Career in Acting and Modelling

Introduction

These job profiles bring vivid images of glitz, glamour and fame. Successful professionals associated with these profiles are constantly spending their working hours under the proverbial limelight. Did you guess what professional roles we are talking about here? Here is another hint. What’s more, these career options are considered the most sought after professions by the youth in our country these days. A good break in either of these professions is not only a dream come true but it can also raise your status to that of a social icon. Your name and fame will cross international boundaries. Yes, you guessed it right! We are talking about acting and modelling.

Acting: Though Bollywood, the Mecca of the Indian film industry, is considered the ultimate goal of the upcoming actors, you can kick start your career in acting by getting a break on TV channels. These channels are growing in numbers and exploding with mega serials, reality shows, game shows and various count downs. All this brings in a lot of opportunities for upcoming actors to showcase their acting talent. You can also become a stage artist for which you need to complete an academic stint at the National School of Drama. There are many institutions offering acting courses all over India.

Modelling: An unforeseen boom in the ad and fashion industry has created a huge and continual demand for fresh models. Every company needs glamorous models to start and endorse a variety of products or to flash the creations of fashion designers. Moreover modelling is a very alluring field with innumerable opportunities to travel and earn handsome money. Models also get to meet people from different walks of life. An established model can get a handsome pay for every assignment they do. All these aspects have made modelling a desirable, attractive and lucrative career for the youth in our county. 

Modelling can be roughly categorised into print modelling, ramp modelling and television modelling.

Step-by-Step

Acting:  There are ample career opportunities for aspiring actors and actresses but since more and more youngsters want to get into this field, it has made this field all the more competitive. It is not so easy to get into this field. What is further difficult is to sustain yourself in this field for a long and a prosperous career and for that you need to have a lot of patience, a strong belief in yourself and last but not the least, you need to polish your acting skills, which can be done by taking up a professional course. There are many institutions in our country which provide degree and diploma courses in drama and acting. 

To give your career a kick start in acting you can take up an acting course, there are various short and long term courses available in several educational institutions all over India. “Well begun is half done”, therefore a good start is very important in this career and a good start doesn’t necessarily mean a Bollywood break, you can initiate with doing an  advertisement or getting a role in a TV serial, hosting a show or working in a theatre as a stage artist.

If you get a break in the  film industry you should consider yourself lucky, all you will have to do is give your best, qualification will not matter much, all that will be considered is your acting skills and hard work.

Modelling: Openings in this field will simply overwhelm you. With endless options also come cut-throat competition, unpredictable work schedule and stress. Endurance and patience play a very important role in survival and growth in this field. 

As a model, you have to learn on the job as there is no particular training available in this field. There are very few training schools opened by former models in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. These schools train you in grooming, developing personality, make up tips and help you spruce up your self confidence. Apart from these courses, you need good links in the modelling world to get the right break to get an entry into this glamorous domain.

There is no definite qualification or age limit or any type of course required to take up modelling as a profession. You can start by making a good portfolio and handing it out to various fashion houses or advertising agencies. 

Modelling assures glamour and good pay packages at the same time. Earlier fashion industry was one of the few industries where women earned more than men but nowadays this career has become promising for men too.

Start Early

Acting: This is one talent that is easily recognised even from early childhood. Try to participate in school functions and events where you can showcase and flaunt your talent to people around you. As you reach higher classes, try to get the lead role in school and college functions. Also, parents must encourage such kids to participate in various talent hunt and acting contests.  

Modelling: You must posses the beauty and charm of a model. Try to take part in fashion shows and theatrical productions both at the school and the college level. Exposure to photo shoots from an early age will give you confidence to do the same once you take up modelling as your preferred career in life.

Is it the Right Career for Me?

Acting: A stupendous acting talent is absolutely essential. However, this talent has to be tagged with other qualities like coordinated movements, a well modulated voice, a propensity for dancing and a good sense of rhythm. Further you must possess the ability to do different roles and with different sets of emotions without flaw. If you think you have all these qualities along with self-confidence and optimistic thinking, then this is a right career for you.

Modelling: It is a very competitive career. You must have the stamina alongside patience and perseverance to withstand hectic schedules. Other essential qualities which are hunted in an upcoming model are a healthy complexion, good height, and good body structure. Last but not the least, you must be photogenic. If you possess these traits then modelling is an ideal career option for you.

What would it Cost Me?

Acting: There are various institutions all over India that offer short term as well as long term programs in acting.  The fee structure for these course can vary from anywhere Rs.35,000 and Rs.1,50,000.

Modelling: There are very few modelling courses available and most of the reputed ones are confined to Mumbai and Delhi. Fees for these courses starts from Rs.20,000-Rs.25,000.

Funding/Scholarship

Acting: Some institutes offer scholarship on a need-cum- merit basis.

Modelling: Alas! No scholarships are available in this field.

Job Prospects

Acting: To find a good break and be successful in this career, good luck, timing and good personal networking plays a very important role. There a range of career options for those seeking to make their mark in the entertainment industry. As an actor, you can work for various theatre productions or even work for TV or radio channels. Then you have the option to show your talent as a stage actor, appear in private videos and TV shows and commercials. 

Modelling: There is no shortage for modelling jobs in the fashion and the advertising industries.

Pay Packet

Acting: A stage actor can get somewhere around Rs.1,000 to Rs. 10,000 per show. This largely depends upon the scale of the show, kind of role, production house and moreover the kind of viewers. An experienced TV actor can approximately earn between Rs.10,000 to Rs.2, 00,000 per episode whereas a new comer can get Rs.2, 000 to Rs.10,000 depending on the role. 

