As actors, we spend plenty of time between jobs. However, we all still need a way to pay the bills. So, we need to find survival jobs for actors, or what some might call side gigs or jobs on the side.
But how do you find one? Which ones work around acting? How do you balance the whole thing and get everything you need?
Often, these articles simply list a selection of the “best survival jobs for actors.” However, sometimes it’s not as simple as that. As an actor, it feels like you don’t have any options. In fact, there are so many options out there in the gig economy, that it’s almost impossible for some stranger to tell you what you should be doing with your life.
So that’s not what I’m here to do.
I’m here to help you find your own path for your own life, balancing work and acting effectively.
Think About Your Needs
Flexibility
For acting, the most important thing is to have flexibility in your day job. You need something that you can take time off from at the drop of a hat or take extended time off to go and film.
Think about how much flexibility you might actually need. If you work and live in the middle of Soho, you won’t need quite as much time off for auditions in London as if you lived in Manchester.
Flexibility is always the first thing to keep in mind whenever you’re looking for survival jobs or side gigs for actors.
Finances
The next thing to think about is how much money you actually need for financial stability. What sort of lifestyle is your goal? Do you have a family to take care of? Are you simply happiest in a flatshare? Do you want to live in a more expensive area, or somewhere it’s a little cheaper?
Think about what you may want to purchase and the lifestyle you may want to live in the future. What’s a salary that is workable for you and your goals?
Remember, it doesn’t have to be the highest-paying work in the world to mean that you are happy. It’s simply always worth taking into consideration your overall goals for your life and what you may need to achieve them.
Needs and Accommodations
We all have different needs in our lives. It’s extra important to take into account our needs and accommodations. Have a think about your health needs. These may be different depending on if you have a disability, chronic illness, or neurodivergence.
Think about your average energy levels. Think about what you need to be comfortable as you work.
Perhaps that’s to work at home. Perhaps you need something that requires less physical energy. Maybe you need something that you can work to your own schedule, like part-time work or freelance work.
Your needs are important, and they can be accommodated for as long as you take them into account when looking for survival jobs for actors.
Location
Another thing to think about is where you want to live and work. Do you want to live in a city like London or Manchester? Or do you want to live in a more quiet location?
Luckily, there are many work-from-home jobs nowadays meaning that where you live isn’t such an issue when deciding on work. However, they aren’t for everyone – some people like to be around other people.
Have a think about where you would like to live and work, and what this might mean for the type of job that may suit you. Might it have to be online-based? Will you have to travel a lot? Will you have lots of opportunities to get out there and meet people?
There are many different benefits to each type of work location, you just need to figure out what suits you.
For instance, if you’re looking for acting jobs in London, you might want to consider survival jobs that keep you close to the city center.
Think About Your Other Desires
For many actors, the craft is something that is central to your life. However, it can be worth considering your other desires in life too.
Sometimes there’s a sense that we can’t have our cake and eat it too. That we have to give up everything in our lives to pursue acting.
This isn’t true!
However, it is worth taking some time to think about your other desires so that you are able to work everything you want around each other, including balancing work and acting.
Family and Friends
The first thing to think about is your family and friends. Do you want to remain living close to your parents and other family? Or maybe you want to move as far away as possible? Do you want to stay close in case you need to help them out with something? Perhaps they need financial support.
Maybe you have a strong social circle? Perhaps staying near the support system of your friends is extremely important to you? Do you want enough money so you can regularly spend time doing things with your friends?
Maybe you have a partner too. Perhaps their work is in a particular location and you are building a future together. Maybe are saving up for something important.
All these things are worth taking into consideration. All of these things can dictate the kind of salary you need and how much flexibility you need with your work.
Kids
Whether you already have kids, or you want to have them someday, this is a big thing that you need to consider.
If you have them already, you will need to think about how best to support them and what their needs are and take this into consideration.
If you want them someday, it can be a great idea to start making sure this is possible for you.
First, kids will need you to be more stable financially, so a higher-paying job that is more reliable can be a great idea. Additionally, having money to spare for childcare when you have to go off for an acting job can be a great bonus.
Secondly, you might want to think about where you want to raise your kids and what this might mean for your work. If you want to raise them in a quieter location, this could mean you have less job opportunities and may have to more seriously consider remote work or creative side hustles.
Travel
Travel is an important part of many people’s lifestyles, and there’s nothing to say you have to give this dream up. Maybe you want the flexibility to earn money, travel and have an acting career.
Think about jobs that you can take along with you whilst working. Which jobs will you be able to pick up and put down? How much money do you need to be earning for your travels? Are there any jobs that actually allow you to travel for them? The tourism industry, for example, might offer opportunities that combine work and travel.
While compromises may need to be made, there is no harm in looking for something that will allow you to live a life as full as possible.
Think About Your Interests/Likes
Most people would like to work a job that is aligned with their interests or what they enjoy. Of course, acting is likely your big passion, and you’re working on making that happen.
