as early as 1880 while studied over 2.5 million screen actors. From the study, 90 per cent of the actors were only employed once, with a staggering seventy per cent running a successful career for only one year. Other findings that were later published in Nature Communications, a popular journal, established that only select individuals qualify for an Oscars or appear in the Hall of Fame.

This should not, however, bother you if you are the type of actor who needs to make some money off his or her art.

Why are the success rates for actors quite low?

There are several reasons why only 2 per cent of actors excel and hit the international scene. These ranges from competition to gender bias and even the pressure that acting brings. Here are some of the common reasons:

  1. Competition
    The acting field is a lucrative yet highly flooded field at the same time. There are several actors always willing to take up roles. You are therefore getting into an area with extremely high competitions. Getting a project, especially for beginner actors, requires you bring something unique to the table, which many people do not possess. Most actors, therefore, spend most of their lives without appearing in significant shows or movies. The increase in enrolment in drama or acting schools has also worsened the competition. Several fresh talents are getting introduced to an already flooded market.
  2. Vanity
    Most actors look at the lavish aspects of the craft while in the real sense, acting requires a lot. Most people are intrigued by the red-carpet appearances and the flashy lifestyle that acting entails. However, they do give up once they realize the pressure that comes with acting. You will need to spend nights on end, conducting thorough research and watching old movies before your audition or cast. Those who join the field in chase of vanity, therefore, burn out quick, leaving without making any achievement. The constant criticism and ridicule that comes with acting also make several people lose hope and give up soon. Also, most actors are not strong enough to withstand the hardship that the field has. Most people believe that acting is a direct gate pass to financial liberation when, in the real sense, you will end up spending more when beginning. The good times mostly comes towards the end once you have used a large percentage of your finances and exhausted your skillset. Sadly, most people do not wait for such a time to come.
  3. Monopoly
    This may be sad to hear, but it’s true. Most actors have been around for so long that they have monopolized the market. You must have grown up seeing several similar faces on the screens. It is not easy to land a role in a market that has several talented actors. Most beginners, therefore, give up on their dreams of ever joining Hollywood and join other careers or fields. You will also be disadvantaged if you do not have the right connections. You might be talented and unique, but when you lack somebody to link you to the international scene or outside world, your chances of ever becoming a star lessen. This may seem unfair, but that is how the modern world work.
  4. Few projects
    Most movies take years to create. Therefore, there are not as many projects to work on for actors. Most producers resort for renowned actors to feature on their shows instead of trying raw talents who might disappoint. The lesser number of projects also increases the competition. Remember, there are millions of actors, some graduating from acting schools and institutions as you read this. Do not, therefore, be misled that you will join the acting scene and get roles instantly. It might take you years before landing anything substantial. Many actors even started as dancers in videos and movies.

There are a few things that you can also do to increase your chances of success. Even with high competition and fewer projects, many actors still make it out of the industry thriving.

  • Networking
    You will only go far if you network and build connections with different established people. In case you are wondering, you can turn your acting class teacher to a web of relationships. Ask him for good agents who will put you out there for more significant projects. Also, make friends with fellow students and actors who might help you land even bigger projects.
  • Work on your skills
    Excellent acting skills will never go unnoticed; however long it takes. You should, therefore, work on your acting skills to increase your chances of landing a significant project. Conduct extensive research and equip yourself with diverse acting methods that will put you in the map. Ensure that you also join a good acting school with an excellent teacher who will connect you with some of the best agents in the market.

Actors Takeaway:
percentage of actors that make it

The acting scene might look flashy, but several actors do not achieve success. In fact, only 2-percent of actors make it to the international stage. However, this should not discourage you from pursuing your dream. You will get noticed if you are good at what you do.

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