A film actor in India can earn a handsome pay and it can vary from actor to actor depending on kind of role you get and the type of banner you are working for. The payment keeps on increasing with experience and popularity. A debutant can earn roughly about Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 50 lakhs for a lead role for a single movie. And an established actor can ask for the king ransom that goes into multi crores. 

Modelling: Pay usually depends upon the organisers and as to how esteemed the fashion show is. A low budget fashion shows pays about Rs 5,000 to Rs.10000 per show. An established model can expect around Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 per fashion show. Reputed magazines pay around Rs.15,000 to Rs. 25,000. Print ads pay according to the number of photographs being printed. Billboard advertisement also shells out sound money for models.

Demand and Supply

Acting: There is a high demand for new talent in this field. In fact the demand and supply of new acting talent is quite high in our country where successful cine starts are looked upon as demigods. You have to be extremely talented to get into this field. That is one part of the equation. Once you get into this industry you continually need to retain a place for yourself because there is huge demand for actors but the supply is equally plentiful. 

Modelling: There is no demand for high education qualification to get into this field. Physical attributes are more important so if you have what is required, the fashion world will open doors for you. There is abundant job availability in this field. With the rise in advertising, the demand for fresh faces is evermore increasing.

Market Watch

Acting: The movie and television industry put together made a turnover of about Rs.109.3 billion in 2008. This industry is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 9.1%, which is expected to result in a turnover of Rs.168.6 billion by the year 2013.

These developments have lead to the growth of multiplex screens and superior incursion of home video. Furthermore, recent times have witnessed a sharp rise in the number of TV channels. All these aspects have in turn made acting a promising career option for youngsters with star struck eyes.

Modelling: The Indian economy has logged in appreciable growth in spite of the global economic crisis. This has resulted in the increase in consumerism, which in turn has boosted the advertising industry, electronic media, fashion, cosmetic and textile industries. These developments have opened innumerable options for new faces in modelling and made modelling career even more attractive and lucrative.

International Focus

Acting: The Indian entertainment market is one of the largest in size not only in terms of production but also in monetary terms. Hollywood production houses like Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Sony pictures and so on are planning to set shops in India, thereby giving Indian actors international recognition. 

If you are a versatile actor and have a good command over English language you can try your luck in Hollywood too. Talented bollywood actors like Kabir Bedi, Om Puri, Roshan Seth, Saeed Jaffri, Gulshan Grover, Nasseruddin Shah, Ashwaria Rai and few others have made their presence felt in various Hollywood productions.

Modelling: Growth in the fashion and textile industry has bought international recognition. As a model, once established, you can get an opportunity to work for international fashion shows. You might even get to endorse an international brand.

Positives/Negatives

+ives

Acting:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     • Excellent remuneration is offered to talented people. And with experience, an actor can demand according to their star and market value. 

• There are innumerable mediums open to work for a talented actor.  You can work for stage, radio, TV, films, videos and so on. 

• There is no retirement age in this field.

• Popularity of cine stars is not confined to national borders.

Modelling: 

• It’s a glamorous and lucrative profession.

• You get tremendous opportunities to travel and meet people.

-ives

Acting: 

• An extremely busy work schedule often affects normal family life. 

• Media interference affects the private life of cine stars. 

• Due to too much of competition opportunities can be lost in the blink of an eye.

Modelling: 

• It is a short-term career as there is immense cut-throat competition amongst models to vie for prestigious assignments. 

• Models have to face a very hectic schedule and often withstand tremendous physical and mental stress.

Different Roles, Different Names

Acting: Anchoring, working for an advertisement, comparing or hosting a show, chat shows, working for TV serials, reality shows and films are the different roles an actor can play.

Modelling: As a model you can feature in advertisement or music videos, act in TV serials and advertisement films. You can also do still, ramp, live or print modelling. As a successful model, you can even become a brand ambassador and endorse a bevy of products and services.

Top Companies

Acting:

Top banners you can look forward to be a part of are as follows:

1. Star TV

2. Pritish Nandi Communications

3. Cinevista

4. Sahara one Media and Entertainment Ltd

5. Saregama India Ltd

6. UTV Software Communication Ltd

7. Balaji Telefilms Ltd

8. Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd

Modelling:

Popular modelling agencies in India you can look forward to be a part of are as follows:

1. Face 1

2. Ozone Models Management

3. Catwalk

4. Platinum Models

5. Glitz, the Ramp

6. Mayrose Management Services in Mumbai

7. The Tina Factor

8. The Bridge

9. Aditi Modelling Service

10. Passion EC 191

11. Profiles Estd

Tips for Getting Hired

Acting: 

1. Enhance and polish your talent by going to an acting school as it will teach you various other aspects of the industry.

2. You can enter into acting by working in the advertisement industry.

3. Working for ads and TV serials or commercials will help you get noticed and bag some acting assignments.

4. You can start off working as a theatre actor and then move on to other areas of acting.

Modelling:

1. There is no hard and fast rule for a model to do any sort of training to get into this field. As a model you are expected to learn on the job but training will help you develop your overall personality along with shaping your modelling talent.

2. Getting an attractive portfolio made by a professional photographer and then showing it to various ad agencies, model co-ordinating agencies and fashion designers will help.

3. Participate in various beauty contests or other contests sponsored by print magazines or cosmetic companies.