Your day job doesn’t have to become your dream job, but it can be worth working in something that you at least find interesting or enjoyable. Here are some things to think about and can help you find your perfect survival jobs for actors:
- Working with others. If you like to work with others, you may need a job with more in-person interaction. If you don’t, a work-from-home job may be perfect.
- Entertainment. Think about other jobs related to performing. Party performers are often well paid and have flexibility. Also think about party planning, events management, producing and video editing.
- Technology. If you love computers and tech, there are tons of flexible and high paying jobs to look into.
- Languages. Can you speak another language? Do you enjoy learning languages? Jobs like this are always in demand and can allow lots of flexibility.
- Writing. Writing and acting go hand in hand and, luckily, jobs to do with writing and editing can often be done on a flexible schedule.
- Design. Are you artistic? Designers are needed in many different sectors and this is a great way to put your creative skills to use.
- Sports. There is always a need for coaches, personal trainers, nutritionists and more, so if you’re into sports then this could be a great thing to think about.
- Teaching. There are always teachers needed, and this can be a surprisingly flexible line of work. You are also able to teach anything you’re interested in – including acting.
Other popular survival jobs for actors include bartending, waitressing, working in call centers, tutoring, hospitality, nannying, and delivery driving.
These jobs often provide the flexibility needed for balancing work and acting commitments.
Create Long Term Goals
While we need a short term job to pay the bills, we are also looking to build long term stability and flexibility for ourselves here.
Most actors do not have a lucky break and simply need to work consistently before they can start working more consistently. Give yourself the best chance you can possibly have long term by preparing yourself thoroughly.
How will you get there?
Think about what you need to get to the ideal day job to help you facilitate acting. Maybe you need to learn some new skills? Maybe you need to save up money to buy some materials? Perhaps you need to get a qualification?
Whatever it is, it can be done. It doesn’t matter if you have a little experience in the area already or if you have none at all. Make a roadmap that is going to get you to where you need to be when finding survival jobs for actors.
Take courses
I know, I know. Maybe you’ve just finished drama school and you’re sick of studying. And why would you want to invest even more money in a course in an area that’s not even your dream job?
Firstly, because those survival jobs for actors will give you the money and time you need to pursue your dream job rather than being stuck in an office 9-5 on minimum wage.
Secondly, I’m not saying you have to go back to uni and do a whole other degree. However, short courses can be an amazing way to jump-start your work in a certain field.
A 6 week part time short course can seriously change your chances of being hired. A simple certificate saying you have a certain skill can improve an employer’s trust in you tenfold.
I know it seems like a lot of time just to get a job to pay the bills. But if 6 weeks is the difference between not being on the ladder and getting your foot on it? I think it’s worth it. It is the rest of your life after all.
Coursera is a great place to look for courses and certificates.
They have a range of courses, and you can even get a yearly subscription at an affordable rate to get an unlimited number of qualifications! These courses can really make a difference to your job prospects.
Look at internships
Internships give those with little or no experience in a topic the opportunity to get workplace experience, connect with those already working in the industry, as well as getting a certificate out of it too. Many of them are even paid.
Best of all, many internships can end with a job offer, meaning this can be a direct route into working in your chosen field.
Top companies such as the BBC and ITV often have internship schemes, so for those wanting to work in another area of the entertainment industry, these companies are great to keep an eye on.
Remember:
It’s not a backup plan – it’s a plan to make sure you can always do your acting.
You don’t need to feel like a failure or like you’ve given up because you are pursuing another career. You are intentionally pursuing work that is going to allow you to truly pursue your acting, instead of ending up burnt out and quitting altogether before you’ve had the chance to get anywhere.
Survival jobs for actors are a must-have, so you may as well find the right one.
Listen To Other Actor’s Experiences
The Acting Career Center has made a great video interviewing 10 different actors about the survival jobs they have. This can be a great opportunity to get some new ideas, and figuring out how your survival job may actually work for you.
Get Out There And Find Your Perfect Day Job For Actors
Survival jobs for actors are supposed to be practical. They’re supposed to pay the bills and give you the flexibility to do what you really want to do. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them.
It may take a while to get there. Don’t expect to swan into a high-paying and flexible job straight away. However, the sooner you start, whether it’s with part-time work, temp work, or freelance gigs, the sooner you’ll get there.
The most important thing to do is to make a plan. Figure out what you need, and then figure out how you’re going to get there. Who knows where you might be a year from now?
As actors, we can feel a lot of pressure and be very busy all the time. That’s why taking care of ourselves is so important. Go and check out my post on Self Care For Actors to make sure you’re keeping your best interests at heart.
Remember, whether you’re looking for acting jobs in London, actor jobs in the UK, or anywhere else, having a solid plan for survival jobs will help you navigate the challenging but rewarding path of an acting career.
Thank you for reading and break a leg out there!
